WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2022

It wasn't actually in the garden but we were out lifting piles of dog sh*t from the pavement beside our hedge. And it was a BIG dog.

 

Had to make an effort to do some garden tasks despite not feeling like it. With temps rapidly plummeting I just had to make a start protecting the Dahlias that are left out in the borders, couldn't delay it anymore.

It took me all afternoon to put the 8 that are in one border to bed. I had roughly cut them back the other day but had to trim them hard back today. Next I filled 8 small bags with polystyrene chips securing them before placing them in the base of a flowerpot. A pile of dry leaves were piled on top of each plant, these were then covered with scrunched up black bin bags. Finally the polystyrene filled flowerpots were upturned to cover the whole pile. A brick was placed on top of each pot as a weight.

It's time consuming but to me it's well worth it as I love them so. Only 14 more to do. I have moved 12 potted ones into the greenhouse , they are all new ones that I grew this year, hopefully I'll find them a permanent home in the borders next year too.
So bedding them next year will be an even bigger task.

 

Only been out on the balcony today to take photos - too cold for anything else!

 

After following the local weather forecast (Cambridge) me thinks it's time to wrap my Musa nanna up tomorrow which is about a month later than I normally do

 

To be honest @shiney I'm fairly certain ours would all be fine too as one year I didn't get round to doing anything to them at all, it was after that that I realised they could survive outside. I did a bit of research on how best to assure they would be safe and sound come what may as I would get very upset if I lost one simply because I couldn't be bothered to offer them some protection. So the work entailed is a small price to pay for the joy and beauty they bring to our garden continuously throughout summer and autumn.

 

Yesterday pruned a couple of bushes battered in the recent tree work and then began easing up the compacted soil in the front flower bed.
Today the idea is to continue this work round towards the oak trees. How long depends on how cold I get, even with a jacket and a pair of thin gloves.

 

Oh I do understand totally @shiney. It's never-ending out in the garden isn't it.....and yes at times we find ours a bit of a struggle now too..
Our lawns are in desperate need of a hair cut, but the ground is way too soggy, you squelch as you walk!


Yours is looking all neat and tidy....


Agh!!! Yes leaves and acorns the nightmare of our Autumn garden as well...all the surrounding trees dump on us and it seems that the wind direction dumps all the leaves from the entire lane on us too. Grrr!!!

 

Unfortunately our ground isn't drying out ,even after a run of dry weather.

 

The things that i want to do can be left until after Christmas.

 

Nipped out to feed the birds. Just after filling the feeder a gang of thug Pigeons shoulder barged me out of the way to get at the food.

This really is the best time of year for Cotoneaster - just have a look at this - taken 10 mins ago:

 

Hope to get out this afternoon and try and bed down the remaining Dahlias as from Tues onwards we have minus temps all week, dipping down to -5 mid week ( fingers crossed it will change )

I daren't leave jobs that I know need doing now until after Christmas as there will be another lot waiting to be done by then . I try and live by the saying ' never put off until tomorrow what you can do today'. So far it's worked well for me..

 

I didn't finish emptying the compost bin but it will have to wait until after Christmas or the new year.I've got a few things that i want to do then, going to dig up 3 redcurrant plants and transplant a deciduous Azalea and 2 rose plants that i rooted from the others.