What are we doing in the garden 2024

Mine stays where it is @simone_in_wiltshire. I keep an eye on the temperature and as soon as it is forecast to approach zero, I wrap the trunk thickly in horticultural fleece and stuff the crown with fleece, leaving the fronds exposed. When the temperature rises, I remove the fleece. I know this is a bit laborious but it means the trunk and crown are not exposed to trapped moisture and avoids rot. I cut the fronds off as soon as they turn brown. I’ve read somewhere that they can take temperatures of down to minus six for short periods without protection but have never risked it . The RHS advises that young plants with no trunk are not really suitable to overwinter outdoors except in very sheltered sites. I hope this helps.

 

@Plantminded we pollarded down to the knuckles if that makes sense. We didn't wont to go back to straight cuts as we love to see the different sections. Not sure if that makes sense.
Sorry reread your comment no we don't pollard every year maybe 3 or 4 years.

 

Thank you @On the Levels, I know what you mean .

 

@Plantminded Thanks for the tip. I will do the same over the coming weekend. We can expect up to -1c next week.

 

Hi,

I couldn't agree with you more @Selleri JParkers are excellent.

No gardening for me today; my new computer arrived yesterday so I'm setting it up. Next October Win10 will no longer be supported so I've upgraded to Win11; my current computer will come in useful in the recording studio.

Quite a while ago I posted that I'd used my petrol rotavator to rotavate patches of couch grass and was advised against this because it would spread the couch grass? I've gone over a couple of times since and what a difference; now when the grass appears it pulls out very easily only having short roots; it works for me.

Kind regards, Col.

 

A smart bit of work @Palustris
That's kept you busy too @Selleri - hope the tree is right though....
Get better soon @Liriodendron. Clearing/raking leaves is therapeutic IMO. I used to love doing it in a previous garden.
I did nothing yesterday apart from planting a couple of seed grown Aquilegias. Maybe today if I can find any enthusiasm. It might be a double walk though as daughter is off today. It's looking like a nice clear day.

 

Volunteer day at Capel Manor yesterday, mostly leaf clearing this time. New plants due soon so hopefully some more interesting things to do soon.
At home I have taken the plunge and ordered a bulk bag of compost mulch. I hope it proves to be reasonably good, I find it can be so variable both in price and quality. So I need to finish the clear up and remove any weeds in readiness. If the weather turns cold as predicted it will be perfect timing to get this done beforehand.
BTW. I mentioned this on the TV to watch thread but a very interesting two part programme on BBC 4 The secret genius of plants. Was shown on the last two Wednesdays, now on iplayer. All about plants interaction with the environment, insect, animals and each other. Some things you will probably have heard of before, but this attempts to explain in more detail how plants achieve this in spite of being anchored to one spot.

 

Weeded the area around paving bricks and slabs. Removed all the dead sweet peas and their supports. Now need to plant something in the 3 pots.

 

I planted a few more things in the front garden yesterday, plus an aster in a new border in the back garden that was slug ridden this year. I lifted it a while ago. Sorted the bird feeder cages etc, although I now have to make a proper roof for the new one as I swapped the feeders over. Potted up the very tiny plugs [dianthus] that arrived. Fortunately I had some sandy, gritty stuff left from a pot of marigolds that I then composted, so that was ideal for them.
A few other bits and pieces, and also did quite a bit of sitting on the bench in the sun, including having my lunch. Gorgeous.
Not so pretty today, so probably won't do anything out there, unless I can do the aforementioned cage roof.

 

I have cut down, dug up and delivered to a lady across the road the Helianthus Lemon Queen. They were still flowering but we have frost next week and I think that would finish them off. I promised them to my neighbour as she was admiring them and they need to come out to make room for a new standard rose.

 

I raked once more the leaves from the gravel.
I will mix the Phacelia in the raised bed under the soil. It doesn't look like it's flowering and so I use it as fertiliser.

 

I did pretty much nothing outside yesterday, as I had to go away and do something else anyway. Probably won't do anything much today either!
Garden's at that point now where it looks after itself until spring. I still have a few plants that could be put in the ground, but it's finding the enthusiasm for it that's the problem.

 

@shiney i was waiting for “ cuddly toy , conveyor belt etc”. I am certain that the mens group will be most grateful.