WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2018

Ah i didnt know that-going tonorder one but have come up with an extension method using a bamboo cane for tomorrow lol.

 

I don't mind them in woodland so much @wiseowl, I just don't want them in my garden.

 

Weather today was very cold, flurries of snow and sleet driven by a strong wind. Not exactly conducive to a gardening session. So I didn't. I went out to lunch instead

We used to live in a well forested part of South Wales where there are lots of bluebells. I learned of the Spanish invaders back then. As far as I can be sure - and I'm no expert - the bluebells growing along the lanes and in parts of my garden are true English bluebells. However, as the Spanish variety are still widely available for sale I imagine that will change in the not too distant future. If it already hasn't. I sourced the ones I bought online carefully and they were advertised and labelled as true natives. If they turn out not to be they will yanked and burnt.

 

I managed to keep myself warm today up my ladders pruning hedges and came across a lovely old Ceanothus which hasn’t been pruned for what looked like a minimum of 5 years, so much dead underneath.

So after a light clipping and removing A LOT of old/dead wood managed to end up with this. Here’s a before and a couple of after photos.

 

Done nowt in the garden apart from clear pots etc out the way for spraying wet and forget. Decided it was too cold - nothing "defrosted" today, so didn't want to spray and it to just freeze.

 

Hydrotherapy today which usually means I'm all wiped out but managed to refill the bird feeders and take down the street sign that some drunk young 'juveniles' decided to hurl on top of our leylandii hedge at the front of the house last night. Next time, I'll be letting Barney border terrier out to them.. he'll think it's a fox.. then lick them to death

 

Ive been deterring a cat from walking up and down my fence disturbing birds im trying to encourage, also put some different food out for the birds.

Most cat owners have a lot to answer too for me, if i owned a dog and it was running round there garden chasing there cat trying to kill it and pooing allover they would have something to say, but its ok for there cat to do and do as it pleases, don't get me wrong i love all animals but cats should be kept under control just like dogs rant over.

 

I totally agree with you. I am a first time cat owner and he is not allowed to roam free to make a nuisance of himself. Before he arrived we had an issue with a cat coming into the garden, attacking the wildlife and using it as a toilet . I tried everything I could think of to discourage it and it still came back. After Dimitris arrived we no longer have this particular cat problem Perhaps you should get a cat Martin-f

 

Snow on Anglesey today! Just an inch or so and not where we are. The island looked very pretty as did Snowdonia.

Peppermint went to the vet today for her VHD2 vaccination and we called into the garden centre afterwards for the monthly free coffees. I wandered out into the plant section and sitting on shelves alongside the English Bluebells were the Spanish Invaders . I asked lady on till why they were selling them and pointed out why they shouldn't. She looked bemused and called for a member of the gardening team. I repeated my concerns and was told that they don't have any control over what they sell as the ordering is dealt with by head office. It was suggested I contact them. She did admit to being aware of the problem with Spanish Bluebells . I will be sending an email to head office

Carried on with some weeding around the spring bulbs by the soakaway, applying a layer of my new organic compost and a thick layer of bark chips, until I ran out of materials. Had another go at the weeds on the mound by the pond .

 

I take my hat off too you ,

You understand first hand what a nuisance they are and how much time and effort it takes keeping them out and wouldn't want to inflict it one anyone else, that's how it should be IMHO.

Ive made it very hard for them to get out if they do get in, its the best deterrent ive found very rare i see one in the garden but this young cat is cat walking the fence hope what ive done puts a stop to it

 

Not much done today owing to shopping . Managed around half hour this afternoon. Decided pond need more gravel and rocks. Removed wooden ramp with intentions of wrapping it in chicken wire but couldn't find the wire cutters.

 

Finally planted some cherry tomatos in the conservatory, on my heat mat. I did it early last year and had a long juicy harvest until I moved house.

I also started my potatos in bags in the greenhouse, hopefully will move them outside when the time is right.

Ordered some more seeds and plants from T&M as well.

 

Ive been chopping down this old tree today.



This one tomorrow.