WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2022

Mostly spent holding the ladder while hubs fitted an extension arm to the solar panel of one of the security cameras ... and not just window level either, he was up almost on the roof!! I keep telling him that a 70++++ yr old shouldn't be up that high or even up any high!!!!.

Watered any over wintering plant that required it in the cold frames, and potted up a Blueberry plant that I bought the other day. I also added a fresh top up of compost to the other Blueberries while I had their bag of compost open.
Swept up ( yet again!!) clumps of moss that the birds dislodged from the roof....it's like sweeping up leaves, never-ending!!!!!

 

The wind and rain has been battering the house and garden for what seems like days. We are really exposed here and really feel it when it gets going.

Checked the weather this morning said dry all day so off to the GC for compost. Come back and started to replant 2 clematis "so many" into bigger pots bought last year and just as I started it poured down. Thought "sod it" and carried on as the forecast for the rest of the week is rain. Anyway they are done and hopefully happy in their new pots.

 

I can never help myself: yes - lupins from seed I collected last year (coming through nicely); delphiniums which were in the freezer for ages but only 3 have germinated in my bedroom for warmth: will try again; larkspur (lots have germinated in the greenhouse); coriander, dill, sweetpeas all coming on nicely; potatoes went intot he ground on 8th Jan and are coming on well; onions are not doing brilliantly - damping off has hit them a bit; i put garlic in very late but it's looking good! Butterhead and lettony lettuces coming on really well: I've done several sowings. Lollo Rosso not quite so good but stil have some. Basically - yes! But I am lucky to have a greenhouse and some good indoor window sills which changes everything.

I always plant too early though: can't help myself. Hope exceeding reality I suppose

 

I have a nightmare getting delphiniums to germinate - and I don't know why. They are perhaps my favourite flower too... keen to ehar how you get on - and any tips. I cold stratify as directed - and still struggle. Wondering if they just need it warmer than I give them maybe

 

I love delphiniums and grew them growing up in Lincolnshire. In Essex less success and down here in damp mild Devon it's hard enough growing lupins, I don't even think about delphiniums.
They would have to be in large pots and probably overwintered undercover until the new shoots were a couple of feet tall to stand any chance.

 

I can't see why you couldn't grow Delphiniums in Devon, as long as its not water logged they should do well . I am quite lucky with delphiniums they come up really early much earlier than when the slugs are out, I've had them covered with heavy snow in the past.

Its been a while since I've grown delphiniums from seed , I can't see what you are doing wrong @JimmyB , I cold stratify them think I had them in the fridge for a couple of weeks . Are they in a propagator now ? Might need the extra heat to waken them from their slumber .

 

I saw a great tip from a pro-delphinium grower on Gardeners' World (am I allowed to mention that here????): he puts sand round them when they are dying back in the autumn - or when small if new in the spring. I did it two years ago with great success. Then forgot last year. And now need to get out somewhat urgently and see if I can see any coming through at all, to protect. It does work though.

 

Yes @Perki I think I need more warmth for them to germinate now. I'll try to rustle some up! Our house is old and drafty so gets cold at night whatever we do. Eventually I will find a way to sort the dodgy old single glazing downstairs but it's listed externally so eye watering cash to replace each one. In the mean time, I might get a propagating mat perhaps and stick them on it...

 

Oh Oh, I didn't stratify/chill my delphinium seeds - well, they've only been in the blocks one day so I'll stick the whole tray in a greenhouse to get a good jolt of winter.

Thanks for the heads up

 

Finished tying in the blackberry canes.

 

I gave delphiniums a go growing from seeds last summer. Let them stay in pots in the greenhouse for a winter. I have heavy clay, and early (false) powdery mildew every summer. Hope I at least will be able to enjoy them this summer. Not sure, they'll be able then overwinter in the flowerbed.

 

Yes - I was told 3 weeks in the freezer. Which in Canada right now, might mean just anywhere that isn't indoors perhaps! But my germnation rates are awful. Another point I did learn though is that you can overwater the seedlings (if and when they do germinate) very easily. And then they die... Oh joy! Worth it though if you can get them there: they are so lovely...

 

This morning was spent servicing some garden machinery due to bad weather. After lunch, the rain had stopped so I put a couple of barrowfulls on the area the trees were. At least the bad weather we have been having is making the ground settle quicker than expected.