WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

Finally got nearly all the bulbs planted just 25 crocus left that look a bit dry , They are having a soak overnight see if they perk up . Its took ages but hopefully it will be worth it , I like buying bulbs but not keen on planting, I like the anticipation of what's to come . Also packed away the last of the dahlia tubers, lost two the ones which were in smaller pots looks like the frost got them.

 

I noticed when I was filling up the reservoir for the capillary system in the cellar that a couple of the kelsaes have germinated. I am still impressed that there is zero evidence of soil gnats. This new stuff that I put in the water really takes care of those pests!
The last of the seeds that I ordered this winter are scheduled to arrive today. One gypsophila is a perennial which I want to grow in amongst the ferns and the other is an annual that will hopefully fill a few hanging pots and to be alternated with pots of lobelia.

Covent Garden Gypsophila Seeds (Baby's Breath)

Baby's Breath Seeds (Natural Form)

Roma VF (Paste Type)

Straight Eight Cucumber Seeds (Slicing Type)

Green Sprouting Broccoli Seeds (Italian Type)

Cylindra Beet Seeds - these are supposed to be up to 6" long -like a fat carrot

 

Ooooo...what is that stuff, Lori? They're a plague here, especially since the compost on sale is more wood waste than anything else. I tried nematodes with a remarkable lack of success, and matchsticks in seedling pots, which did work a bit better. Something systemic would be good, though!

 

Nothing today but i hope to do something in the garden tomorrow.

 

It is called Mosquito Bits - I put them in my watering can and when that seemed to work, I performed a sacrilege and bought a couple of tea balls just for these granules. I sit the tea balls in the water troughs and voila, no more gnats.

 

oops, here is the link for the above pic.

Mosquito Bits: Kills Mosquitoes & Fungus Gnats | Planet Natural I bought mine at Home Depot in the U.S. but since I know you can't do that, I'm hoping this link will lead you to a source.

 

Thank you so much for the info! Will have a ferret around the internet....

 

Aha! Bingo! At least, if that tub says Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis. It's available on Amazon France under the catchy name of Blam! I use BT a lot against caterpillars, here, but this must be a species specific to larvae Bye bye fungus gnats....thanks again!

 

It's available here too...

Summit 116-12 Quick Kill Mosquito Bits, 8-Ounce : Amazon.co.uk: Garden

 

Good news for UK gardeners!

 

Started weeding around the polyanthus to see if the crocuses are coming up. Planted some potted crocus in some vacant places.

 

Cleaned up the two small beds on the east patio. Lots of shoots emerging now and the Hellebores are all budding up too.

Before ( embarrassingly awful ) and after...slight improvement..



Also found loads of bulbs in a tub in the greenhouse that are beginning to shoot...I read somewhere that although a tad late in the day just go for it and plant them out.....nothing to lose so that's a job for tomorrow ,they'll go in these borders as they are a bit sheltered.




Signs of new life.

 

Guess you are feeling better Upsy. Looking good.

 

Thanks Vicky,
Yes a bit better thanks . I had changed. my plans and was going to look through my seed stash and had even settled down to do so but in the end the garden called to me and I spent an enjoyable 2hrs out there.