My Garden Progress

I'd be interested to know who you get to do the work, if it turns out well. Always a chore to find decent local tradespeople, particularly for the smaller kind of jobs (I'm also in DN3).

 

Hello @JennyJB

For the Step, the Landscaper is:

Flintons Landscape Gardening

Hope this Helps.

Kevin

 

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

I have removed the Ceanothus Concha from the Border outside the Back Door.

After it was Damaged in the Strong Winds we had in January it was Snapped in Half.

I had a closer look at it Today and whilst it is / was still Alive and Growing, the Roots were loose and it was prone to Rocking.

I am now looking for something to Plant in its spot.

This is the Area concerned:



The Ceanothus Concho was Planted behind the Lavender.

I have a Clematis Montana 'Mayleen' Planted further to the Right which I will be Training on the Fencing up to the NineBark 'Burning Embers', there is also a Clematis 'Daniel Deronda' Planted near the Far Left Concrete Post in the Photo which Grows to the Left.

I am looking for suggestions.

I have the following in the Garden:

Clematis Montana 'Mayleen'
Clematis Montana 'Warwickshire Rose'
Lonicera 'American Beauty
Ceanothus 'Concha'

The Border Faces West.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin.

Yes, the quote you've had sounds reasonable and sourcing the bricks yourself may bring the cost down a bit. I often think that trades people charge a bit more for supplying items needed.

What is annoying is having to wait so long for the job to be done. Summer will almost be over by the time the door step is complete. Have you thought of looking at Youtube videos so that you can tackle the smaller jobs yourself?

If your lawns are growing there's no reason why you can't cut them earlier as long as you avoid frosty days.

Have you thought about a Cotoneaster to replace the Ceanothus? Birds would love the berries in the autumn.

 

Hello @Sheal

I actually have Two Cotoneaster already.

One on the Right between the Fatsia and the Shed.

The other is Low Growing in the Border at the Bottom of the Garden which is Spreading throughout the Border.

I can do most of the Gardening Jobs but there is no way that I could attempt something like the Door Step, I just do not have the Confidence.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Ah, the Cotoneaster wasn't such a good idea then. I assume you don't want something that grows to big for that area?

Yes, it is about confidence when you've not had any experience to guide you.

 

Hello @Sheal

I am thinking that a Highly Scented Honeysuckle would be a Nice addition.

It will also cover the remaining Fences on that Side.

The one that I am looking at is:

Lonicera periclymenum Serotina

Thanks

Kevin

 

Hello all

Well, the Lonicera periclymenum Serotina has been Ordered.

I should have it sometime This Week, hopefully.

Kevin

 

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

I am Hoping to Level the area in the Front Lawn where the Small Weeping Cherry was Removed as the Soil Settled after I Reseeded the Area.

I have some 70 / 30 Mix, only 2 Bags which may not be enough, and I also have a 28" Lawn Lute, both from Pitchcare.

This is how the Front Lawn looks at the moment:



The Area that needs addressing is in the Centre of the Top Third of the Lawn.

The Lawn has not had its First Cut of the Year, Yet, that will be around 13 March, once the Green Bin gets Collected for the First Time of the Year.

It also seems to be Recovering quite well from the Leather Jacket Infestation of Last Year, Thankfully.

Would March be a Good Time to perform the Levelling?

My Plan, which you know, always Work is:

Cut the Lawn to approximately 45mm.
Pour the 70 / 30 Mix over the Area being addressed.
Level the Mix utilising the Lawn Lute.
Dampen the Area.
Apply Lawn Seed to the Area.
Water the Area Twice a Day for a Couple of Weeks, depending on Rainfall.

Does the Plan above sound alright?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

Well, the New Lonicera periclymenum 'Serotina' - late Dutch honeysuckle has been Delivered and is now in the Garden:



Hopefully it Settles quickly, Hopefully.

Thanks

Kevin

 

I love the scent of Honeysuckle. I hope it grows well and you'll be pleased with it.

 

Hi Kevin,

I like the colour of the Lonicera and hope it does well for you.

Your plan for levelling sounds fine. The temperatures in March won't be very high and grass seed is slow to germinate (if at all) below 12C. So with that in mind your timing for the work will hopefully be okay.

 

Hello

Thanks for the Replies.

@Michael Hewett

The Honeysuckle is Planted in the Border outside the Back Door so the Scent will be Nice to have.

@Sheal

Hopefully, by the Middle of March, the Weather will have improved somewhat, Hopefully.

I have been out in the Back Garden This Morning Removing, or trying to Remove, the Dead Leaves from the two Phormiums, I have a Green Variegated and a Purple variety.

Needless to say, my Hands are still aching

The Dead Leaves on the Purple Phormium came away from the Crown relatively easily, however, the Dead Leaves on the Green Phormium would not pull away, no matter how hard I pulled them leading me to having to Cut them off as low down as I could.

That will be the Last of the Pruning now until March 13 when the Green Bin gets Collected for the First Time of the Year.

The First Job once the Green Bin is Emptied will be the First Cut of the Lawns and Deadheading of the Hydrangea.

I have also sneaked some Garden Waste into the Grey Bin, the Council said it would alright to do so.....

Thanks

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin,

You should leave the leaves on the Phormium longer. If they don't detach easily (just the gentlest of tugs) then they are not ready to leave the parent plant. I know they look scruffy but that's how nature works.

 

Hello @Sheal

The Dead Phormium Leaves were left for nearly Two Years as, for one reason or another, I was not able to get much Gardening done.

The Dead Leaves on the Purple Phormium came away easily, the Variegated Phormium, not so much.

Thanks

Kevin