What are we doing in the garden 2024

Mine stays where it is @simone_in_wiltshire. I keep an eye on the temperature and as soon as it is forecast to approach zero, I wrap the trunk thickly in horticultural fleece and stuff the crown with fleece, leaving the fronds exposed. When the temperature rises, I remove the fleece. I know this is a bit laborious but it means the trunk and crown are not exposed to trapped moisture and avoids rot. I cut the fronds off as soon as they turn brown. I’ve read somewhere that they can take temperatures of down to minus six for short periods without protection but have never risked it . The RHS advises that young plants with no trunk are not really suitable to overwinter outdoors except in very sheltered sites. I hope this helps.

 

@Plantminded we pollarded down to the knuckles if that makes sense. We didn't wont to go back to straight cuts as we love to see the different sections. Not sure if that makes sense.
Sorry reread your comment no we don't pollard every year maybe 3 or 4 years.

 

Thank you @On the Levels, I know what you mean .

 

@Plantminded Thanks for the tip. I will do the same over the coming weekend. We can expect up to -1c next week.

 

Hi,

I couldn't agree with you more @Selleri JParkers are excellent.

No gardening for me today; my new computer arrived yesterday so I'm setting it up. Next October Win10 will no longer be supported so I've upgraded to Win11; my current computer will come in useful in the recording studio.

Quite a while ago I posted that I'd used my petrol rotavator to rotavate patches of couch grass and was advised against this because it would spread the couch grass? I've gone over a couple of times since and what a difference; now when the grass appears it pulls out very easily only having short roots; it works for me.

Kind regards, Col.

 

A smart bit of work @Palustris
That's kept you busy too @Selleri - hope the tree is right though....
Get better soon @Liriodendron. Clearing/raking leaves is therapeutic IMO. I used to love doing it in a previous garden.
I did nothing yesterday apart from planting a couple of seed grown Aquilegias. Maybe today if I can find any enthusiasm. It might be a double walk though as daughter is off today. It's looking like a nice clear day.

 

Volunteer day at Capel Manor yesterday, mostly leaf clearing this time. New plants due soon so hopefully some more interesting things to do soon.
At home I have taken the plunge and ordered a bulk bag of compost mulch. I hope it proves to be reasonably good, I find it can be so variable both in price and quality. So I need to finish the clear up and remove any weeds in readiness. If the weather turns cold as predicted it will be perfect timing to get this done beforehand.
BTW. I mentioned this on the TV to watch thread but a very interesting two part programme on BBC 4 The secret genius of plants. Was shown on the last two Wednesdays, now on iplayer. All about plants interaction with the environment, insect, animals and each other. Some things you will probably have heard of before, but this attempts to explain in more detail how plants achieve this in spite of being anchored to one spot.

 

Weeded the area around paving bricks and slabs. Removed all the dead sweet peas and their supports. Now need to plant something in the 3 pots.