Mr Grinch's Garden

12' sounds enough I reckon

 

I think middle of border Mr. Grinch. It allows for expansion of the trunk as years go by. If you put them to close to the fence the trunk will eventually distort your fencing.

 

Was going to plant the tree's today but have had so much rain last night that i will leave it for today. We had 12 hours solid heavy rain, as usually the bottom part is flooded. The forecast is for dry weather now until Sunday night so will look to put them in tomorrow.

G

 

Right, i dug the hole where the Sorbus will go. It has half filled with water and not draining. Fair enough, we had 12 hours of solid rain but im concerned that if i planted, it would rot off over winter.
Im thinking now that i should hold off planting until the spring. Would this give them their best chance ? A whole season to get established before the winter wet ? I did buy these as the label say that they are "wet tolerent" but im still undecided.

G

 

Follow your heart Mr Grinch. If I were the Sorbus, I'd be contented to stay out of the lake overwinter...
Jenny

 

Its hard. I have heleniums, hydrangia, astilbe, Wiegiala, Cornus, Gernanium, daly lilly, Sambucus and a Photinia growing near by. All seem ok. Next door has a huge Cordyline that has survived the cold winters over the past few years. Am i being too cautious ?
G

 

No I don't think so. Your plants and your neighbour's survivors are well established items - not newbies to your soil right now.

 

The hole is almost empty of water. Any thoughts ?

G

 

Not sure about if it will be waterlogged, but that apart I think it will be better planted now, rather than "held" for the Winter

The pot will freeze in winter (cold air all around it) compared to being in the ground.

Still enough warmth in the soil for the plant to make a start on root growth for a few weeks

 

Ive just planted them Kristan. They are good specimens so have big roots so im hoping that they will be fine. Most of the water in the hole has gone now anyway and none appeared in the hole for the Betula.
One annoying thing, the Betula trunk (or what will be its trunk) is not straight. The large bamboo cane attached was keeping it straight so along with its stake, ive re-attached the bamboo stake in the hope that it will make it straighter.

G

 

and.................. i moved the Betula. Wasnt happy where it was. Only by a foot or so but makes the difference in my pea brain.

G

 

After deciding to extend the kids play area to incorporate the graveled area, my little one has said that she wants to grow some veg's next year. Perfect, not only is she taking an interest that's great but i can steal some of the kids area for gardening purposes
So, once its done, hopefully March/April time, i will create in the middle a little raised bed area for her to do some lettuce, carrots etc... She also wants to do spuds but that will have to be in a couple of compost bags.

How deep would this raised bed need to be ? I'm not planing to put deep rooting plants, just easy quick growing stuff.

G