WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2018

Jack when you are ready to add topsoil to your beds. You will need to know the area of the beds that need raising ( in square metres ) and the height to raise them ( in mm ). Then we can calculate the volume of soil and number of bags you need.
When I built a new bed, we had a bulk bag of soil delivered on the drive and had to manhandle it around the back in trugs and buckets - hard work

 

Hinting Gary??
First things first....I would sort out the soil you have before importing fresh soil. You will then have a better idea of quantity you may need. Instead of sifting your own soil why not simply spread it out and rake it around thoroughly?
Why do you want to raise the level? By how much?

 

Sweet Pea is sprouting - makeshift greenhouse heater assembled and installed - in an attempt to offset the freezing temperatures this weekend .

 

Yesterday I decided to sort out the planting area under the Cherry tree _ can't really call it a bed as it's so small. Last year I had Verbena and white Lavender growing there. Thought I might do something else. I'm still deciding what to replace with. Mexican Fleabane is my current favourite. It's so pretty that it looks good on it's own but I could put something with it. Which flowers compliment Fleabane ?

Planted out new Aqualegia Crimson Star. Got another one to plant somewhere too. Had a quick delve into raised bed on patio so it's ready for planting. Moved one of my Erigeron Sea Blossom from side garden to the pond area. Debating whether to put other one out there too.

I had a wander down to the beach with the intention of looking for some driftwood for the pond area. The beach and the incoming tide was full of plastic beads and large and small pieces of polystyrene from the Marina disaster . Coastline and sea polluted with fuel, oil and debris from the 80 boats and the pontoons wrecked by Storm Emma

 

Had a lovely couple of hours up at the lotty this morning. Dug over the beds and weeded it all. (Including my neighbours plot who said i can look after it/use it).

Just got a final bed of theirs to sort out. It's compacted grass, strawberry plants, weeds and ants! Thinking of just digging the whole top layer off to get it all out. But that's for another day-my back in killing me now.

 

Plants / bulbs arrived today so potted up what need potting on and potted 3 eucomis sparkling burgundy bulbs into their new terracotta pot. I run out of 1 litre pots and anything else up to 2 litre pots, I could do to get things planted or potted on but stupid weather slowing everything down. I normally have towers of 1 litre pots, to many may plants maybe naa

One of my other Eucomis S Burgundy bulbs were starting to rot around the base, I've cleared the rotting tissue and were think of getting some sulphur powder but I not sure if it will work ? I thought the sulphur powder were more of a prevention than stopping it rotting anymore, what you think worth a try ?

 

I've done nothing in the garden today except let the dogs run amok. However, I've ordered the last of this years seed from Kings seed (almost half price of T&M and you get more), spent more than I wanted because Carol was peering over my shoulder and adding stuff!

 

shame yet more tomatoes he will let go rotten, and lettuces food for the pigeons as he dont bother netting them (carol posted!)

 

I needed San Marzano's but will admit......... we need a bigger greenhouse?

 

Not much time for gardening, but, I did take the odd few moments, here and there, to pull a few weeds, pull up some old stems of aquilegia that had been overlooked before but now very obvious amid the new growth.

I also took time to spend moments just "looking" ... not doing ... just enjoying ... so that the garden could do *its* job of bringing a sense of balance and aiding reflection. Most satisfying!

Yes, but @shiney was speaking about the live ones; not the deceased one you recycled under the plant as compost

Won't get much done this weekend either (too many other D-Mands) but, I am totally thrilled to report that the tulip and crocus bulbs I received in my Christmas Stocking - but didn't get to plant until January time - are poking through the soil in their pot with gusto! Even if they should run out of spit to flower this year, it still means that the greenery will have a chance to do its work to ensure flowers next year; despite being planted late! Win-win!!