Bit late now Tootles but yes, once established, gooseberry plants needs pruning. I inherited mine and have no idea when they last saw a pair of secateurs. They were well out of control, leaning forwards so needed a good number four trim
I've had a good day today, managed to get the rudbeckia lifted, divided and moved into new home. Transplanted a sedum, 3 primula, a tea rose, and michaelmas daisies. As well as plant the honeysuckle I had layered last autumn and had taken rather nicely, so it can climb up the lilac tree. The only trauma was digging up asiatic lilies by mistake. And I hit concrete about 18 inches down in the spot that I was originally going to put the rudbeckia. Arrgh! I spend 15 minutes sweating (and yes there may have been swearing too) in trying to dig that beast up, but gave up in the end as I realised it belongs to a fence post. *blushes* So moved the crocosmia and planted the rudbeckia there. Mulched the acidic loving plants with an ericaceous compost, and mulched the biennials too. And finished digging in some organic matter and a little blood, bone and fish into the back border.
This morning was fine but I was busy experimenting with chocolate cherry muffins for my English class - Belgian scientists I use as baking guinea pigs. Now I'm free to garden but we have thunder, lightening and lots of wet stuff pouring down. Domesticity it is then.
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)."
We also had lots of the wet, white stuff pouring down but managed to nip out and put some slug pellets around my new delphinium shoots while I remembered in case the slugs came out and did a rain dance.
Also put some Growmore around my witch hazel which hasn't flowered for the 2nd year running - anybody got any ideas as to how I can get it going again?
Lizzie - ditch the growmore and give it some pelleted chicken manure or blood fish and bone which will also feed soil organisms and thus improve the soil. Give it some rose food too and some drinks of liquid rose or tomato food which will promote flowers.
Mine has flowered well this year after almost being wiped out by heavy frosts and snow in the winter of 12-13. Last winter was mild so it kept the few new stems it had put on and grew loads more last year and is flowering beautifully.
Caral - there's only me and OH at home most of the time so I use the scientists and the dance club to experiment with new recipes for when I do a charity bake. My latest finds are chocolate cherry muffins, banana, apple and pecan cake and a honey, parsnip and coconut cake. All scrumptious.
No gardening as yet today. It's persisting down after another wild, wet and windy night.
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)."
Thanks obelixx, I did think of bfb but we have badgers patrolling in the lane outside and I have heard that they are particularly partial to bfb. I can't keep them out so don't want to do anything to attract them into the garden.
Might try the rose food though.
Today it's been dry and sunny although very windy, so OH and I battled to erect a new rose arch which is now in place - I think it's straight!
Posts
Bit late now Tootles but yes, once established, gooseberry plants needs pruning. I inherited mine and have no idea when they last saw a pair of secateurs. They were well out of control, leaning forwards so needed a good number four trim
Established gooseberries tend to droop naturally so when pruning, cut next to an upward facing bud.
I've had a good day today, managed to get the rudbeckia lifted, divided and moved into new home. Transplanted a sedum, 3 primula, a tea rose, and michaelmas daisies. As well as plant the honeysuckle I had layered last autumn and had taken rather nicely, so it can climb up the lilac tree. The only trauma was digging up asiatic lilies by mistake.
And I hit concrete about 18 inches down in the spot that I was originally going to put the rudbeckia. Arrgh! I spend 15 minutes sweating (and yes there may have been swearing too) in trying to dig that beast up, but gave up in the end as I realised it belongs to a fence post. *blushes*
So moved the crocosmia and planted the rudbeckia there. Mulched the acidic loving plants with an ericaceous compost, and mulched the biennials too. And finished digging in some organic matter and a little blood, bone and fish into the back border.
All in all a good morning's work.
Sounds amazing Caral
I put 20 Liatris into two seed trays to get the growing away and 5 chocolate Cosmos potted up into 1Lt pots
This morning was fine but I was busy experimenting with chocolate cherry muffins for my English class - Belgian scientists I use as baking guinea pigs. Now I'm free to garden but we have thunder, lightening and lots of wet stuff pouring down. Domesticity it is then.
We also had lots of the wet, white stuff pouring down but managed to nip out and put some slug pellets around my new delphinium shoots while I remembered in case the slugs came out and did a rain dance.
Also put some Growmore around my witch hazel which hasn't flowered for the 2nd year running - anybody got any ideas as to how I can get it going again?
Wintersong,, I've not heard of Liatris before, so I've just googled. Oh my goodness I want some!!
Obliexx, what lucky students!
Sorry Lizzie, I haven't a clue about witch hazel, but there's sure to be someone who does.
Lizzie - ditch the growmore and give it some pelleted chicken manure or blood fish and bone which will also feed soil organisms and thus improve the soil. Give it some rose food too and some drinks of liquid rose or tomato food which will promote flowers.
Mine has flowered well this year after almost being wiped out by heavy frosts and snow in the winter of 12-13. Last winter was mild so it kept the few new stems it had put on and grew loads more last year and is flowering beautifully.
Caral - there's only me and OH at home most of the time so I use the scientists and the dance club to experiment with new recipes for when I do a charity bake. My latest finds are chocolate cherry muffins, banana, apple and pecan cake and a honey, parsnip and coconut cake. All scrumptious.
No gardening as yet today. It's persisting down after another wild, wet and windy night.
Caral, Liatris spicata is the only plant I know where the flowers start opening at the top of the spike first and then work down.
Maybe someone knows of another??
Thanks obelixx, I did think of bfb but we have badgers patrolling in the lane outside and I have heard that they are particularly partial to bfb. I can't keep them out so don't want to do anything to attract them into the garden.
Might try the rose food though.
Today it's been dry and sunny although very windy, so OH and I battled to erect a new rose arch which is now in place - I think it's straight!