WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

Did some shredding for an hour, sitting in the sun with a beer now.
It's only 6c in the shade but with no wind it's pretty warm in the sun, not tee shirt and shorts though.

 

Enjoyed a couple of hours out here ,just sitting out in a suntrap of a corner having a coffee. In direct sun it's surprising warm.

At this time of year our garden is never completely out of the shade ( complete opposite to the summer). This has meant that the main lawn and the pathway that runs along that side remain constantly frosted, iced over..

2:20pm


3:50pm





Then made a start on sorting out this border, it's going to take me a while as there's a lot that needs cutting back and tidying up...so an ongoing project.



Finally checked on a couple of last years Strawberry plants which are in hanging pots. I had forgotten about them..oops! I had even placed the small potted up runners on the pot as well, after a tidy up they look surprisingly good for forgotten plants.



Ice thawing from both birdbaths.

 

Oops sorry doubled up on the ice, not sure how .

And a little one at the end too!!

 

Although I didn't do any actual gardening, I did open the MG door & then swept the balcony floor. Surprisingly after days & days of strong winds there wasn't much to sweep up! Other times after a bid of wind there is usually a lot of sweeping necessary. There wasn't all that much pigeon poo either, now that IS a surprise!

 

Nothing today it's too cold and the ground is still frozen.
But the sun in the afternoon does feel a bit warm and it defrosts the ground a bit, but not enough.

 

Plan to take all the overwintering plants out from the big lean-to cold frame ,give them a check over and a drop of water if needed.
Then carry on clearing up the central border, but this will have to wait until this afternoon as it's still only -5C out there.

 

I haven't done anything for a long time except open and close the greenhouse door, it's been all iced up.
BUT now the weather has started to warm up I shall put my plans into action !

 

I've planted the remaining bulbs, at last ! (although I did it in the utility room, not the garden)
Some dwarf Narcissus, some Chinodoxas, some Fritillarias, and an Imperial Fritilaria, and some Tulip Lady Jane.
And a Eucomis bulb I bought last week.
I must sweep the compost off the floor now ... well not right now, maybe after I've fed Bella and had a coffee

 

Spring is on! I have done the first round of seed sowing, chillies, slow starters and hardy stuff that I hope to move outdoors when the next batch needs their space.

With the reduction of plastic we buy combined with the new introduction of clear plastic trays recycling in North Tyneside, I found myself short of pots so went proper posh

Here we go, a proper propagator thingy from Wilkos, £7. Looks much better than assorted veg trays propped up on stacks of bad books (Game of Thrones series is perfect for this purpose) and stragglingly improvised covers.



This year I swore to label things but hit a snag- spring clean apparently disposed of all those piles of unusable things that could be converted into plant labels. After turning the house and the garage upside down I spotted pegs. Nearly ok, but now we need to buy pegs.


Chillies: Basket of fire, Black hungarian, another miniature whose name I keep forgetting, Jalapenos, seeds from plump huge fresh chillies from oriental supermarket.

Padron peppers, Rosa Chinensis for pots, Musk Strawberries and impulse Petunias type "Free Seeds with Every Issue".

Lovely scent of fresh compost everywhere, hello spring! (OK, I got told off about the compost on dining table and kitchen floor but it's worth it. )

 

Turned my compost pile as the forecast is for some mild weather this week. I emptied the last one over the veggie beds in November/December, turning this one into that bay. But I want it ready for march/April if possible so I turned it again. May do one more turn in February. I normally just do one and take more time.

There were thousands of worms in it so am hopeful it will be nicely finished by the time I spread it

 

Yes i pot up and sow seeds on the kitchen work tops covered with newspaper first.

 

I decided it was best not to disturb the central border after all as it's home to a few sleeping Dahlia tubers. I thought it was best to leave be as our temps are going down to -8c tonight.

I did open up the big cold frame and took all the overwintering plants out. Tidied them up and gave them a teeny weeny drop of water ,if they required some.

Here are some of the Pelargoniums, also checked out all the Fuchsias too.

 

@Upsydaisy Your plants have done better than mine! I lost all my Pelargoniums & Geraniums as well as my Fuchsias during the big freeze in December last year! I may well lose the cuttings & the small plants in the mini-greenhouse on the balcony. I forgot to go out last night & close the door of the mini-greenhouse! When I went out about 12.30pm after I returned from church I had a quick look at them. I think a lot of them were frosted! With a bit of luck I may get away with some that were furthest in - but only time will tell.