WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2018

Few plants better for spring foliage colour than astilbes though Perki. Fanal, for example, lights up the garden in spring. Next to emerging hostas it makes a startling contrast

 

That fanal would look good with some of my Ligularia's tempting, the monarda cambridge scarlet planted with ligularia is a bit unreliable at the moment. Not a big fan of hosta, slugs do to much damage to enjoy them

 

Looks a bit to delicate to my liking, kelway are know for peony and many more nursery specialise in peony. probably cost you a bit though

 

A pretty rubbish day weather wise in South Staffordshire, so much so that the football has been rained off. Think it's a day for weighing up our options in terms of kitting out the greenhouse and feeding the seedlings. Might venture out and see how watertight our handy work over the weekend was.

 

I looked at Kelway this morning but including postage, it would cost me around £21

 

But think how many years of pleasure you would get from it and compare that to how many trips to the cinema £21 would get you
I'm checking out pillar fruit trees at the moment; saw a beautiful example of a garden containing them in a row which made a beautiful and practical summer screen. Bit pricey, but, the rewards would be doubly worth it (that's my logic anyway )

 

I have also been looking at bare roots, but it would be a while before they flower.

We have pillar fruit trees - Apple and pear . Bought bare root pillar fruit trees from Groupon a couple of years ago. I think I got 4, but 2 died . We also bought a dual patio apple tree and plum last year.

 

If your talking about the Peony Kaz my next door neighbor has this plant, i can get you a cutting/seek how to propagate it and send it you on i think its laid dormant atm though.

 

This afternoon I rang round some local garden centres to see if they have any. One said its on their list and stock should arrive at the end of April. They've taken my contact details and will call me when it arrives .

Thank you for the offer Martin, but I think cuttings have to be taken in the fall. I also think for herbaceous peonies (as this one is), cuttings have to be taken from the root. I don't think your neighbour would be best pleased, you digging up his plants

 

Bless him, hubby worked hard with me, until he was called for a problem at work (even though he's not on call - grrrr!).

We got three beds well mulched, and more shreddings put on the back of the top bed.

The blackberry has been planted out, with a collar of wire fencing put around the tree so we can tie in the new growth each year. The grass thatch on the "wild bank" (aka too steep to mow!) has been pulled out, revealing 5 cowslip plants. I think we have established a new colony .

The compost in the salad trough has been changed, and the solid-sided cloche put in place over the top. That should warm up the soil nicely, and if necessary the first sowing of mangetout peas can be planted in there, if the raised beds aren't ready...

The snowdrops and unknown blue-flowered bulbs have been duly planted. The shady bed also had all the nettle runners pulled out, and the wood anemones admired.

The edges of the grass bordering the drive have been tidied, to allow the flood water to drain away, and the brick/grass edge of the herb garden has been resound!

The only thing not done was the wooden planks brought up, but hubby does have a good excuse- he's still working now, nearly 4 hours later....

 

It wouldn't be a issue if you get stuck let me know .

 

Thanks Martin

 

Should be seeing the first signs of life around about now

 

@Sian in Belgium - I've fair worn out ... first with the description of what you *planned* for the day and then coupled with how much you achieved!!! Gold Star for effort plus congrats on your cowslip colony

 

Apart from obligatory daily peer into the depths whilst I was out there feeding the birds that is the only gardening I've done . On a related matter the Belfast sink had life . Tiny black moving dots that I think are baby Water Fleas. There is a little blanket weed in the sink and I noticed that entangled within the blanket weed are what appear to be dead adult water fleas. I looked at them through a magnifying glass and they look like fleas but did not move at all, not totally sure if they are dead. Should I leave the weed in the sink or remove it ???

@Verdun I have bought two Stipa Tenuissima today for .50p each. They are a bit tatty looking, should I cut them right back before planting out?