WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

Nice words lucius...appreciate that

 

I'm pleased to see the seeds I planted at the weekend have started to shoot. I have a greenhouse on order. I was going to wait but I have a need for it now. I would like the plants to grow because I want to donate them back to the charity garden that gave me the free tree.

G.

 

Great news on the seed sprouting and Greenhouse you'll be such a happy chappy in your GH come spring you'll never be indoors....i find it a lovely place to sit and relax with one of these whatever the weather @Jack Sparrow and what a lovely gesture re regifting the plants- yr a good un

 

Thanks @BeeHappy. I think its only fair. Hopefully there will be plenty to go around.

No gardening being done in this house at the moment.

I looked at Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' a little while ago. If I succeed in my plan to push the verge away from the hedge, could something like this be used to fill the gap? Its happy in shade and its wildlife friendly. It seems to tick all the boxes.

G.

 

@Jack Sparrow Your most
In answer to your question re the Lamium-yes it is a good choice it's an excellent ground cover, evergreen, tough copes well once established in a dryish shade so perfect for underplanting trees also because of the colour of the leaves the foliage will lighten up shady areas and wildlife friendly to boot- but like all Lamium plants remember that its related to the Nettle family so has a tendency to spread its self as runners. But thats, not a negative in my opinion as you can plant them up in other areas of your garden, also as you are doing with your seedling plants in the future gift them back for the Charity to benefit by them - so to me its a win-win plant all round - weed suppressing ground cover to help you in the garden...No need to buy too many of them as you'll be able to propagate them yourself...nectar for the early spring pollinators arrival from their long winter snooze and money raising for those in need of Charity- So whats not to like

 

Crocus sell it in a 2l pot. That seems a big pot for such a small plant. I'm not buying it but in theory, would there be enough plant there to dissect and spread about?

I will have to see if I can find it locally. I don't want to pay delivery costs.

G

EDIT It seems that Wyevale sell it. I will be passing that way tomorrow. perhaps I will call in and enquire.

 

Simple answer yes - it does cope with splitting - but i think i would be inclined to leave that job till springtime - then when planted up in sections it should recover well once the grounds a bit warmer, and the only possible setback will be slightly later blooms- but its a tough plant so probably won't even notice

 

I think you acted wisely Shiney......fuchsias are being devastated by gall mite countrywide. There is no cure as far as I know...even cuttings taken will be affected . A relentless pest that may see fuchsias removed and destroyed in most gardens.....next year esp we may see that. Maybe our salty air will help us down here as a local nurseryman suggested to recently .

fuchsias will be cleaned up and produce resistant varieties will be bred in time so all is not lost .

Exciting though to plant something new .
We are going to see many old favourites ruined by new-to-the-uk pests and diseases in the very near future.....virus on cannas and hostas for example already a major problem. All plants added here are cleaned as much as possible now....foliage removed, roots washed and fresh compost used on herbaceous. I never take risks on "bargain" offers on plants I think are not

 

It is now beautifully sunny and warm........ hope everyone is as well blessed

 

Gorgeous here in sunny Somerset. So lucky to be able to get out and enjoy the day.

 

Pleased to see the Borage seeds I sowed the other week are showing growth. I decided to direct sow some now and then some more in the Spring so I will have something to compare to. Likewise with the sweet pea seeds I put in the gutter garden - I've now potted those on for overwintering and it will be interesting to see how they compare with sowings made early next year.

Noticed some sycamore seeds have begun landing in the garden, so went on seed-watch picking up any and all that I see. Watch out Mr Sycamore ... your seeds are going to be toast!

 

@"M" What's a gutter garden?

 

Gardening in guttering e.g. my gutter garden in 2015 where I grew my salad leaves

 

At dusk, when the warmth of the sun was fading (and the wind of morning had subsided!), I dug up the Bowles Mauve which had given me 3 years of flowers and joy. Hmm, what is there to lose, I thought? Snipped of a dozen pieces and potted them up to go into the grow house - usual rules apply - thrive or not!

Potted on 3 pieces of Choisya but not for the grow house just yet. Two have very nice roots, one is a effort, but if I manage one survivor it will still be a win-win as they were only pieces of pruning's I took earlier in the year and stuck in some compost for the sheer heck of it I've been quite successful with the "stick it in a pot of compost and see" method so far; pure luck, of course!