|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 7, 2007 17:39:10 GMT 1
I think my OH has just got the ride on tractor out! OOH, how thrilling! I had a really good look for toads this afternoon but I couldn't find one - where'd they all go? I love him when he mows the grass........  |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 7, 2007 17:41:55 GMT 1
Awwwww! We saw a toad today, near Sainsburys. I was so tempted to pick him up and take him home, but felt more about him missing his Mrs!
|
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 7, 2007 20:41:48 GMT 1
I've AT LAST been into the garden and had a sort out today. OOH the relief! I had to take out the some of the large marigolds and sunflowers as they were a) being eaten by snails and smothered in blackfly b) Swamping a lot of the other plants Some of the zinnias had stem rot as well....  Anyway...once I'd cleared the dross away (saving all the flowers for vases around the house) I planted 6 colourful gerberas at the front of the border in the centre...and in another cleared area I planted the cerinthe 4P gave me...and a few mimulus. Cut back a leggy euphorbia, and a sprawling achilia (sp?) I'd been really unhappy with the flower bed this year, it just looked a mess...but I'm happier with it now. Also harvested an assortment of veg from our veg patch....life is good. |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 8, 2007 18:54:59 GMT 1
It is! I do like a weekend of gardening where it actually looks like you've achieved something. I've tidied up the patio a bit, OH has mowed the grass, I've done the goats, put some of my fuchsia pots where I can see them and put my chocolate cosmos on the table. With all the stuff I did yesterday as well, parts of the garden actually look as if someone cares now!
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 8, 2007 19:11:44 GMT 1
You guys put me to shame - I just potter about in my garden, but you all work so hard!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 8, 2007 19:28:53 GMT 1
I have to! Otherwise it's just a jungle out there......I have a feeling whatever size garden I had it would be the same though. Not tidy, me. I have missed my flower garden this year...that's my top priority in the Autumn and Winter. It's got to be totally dug over, taking all the plants out and checking for couch grass....even so it'll only be clean for a while in the Spring.....
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 9, 2007 8:00:28 GMT 1
Ah well that's where we differ - I'm a bit of a tidy freak in the garden. Bunging in loads of plants means that there isn't much room for weeds and of course not having a veg patch means I don't have to toil over that. Don't get me wrong I love my garden and the fact that it doesn't require lots of hard work, but I feel a bit of a fraud amongst you hard working lot  |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 9, 2007 8:04:09 GMT 1
Im fed up of not gardening, watering a few pots and dead heading the roses I can reach without bending overly doesnt count..  Im going to have a go today, as much as I can anyway. |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 9, 2007 8:09:57 GMT 1
Just don't overdo it Sweetleaf!!! It is nice pottering about in the garden though. The trouble is that I'm lamenting the slug damage at the moment. I refuse to use pellets but sometimes I'm sorely tempted |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 9, 2007 8:13:16 GMT 1
Ive started leaving tempting morsels on the lawn, they are rather partial to poppy petals Ive found, then at dusk I go out with a pot of salt and some tweezers...... rotten arent I?
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 9, 2007 8:21:13 GMT 1
I put salt on them when I see them, I've got copper tape around many of my clematis supports, and flint stones around the base of them too which hopefully puts off some of the slugs. Oh and I spray a FOUL garlic concoction onto the really succeptible plants like my toad lilies, blue poppies, parsley (although I don't want to taint it). I HATE slugs |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 15, 2007 15:29:11 GMT 1
I've been soo busy today. Been repotting and trying to clear up a bit........trouble is, every job makes another 2 or 3! And it's really muugy out there so I have to keep coming in to give my lungs a rest. I've repotted a crate of flowers, planted a tub of mixed flowers just to get them off the potting table, tried to restraighten all the Echinacea and Fennel that have been flattened by the rain. Weeded and planted some poorly Cosmos, Knautia, Cerinthe and Scophularia that were desperately in need of some decent soil. Cleared up the path to the veggie garden, and generally been tying up and pinching out. As usual I ran out of potting compost so had to nip to the local nursery. Saw a beautiful dark red Buddleja and nearly bought it until I realised I was wearing my sunglasses still and it was actually Black Knight and not red at all.......DOH! I did buy a lovely pale yellow Scabious that was in the nearly dead section - it just needs repotting. I hope anyway.......
|
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 15, 2007 15:39:50 GMT 1
I have been out pulling up all the california Poppies from the front garden, this wet weather has made them overgrow and become very unnattractive . Usually I love them, but these last couple of years they just seem to flop, and leave their petals on the lawn. Im very much fed up with Bergenia too, they are getting hoiked out soon, which will leave me with a rather large empty patch and a voucher in hand for the GC  Suggestions please for shade, something a bit more interesting, and different .....not floppy, for dry shade?  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 15, 2007 15:51:01 GMT 1
I give up with Bergenias too - they just look manky on my sandy soil! Dry shade eh? How about Epimedium, Euphorbia, Comfrey ( ), Helleborus, Aquilegia vulgaris (the Granny's Bonnet's, not the American ones). There are some Ferns and Geraniums which tolerate dry shade too. Or pots of bulbs so you can change them about? My brains a bit mushy at the moment - I'm too hot..... |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 15, 2007 15:56:24 GMT 1
Got lots of Aquilegias they all end up the same shade of pale pink they are very gregarious, Tarty you might say! Ill think on, Id love some Japanese painted ferns they look yummy but they are expensive arent they? bit of an experiment, and depressing if you lose them. Ill see what they have in the Fern department. |
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Jul 15, 2007 21:38:29 GMT 1
Im looking for something to grow in the shade of 2 acers the tree,s look nice but underneath is a mess I planted 50 anenome cones a few have come through but they are leggy and fall over.I also planted 5 commelina but I think they must be blooming in Australia there is no sign of them. |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 15, 2007 22:01:33 GMT 1
I planted tons of Anemones too, Maggyd I think the wet weather rotted them off before they could do much I only got 4 or five through and they were pathetic, maybe theres something nasty out there which finds them scrumptious? Never planted Commelina (Spiderwort) they never attracted me.
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 16, 2007 11:32:28 GMT 1
My favorite little under-tree plant is epimedium - they are lovely |
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 22, 2007 18:23:13 GMT 1
My garden isn't looking as nice as last year imo...so I'm already planning NEXT year...I might go all restrained and have just 3 - 4 types of plants planted in blocks....nah I'd never be able to do it. |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 22, 2007 18:27:17 GMT 1
Nah you couldnt! Wouldnt suit you anyway, and the season would be too short.  |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Jul 22, 2007 19:12:07 GMT 1
Don't do it Cheery - it's not you at all!!! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 23, 2007 7:48:17 GMT 1
She won't... My Mum used to call Epimediums "Happy Mediums". I thought that was the proper name for years! Have you thought about Woodruff for under your Acers,Maggyd? It's ever so pretty carpet forming and supposed to smell of mown grass when dry.  Or Tiarella is a lovely plant for under trees too.  |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Jul 24, 2007 8:29:33 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 27, 2007 20:20:27 GMT 1
Tomorrow's weather forecast in SUNNY So I plan to get into the garden in the afternoon to remove the hollyhocks (now about 14 ft tall !) to let the cleome, echinacea and monarda plants spread out a bit in the light....  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 28, 2007 18:24:22 GMT 1
I actually went in the garden for a while today. Sheared off all the mint and the variegated ground elder (don't ask) and actually found the path. Then went into the PT and finished tidying up all the Toms. The San Marzano are really loaded but they don't seem to be ripening very well. The Peppers are finally bearing fruit though. Also trimmed the Hornbeam and Apple trees and gave the goats a huge bundle each. It was very very hot today.....
|
|
