Hurray I'm Back!!! -No Internet connection for nearly a fortnight -So so sorry everyone. Anyway we have moved successfully and already digging for victory in the new garden! Cutting back shrubbery which is too near house, so that I can make a flowerbed for Spring and Autumn Bulbs plus flowers under the canopy of very pretty Syringa/Variagated Cornus over which I am letting my 3 clematis scramble to create Summer colour - Forsythia and wild roses. So excited to get started although hemmed in today by heavy rain. Last w/e we were exhibiting near Versailles and this morning we returned from a Garden Fair south of Rouen where I struck a great deal for a lovely 'Golden Dawn' Azalea which is orangy/lemony/cream and very very pretty. So just for now here is the weather report for May which promises to be a hot and dry month after the 5th with scattered showers expected 14/15th and 28/29th -Some cold winds kicking in occasionally but apart from the 14th no major drops in temperature expected.
Here is the Lunar Calender 1st-16th May in case the Internet goes down again (Teach us to move to the middle of nowhere!!)
1st May Flower Day - Moon descending in Gemini Plant potted perennials/Hanging baskets and hardy annuals if not too cold at night.
2/3rd May - Leaf Days with Moon in Cancer - Prune evergreen hedges and Box plus carry out topiary Plant out salads sown 27/30th March.
4/5/6th May - Fruit Days Moon in Leo - No gardening on the 4th before 4.50pm as Noeud ascending Plant out aubergines/chillies/peppers and tomatoes sown 21-23rd February and courgettes sown 17-19th April - Prick out Melons under glass sown 30th March. Pop a nettle top in each hole with a pinch of comfrey before planting as this will provide ongoing 'bio' nutrition to these hungry plants. WATCH OUT for FROST on the Saints de Glace days 11/12/13th May Once past these days the French say no more frosts expected.
7/8/9th May - Root Days Moon in Virgo - Plant out leeks sown 4-6th March remembering to top and tail them to encourage stronger root growth and avoid weak and weedy grassy leaves. Thin out parsnips sown 1-2nd April and thin out celeriac for a second time to allow good root growth.
10/11th May - Full Moon 10.42pm - Note the colour - If Orangy watch out for those Saints de Glace Days -Frost will definately follow - so fleece all those plants up well. Flower Days with Moon in Libra. Prune all Spring flowering shrubs that have finished flowering, plant out pelergoniums/begonias and French Marigolds sown 29-31st January. Thin out flowers sown outside 22-23rd April.
12/13th May - No gardening on 12th after 3.45pm Moon apogee (Furthest point from Earth so weak and weedy forces at work) Leaf Days -Plant herbs (If I've got round to putting up my raised beds, I'm going to plant a herb in each corner as opposed to making a herb bed -should look pretty and act as beneficial plant to attract insects/butterflies and companion plant to edibles) Plant out Brussel Sprouts and cabbages sown 27-30th March. Prick out Celery sown 24-26th April.
14/15/16th May - Fruit Days Moon ascending in Sagittarius. Sow Dwarf and Climbing French Beans/Mangetouts/and Main crop Peas -Repeat sowings once a month until July on Fruit Days.
We shall have just got back from favourite garden fair of the year 'Rond de Jardin' at Evreux. 13/14th May -The whole town South of Rouen opens its gardens free of charge and it is just the best Fair for picking up real bargains with some 135 top Nurseries present. Because exhibiting is free with hotels heavily reduced in price for this w/e plants are really cheap as we do not have to recoup our costs - So a great time will be had by all with a wonderful free Buffet Dinner on the Saturday for all exhibitors in the Chateau. -Oh it's a difficult life
Hi Obelixx - Apart from the scaffolding planks that the builders oposite gave me I have bought 6 raised bed kits from Super-U and intend to add 2 more from 'Point Vert' as advertised last week. I find Super-U and Point Vert are the most competetive out here to look at -The others very fragile construction and I think would rot really quickly. If I can get computer to take photos I shall put them up. Off to UK now to stock up on other goodies I can't get here!
Bit of lateral thinking today BF. We were in a Troc looking for a wardrobe for the guest room when I spotted a solid wooden bed frame, 125 x 195cm going for 16€ - head, foot and stretchers. It is now in the garage waiting to be sanded and oiled and then painted with exterior grade oil based paint and then it will become a raised bed for strawberries or asparagus.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hi Everyone - Plant Fair lived up to all expectations, came home clutching 2 super Red Robin Potentillas that I got in exchange for some stilton & celery scones! Forced myself not to buy anything else as so much left to plant in new garden -Lawn disappearing rapidly!!! - Pushkin caught first rabbit yesterday - great triumph, - it was exploring my new Potager area. - Delighted to hear your news Obelixx, keep hunting. I was eyeing up pallets this morning at Mr Bricolage, but was glared at by workman on bulldozer, so pretended that I was looking at chain link fencing instead!!
Anyway - Here is Lunar Calender 17th-31st May
17 -18th May - Root Days Moon ascending in Capricorn. Sow some beetroot/leeks & Chicory. If planting out Beetroot wait for Leaf Days as initially this is a very weak point to strengthen on transplanting. I had always thought transplanting beetroot should be done on a Root Day, but last year had better luck and stronger plants on Leaf Days.
19-20th May - Flower Days With descending noeud, no gardening before 7.35am on 19th (I don't think you would be anyway!?) Sow cauliflower and broccoli in Nursery Bed, Sow catch crop Annuals to fill empty spaces in Summer. - My Purple Sprouting Broccoli which I bought back from UK is coming on well in pots, will be planting out in new bed soon.
21/22/23rd May - Leaf Days Moon in Pisces - Now you can plant out beetroot plants. I was told to cut the leaves back but never been brave enough - have you tried this method? When the Moon is in Pisces sow salad crops once a month. Sow Brussel Sprouts and Winter Cabbage in Nursery Bed.
24th May - Fruit Day - New Moon -Renew sowings of courgettes and cucumbers.
25/26/27th May - Root Days - Moon perigee on 26th so no gardening recommended before 7.25am Sow carrots and Winter Radishes in alternate rows, the carrots will sweeten the radishes. Thin out both plants every 10cms.
28 & up to 9.13am on the 29th May - Flower Day Lift & Divide Narcissi/Tulips/Hyacinths. Take cuttings from Flowering Shrubs. Plant out Petunias sown 26th Feb.
29/30th May - Moon descending in Cancer - Leaf Days Thin out Leeks. Plant Celery and Sweet Fennel sown 24-26th April.
31st May - Fruit Day but no gardening recommended between 7.50am and 16.05pm Take a Break! Noeud ascending.
Hoping your having a lovely holiday GWRS and the Beer is good in that Pub! Miss a British Pint!
All advice welcomed from everybody. Keep this Thread lively.
Thanks BF. I'm planting perennial flowers this pm regardless and hope it's auspicious for good root development.
OH has almost finished building the frame for the polytunnel and then we'll get the cover on and then we can start marking out the beds for planting. I have brassicas desperate for a proper home and onion sets in modules that need planting out soon.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I know the feeling but it is really exciting creating a new patch -Just so much to do really quickly at this time of year. I have put the Lily and Iris Bed on hold until the Autumn, they are happy in pots at the moment and I can pop them in key areas to gaze at when they flower. -Its the currants and raspberries that I need to get in!!! The prospective Fruit Bed along the drive is murder to dig - May pop these in Raised beds - Have not told O/H yet!! - Overnight rain left an enormous puddle in lawn outside kitchen window - Had noted how damp it was here when we viewed the place - A Bog Garden perhaps?? New project not tried before! - Only about 1metre across - Any ideas what I could grow here? Have just plonked pots of Marsh Irises and Japanese Irises on it at the moment to see how deep it gets (Just comes up to the ankle at the moment then dries out to a squelch. - Morning chorus joined in by Crapauds in Fishing Lake next door - What a racket -All cats gone to inspect!! Have you got any near you. (For UK readers Crapauds are Toads and their BIG)
Thanks for the update Bio , got back from holiday on Tuesday , most things in g/h need going to allotment, however , it throw it down with rain ☔️ all day yesterday , nice today but forecast for heavy rain tomorrow, hopefully get to plot at weekend
intresting about beetroot
Do the toads eat the slugs ?, are they to big for Bengal & Puskin to hunt ?
Just done a bit in garden, everything looking good , lawns a bit long but to wet to cut
Oberlix at one house I had a similar problem with lawn so I put in a soak away with broken bricks etc and it worked
Posts
Hurray I'm Back!!! -No Internet connection for nearly a fortnight -So so sorry everyone. Anyway we have moved successfully and already digging for victory in the new garden! Cutting back shrubbery which is too near house, so that I can make a flowerbed for Spring and Autumn Bulbs plus flowers under the canopy of very pretty Syringa/Variagated Cornus over which I am letting my 3 clematis scramble to create Summer colour - Forsythia and wild roses. So excited to get started although hemmed in today by heavy rain. Last w/e we were exhibiting near Versailles and this morning we returned from a Garden Fair south of Rouen where I struck a great deal for a lovely 'Golden Dawn' Azalea which is orangy/lemony/cream and very very pretty. So just for now here is the weather report for May which promises to be a hot and dry month after the 5th with scattered showers expected 14/15th and 28/29th -Some cold winds kicking in occasionally but apart from the 14th no major drops in temperature expected.
Here is the Lunar Calender 1st-16th May in case the Internet goes down again (Teach us to move to the middle of nowhere!!)
1st May Flower Day - Moon descending in Gemini Plant potted perennials/Hanging baskets and hardy annuals if not too cold at night.
2/3rd May - Leaf Days with Moon in Cancer - Prune evergreen hedges and Box plus carry out topiary Plant out salads sown 27/30th March.
4/5/6th May - Fruit Days Moon in Leo - No gardening on the 4th before 4.50pm as Noeud ascending Plant out aubergines/chillies/peppers and tomatoes sown 21-23rd February and courgettes sown 17-19th April - Prick out Melons under glass sown 30th March. Pop a nettle top in each hole with a pinch of comfrey before planting as this will provide ongoing 'bio' nutrition to these hungry plants. WATCH OUT for FROST on the Saints de Glace days 11/12/13th May Once past these days the French say no more frosts expected.
7/8/9th May - Root Days Moon in Virgo - Plant out leeks sown 4-6th March remembering to top and tail them to encourage stronger root growth and avoid weak and weedy grassy leaves. Thin out parsnips sown 1-2nd April and thin out celeriac for a second time to allow good root growth.
10/11th May - Full Moon 10.42pm - Note the colour - If Orangy watch out for those Saints de Glace Days -Frost will definately follow - so fleece all those plants up well. Flower Days with Moon in Libra. Prune all Spring flowering shrubs that have finished flowering, plant out pelergoniums/begonias and French Marigolds sown 29-31st January. Thin out flowers sown outside 22-23rd April.
12/13th May - No gardening on 12th after 3.45pm Moon apogee (Furthest point from Earth so weak and weedy forces at work) Leaf Days -Plant herbs (If I've got round to putting up my raised beds, I'm going to plant a herb in each corner as opposed to making a herb bed -should look pretty and act as beneficial plant to attract insects/butterflies and companion plant to edibles) Plant out Brussel Sprouts and cabbages sown 27-30th March. Prick out Celery sown 24-26th April.
14/15/16th May - Fruit Days Moon ascending in Sagittarius. Sow Dwarf and Climbing French Beans/Mangetouts/and Main crop Peas -Repeat sowings once a month until July on Fruit Days.
We shall have just got back from favourite garden fair of the year 'Rond de Jardin' at Evreux. 13/14th May -The whole town South of Rouen opens its gardens free of charge and it is just the best Fair for picking up real bargains with some 135 top Nurseries present. Because exhibiting is free with hotels heavily reduced in price for this w/e plants are really cheap as we do not have to recoup our costs - So a great time will be had by all with a wonderful free Buffet Dinner on the Saturday for all exhibitors in the Chateau. -Oh it's a difficult life
Last edited: 01 May 2017 17:13:28
Thanks BF. Have fun in your new garden. What are you using to make your raised beds? Our plans will cost a fortune in timber so a rethink is needed.
Will we get photos of the new plot as it develops?
Hi Obelixx - Apart from the scaffolding planks that the builders oposite gave me I have bought 6 raised bed kits from Super-U and intend to add 2 more from 'Point Vert' as advertised last week. I find Super-U and Point Vert are the most competetive out here to look at -The others very fragile construction and I think would rot really quickly. If I can get computer to take photos I shall put them up. Off to UK now to stock up on other goodies I can't get here!
Happy Gardening.
Bit of lateral thinking today BF. We were in a Troc looking for a wardrobe for the guest room when I spotted a solid wooden bed frame, 125 x 195cm going for 16€ - head, foot and stretchers. It is now in the garage waiting to be sanded and oiled and then painted with exterior grade oil based paint and then it will become a raised bed for strawberries or asparagus.
Hello , Bio , glad move went well and plant fair as well , you obviously need more scaffolding planks !
Currently on Holiday in Tenby , South Wales , weather excellent , found a pub with excellent wifi
Has Bengal & Puskin settled in ?
Next door is looking after greenhouse which is full with stuff , hope it survives !
Hi Everyone - Plant Fair lived up to all expectations, came home clutching 2 super Red Robin Potentillas that I got in exchange for some stilton & celery scones! Forced myself not to buy anything else as so much left to plant in new garden -Lawn disappearing rapidly!!! - Pushkin caught first rabbit yesterday - great triumph, - it was exploring my new Potager area. - Delighted to hear your news Obelixx, keep hunting. I was eyeing up pallets this morning at Mr Bricolage, but was glared at by workman on bulldozer, so pretended that I was looking at chain link fencing instead!!
Anyway - Here is Lunar Calender 17th-31st May
17 -18th May - Root Days Moon ascending in Capricorn. Sow some beetroot/leeks & Chicory. If planting out Beetroot wait for Leaf Days as initially this is a very weak point to strengthen on transplanting. I had always thought transplanting beetroot should be done on a Root Day, but last year had better luck and stronger plants on Leaf Days.
19-20th May - Flower Days With descending noeud, no gardening before 7.35am on 19th (I don't think you would be anyway!?) Sow cauliflower and broccoli in Nursery Bed, Sow catch crop Annuals to fill empty spaces in Summer. - My Purple Sprouting Broccoli which I bought back from UK is coming on well in pots, will be planting out in new bed soon.
21/22/23rd May - Leaf Days Moon in Pisces - Now you can plant out beetroot plants. I was told to cut the leaves back but never been brave enough - have you tried this method? When the Moon is in Pisces sow salad crops once a month. Sow Brussel Sprouts and Winter Cabbage in Nursery Bed.
24th May - Fruit Day - New Moon -Renew sowings of courgettes and cucumbers.
25/26/27th May - Root Days - Moon perigee on 26th so no gardening recommended before 7.25am Sow carrots and Winter Radishes in alternate rows, the carrots will sweeten the radishes. Thin out both plants every 10cms.
28 & up to 9.13am on the 29th May - Flower Day Lift & Divide Narcissi/Tulips/Hyacinths. Take cuttings from Flowering Shrubs. Plant out Petunias sown 26th Feb.
29/30th May - Moon descending in Cancer - Leaf Days Thin out Leeks. Plant Celery and Sweet Fennel sown 24-26th April.
31st May - Fruit Day but no gardening recommended between 7.50am and 16.05pm Take a Break! Noeud ascending.
Hoping your having a lovely holiday GWRS and the Beer is good in that Pub! Miss a British Pint!
All advice welcomed from everybody. Keep this Thread lively.
Happy Gardening.
Thanks BF. I'm planting perennial flowers this pm regardless and hope it's auspicious for good root development.
OH has almost finished building the frame for the polytunnel and then we'll get the cover on and then we can start marking out the beds for planting. I have brassicas desperate for a proper home and onion sets in modules that need planting out soon.
I know the feeling but it is really exciting creating a new patch -Just so much to do really quickly at this time of year. I have put the Lily and Iris Bed on hold until the Autumn, they are happy in pots at the moment and I can pop them in key areas to gaze at when they flower. -Its the currants and raspberries that I need to get in!!! The prospective Fruit Bed along the drive is murder to dig - May pop these in Raised beds - Have not told O/H yet!! - Overnight rain left an enormous puddle in lawn outside kitchen window - Had noted how damp it was here when we viewed the place - A Bog Garden perhaps?? New project not tried before! - Only about 1metre across - Any ideas what I could grow here? Have just plonked pots of Marsh Irises and Japanese Irises on it at the moment to see how deep it gets (Just comes up to the ankle at the moment then dries out to a squelch. - Morning chorus joined in by Crapauds in Fishing Lake next door - What a racket -All cats gone to inspect!! Have you got any near you. (For UK readers Crapauds are Toads and their BIG)
Off to get some Bio Terreau. Speak later.
Thanks for the update Bio , got back from holiday on Tuesday , most things in g/h need going to allotment, however , it throw it down with rain ☔️ all day yesterday , nice today but forecast for heavy rain tomorrow, hopefully get to plot at weekend
intresting about beetroot
Do the toads eat the slugs ?, are they to big for Bengal & Puskin to hunt ?
Just done a bit in garden, everything looking good , lawns a bit long but to wet to cut
Oberlix at one house I had a similar problem with lawn so I put in a soak away with broken bricks etc and it worked
No drainage probs here GWRS. Plenty of rain overnight and all morning and all soaking into a very thirsty garden.