What are we doing in the garden 2024

Although both my bins are full I couldn’t waste another dry day today so I trimmed two eight foot Griselinias, having to balance on a ladder and stretch . I managed to cram all the trimmings in the full bins, so they weren’t really full . I then swept all the paving and steps and applied Patio Magic to remove the green algae which has started to reappear after the treatment in early spring. I’m having to do this about three times a year due to the ideal growing conditions for moss and algae!

 

@Plantminded , not a good idea on a ladder, do you not have long reach telescopic loppers?

We're having to use more Patio Magic as well and hasn't the price rocketed!

I've not done much today, been out most of the morning and it reached over 26c this afternoon so we've stayed inside apart from a quick trip to the top of the garden to pick (and eat) 3 luscious raspberries and measure the garden umbrellas so I could order waterproof covers for
them. I got fed up lugging them out of the shed and down to the terrace on the rare occasions they're needed so hopefully can prop them up by little sentry shed which is a lot nearer.

 

Thank you @lizzie27, yes I do have long handled loppers but the hedge trimmer gives a better finish, risking safety for straight edges! I’ve reduced them to a manageable height now so the ladder shouldn’t be needed again. Yes, Patio Magic is pricey. I tend to use it at quite a strong concentration as I’m unwilling to make it weaker and then have to repeat the process if it doesn’t work! 26c is too hot for me, much better to be relaxing in the shade .​

 

Picked 2 runner beans.

 

I cut down the second of the dead trees I came across a few days ago. This one was more of a challenge to deal with.
On a warm afternoon with a neighbour watching on, I got the rotting stump out as well.
All done just in time for a dinner of chicken in honey and mustard, with rice, courgettes, carrots and broccoli.
Now I'm resting those aching parts!!

 

Did they offer "helpful" advice?

 

Harvested the garlic; poor crop small bulbs, some of which had not split into cloves. Elephant garlic one large bulb 4 or 5 cloves, second one was the size of a cricket ball, but undivided.
Harvested a number of accidental potatoes and removed the finished broad bean plants. Dug this area over and then planted brassicas for winter/spring; dug over a second strip and then planted out leeks. Loaded this weeks weeding into wheelbarrow and conveyed to compost heap, 3 over full loads.
Then watered in greenhouse and picked red currants.

 

None whatsoever. But standing on a ladder, peering over the fence and high hedge, he was in a precarious position. Plus, it was the first time we met. A time to be polite.

 

I'd be polite, but wary. They climbed up a ladder to spy on you.

 

He climbed up on a ladder to trim the hedge - which is over 8ft high. It's the side of our garden, but the end of his.

 

I forgot to reply to you -hope the gravel laying goes well @wiseowl. Don't put your back out! I have to say I've never used those pegs for membrane - I just lay the gravel on top. Do you think it makes a difference? I expect it also depends on the underlying ground.
I avoid pea gravel for paths as it becomes a very large litter tray. I hope that doesn't happen with yours.
I need a top up of my gravel too, so that's another expense in the next month or so.
Not sure what I'll be doing out there today. I potted on trays of lettuce a couple of days ago, and lifted a nice knapweed which has got a bit crowded. I'm going to swap it with a geranium that doesn't do much after it flowers.
I might sow some more seed that arrived yesterday - harebells/Scottish bluebells. Mine have been eaten this year, and/or crowded out by other plants which went bonkers with the mild weather, so I thought I'd get more seed. They're usually reliable with the slugs, and I missed having them this year. Perhaps sort out the timber for the other side of the shed and get it cut to size, and maybe partially painted later. Might replant the Fatsia etc as I didn't get that far on Wed.
Take it easy if you're on a ladder today....

 

Been up to the greenhouse, picked a cucumber, removed the male flowers from the Telegraph cucumbers. Noticed a developing melon and that the rescued Zingiber was looking happier after a few days in the greenhouse. If the Zingiber does well this year and next I will split it and try half outside and hope for a drier winter and sunnier spring; roll on 2026.

 

Did an hours weeding the patio, still another 5/6 hrs work to go. I went to B&Q to buy a replacement hose nozzle. Had to buy a starter pack as there were none sold singly. Also bought a couple of house plants to try in the bathroom as well as a pot of Achillea. I am planning to split it into at least 3 pieces as there are 3 different coloured flowers in it, orange, rust and red. 3 for the price of one.

 

That looks fresh and clean Woo. You can a;ways put pots of brightly coloured blooms in front. Well done ... and keep out of the sun!.