Had a sprinkle of rain here but very dry in middle Scotland. Made a start digging out a border infested with bluebells and couch grass. Got a third of it done which was all I intended to do today but it was the worst third so hopefully another 3-4 hours digging will do the rest. I had to dig out all the plants I was keeping and clean the roots before replanting. Needless to say even after digging the bit over twice and removing everything I saw, every new planting hole I dug produced yet more bluebell bulbs. ...C'est la vie! The remaining 2/3 has a lot of different aquilegias in it, most of which are going to go. The sensible thing would have been for me to tag them last year. But did I whing! I am just going to have to take my chance and hope that I dig out all the pale pink and blue ones and keep the double (Mrs Barlow?) and the dark maroon. Time will tell!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
I may have posted a photo of this bed early this month. It was a mess. Here are before and after photos, which is what I've been doing in between the veg garden and the greenhouse seedlings.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Excellent job, BL. I dug out everything from the border I'm raising & renovating today and put the 'keepers' into temporary pots. Hundreds of bluebells and grape hyacinths now on their way to 'plant heaven'
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Today I have potted up two flowering azaleas which were given to me yesterday, they look past their best so fingers crossed that they survive. I have also planted some cannas - a bit late but we will see what happens (if anything).
O/H has been potting up various items in g/h , bought a ginger plant which is soaking overnight ready for planting tomorrow and some chick peas for the allotment
Cleared out and knocked down the shed.Cleared out the space behind which had become a dumping place for all manner of cuttings, clippings and other things.
Filled 40 rubble sacks with the stuff that had been cleared from behind the shed! Also a huge clearout of old pots and planters (nothing fancy, plastic tat), old bike and loads of other garden paraphernalia.
5 trips to the local tip! Then the car needed a good cleaning!
Relaxed with a bit of planting in the front garden. Heuchera, Rock Rose and Winter Currant.
Last week I was off and spent most of it working in the garden. Got in from a manic day at work today, to be told by OH - 'Go and sit on the decking by the pond. The BBQ is on and I will open a bottle of wine!'
I didn't need to be told twice and spent a lovely evening enjoying the evening sun and surveyed the fruits of last week's labour!
Having the pond has given me more incentive to sit outside for a while before the next round of gardening has to be tackled - you are right Suz3 - sitting back to enjoy the garden is just as important if not more so than the effort put into it sometimes.
Posts
Had a sprinkle of rain here but very dry in middle Scotland. Made a start digging out a border infested with bluebells and couch grass. Got a third of it done which was all I intended to do today but it was the worst third so hopefully another 3-4 hours digging will do the rest. I had to dig out all the plants I was keeping and clean the roots before replanting. Needless to say even after digging the bit over twice and removing everything I saw, every new planting hole I dug produced yet more bluebell bulbs. ...C'est la vie! The remaining 2/3 has a lot of different aquilegias in it, most of which are going to go. The sensible thing would have been for me to tag them last year. But did I whing! I am just going to have to take my chance and hope that I dig out all the pale pink and blue ones and keep the double (Mrs Barlow?) and the dark maroon. Time will tell!
I may have posted a photo of this bed early this month. It was a mess. Here are before and after photos, which is what I've been doing in between the veg garden and the greenhouse seedlings.
Excellent job, BL. I dug out everything from the border I'm raising & renovating today and put the 'keepers' into temporary pots. Hundreds of bluebells and grape hyacinths now on their way to 'plant heaven'
Today I have potted up two flowering azaleas which were given to me yesterday, they look past their best so fingers crossed that they survive. I have also planted some cannas - a bit late but we will see what happens (if anything).
Hello , I have had day at allotment
O/H has been potting up various items in g/h , bought a ginger plant which is soaking overnight ready for planting tomorrow and some chick peas for the allotment
Cleared out and knocked down the shed.Cleared out the space behind which had become a dumping place for all manner of cuttings, clippings and other things.
Filled 40 rubble sacks with the stuff that had been cleared from behind the shed! Also a huge clearout of old pots and planters (nothing fancy, plastic tat), old bike and loads of other garden paraphernalia.
5 trips to the local tip! Then the car needed a good cleaning!
Relaxed with a bit of planting in the front garden. Heuchera, Rock Rose and Winter Currant.
Absolutely goosed now!
That was a lot of work Bob Bob!
I've just put fleece on the in the ground over winter dahlias which are all growing. Forecast says -2° tonight.
No!
Last week I was off and spent most of it working in the garden. Got in from a manic day at work today, to be told by OH - 'Go and sit on the decking by the pond. The BBQ is on and I will open a bottle of wine!'
I didn't need to be told twice and spent a lovely evening enjoying the evening sun and surveyed the fruits of last week's labour!
That's what all the hard work is all about!!
Suz3 , so agree ?
Having the pond has given me more incentive to sit outside for a while before the next round of gardening has to be tackled - you are right Suz3 - sitting back to enjoy the garden is just as important if not more so than the effort put into it sometimes.