What Jobs Are We Doing In The Garden Today 2020

Well I've been busy this evening , watering like everybody else I've even had to water some of the plants in the garden which I rarely do, I just use tap water we have soft acidic water round here but after treatment its soft alkaline water . My lawn starting to go a little bit brown with the hot weather.

I moved loads of plants out of the GH I was having to take plants out to get in , so the large tender salvias and agapanthus plus other have been evicted. I put my stakes in so I can plant my tomatoes - cucumber - melons tomorrow should of planted them at the beginning of May but thankfully I didn't cause the frost would of had them.

I've decided I want a Acer to go at the back window in the shady area , I am going to replace the white camellia which doesn't perform up to standard. I like most acers really but I am very fond of the coral bark variety's for the winter interest. Thinking of Winter flame which is a smaller version of sango kaku. I'll be able to see Ilex golden king through the bright red stems which will look good not forgetting the autumn foliage etc.

 

My battle with slugs and caterpillars continues!

This is my first year gardening and planting veg. Lots to learn.

I repurposed an old trampoline net as a cover to protect from pests tonight. Hope it works!

 

Today I planted quite a lot.
While I am a becoming a master, if not quite at keeping plants healthy and productive, at least at cramming them in, I am starting raking my brains about where and what to plant next.
While I managed way more than last years, one side of my garden is just too shady to grow anything but mint and similar.
Still, seeding new things to see if they grow is just too much fun, so I have definitely too many plants.
After nearly 10 days the jalapeno seeds have germinated, I had nearly given up on them. Let's see if I can manage to have them grow now

I finally got around planting out the corn and succession veggie which I started in the soil blocks.
My kid helped out and in the end I think he actually enjoyed it!

The soil blocks are actually quite easy to plant out without disturbing the roots and they do not break apart.
However, in the case of corn the roots tend and spread to adjacent blocks, because I placed the blocks too close and waited for the stalks to be a few inches tall before planting. The other plants (Radish, Pak Choi, Spinach and cabbage) did not have that problem though.
I also tried a few of the small 1 inch blocks. They are actually pretty good for succession cultures, very easy to plant in a shallow trench.
But they also dry very quickly.

Maybe is is just me, but are stawberries a bit early this year?

 

Yesterday I had a free day, so I spent most of it doing jobs in garden. Firstly I put the shading on the greenhouse, then I finished off the netting cage for brassica bed. Bit late as pigeons had eaten the cabbages, luckily I had some to replace them. Replanted cabbages. Sowed a couple of rows of carrots and weeded the veg beds. Turned compost heap into other bay (probably not the best idea to do this at the hottest part of the day though). Gave everything a good soak. Back in the house today, start decorating sons bedroom.

Rusty

 

@Aldo we have lots of ripe strawberries too ...mmmm yummy!!

 

If the weather holds up we might have a really good summer for a bunch of different crops!
Now I am competing with woodlice, slugs and birds for the berries though.

 

I've just picked a handful to have with ice cream after lunch!!

 

Planted out a lot more calendula, just got stabbed by a rose thorn on one of the bushes. I have to cover up the blueberries when they start to ripen from the black birds.

 

Deadheaded the rhododendrons, a fiddly job but with the sun shining it doesn't seem too bad. Picked the first bunch of sweet peas for the house - summer's here

Cut down the Hesperus which have been a joy in the cutting garden. The newly planted alstroemeria Rock and Roll has started to flower and is looking great. The flower stems aren't very long but will look good in an arrangement. Nigella looking lovely en masse.

Harvested my apricot tree which is now in it's new home against the house's south wall after being overwintered in the conservatory. It's getting too big to bring in and out so this winter it will stay outside and I'll fleece it. At least it's close to the house

 

Almost finished planting up our raised kitchen patio borders. Then I will move on to the east patio but only a couple to add here and there in that area. Last to tackle is the lounge patio raised borders....they are a bit of a mess, so will take some sorting out.

 

I think so too - we had our first handful this afternoon, I don't think we've ever eaten them from the garden in May before. Likewise sweetpeas, mine have been flowering for a week which is definitely a record!

 

It's been far to hot to do anything over the past couple of days just trying to keep everything alive

 

Early start this morning, we've got the beans (runner and climbing french) planted up, courgettes done, Manx Marvel toms planted too, re-potted Carol's Calendula's in return she stole most of my Tagetes! oh well, got some left.

Bad back stopped work, hopefully get all my other tomatoes planted up tomorrow.

 

The Fuchsia bed has taken a bit of effort to get ready. With pockets of flowers for the bees to help them along too. Should be a good looker when it picks up and gives colour in a green and brown garden.