WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

Organic mulches I suggested would include sawdust and wood chippings but bark, compost, mushroom compost, well rotted manure.....ANYTHING BUT MEMBRANE Such mulches seriously suppress weeds but, of course, will need topping up too. They add to the quality of the soil.
However, slate and chippings would look good in lucius' damp area with the advantage they allow sharper drainage around the crowns etc. as well as avoiding the appearance of pools of water
The more I think about it the more I would use gravel chippings there

 

I have to (mildly) disagree about membrane and mulches......It's a little mentioned fact that any wood-based mulch actually depletes the soil of nitrogen in the process of rotting down. Unless you sprinkle a high-nitrogen fertiliser under the mulch, or water a liquid version on regularly, the plants can become quite starved. Even WRFYM used as a mulch can lock up essential iron and trace minerals which need to be made available in other forms. I've had to use membrane on some borders to cut down on weeding and it's noticeable how much better the plants have done in those borders. The only drawbacks I've found are that annuals can't self-sow and drifts of bulbs are difficult to achieve!

 

@ARMANDII the sink is up on bricks. I was thinking to plant around it rather than trying to move it. Its been planted with Fritillaries, so would have to move sink with compost and have help to move it. I have moved an empty sink by myself but this is a two person lift and shift job. I suppose I should have moved it before I decided to plant it, but I do like it there, it's one of the first things I see when I open the back door and - as I'm sure I've mentioned before I LOVE Belfast sinks .

Wonderful list of plant choices too ARMANDII .

The weeds are one of the worst problems here, if not the worst. I seriously considered setting fire to the garden in an attempt to be rid of some of them.

I have to honest and say I'm not a fan of loud colours. I would find sitting in Monty Don's Jewel Garden quite disturbing .

 

To clarify my point, ANY mulch would be fine .......whether feeding mulches like compost, bark, yes, even woodchips or stabilising mulches like chippings, slate, etc. This was about controlling weeds, as per luciusmaximus' question.

Deciding the type of mulch is a different issue and down to personal choice.

In my opinion, membrane mulches are not practical or beneficial in a garden setting except when preparing pathways and the like. Nothing more ugly or frustrating either than old breaking up membrane.

Every type of mulch has pros and cons ....as they decompose, yes, some leech nitrogen from the soil. This is why I would apply them in autumn; come spring an addition of fertiliser, as usually done anyway, resolves this. (But it really is a minimal problem in practice) Gravel mulches and the like do not feed the soil but still help deal with the weed problem, allow in air and water and the soil to breathe.....in lucius' case I would take this option as it would cope better with water pooling on the surface and create a dry, free draining surface; would look good too

Of course, there is no permanent panacea for weeds.....this is impossible, we are talking nature here and weeds are the great survivors......but mulches do control them and topping up every three or four years helps too

To my favourite part, the planting, a theme might be good.....a cool white and foliage scheme perhaps. For this how about astilbe cappuccino? .....as the name implies quite a "frothy" display of white flowers with the bonus of lovely coloured foliage Slightly taller form of astrantia and one of my favourites is Jumble Hole; basically white flowers all summer with pale green gemstone-like highlights. Sometimes decried but the white arum lily is a superb specimen for wet areas (I often grow it in a pond) is a change of form with large eye catching white spathes in spring and early summer. I said before, but this could be a stunning border for lucius and worth deliberating on .........spoilt for choice:rasp:

 

I'm pleased for the clarification. I was getting worried that my bark chippings mulch was counter productive. I was under the impression it was the right thing to do. Having started that way I will carry on until I've covered everything.

G.

 

@Verdun, I like the sound (and now look, via Google) of astilbe cappuccino. I have always liked astilbe, but didn't have any until you suggested them since slugs don't eat them. I now have 3, and think the cappuccino will be joining me next year! Do I just let my current astilbes die down for the winter, or should I cut them or protect them. Soggy and dreich west of Scotland.....

 

I think that is part of the problem with me, that the garden has become an endurance course. A lot of the time I feel frustrated and overwhelmed and wonder why I am doing this when I could be on the beach or reading a book. I do think I've lost my way a little. Last year wasn't very good and this year has been even worse with so many bad things that have happened and continue to keep happening, so I dare say that has an influence on my mind set to a certain degree.

 

Minimal effect on nitrogen level.....think about it; how many of us use these mulches? Most of us.:rasp: Any leeching is temporary anyway!
I do add slightly more fish blood and bone in spring.
I use bark extensively here around fruit and ornamentals and things grow well
We can overthink what is a simple issue

 

Irmemac, just caught you
Astilbes are very, very tough. Do as you think looks best. They dont need protecting but I cut them down for two reasons.....they look neater that way over winter and it saves a job in spring :rasp:
Cappuccino is a beauty.....think I may have posted a picture in summer

Relax lucius......decide what you want and go for it. Remember you will enjoy your garden for years to come; a walk on the beach or reading a book is just for the moment. :rasp:

 

LOVE your sinks @ARMANDII .

The main problem with weeds is due to where I live. My house is surrounded on all four sides by fields, so inevitably weed seeds are going to end up in the garden in large quantities. Some I encourage, like Dandelions, Dead Nettles and Daisies and I don't mind a little bit of Moss either. I do mind the Docks, Thistles, Ragwort, etc, that grow in abundance

Oh, and to you and Verdun for taking the times to offer such good advice.

 

@luciusmaximus I'm babysitting my friends little one this morning whilst she at the doctors so on my phone ...will answer properly when I'm back home me luvverly don't lose heart youll get there

 

What I have seen of your garden is lovely, Lucius, and the sink sounds like it is in the perfect spot. It sounds like you are just feeling a bit overwhelmed by the big picture. I've been having that issue too recently by looking at the whole garden. There's been good advice from others, and I am not really in a position to add to that, but here's my tuppence worth anyway! I would be inclined to stop thinking about the garden as a whole, but think of particular parts and let your thoughts and ideas percolate over the winter. Look online for images if you have any particular ideas that you like. That can be helpful. If you like your sink where it is, then great! Good choice of place and don't move it. Since you like sinks I would take that as an excuse to buy another one for somewhere else. Perhaps you could even plan a bit of your garden for something you fancy but haven't tried before. That might help you rekindle your enthusiasm. Regarding the weeds, that does sound tough. Price to pay for such a lovely location. Perhaps a combination of busy planted areas with less room for weeds to put down footholds and smooth grass where they are easier to spot or gravel with excellent weed suppressant membrane underneath.

On a totally unrelated note, a hedgehog came to visit one night last week while I was on holiday. Christened it Lucius for the duration in your honour!

 

Thank you, as always, @Verdun. Hope you don't ever start charging for your advice!