WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2022

Wow, you're good @Upsydaisy that is the one and also where I ordered it and the others from. This is a copy of the order:
ZULU WARRIOR SEEDS

10 seeds

CAMPANULA SEEDS, WHITE UNIFORM

50 seeds

CAMPANULA SEEDS, BLUE UNIFORM

50 seeds

PRIMROSE SEEDS, DANOVA GROWER'S SELECT MIX

20 seeds

PRIMROSE SEEDS, GOLD LACE

10 seeds

 

Took an hour at lunch time to go and plant seeds. So nice to see seedlings already coming on


I've put in loads of lettuces over the past 6 weeks: these were transplanted last weekend into pots.
This is a Salvia Elegans (pineapple) that I've taken any numbner of cuttings from. Absolutely love the flowers which go from end of September to Christmas perhaps. And in the greenhouse, apparently longer.

So much coming through: Lupins, dill, spinach (needs planting on), onions...

Stacks of lettuces - but then we eat them. I was irritated to have screwewd it up and not planted enough in September to see us through. I hate buying supermarket ones with all the stuff they put on them.



And more lettuce...in the new soil plugs! (thanks @CanadianLori )



Morning Glory has geminated but is not happy. All pointers very welcome. I've got a tonne of seed so can start again no problem.

After I'd planted the garlic and got it goiung, I read that it should be a couple of inches down. hey ho. Live and learn eh? I'll see this through - and what it becomes. And then do better next year.



Broad beans are coming on well: wondering if I can put them out in a couple of weeks time. We are probably frost safe then. Haven't had more than a dusting this year anyway.



Last set of mini plugs planted a couple of weeks back are just coming through. Little gems, lollo rosso (there's a theme here somewhere), more morning glories.



And then today, I planted a tray of Cosmos (white and a pale pink one), and some carnations (trashy garage flowers aren't they? says the wife...)

Feels like spring is about to be here.

 

I do see where they are coming from with the law. Many people, and this applies to all countries, have no idea how to take care of a compost heap. That can result in things such as vermin and nasty smells. Not so bad in country areas, but horrendous in towns and cities.

Its much the same in other countries as well. Germany has rules about washing cars, as well as "quiet times." Many campsites I have been on even have quiet times around midday as well. When I was looking into campsites on Jersey a few days ago, most campsites there stated their rules quite clearly. @JimmyB as you say, people accept them, but not only that, they tend to make a person feel safer, and more secure. At least, thats the way I feel.

I've said this before on here, and will probably say it again in the future. When I first moved to this country, I didnt really like the rules as they were so different to the ones in the UK. Nowadays, sad to say, its the rules in the UK I dont like!

Apologies to all for drifting off topic.

 

Finally finished the seeding I started two days ago, with a much needed re-up of Vermiculite and seed trays (good to see B&Q moving to recycled paper on that). 27 trays later and windowsills of 3 rooms adorned, and ultimately, glad stage 1 is all over with.


There comes this point in the exercise, when you ask yourself, what was the point of getting so much, there’s no possible way you could ever fit them in the garden, as per the 7 second year eucalyptus citriodora (gorgeous aroma on touch) over wintering in the greenhouse. I suppose the point is, if you didn’t mitigate against losses, you’d regret not having the option and waste a critical growing window. Yes, seems sound to leave it at that, and avoid looking at seed sites for a wee while, or even longer than that, because it’s inevitable you will.

 

@JimmyB

I won't be sowing my Morning Glory until about mid April, I don't think they are keen on the low light levels or the cool weather and they can sulk and I think prefer to keep growing without checks. Having said that no idea where I got this idea from originally.
Broadbeans are looking good as are the garlic. I autumn sow both my broadbeans and garlic. The broadbeans (Aqua Dulce) get germinated October in greenhouse and then planted out November. Garlic I plant direct a couple of inches down in November and it's generally through by Christmas. I even did this in Essex which definitely had colder winters than here in Devon and never lost any to the weather.

 

Had an unexpected day off work today and have been pretty busy making the most of it.
Have measured and marked some timber which will become the base frame for a cycle shed. The shed will stand on a lightly sloping driveway.
Also finished digging my new pond out and washed the car too! Think i need to go back to work for a rest!

 

First time growing garlic for me: I tried to find organic bulbs to use but couldn't so just had a go with ordinary supermarket stuff - keeing a bit of the base plate for each clove. Seems to have worked pretty well. I'll get all of them out soon then. Checked the potatoes too: they are coming through nicely. Have to work out my rotation: potatoes will be all out by end of April - maybe mid May. Think it's the wrong order to put squashes on there next - but...that's really what would work space wise. Learning a lot about this stuff still...

 

If successful with your garlic this year and wanting to try again next year then see here for organic bulbs Potatoes, Onions & Garlic | Organic Gardening Catalogue

 

Feeding the birds again today. They go through fat balls, fat blocks and dried mealworms at an enormous rate. I suggested to my wife it would be cheaper to adopt a Tiger!

 

Lori what are you doing with the Primrose seed?
I only ask because is it something you can overwinter outside there.

 

I only have a couple of colours. @shiney has the "frilled two tone" ones and I want that too. Plus I needed more so there is enough for me and the rabbits!

 

I noticed that both cold frame covers at the back of the deck have collapsed under the weight of the compacting snow. And the 1/4" plexiglas cracked too. So, I'll be digging them out, detaching them and stuffing them in the back of the van to go to the waste station.

There is an upside though. I had been changing those two areas to perennials anyway so probably didn't really need the tops any more.

Then I'll shovel snow on those gardens to give them a "natural" Canadian cover until spring.

Bet no one thought of shoveling snow as gardening!

 

shovel? SHOVEL? Really @CanadianLori snow blowers were invented for that job!

 

Heavens. You obviously don't know Canadian etiquette regarding snow clearing! One must only use a snow blower on hard surfaces such as driveways, patios, etc and if you veer onto the lawn, only do so by 1/2 the width of the machine. Then wait for spring to begin re-sodding...

Snow shovels are used on all surfaces including the top of the barbecue cover, the peaks of greenhouses and launching snow into gardens.

I did get the covers disconnected and took them to the local dump which is only about 15 kilometers from me. It was a bit hard going trying to lug them up to the front where my van is as the snow at the sides of the house is still pretty high and now dense. And I don't have any Canadian flip flops.

But all is done and now I can start pondering my next activity