What jobs are we doing in the garden today 2016

Bluebells - reminds me of years ago I had problems trying to eradicate some Forget-me-nots. I like blue flowers, just a few though.

Today I am repotting my lemon mint.

 

First time I've done anything in the garden this year. Planted out some bulbs that I'd forgotten about (more than half had gone mouldy). Also pruned lots of stuff and ordered my first plants of the year.

 

Started putting in new path down garden

 

Hi All,

Removed 2 sleepers from the lawn, I think the previous owners had a trampoline on them and then back filled with soil from the raised bed I have removed to relocate green house. Had the kids helping so an hour job turned into nearly 3, but we had great fun doing it especially stomping the earth down.

Had a general tidy up and manage to off load 2 barrows of rubbish into next doors garden (permission was granted to
do this, I didn't just fly tip it) as he is laying a new patio and wanted it as hard core, which saved me bagging it for the tip.

First bit of work I have done in the new garden and have a lot more to do. Looking forward to getting stuck into it.

Rusty

 

Cleaned some weed from the pond,boy o boy was it cold. The kind of cold that hurts.

 

Finished replacing a couple of small fence panels in an awkward little corner at the side of the house. I started the job yesterday, but got held up partly by the arrival of rain, but mostly by my usual ineptitude when it comes to anything DIY related.

Finally got the job completed this morning after more faffing about and general chuntering on my part.



It's quite a shady little corner, so I planted some ferns in there a few years ago and they are thriving. I also have a Fatsia in a large pot which brightens up that area nicely.



After the trials of fixing the fence, I indulged in a bit of pyro-therapy by burning the old panels. Funny how just standing and watching a small bonfire can be so relaxing.

Also made up a batch of home made potting compost this afternoon. It's about two parts leaf mould to one part each of sifted soil and sifted garden compost, with a couple of good handfuls of fish, blood & bone thrown in.
My mixing method was strictly old school: make a pile, then shovel it backwards and forwards three or four times until well mixed. Good exercise too.

 

A bit of tidying and pruning today - very windy but very warm. Pulled down all my 2015 Cup n Saucer vine - they don't half grow ! Must have been 24 feet from root to tip . Pruned a couple more clematis ready for moving them next week. Destroyed and dug up a non flowering Firethorn after 5 years . The Firethorn at the front of Chez Smith is full of berries - the one in the garden not one in 5 years ! Pruned my Salix Integra Willow tree back by a good third . Stunning little container standard tree , only £10 at Asda last year

 

I cleaned out the hens & had a walk around the garden, I have a lot to do this year! I want to make some changes to the garden this year

 

I'd love to show you all the Oyster mushrooms but can't get the pics off my phone

 

Long story short and this is by no means pretty, when I moved in 8 years ago my old man dug a load of crap up from the garden before laying the lawn, put it in coal bags, threw it over the back fence.. a lot of rain, freezing weather, weed over growth and general wear and tear, the bags had ripped and got all exposed.. soooo been pulling up heavy bags of rubble and rubbish today, had a good hour and it could do with a bit more but some stuff is just too heavy :( The pink and green plastic was an absolute eyesore.

This is from october last year, its a right mess; can't see the bags for weeds/raspberries (my neighbour threw them over).. I'll get a pic tomorrow of the clearance so far. My plan is to get the other half to build a wall, I've finally snapped and can't put up with the ugly railway banking anymore.. I tried throwing multitudes of seeds at it every year with no joy.

In my porch, sowed carrot, leek, parsnip, more tomato and livingstone daisy. Potted a red canadian rhubarb crown and 3 types of raspberry cane, malling, Glen ample and polka. Peas are shooting up, herbs gave germinated and the lobelia has tiny green leaves in one half the tray.. so turned it round, hopefully the other half will come on!! Larkspur has no signs of life though :(

 

Doesn't look much but 7 big bags of rubbish, 2 rotten rugs and some mouldy fabric so far..apologies I'm using the tablets camera

 

Would almost be worth it to be rid of my pet hates @shiney. How are you fixed for the last week in March? They should be all up and ready for the battle by then!