WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

I have put a seed catching dish onto the base of the new Feeder, as I have done to my other Feeders, and that only took a minute or two to do. It saves seeds landing in the borders and either becoming a wet mush or unwanted plants.




The new Feeder is more than twice the length of my usual 4 port Feeder and the cage is really big and sturdy, so the Pigeons will not get their heads and necks to the ports because of the distance between the cage and the ports. One job led to another, of course, as the Pole support for the Feeders needed rubbing down with wire wool to get rid of the rust, [of which there was only a slight coating], because it must be getting on 10 years old now. So I've now repainted it with Rust Preventing Paint and now I'm waiting for it to dry properly so that I can resite it in a new position in the borders. I'll keep the present Feeders where they are for the moment to see how long it takes for the Birds to get used to the new one, and then I'll move them to new positions.

 

It was too icy to do anything in the garden yesterday and is forecast to be even icier today. So nothing in the garden apart from filling the bird feeders.

Mrs Shiney has put some Shiney Hybrid chilli seeds into the seed sprouter. They may take a bit longer than usual to sprout in this cold weather although they're in the kitchen. We'll just have to wait and see

 

Well!!! A big change today.

It was very icy early this morning but it now feels a lot warmer although it's only 39F. The sun came out, the wind dropped and it was quite pleasant out there. So we've got quite a bit done.

We got a ton of horse manure and spread it on the garden (another two tons were spread in Oct/Nov). Michael is clearing the last of the leaves (just about filled a 1 ton bag) and it will be put on top of the compost heap with the other 1 ton bags of leaves. These will be mixed into the compost heaps when they have started to rot (already started) and mixed in with another ton of horse manure when we get it.

I've, also, just split a Miscanthus into 13 plants and potted them up for sale on Open Day - unless anyone wants them before then. We do get phone calls from people asking if we have particular plants each year, or sometimes just asking what we've got and trying to get in ahead of others. When I say that 'I've' just split it I mean Michael has just split it as it's much too difficult for me. He uses his post hole spade and jumps on it! That used up half of a 70 litre compost bag .

 

I waited for the hard frost this morning in the garden to melt away and put the new painted Bird Feeder post and the new six port Feeder into the new site in the borders. I'll now be able to refill the seed into the the Feeders without traipsing over the lawn.

I've also left one of the Feeders hanging in it's original position in the Lilac to let the birds get used to the new Feeder and position, then in a couple of days I'll move the Feeder to the new site.

 

I forgot to add that the Miscanthus that I potted up is sinensis Malepartus. It has green arching leaves with a white stripe down the middle and the plumes are a pinkish colour that turns to silver later on.

 

"Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus'


Syn. Eulalia 'Malepartus'
Poacea
Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' is the benchmark against which all other Miscanthus are measured. Some grasses fade meekly at the sight of autumn - not 'Malepartus', rarely does a plant create so much anticipation that you want to get summer out of the way so that you can enjoy its autumnal show. Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' is that plant.

Flowering from September and lasting through autumn and early winter Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' is a statuesque grass that will extend the season of interest in any garden. The fine, arching leaves have a distinctive white stripe down the mid-rib but it is its flowers that are truly spectacular; opening in late summer the pink-tinged, silky feathers rise upwards from their stems and glow in the evening light in prolific numbers. Over winter the flower heads age to silver, then dry to a biscuit brown and dance in the slightest breeze.

Plants reach 6ft (2m) in height and the individual leaves, which can approach 3ft (90cm) in length, and add structure, movement and sound to the garden.

Plants can be grown as specimens or mixed planting and look wonderful in bold drifts.



Further Information about this Species
The height of Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' makes a great back drop for herbaceous perennials and plants provide interest for 12 months of the year as they hold their stems throughout winter.

Care
Close to maintenance free, Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' is easy to grow and requires little more than moderately fertile, moisture retentive soil in full sun. Avoid positions prone to water logging.

Plants don’t require winter protection and are hardy beyond -18°C

Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' is deciduous and stems will die off and turn brown over winter. These can be removed in spring as new growth emerges.

Habitat and Distribution
Miscanthus sinensis is native to Japan."

 

@martin-f You'll just have to come to our Open Day and I'll put one aside for you.