WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

Real Turpentine will probably be cheaper from a decorating/DIY shop compared with art shop.
Old glass is difficult to cut cleanly due to the development of microcracks in the surface.

 

Feeding the birds. Moving plants into the greenhouse. Putting out more bedding for the wildlife.

 

I've used the old 3in1 oil, probably cooking oil would work.
Meths isn't really a lubricant.

 

@Loofah I've used white spirit before with some success. Better than real turpentine I can't say, real turpentine is a mix of organic chemicals. As it tends to polymerise on exposure to air it could leave a sticky residue. I've used it mixed with linseed oil on tool handles and such like. Must admit I do like the smell.

 

Possibly price per litre but only need a drop; dip cutter head before each cut.

 

I do like the smell of real turpentine.

 

Bringing in all the trees before the cold snap

 

This afternoon I covered the new shelving unit I put out on the balcony last November with some fleece. I have some Geraniums on the shelving but I can't really bring them into the flat unless we are forecast temps very much lower than -1 or -2C.

While I was on the balcony I also closed up the mini-greenhouse on the balcony table. Last week I put 3 trays of Geranium & Pelargonium cutting in it so I don't want them to get damaged in a light frost. The table with the MG on top are in the most sheltered corner of the balcony so I think everything should be alright even if the cold spell forecast lasts a week or more. The majority of the plants I had in it during the winter survived the terrible frosts we had in December 2022 so 1 or 2 negative values shouldn't affect them.

 

Today I repotted a Flamingo Lily that my son gave me over a year ago. I also potted up some Tradescantia zebrina cuttings that have been rooting in water. I took more cuttings from the plants on top of the fridge and threw two plants away that were almost dead. While I was at it I also took some cuttings of the Marguerite which managed to survive the winter in the mini-greenhouse out on the balcony. I had several more plants but they were killed by the terrible frosts we had in December 2022. I hope they will root and give me more plants for the summer.

 

measured up a fence and got materials priced up for replacement. been thinking about new garden design - lots to do this year.