WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

Hi,

This morning I've finished the repairs to the rotavator. The two lots of new heavy duty tines are fitted and ready for work.


Here's both lots of new tines; set screw heads one side riveted the other side; if ever I need to do this again then I can simply grind away the rivets and unscrew the set screws; I used my MAPP gas torch to heat the set screw ends for riveting.
If the remaining two lots of original tines decide to become damaged I'll also do the same having spare plate steel.


Rough and ready here's how I set the tine tips. I had to be careful because the tines are "handed" left and right; a very easy mistake to make and an unpleasant surprise when everything is fully assembled; I checked and double checked then checked again before bending the tine tips.


I like to make machines here's my high speed 2" belt grinder with 60g belt I've just used for adding the cutting edges to the tine tips; I made a similar machine but slow speed and 4" for woodworking.

The chainsaw now repaired and also the rotavator both are now drained of fuel and stored in the garden huts until next needed.

The petrol mower is now on the bench and I'll repair it completing the trio; next problem please just keep loading me up I'm used to it.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Been busy taking Pelargonium cuttings this morning.

 

Pricked out basil plants, repotted tomatoes and dahlia seedlings. Sorted out which tomato plants I want and which are spares. This afternoon sort out squashes, cucumbers and melons.

 

Hi,

The petrol mower sadly didn't survive surgery this afternoon; we bought it new 36 years ago so I thought I'd go back to basics; with the cylinder head removed I could spin the engine by hand but it proved to have a slightly tight spot; the ignition coil at fault there being extremely little gap; I spun the engine and no spark.

No problem just slacken both machine screws and adjust the gap; one screw came out the other screw snapped off; it's now got a new home at the recycling center; I could have extracted the broken screw but then what; was the coil open circuit; no I wasn't going to fall into the trap spending a lot of time repairing it together with buying spares; I didn't really need the mower because over the years I've greatly reduced grass surface; I've two petrol strimmers I can use and these will be easier to handle up the steep slope; I've dragged the mower up for the last time

I could have put it on Gumtree giving it away for spares but these days giving anything away is full of hassle; I'm sorry to see it go because it's been a friend for so long.

The petrol chainsaw and rotavator are only about two years old so were worth repairing; I like to repair if possible but these days I'm gaining more common sense.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

I was going to mow the grass but it's too wet. Sowed 105 more wallflowers, run out of compost.
Been putting plants out into the small greenhouse and put the 3 propergators away upstairs.

 

I planted 4 Abulilon Double Pink cuttings which arrived today from Spain (only ordered 3) but that is all except watering my Adenium et al Nursery.

 

4 for the price of 3 ,that's good Vicky.

 

Took some more Wallflower cuttings also some Azaleas ones too. Think it's a tad early for the Azaleas, but can always do another batch in about a months time if not successful.

 

Got the mower out of the shed for the first time, added petrol and it started second pull. Grass at front cut, mowed down the primroses now the flowers have finished.

 

@Upsydaisy how do you take your Azalea cuttings please? I've got some deciduous ones that I'd like to do.

 

Moved 6 bags of compost from car to greenhouse and planted the sweetpeas.

 

Weeding and maybe building more compost bays today.
Also have some purple sprouting broccoli to move into perminant beds.

 

Planted out in the borders the strongest Cosmos and Homebargains-discount Liatris. 6 out of 10 Liatris corms grew, not bad for under £1

The soil is a pleasure to dig, thinking back 5 years when we started the border and destroyed a fork with the heavy clay. Now it's soft and crumbly and full of worms. Lovely

Moved everything minus the Toms out from the blowaway greenhouse and added cucumbers and other bits and bobs in. All Toms are flowering so next job is to plant them into the growbox soil.

Now the only things left on windowsills are the chillies, Hungarian Black has fruit and Basket of fire is flowering well. I'm Tinkerbelling them twice a day with a small brush, hopefully I can get them out soon to leave the pollinating for the insects. Tinkerbelling is not very fun nor dignified job Padron peppers and Jalapenos are forming buds.

Got sick and tired of re-directing the rampant Ipomoeas, so plopped them into the ground to hopefully twine through the Viburnum. The stupid seedlings sown as an afterthought in case the Sweet Peas fail really took liking to the windowsill and are now 2m tall with loads of buds.

I don't in particular like Ipomoeas and they are a tad too tender for my taste, but with "free seeds with every issue", what can one do

I was briefly distracted by a chorus of jubilant little voices hip-hip-hooraying and attempting to sing "Jerusalem". Got my slug pellets out and sprinkled the deadly confetti around the newly planted soft plants, that should sort it out.

I wanted to continue to play in the garden but had to stop in order to disguise myself as a Lady Who is Going to The Ball. Dark nail varnish it is

 

My wife and I put in 4 hours a piece today. mainly grass cutting, strimming and weeding. I am now sore, worn out and sick of weeds.

 

Sorry for late response Logan, I've been out in the garden and also washing curtains!!

As I said in my post I haven't got my timing right but I was in ' cutting mode ' .
The best time ( and I will also do this too) is after they have flowered and are sprouting new green shoots.....these green shoots are the best !! I use rooting compound and pot the cuttings up in pots and place a cut off plastic bottle over the whole pot ...they should root in 6-8 weeks .Don't overwater but also don't let them dry out.

You can also use the layering technique in late Summer / early Autumn and leave be over the Winter....I personally have never tried this way but I may give it a go this year!

Good luck