What jobs are we doing in the Garden today 2015

Yesterday was spent raking up leaves to be stored for leaf mould (took a couple of hours, and the oaks have barely started dropping yet!). We finally made the call, and cut down the apple tree that was badly infected with canker. Despite the heavy prune of the worst affected branches in spring, it failed to hold onto its fruit - they were all damaged in some way, and therefore targeted by wasps. So it was cut down and burned, upwind of the other apple trees, yesterday afternoon - a sad day indeed. On a happier note, I also planted 3kg of daffodil bulbs in the steep part of the bank, some wood anemone "white splendour" tuber-thingies, and some tulips, snowdrops, iris reticulata and narcissus bridal crown in a pot, for some Spring cheer.

 

Operation dig up not commenced yet still too mild and wet . The bananas and Brugs still putting on growth. but made a start on the shelters for the palms. The brahea covered and the frame is done for the butia but the wind stooped play as I could hold down the polycarbonate sheet in 40mph winds

 

Nothing happening here at all, the weather has been to bad recently. I need to get some Iris seeds going in pots which are now a couple of weeks overdue.

 

Tied the early sensation clematis to the arch as the wind has blown it free and watered the foxgloves in the cold frame. That was all i could manage tho :-(

 

I know that feeling - a loosing battle with the leaves at this time of year... But two hours a day ... ?!!

We will be doing some maintenance work - leaf gathering, compost moving, and transplanting our fruit bushes across to near where the canker tree was, to create space for the new fruit trees coming this winter. No power tools outside, today, of course, as it is Remembrance Day or Wapenstilstand in Dutch, which I think needs no translation....

 

Never plan too far ahead!!

We walked the dogs before working in the garden...
There was a small-scale dog-fight between one of mine and a GSD (someone regularly puts out bread scraps at the base of a particular tree - the dogs were probably scrapping over this food resource). No real issues, but my girl has puncture wounds on one of her ears, one going all the way through. She's a very stoic dog, but I wanted to keep her calm and quiet for the rest of the afternoon - ear injuries tend to bleed badly, and it can go everywhere!

She's fine this morning, if a little quiet. Lots of gentle salt baths ahead!

 

Its another beautiful morning but the weather is set to turn after today so I will be raking the leaves from the lawn and I will then give the lawns a wee trim because they have grown like wildfire the last week or so.

 

I half tidied up the ground cover roses. They have decided to suddenly start flowering again and there are loads of buds so couldnt quite tidy them all into shape but got as much done as possible

Also cut back some ivy and picked up more fallen quinces

 

Managed to get the grass cut, which also tidied up some of the leaves...

 

Been very busy in the garden today... from first light until it was dark so put the flood lights on and carried on and only just come in... its very warm for this time of year! Although I was soaked a few times with the rain showers.

I've decided that I've had enough of growing vegetables and want more pretty things in a very large plot.. will grow the veg in a smaller more manageable spot next year as the freezer is still bulging at the sides with this years veg

 

I've had a good day between taking the missus to hospital appointment, dropping dad at his sisters for a visit and other chores. Emptied the pond of leaves and water. It wasn't a pleasant smell! Refilled pond and netted the top of it to catch leaves. (Should have done it weeks ago). Mulched all remaining leaves from garden and added to newly created leaf compost area. Fixed sheeting in place as frost protection and had a good tidy. Still sitting here with log burner going enjoying a lovely space again. Will use more netting tomorrow to catch falling leaves where I can. Ooh! Built a folding potting table ready for next year too! He he.

 

Its raking leaves time, every moment I get a chance till March it will be raking the leaves.

 

Retrieved blow away greenhouses. Not to badly damaged and hopefully now secured and weighted. back to leaf clearing also. Still lots more up there though. Will get netting in place today to catch as many as possible.