My Garden Progress

They is nothing for the domestic consumer now for tackling worm cast except brush or a swish, they say a birch broom is best brush for it. Treating the lawn with iron can help discourage them. If its quite a big piece I usually pick them up with a little garden fork and discard into the borders.

 

I might be totally wrong here @Kevin Cowans , but are worm casts supposed to be good to add to pots as a form of fertiliser or soil conditioner?

 

I remove worm casts from the lawn using an upside down tine rake, with the tines facing upwards. Sweeping it across the lawn from side to side breaks the casts up and spreads them into the earth below. It works best if the casts are dry but is still effective if they are damp, but not saturated when you wouldn’t be working on the lawn anyway . I wouldn’t use any chemicals to deter the worms as blackbirds feed on them.

 

Hi Kevin,

It's a shame your Ceonothus was damaged but it should recover when it starts to re-shoot in the Spring.

There is a very good reason I moved the bird station Kevin. My garden is surrounded by twelve cats and having it in a central position the birds can see them coming. If the station was close to the shrubs the birds wouldn't stand a chance. There are four Siamese cats living in the house at the back of mine and they are the worst. They jump the 6ft high back fence easily and creep towards the station. In fact, I've found them sitting under it at times and the birds stay away of course. I don't like cats and find them a menace but there's nothing I can do.

On the other subject discussed. There isn't a rat problem here - with or without the cats.

You could pick the worm casts up with a small garden trowel and put them on the beds. Plantminded's idea of using a tine rake is good.

 

Hello @Sheal

Regarding the Bird Feeder, it makes sense to move it.

Since this will be your First Year with the New Garden, you could always look at adding Plants, Shrubs and Trees that have Food for the Birds, Insects etc.

When I Planted my Garden in 2018, Plants, Shrubs and Trees were chosen that would provide Food for the Wildlife such as Berries, Fruit and Seeds.

Because of this I have been able to remove the Bird Feeders which has eliminated the Rat problem and as a Bonus, has Saved me a fair bit on the Cost of the Bird Food whilst knowing that the Birds still have Food available to them.

Just a Thought

Kevin

 

There are a good number of shrubs in the garden that supply the birds with berries, but I'm yet to find out if there is anything growing that will supply them with seed. I like to feed the birds as I can watch which types are visiting the garden from a window and make use of my camera at the same time.