WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2021

Finished planting up the one patch of ground that i started yesterday,the afternoon was too hot to plant anything, the plants and me.

 

Re-covered a 10 x 25 foot polytunnel, a hot day being ideal for getting the cover tight. Absolutely knackered doing it mainly by myself (Mrs Scrungee held the hammer and/or nails for me), working from 10:00 to 17:30 with only a short break for lunch/ice creams/cider. The wind made it a bit scary at times, but the polythene weighed over 20 Kg and didn't flap around much.

 

Planted out some more overwintered Fuchsias and discovered a few had Vine Weevil grubs . The plants are now having a good soaking and will be left overnight.
Also planted out some more tumbling tomatoes.

 

I've been aiming for a "colourful" garden this year, and today I belive I have achieved my goal... sort of. I've got greenfly on the buddleia, whitefly on the roses, blackfly on the cherry tree, where I also found a yellow catapillar, and I nearly took a bluebottle right up the left nostril while weeding. Does that count, and might anyone have a spare ladybird I could have to complete my set?

In better news my moonflower seedlings now have their first grown-up leaves and my sweatpeas are growing nicely, though in every direction but towards the stakes and climbing strings I put out for them (its like herding voles trying to get them to cooperate). I've finished the first have of my relocation plan and so far everything is happy with its new spot.

Best wishes to everyone and their gardens, and I hope any colours found therein don't come with six or more legs

 

Just for you @EmmaJane ...





I have some chubby white vine weevil grubs, hoards of red ants and some scarlet Lilly beetles....if your interested in extending your colour range!!

 

I will continue to go out every 2hrs to dampen my newly seeded lawn…..already got baby grass shoots popping up after just 6 days, but by damn its warm

these pictures are from last thursday before putting down the new seed

 

Tending to 'Alfie's Garden' today. Planted some white Lobelia around his resting place and added in a blue Lobelia - as you know he was white with brilliant blue eyes.

This is a picture of my Aquilegia Red Hobbit - this was from a packet of free seeds on the front of a magazine - I'm very pleased with how it has grown. I don't usually have much success growing perennials from seed.

 

It sounds like you have the red end of the spectrum covered - I think I'll stick to the ladybird but thank you for the kind offer lol

I had no idea scarlet lily beetles were a thing or that taking up gardening would prove to be such an education in entomology

 

Lilly beetles.... Squished loads this week!!

Mainly the canoodling ones!!

 

What a way to go

I'm no expert but I think I'm happier without any of those lol - thank you for the info, I'm now going to inspect my lilies to be sure my pet count is still limited to just the two dogs

@jowwy That looks like it'll be stunning when the grass grows in

 

Spent almost 2 hours in front garden on Monday cutting the paths back in. Not sure why it took so long, although I did stop to inspect various things. A couple of passing tourists informed me that they thought my garden was " wonderful " and " so good for wildlife " , which pleased me hugely . I haven't finished the paths yet and also have some unwanted docks and nettles to sort out. I have large patches of nettles that I leave be, so I don't feel bad about pulling up those that are making a nuisance of themselves. Lots of brambles to clear too.

Spent around an hour watching the Bluetit chicks peeking out of their box and flapping their wings. The parents tried to entice them out but they didn't want to come. I was sure they would come out on Tues, but still in there today. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Your greenhouse is very nice @2nd_bassoon well worth the wait .
What's with the strip of grass down the middle of the lawn @jowwy ? its can be very tricky to get grass to match up.

Looks like everyone been busy in the garden . I mowed the lawn again today and turfed out the salvia and dahlia out of the GH , every time I step in I am kicking something over usually that poor fuchsia. Had a tinker the other day moving some plants around mainly the Helenium getting swapped by an aconitum stainless steel which resulted in other plants being moved . Removed some Solidago fireworks from the hot border , it flowers so late it hardly worth the space it has and it on the deck by that time , I'll try it else where with more light and see how it preforms , I've replaced it with Monarda Squaw a very good variety to grow.

It been nice and warm for a change and the garden finally getting on the dry side after May deluge , I've got a cracking tan line

 

Its the same grass thats now growing in the rest of the garden………so will match up great when all grown

 

Pulled up all the wallflowers around the front path, there's such a lot and then cut them all up to put in the compost bins with other things in layers.