WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

Hi,

Freezing again so garden out of bounds today but the workshop to play in. Tomorrow is forecast heavy rain which is back to normal and I'm pleased because I've still lots of plants waiting to be planted.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

My all-time favourite......Wonder if I could do something with Play-Dough and a can of spray paint?

..

 

@Retired you're doing well with your garden, shame that the rain stopped play, hope that you can carry on with your planting soon.

Not much to do at the moment, but it's raining anyway so doing other things.

 

I think I'd use the few bob on something else.

A local garden centre has a bronze eagle that I like but the price tag is nearly £2000.

 

Hi,

Many thanks @Logan Yes the weather forecast is for 7C later in the week so I'll hang on before planting; the soil is already very wet and lots more rain due plus melting snow so I don't need to dust the watering can down. I'll be pleased once the plants are in it's a job hanging over me.

Workshop again today so I'm happy to keep busy.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

It's raining again so can't get out on the garden.

 

Hi,

WOW; the rain is forecast to give way to cloudy at lunchtime today; I can dream of putting the 50 plants remaining from the last Parker's order into the garden after dinner; workshop this morning so the rain won't bother me in the least.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

I haven't been down the garden for ages, everything has died back now so there's nothing to do, and it's too cold anyway.

 

What not to do in the garden

 

Winter is depressing enough, let alone having to look out on an overly untidy garden imo.
When all is said and done it all comes down to the initial plant planning of a garden . We have loads of evergreen shrubs our entire garden is enclosed by hedging we have a log pile storage area, 2 large open composting areas ( also have Darlek ones too) , several watering places at various levels to provide safe places for different wildlife to bathe and drink. Birds are fed in Winter.
We have plenty of birds in our garden, Hedgehogs , Voles, Field Mice. When we have snow Deer and Fox footprints can clearly be seen too. We also have many Solitary Bees that overwinter here, many of which are ground nesters and they actually prefer looser soil, bare ground areas or areas that are sparsely vegetated .
We are fortunate to have lakes opposite our house so are pleased to find both toads and frogs seem to enjoy visiting us.
We have bats in our loft too. !!!

Every garden is different but all can still offer a wide range of habitats to wildlife without making it an unpleasant sight for the owners to have to look out on over Winter.

Sorry but that's my view .... I think sometimes it's a lazy persons excuse for not getting out there and doing garden maintenance during Winter.



I couldn't cope with untidy borders....

 

@Upsydaisy Sounds a bit like my patch. A wide variety of habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. Although I have badgers instead of hedgehogs. Voles and field mice are assumed due to the Tawny owls I often hear. Solitary bees nests are often seen in the onions and garlic patches. No frogs, but the occasional toad. Birds get fed when a cold snap lasts more than a day or so.
Today I was out removing the victims of the recent frosts that had been turned to mush. So cut down the tree dahlias including those in the greenhouse, the Impatiens, the Amici zygomeris, the various gingers as necessary, the Acanthus senni I left although it has suffered, but it is a thick gloves job and I have to be in the right mood.

 

Sounds good @NigelJ I would so love to have Badgers visit us but not too sure if we have any around us , yes I forgot to mention our noisy Owl neighbours....love to lay in bed listening to them and our foxy friends at night.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the interesting video @Logan; I've spent years trying to get our gardens tidy and have at last succeeded.

What an afternoon I've just had in the garden planting.


The last part of the order from J Parker's; laid out ready to plant.

This is what happened; after days of rain; snow; ice and frost the sun came out this afternoon and so did I being keen to get these plants in.

I've just come indoors feeling perished and only managed to plant 28 with another 30 still needing planting. It was useless trying to do more with my wellies not wanting to let go of the garden; the plastic bags are just to indicate previous planting. Can I hibernate until next July.

I can't control the weather but I'll not quit either; once the tide goes out I'll finish the planting then leave alone until next springtime.

One job I do want to carry out is rotavating the meadows; I fired up the rotavator engine on the workshop bench this morning and have just carried it up to the garden hut; it's all coming together but constantly fighting me all the time; I never do easy. In order to access the soil in the garden firstly I had to remove a forest of very tall trees; 16 of them since February last year now I'm fighting the dire weather. Not complaining just stating my way of life and it never lets up; it all adds to the fun.

Kind regards, Colin.