WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

I have another pond that has blanket weed as i leave it on to protect the newts, as i have occasional Heron visiting - but the new one won't have ANY blanketweed but hopefully the use of dwarf water lilies will create hidey holes for anything that makes its home in there - the main use of the new pond will be for Pollinators to drink and Birds to bathe, the seating area around will be lovely for viewing....well LOL thats the hope we ever get any good weather
again Mind you with whats happening elsewhere i think we are sooo blessed, so no reason to complain really.
I think the best thing is to leave the blanket weed out, to begin with - also Ponds are not best suited in full sun so it's best if there's something evergreen to shade it - Trees are okay provided they don't shed their leaves into the Pond- so when there's a tree - So in Autumn i do place a net cover over to prevent the leaves falling in.

PS: I did chuckle when you said you had a problem with wind like me - you know where my thoughts went with that comment

 

@Irmemac Awww thank you - it was just an easier way of me focusing on one area at a time
well that's what i tried to do - my head used to spin with all me ideas also as i mentioned it did start to help buffer the wind which is pretty ferocious on times
And it does as you say bring lots of wildlife in as they have plenty of hideyholes to bolt to if needed - it's a garden that's sole purpose is to embrace the countryside and all its wonderful inhabitants and i love it ...and most importantly what it attracts

 

@shiney what a brilliant idea- hope i got yr PURmission to recreate that here......is such a pity as i do like seeing them ....i find them such majestic prehistoric looking creatures ....but I'll have to console myself with the fact that me Croc's are prehistoric too.......and what'a talking point he'll be Ohhh

 

My wife had always wanted a pond. We were in the throws of looking into putting something at the end of the garden. Before we could get too far we had to find somewhere to house the cat. There is now no where now big enough to take a pond. Also it would have been very difficult to keep cats, dogs and small children away from it.

Would something like azalea mollis orange (or yellow) work in my border? I realise it's not evergreen but it seems to have a lot going for it. I would put it at the back. It would flower early before the pokers etc start to show. It would also have red foliage when everything else has passed over. I'm having trouble finding an evergreen the right shape that flowers late.

G.

 

What sort of soil do you have Gary? Essentially is it acid? Do you know the PH of your soil?
Azaleas need acid soil.
If you want an evergreen of compact size and shape check out the hebes......they come in green foliage, blue, cream, red and even in an olive whipcord colour like Armstrongii (looks like a miniature conifer). You wouldnt need its flowers for colour...flowers come late spring up to autumn according to the variety you choose.
Euphorbia Rubra is "evergreen".....actually red/purple. A superb little shrub throughout the year with acid yellow flowers in spring.
Dont overlook the power of bulbs for colour in spring.......spring is a dead easy time to achieve colour in the border. They would not affect any colour scheme you may have in mind for summer

 

Think I will drop a line to Mrs. Woo.....that front room definitely needs decorating
Top of the morning to you too WO

 

Not do anything in the garden..... Still flooded, rain can't make it's mind up

 

Guys still working on septic tank, lots of noise and horrendous mess everywhere in both front and back gardens. Stress levels shot up considerably. Skulked about on patio for a while trying to look inconspicuous whilst ostensibly spying on proceedings . Haven't got a working toilet at the moment .

 

That sounds like my wife. She randomly just drops things into the conversation. She will have no intention of doing them herself. I deliberately avoid the subjects and hope she forgets about them.

G.

 

After last night Aileen has all but moved away.....still breezy though. Actually some blue sky out there
Had a quick inspection of the garden expecting some damage esp to the very tall cannas but all looks ok. Some very strong winds up to 70mph

 

We're just getting the tail end of the storm and I'm concerned for a large weeping willow in our garden. I'm a bit cautious about going out yet but the storm is expected to abate in the next few hours.

 

It's still very windy here. No damage thankfully.

G.

 

No damage apart from what the two dogs have done, wet garden and playful dogs don't mix.
Glad ones gone back home now, but we have him for a week soon.
Have various jobs to start but it looks gloomy out there, might try some inside jobs first.