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Post by maggyd on Apr 19, 2009 21:37:02 GMT 1
Ive been trying to get rid of the Dog Violets (again) they look so pretty as well in flower but if you leave them to seed they are all over the place  Ive cleaned my stone circle it took me ages to scrape between the stones and remove the grass and green algea oh and violets!! so it needs the power washer on now (not my job)!! and I need to buy something to brush in the spaces that weeds wont grow in.Ive dug up the daffs that were inside my square for planting the leeks, so all I need now is some well rotted manure and garden compost so I can prepare the bed for my leeks. |
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 20, 2009 11:09:09 GMT 1
I've never grown leeks Maggie but you never know, maybe next year.  I went on slug patrol this morning, I've lost one of my Delphiniums to the brutes. Also guys be on the look out for the dreaded Lilly Beetle, I found one yesterday but not in time to save one of my Lillies. I can't believe how tall they're getting, they seem to be thriving in the sunshine. Is anyone else watering their borders at the moment.? Because it's not rained for a week or so and there's so much going on in my borders I need to water every few days to keep the soil damp. I've not yet had to use the hose but my arms, not to mention my back ache at times with the watering can. |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 20, 2009 16:25:08 GMT 1
Im doing the same Lady G Ive never had to water at this time of year!! also weeding is hard as the ground on my back border is like concrete at the moment. My lilies are getting tall as well the ones in the pots that is that were in the greenhouse, the ones in the borders arent showing yet ! but that is good as I dont want them al out and going over at the same time, Ill have to keep an eye open for the lily beatle and Im going to have to google it as I have never seen one before. I keep looking for slugs as well I have found a couple and Ive seen a trail as well I suppose if it rains they will all come out of hiding! the women in the bungalow behind me thinks they ae cute she isnt a gardener  she is a lazy B. so I know where mine come from. |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 20, 2009 16:32:20 GMT 1
FOUND THIS INTERESTING PIECE
____________________________
Lily beetle
Introduction
Controlling lily beetle
Distribution
Introduction
The lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii) has become the number one enemy of lily growers in recent years. It can reduce a lily plant to nothing in just a few days. They are easy to control.
Both the adult lily beetles (or red or scarlet lily beetle to give it its full name) and the horrible grubs devour lilies - leaves, flowers and flower buds.
The adult beetle is about 5-8mm (about 1/4in) long, bright red with a black head and legs. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves in groups of up to 12-15; they vary in colour from bright orange to nearly red. The grubs have dirty orangey bodies and cover themselves with their own excreta; this gives them some protection and they can be mistaken for birds' droppings. They then fall onto the ground and pupate.
Adult beetles emerge from the soil from late March to May, laying eggs from April until September. They overwinter in sheltered places, often in the soil but not always near lilies.
It's not only lilies that they have an appetite for - they also go for fritillaries (Fritillaria species) and Cardiocrinum.
Control
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Post by petal on Apr 20, 2009 16:44:32 GMT 1
now i no what that beetle is, i'm going out to see where its gone, and you no what, no wonder its by my lilys, and i'v been out there getting rid of the dandylions, there are loads of them this year,
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 20, 2009 21:16:47 GMT 1
I've been busy today pricking out yet more seedlings. It takes forever does'nt it. I also potted up pelagonium which I've overwintered and are now doing great, some of them have buds on them. I went upstairs a while ago to check other seedlings tonight and lo and behold my Monarda Bee's favourite have germinated.  I am absolutely delighted as I do so want to have them and failed abysmally last year. |
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Post by jad on Apr 21, 2009 12:52:48 GMT 1
LG thats good news its a good feeling when your seeds start to come through. Spent some time on Sunday mowing the lawn, a bit of weeding, swept the patios and moved some pots around. This weather is lovely makes you want to spend as much time as possible in your garden. |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 21, 2009 15:34:55 GMT 1
All Ive done to-day is hose the dust away from my circle and paths and moved the twin seat to a more sheltered position and sat for an hour or so with my daughter! its not as warm to-day and looks like we might have some rain, the garden needs it I watered the borders a litttle bit so if it does rain it should absorb better.
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 21, 2009 19:46:14 GMT 1
It's great to be able to spend some time outside Tulip no matter what you're doing.
Maggie with it being so dry the dust seems to gather at a fierce rate does'nt it.
Today I potted on my Gardeners Delight, they look so much bigger already. I sowed my Penstemon Blue Sring this evening. (Big Thank You to Jasmine). It cleared up and the sun came out so I sat outside with some friends who called for coffee. We passed a lovely time together just catching up. It's pretty cool here this evening 'tho.
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Post by maggyd on Apr 21, 2009 21:29:35 GMT 1
Yes it is cool here LadyG even when the suns shining, its just nice to sit outside though even if you have to wrap up. They say the blue penstemon isnt as easy to keep for some reason  I managed to rescue one of mine by taking cuttings and overwintering last year but I didnt do it this year so Ill have to wait and see if its survived! Im not sure what its called Ill have to look and see if Ive made a note of it. A few years ago I sent for an offer from G.W. I got penstemons and clems for about £10 for 5 Ps and 3 Clems. there was a couple of cerise a blue and a pink one I only remember apple blossom was one! |
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Post by jasmine on Apr 22, 2009 20:05:23 GMT 1
Nothing  Going back to work really gets inthe way of my gardening!  I just walked around the garden in the sunshine with a cup of tea checking out what had happened while I was at school. |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 22, 2009 21:05:04 GMT 1
I tried to dig the grass growing in the front borders I should have put the hose on first it was like concrete! I managed to fork out a couple of bnches of dandelions that all of a sudden appeared. |
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Post by jennywren on Apr 23, 2009 7:05:57 GMT 1
now i no what that beetle is, i'm going out to see where its gone, and you no what, no wonder its by my lilys, and i'v been out there getting rid of the dandylions, there are loads of them this year, I've noticed this Petal - everywhere - especially along the roadside too merging with the daffs - in fact a brilliant flash of YELLOW |
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Post by jennywren on Apr 23, 2009 7:07:28 GMT 1
My lawn was mowed yesterday FB - I have a small hover mower so didnt do straight lines in fact I didnt actually DO IT myself <wink> And someone dug over my front border so will be at the garden centre this weekend buying some pressies for it  |
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Post by farmersboy on Apr 23, 2009 7:21:51 GMT 1
I have to mow mine twice a week this time of year,it grows so fast,Jen ;D
Yesterday i put the sticks in for my Greenshaft peas to climb
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Post by jennywren on Apr 23, 2009 7:24:38 GMT 1
YOUR SP's are looking good and so are MINE Should be able to bring Mrs FB a nice bunch to the hotel in June |
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 23, 2009 21:47:45 GMT 1
went on lilly patrol and found and killed one of the horrible things. Another baby lilly has bitten the dust.
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Post by Biggles on Apr 25, 2009 16:27:15 GMT 1
After sorting through my seed packets I decided to sow some annuals--but I did the most silly things--not concentrating-I have sown Candytuft where I should have sown Cornflowers-and sown Morning Glory instead of Poppys--Oh well maybe they should look alright-  I must be going 'Potty' in my old age--- My sweetpeas (Giant Wave and Spencers ) seem to be alright--Bigs |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 25, 2009 18:05:26 GMT 1
You would have been really puzzled Biggs if you hadnt realized now. |
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 25, 2009 20:48:46 GMT 1
We all have days when we do all the wrong things Biggles.
Today I cut the grass, it needs cut every week now. Deadheaded tons of pansies and cut back a lot of the pulmonaria, I have hundreds of bird seeds germinating all over the place, so spent ages pulling up the growth. I've put some of the tomatoes into the mini greenhouse, since they were repotted the other day there just is'nt room for everything inside and anyhow they need more light. Unfortunately the garden is full of blossoms , I would'nt mind if I could actually see the lovely tree but the wind blows it in from around the corner.
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Post by emseypop on Apr 26, 2009 8:00:19 GMT 1
Yesterday I was given an apple tree, Its about 6 ft and full of blossom, I've put it in, I now have a square, 2 pear trees (concord) on one side, this nameless apple tree on the right top corner and and ornamental plum on the bottom left corner, hopefully they will make a nice grove in years to come. I was given some Hosta by petal so they've gone in, and I had an Azalia from my thoughtful young brother in law, so unusual for a 20 year old to be so thoughtful, think it has more to do with Petal And my dad got me two fuschia Janie, I started digging one in and realized its where I buried Duckie about a month ago, luckily I hadn't gone too deep so I put it a bit further up. Today, I'll be potting on more sunflowers, I cant believe I'm nearly out of pots! At one point I had them coming out of my ears! |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 26, 2009 16:30:00 GMT 1
Sounds as if youve had a lovely time planting em ;D you got some very usefull pressies you will have to put some pics on when they get going.
Ive been in the garden tidying up pruning and pulling dead daffs and campernalla out! and Ive planted one of my sunflowers I hope it doesnt get broken.
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Post by jennywren on Apr 26, 2009 19:05:56 GMT 1
Goodness Em how did you get a 6' tree in situ - was it delivered I weeded half my front border - next door's plants have crept under his fence and I have happily taken them over A montana clem, a rambling rose, a sort of hedge type shrub, a yellow shrub and Rose of Sharon Took ages to weed it all tho and cut back my lavatera and penstemon as well |
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Post by jasmine on Apr 26, 2009 19:12:01 GMT 1
Planted out 2 lots of morning glory, did lots of watering though sounds like I should just have waited for tomorrow and it would have been done for me, sowed some geranium splish splash that I got off Ebay and some stock that LG sent me (thank you LG ) and dug up a poor old rose that was just in a really bad place in about 30cm of soil. It was here when we moved in but has never been very healthy - don't suppose it stood much chance poor thing. |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 26, 2009 21:26:31 GMT 1
Oh I forgot about the penstemons that ive been pruning!! I saw a piece somewhere while Ive been flitting showing you how to do it properly so I did mine again and took out more older stems.
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