WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

Hi,

Yesterday I removed seven fence panels then treated the posts with their caps & finials. I've had a tiring day today after an early start until 5:00pm treating the fence panels.



I designed and made this bespoke fence twenty years ago using treated roofing battens; each panel is secured with four hex head 70mm x 6mm turbo screws allowing the panels to be removed easily for treating with preservative. Here the posts; caps & acorns are treated. The acorns are turned from the post top offcuts; the caps are oak. I also installed the pathway and built the low retaining stone wall. It's 42' long.


A therapeutic job but it takes time; here a panel is upside down being treated using a brush.


I used to treat the fence with bought preservative which lasted until the next downpour. I now use a mix of diesel/old dirty engine oil; this lasts five years; all it costs is a gallon of diesel the two gallons of old engine oil is free.

Because of the slope special panels were needed hence I made my own at little cost; I added the wooden (Mopstick) handrail for safety; in icy conditions we have steps the other side of the bungalow.

A large polythene sheet protects the wall & driveway; normally I take lots of time being very neat but with rain once again forecast I wanted to complete this job today hence drips from the fence & run off from the post bottoms; I'll live with this knowing the fence won't bother me for another five years.

I've enjoyed doing this today; it was cold first thing this morning so I wrapped up well this afternoon was pleasant and warmer but I still had my body warmer on; it was nice in the sun but a lot cooler when the sun hid. I'm now tired and feeling stiff but I'll sleep tonight having put in a full days work.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

I mowed the lawn too thinking it may be the last time this season. Pulled out 2 tomato plants outside, sweet peas, cut mint and sorrel down.

 

Yesterday went to see Geoffrey and Marion and Barry met me there. I finished doing the weeding on the one side and Barry cut the grass, i asked him to put it on the border that i just finished weeding and Geoffrey trimmed the buddleia with my supervision. Got Marion weeding on the other side of the grass with my supervision, she doesn't know much about plants and when i wasn't keeping an eye on her she pulled up the lupin that i planted 2 weeks ago, so i quickly planted it back in and asked her to get some water for it, i can't blame her because she didn't know, we laughed about it afterwards and we had a good day.

 

I've just mowed the lawn but the last cut is usually late October these day for me, my grass is just starting to grow again after the dryness stopped it in june I've only had to mow it about 4 times since the end of june, it wasn't a drought like summer but the water never got below the surface much after the hot June.

 

Planted two varieties of garlic. Got another three types I'll put in next week. Picked some leeks and kohlrabi for the roast chicken tonight

I'm trying some garlic cloves in modules in the greenhouse to replace any casualties outside in late winter. Not tried this before.

 

I usually wait until October for garlic as well, I think you can be too early with it and get too much growth before winter stops it growing.

 

Hi,

Me too Andy; three big bin bags of English Ivy but little space cleared and an whole lot more yet to attack.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Yesterday had some of my order of spring bulbs arrive, the tulips are smaller this year, also at the garden centres, must be a bad year.

 

I spent an hour in The courtyard this morning, cutting things back and it was too hot in full Southern sun so I moved to the Front of House Patio in the Shade to tidy up there doing the path level in between.. It is difficult in a wheelchair as you are limited what you can do and need help as they are on different levels with one in between! But I manage.

 

I had to do some watering after I didn't even put a foot outside on the balcony yesterday! My poor tomato plants were getting quite dry! I didn't have to do the hanging baskets today but they will probably need watering tomorrow. I've not watered them at all I don't think this week they were so saturated after the storm last Sunday they haven't needed it. I've been letting them dry out a little as the rain filled them with so much water it was pouring, literally, out of the holes I made in the plastic lining when I made them up back in May!

 

Planted some more wallflowers and polyanthus.

 

Hi,

Visited four stores and home by 8:30 this morning. Mug of tea then into the workshop until dinner time working on the Howard rotavator restoration. After dinner pressure washing the pathway to the bungalow side and the patio, another busy day; tomorrow painting metal railings to the bungalow front; it never lets up and I never get the chance to be bored.


Pressure washing this pathway is hard on my back the pathway being sloping but it's now clean again for a while.


The patio comes up well; I didn't do the pathway to the rear of the bungalow I needed recharging. I'll sleep well again tonight.

Kind regards, Colin.