|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Sept 18, 2007 10:17:47 GMT 1
I wonder?  Actually I think Sleepy had a very short list this year and it was achieved before we wrote ours! |
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Sept 18, 2007 10:19:22 GMT 1
Ok I admit the path isnt relaid, the trellis is only half done and so is the hedge, the trimmer has decided it was too much work, and given up the ghost! It was a Bosch too!  The lavender plants havent put on enough growth to go out either, Im a complete failure.  No you are not, you do have your frogs!!! Well, I don't feel quite so bad now. Why do we gardener's make big plans to then fail?  Is this why Sleepy never put his jobs down!!?  Keith Too right. Sleepy is out of the house 11 hours a day, 5 days a week. And when he does get back he has to do the cooking, the washing, the ironing and the cleaning. And that's before any dribble of a social life. Sleepy is lucky if he can pre-plan to cut the lawn half a dozen times a year. He doesn't have the luxury of watching cricket on the TV on a Tuesday morning! |
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2007 10:28:42 GMT 1
No you are not, you do have your frogs!!! Well, I don't feel quite so bad now. Why do we gardener's make big plans to then fail? Is this why Sleepy never put his jobs down!!? Keith Too right. Sleepy is out of the house 11 hours a day, 5 days a week. And when he does get back he has to do the cooking, the washing, the ironing and the cleaning. And that's before any dribble of a social life. Sleepy is lucky if he can pre-plan to cut the lawn half a dozen times a year. He doesn't have the luxury of watching cricket on the TV on a Tuesday morning! Yes, but I still have the chores to do and I would rather be working, but docs won't let me!! Keith |
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Sept 18, 2007 10:34:06 GMT 1
Too right. Sleepy is out of the house 11 hours a day, 5 days a week. And when he does get back he has to do the cooking, the washing, the ironing and the cleaning. And that's before any dribble of a social life. Sleepy is lucky if he can pre-plan to cut the lawn half a dozen times a year. He doesn't have the luxury of watching cricket on the TV on a Tuesday morning! Yes, but I still have the chores to do and I would rather be working, but docs won't let me!! Keith Errr... but you are not doing the chores. You are watching cricket. You said so. |
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2007 10:47:05 GMT 1
Yes, but I still have the chores to do and I would rather be working, but docs won't let me!! Keith Errr... but you are not doing the chores. You are watching cricket. You said so. Jennifer is driving down south and she wants me to keep an eye on the traffic problems on the road for her, so I need to be by the pooter, don't I!!!? Can't wait until she gets her Audi, this Jag doesn't have SatNav in it!! Keith |
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2007 10:48:41 GMT 1
I'm also clearing out my fishing stuff from the weekend, as I am having a rethink on where things should go!!
Keith
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 19, 2007 6:58:12 GMT 1
This has been nagging at me, Keith! I blame you entirely! I feel I should try and achieve at least some of my objectives before the weather turns! Hopefully I shall get the mighty strimmer fired up and make a start reclaiming my vegetable garden....I have some serious clearing to do and then I have to cut down an entire hedge...I am fed up with getting snared by thorny rose branches everytime I dig at that end. I want to make my veggie bit much bigger for next year......I thought it was such a fine thing to plant a mixed hedge 14 years ago...now I have to try and dismantle it to get at the massive nettle roots that are twined all around it (It's about 12 ft tall now...). Sigh.....and then I have to pull out my home made wooden fencing and move it all. I really need a garden slave........I think I'm getting past all this heavy work....personally I thought that's what husbands were for...(amongst other things obviously..)  |
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Sept 19, 2007 9:51:35 GMT 1
Sorry 4P. I would come over and help, if it wasn't for the jobs, I NEED to do. I remember buying the pump and filter for the pond, months ago, but haven't got around to getting the electricity wired in to the garden, yet! Had a quote, £260 from an electrician, just not sure if that is too steep or not and whether I should get a proper second opinion! Another local guy said he charges £30 an hour and it would take approx 8 hours, but wouldn't put it in writing. He said he would just turn up and do it!!! What do you think? Or should I just wait until next year, now? Fish are OK, still feeding well, even though I have a little green water. Gunnera has done didderly squat, so hasn't given the shade I wanted this year. Yes, it's been fed! Keith |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Sept 19, 2007 16:14:15 GMT 1
Im pretty sure it doesnt take ground forces electrician anything like 8 hours Keith, get another few quotes!
|
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Sept 19, 2007 17:49:51 GMT 1
Im pretty sure it doesnt take ground forces electrician anything like 8 hours Keith, get another few quotes! OK, will do. The other quote, the guy wants ME to lift the slabs and put in a post in, to attach the power socket to. If only this was pre 2005, I might have a go at it myself, but the law has changed where outside electrics have to be installed. Keith |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 23, 2007 18:02:15 GMT 1
I have done one job anyway today! I completely cleared out Freddy's shed and put the muck over the old potato patch, in the chicken run and under the apple and mighty pear trees. It was completely exhausting but I do love to see it all mulched ready for winter. I'm gearing up to a major clear up over the next month - I shall get everything cleared and on the bonfire ready for a big burn up on Firework Night - I LOVE bonfires.....
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 25, 2007 13:36:46 GMT 1
I have actually spent the last one of my prize vouchers on a big sprayer and a packet of glysophate....who'd believe it of me? I feel sooo bad about it...but I just HAVE to do something to keep the nettles at bay next season....at least this weed killer biodegrades and only kills the plants sprayed....someone make me feel better! I haven't used weed killer ever in my whole gardening life before.......I feel guilt ridden.....
|
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Sept 25, 2007 13:51:12 GMT 1
I have actually spent the last one of my prize vouchers on a big sprayer and a packet of glysophate....who'd believe it of me? I feel sooo bad about it...but I just HAVE to do something to keep the nettles at bay next season....at least this weed killer biodegrades and only kills the plants sprayed....someone make me feel better! I haven't used weed killer ever in my whole gardening life before.......I feel guilt ridden..... Im going to tell you again, its the only way, so it has to be, if three years go by without using any more you are organic again. Dont be guilty you have gardened organically for a lot longer than most, and lots longer than its been trendy. I think you are a great gardener, and I have considered the use of Glyphosate myself since my back started to hurt, dont think its going to be a miracle cure though, they use it on the Lotties and it still requires maintenance.  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 25, 2007 14:42:24 GMT 1
I know it's true but.......no, I know you're right. I have decided to be pragmatic. My footprint on the earth is much lighter than most so I shall spray away and try and replace the dead nettles (I hope) with some native plants and insect/bird food plants....and, anyway, I will still be surrounded by a sea of nettles. I don't think an atom bomb would get rid of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 26, 2007 8:10:40 GMT 1
Isn't it typical? Since I got the weedkiller it hasn't stopped raining....hadn't rained for WEEKS before... |
|
|
|
Post by debbiem on Sept 26, 2007 9:02:21 GMT 1
I know it's true but.......no, I know you're right. I have decided to be pragmatic. My footprint on the earth is much lighter than most so I shall spray away and try and replace the dead nettles (I hope) with some native plants and insect/bird food plants....and, anyway, I will still be surrounded by a sea of nettles. I don't think an atom bomb would get rid of them. When I had all my nettles the world could end but the nettles would still be standing, happily growing away on some bit of shattered planet, drifting happily around in an asteroid belt in outer space. Nettle wine, that's the thing.......  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 26, 2007 9:44:01 GMT 1
Hmmmmm..............or nettle fertiliser.........if I can be bothered!
|
|
|
|
Post by debbiem on Sept 26, 2007 9:52:28 GMT 1
Got to hand it to them, they're survivors. |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 28, 2007 8:15:58 GMT 1
This weekend I MUST plant all the bulbs I've bought...........I am going to try (again) to make the little area under the silver birches by the beach hut look pretty in the Spring. Last year I planted a lot of Daffs in pots. This time I'm putting Muscari and Narcissi direct into the ground. I tried to get some English Bluebells from my local GC and they are only selling Spanish ones...isn't that shocking? I complained........loudly and at length...............I really am a Grumpy Old Woman these days! |
|
|
|
Post by emseypop on Sept 28, 2007 8:39:56 GMT 1
$p, I could have sent you some british bluebell seeds, (they've all gone now) But you wouldn't have seen anything of them for 3 years tho. I've planted my bulbs, and managed to put some pots in the front garden, started the boarders but still got lots to do on the list.
|
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Sept 28, 2007 9:59:36 GMT 1
This weekend I MUST plant all the bulbs I've bought...........I am going to try (again) to make the little area under the silver birches by the beach hut look pretty in the Spring. Last year I planted a lot of Daffs in pots. This time I'm putting Muscari and Narcissi direct into the ground. I tried to get some English Bluebells from my local GC and they are only selling Spanish ones...isn't that shocking? I complained........loudly and at length...............I really am a Grumpy Old Woman these days! I must 'buy' and plant my bulbs this weekend!  Did the local G/C listen? If so what was their reply? Keith |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 29, 2007 8:38:47 GMT 1
Not really - I got a "shut this silly woman up" response...........still I said my piece!
It doesn't seem to be raining....and there are patches of blue sky. I am going to persuade/force smallest out into the garden to help me start the hedge cutting...some of them are over 10' tall (again)....it's too much for a short old dwarf with a bad back....sigh......
|
|
|
|
Post by emseypop on Sept 29, 2007 11:41:16 GMT 1
what use will smallest be to you 4P? She's only a couple of inches taller than you!  I hope your feeling fulfilled when you read this and have achieved all you wanted to in the garden today.xx |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 29, 2007 12:59:44 GMT 1
Huh! The nerve.......I am NOT shorter than smallest - otherwise she would be called something else...DOH!
I have been working really hard this morning tackling the borders by the back door. I had a gorgeous Fruhlingsgold rose which was damaged by rats burrowing underneath it last winter....I waited to see if it would survive but it's dead so I've been digging it out and hacking back all the monster honeysuckle and passion flower that had grown all over it this summer.....it's nearly killed me.....
And I REALLY hate rats.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 30, 2007 16:55:41 GMT 1
Eeh, I have got a LOT done this weekend. Such a good feeling. Of course, where I hacked everything down looks terrible but I have planted some Narcissus and Alliums about the gaping holes so EVENTUALLY it will look OK......and I have removed tons of tomato stuff from the PT and just left the branches with fruit on. The San Marzano are amazing. And I finally have some Chillis fruiting! (Don't eat chillis though....... :  ). Also I cleared an area in the vegetable garden and planted some winter cauliflowers and purple sprouting broccoli (yum,my favourite) and set a few rows of red onion sets. I strimmed a fairly large area of the orchard too until I ran out of petrol. Oh dear the nettles..... Now I need a bath...I smell worser'n a skunk! |
|
