What Jobs Are We Doing In The Garden Today 2020

Re bins: Our council allow one green bin per household for garden and food waste and it's collected weekly - free of charge. They tried charging a few years ago but found it was a disaster for them (I warned them it would be ). They don't allow a second bin except under certain circumstances, so we have a second bin.

The head of the waste department had to come and examine the garden and our recycling of garden waste facility. This required her filling a a two page form after looking at the garden and seeing whether we recycle (compost) enough on site. She saw all our compost heaps and how much waste the garden produces and said another bin would be delivered the following day - which it was. I did ask for a third bin but she said nobody is allowed a third bin! Then next collection day the bin men didn't empty the second bin as they said it wasn't on their list! So I phoned her and they came back an hour later.

We fill both bins each week and also use our neighbour's bin as he doesn't have any waste. His garden is almost all lawn (lawn clippings are put on my compost heap) and trees and hedges. Any tree and hedge cuttings he burns.

 

The last few days have consisted of Mrs Shiney sowing, potting on, splitting etc. and I have been mowing and weeding. A fair amount of time has been taken up with selling plants. Now that people can come round (singly and distancing) we can sell more than before the change in the lockdown laws. Before that we could put the ordered plants (mainly beans and veg) on the front and they dropped their money in the charity box. Now they can pop round for plants, see what else we have and have a wander round the garden. All of them have to come by appointment and we have them well apart by timing. So we've had between three and five per day.

We don't charge much at all and we don't need a plant licence/inspection or to pay postage - but we are limited to only local free advertising by email to clubs and groups. Bean plants are £2 for 10, Irises are £2.50 (Iris sibirica are a few to a pot) and most plants vary from £1.50 - £2.50 with a few such as Verbascum chaixii at £3.50.

 

I'm also busy watering (moving sprinkler around) as we've only had one day of rain in months.

As a lot of you know, I don't do high tech (no mobile, no electronic devices you talk to, my car keeps telling me off for not linking my phone by Bluetooth, my TV is annoyed with me because I have turned off the voice and motion controls - although it turns them back on about once a month ) but I have used a slightly higher tech pigeon scaring system for our veg plot.

The fencing is to keep the rabbits out but the pigeon were a blasted nuisance last year and stripped all the leaves from 200 runner bean plants up to a height of 18"!

So far the CD's (all old computer software) seem to be working with their movement and flashing reflections.







I was planting out some more beans yesterday but had to stop. The cat that spends most of the day with us although he lives down the road decided to help me! He hopped over the wire fence and was examining everything, as usual, pushing the pots around and generally getting in the way. He also usually gets underfoot. This time he was a lot more of a nuisance as I was trying to get on with the planting and was ignoring him. So as I was bending over and planting them (not able to crouch down properly ) he kept coming between my legs and head butting me hard in the goolies!!! I'll leave Mrs Shiney to finish the planting if he's around.

 

I've just come in as it has reached 80F out there I've been weeding, my favourite job , and digging up Verbascum chaixii to be potted up.

When I came in there was an email order from someone for Verbascum chaixii , Miscanthus, Bowles Golden grass, 2 Hydrangea Annabelle, some courgettes and tomatoes.

 

My new mower is leaking oil, only slightly. It seems to be from one of the gaskets. I phoned the place I bought it from last month and was put through to their workshop. All their fitters are on furlough but they're hoping to get some back next week.

He asked me some technical details that I didn't understand so I told him what I observed. The oil is leaking, slightly, on to the deck just below the engine. I made sure that I cleaned everything up and left it for two days. Then checked if the filler pipe had any oil on it and it was completely dry. I then explained where I could see the oil and he came to the conclusion it was a gasket, but can't remember the name.

He said that I can continue to use the mower as long as I check the oil level each time. Then told me what colour smoke to look out for when I start the mower. He said there's no problem about it as it's under guarantee. I didn't tell him that I recorded the conversation.