What are we doing in the garden 2025

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Loofah, Jan 2, 2025.

  1. Selleri

    Selleri Koala

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    I have finally solved the little problem I had with Prosecco.

    Some 10 years ago or so people started to buy each other bottles of Prosecco as a gift. Dinner invitation? Prosecco it is. Birthday? Work anniversary? Secret Santa? Home warming?

    The problem is that a) I dislike Prosecco, and b) am scared to open a bottle because it pops. So when we moved house we had to carry eight bottles over, and that was after re-gifting some for any unsuspecting friend and acquaintance :biggrin:

    Then my Sister popped over for Christmas and we managed to get rid of them all (yes it was a good Christmas! ).

    To crown this proud journey, I was playing with the corks last night. Now, it so happens that we have a pile of large rocks harvested one by one during our walks to nearby field- eventually they will be used to hold the future pond liner. I also have a large terracotta container for future Pelargoniums.

    :ideaIPB:

    Prosecco cork turns out to be very effective drainage hole plug and the cheapy Chinese solar pump gives cute enough sound of moving water. The dunnocks think the pondlet is quite OK. :)

    pondlet.jpg

    In other news, we are now fully covered in case of a sudden vampire attack. The last fence post finally came out. This is the bit that was underground- the builder clearly too his job seriously :love30:

    vampires.jpg

    The first planting is now done. :) Crabapple, Echinops and Ammi Majus (grown from seed last autumn) are in the area we finished digging yesterday.

    The soil is heavy clay so we had to go two spades deep and add loads of sand, compost and manure. Now it feels good and I somehow trust clay- it can be a challenge but once plants get going it's very fertile and good.

    I also prepared spare Tomatoes and Chillies to give away, The Child has many garden volunteer friends who are happy to receive some. I'm being rather vocal about dreaming to have a Beefstake Tom as a swap if anyone has spares. I have never grown them but as a proud owner of a greenhouse I want to give it a go.

    When my back gives a go-ahead I'll go back to mark out the future pond now that the fence post is out. :)
     

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    • Penny_Forthem

      Penny_Forthem Head gardener, zero staff

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      Phew, caught up.
      Arm still in sling. Another few weeks of this...
      Planted lupins and astilbe (well, hub did)
      Decided I need Morning glory to grow with black eyed susan, so I'm soaking those seeds tonight, ready for sowing.
      Am I behind?
      With the outside jobs, yes, but trying to keep on top of the greenhouse.
       
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      • katecat58

        katecat58 Gardener

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        Be careful,@Penny_Forthem, don't fall off - you might break the other arm!
         
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        • cactus_girl

          cactus_girl Total Gardener

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          Gave the pampas a good seeing to. Its flowers were snapped over by the wind and the whole plant was clogged up with dead material. Had to use a hoe to yank material out and trimmed it with shears. It looks a lot better now and is not scratching the lawn mower anymore.

          There seem to be two large sections at the front and two babies at the back. We may remove one of the front sections.

          20250420_115317.jpg


          20250420_115334.jpg
           
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          • Goldenlily26

            Goldenlily26 Super Gardener

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            Spotted a flower bud on a paeony that I have had for several years without flowering. Perhaps it has come of age as I have given it no attention. I am now excited to see what it is like.
             
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            • Jenny_Aster

              Jenny_Aster Optimistic Gardener.

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              Busy day today, lots of planting to do before the plants start climbing out of their pots.

              Yesterday I potted on Lobelia and alyssum ready for planting in hanging baskets and containers. Geranium seedlings were also planted into pots. Though Dianthus, sunflowers, lupins, and night scented stocks were planted in their 'forever' plots.

              Tomato seedlings have now geminated in the kitchen and were taken upstairs and placed on our bedroom S/W facing window sill.

              Had to sort out the onion patch as my 'best friend' my GSD decided to follow a scent down a narrow path (must investigate) but panicked when he couldn't reverse and ended jumping all over the onion bed, they 'were' all standing to attention too.

              I also need to get the seedlings out of the raised bed as peas and beans are waiting to be planted in there.

              Most of my seedlings have been germinated in clear plastic containers (with holes in lids and base) outside. I don't have a greenhouse, this method works for me.

              oie_2210451580S176ce (1).jpg


              From experience I know that tomatoes, peppers, geranium seeds, etc don't like this treatment. The peppers and geraniums have been propagated in the kitchen, though they have been outside in their container for a few weeks now.

              oie_eh6tpqfYEmYB.jpg
               
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              • ViewAhead

                ViewAhead Total Gardener

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                Those plastic containers are brilliant, @Jenny_Aster. :blue thumb: I overwinter all my osteospermums by covering them with huge ones at night. Works just like a greenhouse, but more flexible.

                My little plants from cuttings have been coming in every night, but this evening, they will stay out, under a big plastic container. Free windowsills at last! :biggrin:
                 
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                • Plantminded

                  Plantminded Total Gardener

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                  That's impressive @Jenny_Aster :blue thumb:. Looks like you're going to be eating well :).
                   
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                  • Purple Streaks

                    Purple Streaks Gardener

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                    Have started pricking out greyhound cabbage , lettuce, and yet a few more toms ,this morning I did all yellow toms this afternoon I plan to pot on the first lot of tomatoes which are 3 inch in height.also to 're sow some ornamental grasses.the first lot was sown 4 week ago and have done nothing.I shall carry on with them just in case ! .
                    I thought it would be easy and show signs by now:scratch:.
                    So on with the good work:smile:
                     
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                    • lizzie27

                      lizzie27 Super Gardener

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                      I'm slowly weeding my way through my main border. Got half way and stopped for lunch but ought to get back out there before it starts raining.
                       
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                      • Robert Bowen

                        Robert Bowen Gardener

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                        :thud::thud:
                        At my last house there was a 2 metre mesh fence at the bottom of the garden . The neighbour the other side had a doberman. I was working near the fence one day and noticed the doberman eyeing the fence , and me , up . She sprang from stock still and cleared the fence effortlessly , came up to me , snorted with contempt , barked once and my neighbour spotted the incursion and shouted to her. Thankfully , the doberman jumped the fence effortlessly once more and went home. Our neighbour increased the fence height to 3 metres over the next few days , the doberman didnt try again.
                         
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                          Last edited: Apr 22, 2025
                        • Logan

                          Logan Total Gardener

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                          A few bits and pieces, checked on the wallflower seeds to see if they're coming up. Opened up the grow house and checked on the cosmos and put in the fuchsias and trailing geraniums.Pinched out the growing tips of the snapdragon plants, they were looking a bit yellow so i gave them a bit of a high nitrogen feed, they've picked up now.
                           
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                          • Plantminded

                            Plantminded Total Gardener

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                            I tidied up some of my containers today, removing tired heathers and primulas, replacing them with a fern in the evergreen container at the front of the house and an Osteospermum in the container by the back door. I also refreshed my alpine trough, removing some scruffy thymes and replacing with a Parahebe porlock, an Acaena microphylla, a Geum Tosai Yellow and a Sisyrinchium. I left a Sempervivum and a Delosperma in place as they look like they’ll revive. It’s not very colourful at the moment but there are different types of foliage for interest.

                            DSC03155.jpeg
                             
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                              Last edited: Apr 22, 2025
                            • Fourmerkland

                              Fourmerkland There is always more to learn!

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                              Like @lizzie27
                              I've been clearing one of our borders, of basically everything that my OH would like to be replaced. It's been hard work, and there is so much ivy and bindweed, as well as the unwelcome Spanish bluebells, Arum lilies, and some daisy-like plants. I actually like the latter, but, Mrs F can have her way on this occasion.
                               
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                              • shiney

                                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                                I sowed more beans (108 seeds) in pots and put them in the greenhouse. Then picked 15lb of rhubarb for sale and am now resting to ease my back as my normal limit is 10lb before my back plays up.
                                 
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