Normality returns......spring is here.

Lovely to see the back of the cold, and as far as I`m concerned any time given to gardening or wildlife on TV is very welcome - there is so much rubbish otherwise not worth looking at.
It is a pity they don`t drum up a few ''gardening ideas'' for us to watch during the winter to cheer us up, it is an all year round hobby/serious pastime - or should be.

 

"Normality"?
Well, its beautifully warm and sunny so planted out Hydrangea Love.....a sort of PG type re its pruning and flowering.....from a pot. Divided large clumps of imperata red baron and planted out (wait for a few weeks to do do this if you're in colder areas), planted primulas, daffs and previously divided pulmonaria Blue Ensign clumps (all in flower or in bud)
Working in the garden in warm sunshine.....back to normal

 

I just can't get enough of Pulmonaria Blue Ensign

 

Tut...you two looks like I shall have to go looking for Pulmonaria Blue Ensign now.....mumble mumble... more reasons/excuses to go out spending the housekeeping money at the nursery

 

I never watch gardening programmes.

I'm not a gardener as such. "I buy plants I like and stick 'em in."
Never bother with seeds or any kind of propagation.
Seems too labour intensive for me.

 

I think its the best Tetters.....the most intense dark blue flower . Oh, go on! You know you enjoy getting more plants
Well, your garden looks good to me DHR but I have to confess I am very serious ....nay, fastidious.....about what I plant and where I put it.

 

You just don`t know what you are missing our Riley. Maybe we should nag you into finding out ....nag until - have a go - I dare you.

 

Verdun, I cannot walk past a gc.... I say, with mild determination ''get thee behind me satan'' and he does....and pushes me in with his fork

 

So Monty is fueling the campaign to rid us gardeners of plastic.
Should be interesting with seed trays pots and compost bags etc.
I guess we shall have like Supermarkets a new way of thinking.
I remember years ago we used to make our seed trays out of ply ,a little deeper than the norm they were perfect but of course they only lasted three or four years if we were lucky.

 

Wooden seed trays made from slats lined with newspaper.

I think a lot of us are now used to those plastic trays with cells, so you can plant out without much root disturbance.
Lets see Monty come up with a non plastic one of those.

 

Why can`t they make mashed up cardboard cell trays - a bit like egg boxes? You can already get similar for sweet peas

 

Some nurseries around here have a recycling bin for plastic pots . I wash and reuse all my pots and cell trays . Pots will last for ages , the thin plastic cell trays I may get 3 seasons from.
Note you may not be able to put plastic plant pots in your recycling bin , it is classed as hard plastic and cannot be recycled.

One top tip was to use toilet roll holders for Sweet Pea pots. Within not too many weeks you have a huge soggy papier mache mess !

 

I think we need to be aware it's not all plastic that is the problem........the reusable plastic, the heavier more robust type, is not a problem as I understand it.
Needs to be a sense of realism and practicality here......are we going to remove our "plastic" doors and windows? Or our car light fittings? Or .......???
Like Shiney, I have not bought plastic pots for several years......I reuse what I have or offer excess to friends, etc.