What Jobs Are We Doing In The Garden Today 2019

Shiney, I am often teased about my “orangeness” and I am sure my nose is elongating; eyesight is improving though

Well, I think I won’t be gardening at all today....rain is imminent.

 

The alternate sun and rain we've had recently, has resulted in a huge number of unwanted side shoots from our several wisterias, some have grown over a couple of feet in less than a week. I'll be pruning them all off today. A lot of dead-heading of roses will be necessary too.

 

Boiler service today, hopefully he pops in early so I can pop out to do a job but if not I’ll play catch-up.
Cut my own lawn then tried another product on the grass that’s a domestic moss killer.
Cleaned out the magnetic filter on the heating system which was very clean so that’s good and now it’s cuppa time.

 

So far today I’ve
- deadheaded the sashta daisies,
- done a thorough poop-scoop patrol of the garden
- Harvested the courgettes
- Weeded the veg beds
- Mowed the short paths in the “meadow” and “lawn” areas
- Found the side mulch-shoot thingie for the lawnmower
- Cut the meadow area with thingie attachment in place
- Cut some of the steep bank area (where the cowslips are) as well

Then I needed a shower!!

The meadow area around the pond, before the cut. You might just be able to make out a triangle shape coming down the slope from below the pond, (to the right of the red patch of sheep’s sorrel) where I have already cut the gone-over flowers, a couple of weeks ago

A before shot of below the budleia, where the cowslips are (also showing the latest casualty of the drought - a 5 year old apple tree. The area where the grass is flattened is where the storm water run-off came, on Thursday night.


The after shot. I left one patch of ragweed (below the lowest veg bed) and a patch of wild yarrow (to the right and below the pond)


The budlheia area afterwards. I couldn’t do any more with the mower, because it is so steep. The rest I will have to do with shears...


As you may be able to see in these two photos, we have lots of flowers in the lawn area - although very little white clover this year - so I have left this uncut for this week, so the butterflies are kept happy.

 

Bit of dead heading and propping up...planted out Forgetmenots and Foxgloves in part of my now vacant veg patch..I'm gonna miss my charlotte spuds.....

 

Weeding after the rain yesterday made it an easier task. Deadheaded the white single dahlias and cosmos - both are looking superb this year. I left the dahlias in the ground and covered them with straw in the autumn. I've done this for the last few years and it's always a finger crossing time before they show each year There are so many of them I haven't the room to store them over the winter.
I'm thinking of planting a dry garden in an area of the garden that is not looking too good. Too much of the same planting so I'll research plants that are drought resistant and good to look at Any suggestions are welcome.
Over lunch I looked at old photos of the garden and it is astonishing how it has changed over the years. When I planted two little saplings ( Acer Brilliantissima and Weeping Birch) thirty five years ago I never imagined that they would ever be tall enough to have tree seats around them. Now they have reached maturity, both have tree seats and are a lovely place to enjoy the shade and look at the sky through the branches. Magic

 

I would love a garden of your size Sian

I have been promised first refusal on a property with 6 acres of land. A place I have done a lot of work on.....cleared 2 fields to plant an orchard and develop an ornamental garden in each. 2 more fields currently untouched. A pond too, a GH and much, much more. A friend currently owns it so it’s available if I say the word.
Trouble is, here I have developed a garden I love. Could do the same there but on an even bigger scale....hmmmm!
Is the grass greener elsewhere?

Back home now ....a wet morning but cleared up beautifully. Feeling warm and very pleasant so I should be able to get out there in the garden.
So far at least no thunder or L and no torrential downpours. Have I just tempted fate???
.

 

I would leave my house tomorrow but I love my garden too much to leave. I wouldn't be able to manage 6 acres without help @Verdun.

 

I think I would be daunted by 6 acres, but then I suppose you garden in a different manner. We would get a ride-on mower (either Petrol, or 4-legged!) for a start. We have always wanted a separate orchard, and even considered buying the vacant plot next to us here, but the new neighbours beat us to it!
Here is about 1/2 acre, so small enough to try to manage it all as a garden. Having said that, I do enjoy leaving areas to go wild!

 

That’s exactly what I would do with one of the empty fields, viz., make a wildflower meadow Sian.
There is already a ride on mower too. Might see if I could increase the speed though :rasp:

The view is spectacular there....opposite St Michaels Mount

 

Dig a big hole, stock it and fish till the cows come home

 

I was going to feed my Tomatoes with Tomorite, couldn't get the top off the new bottle, despite using Mole Grips....Gave up and just watered...........Then I went back to the bottle and hit (gentle) it with a hammer, it worked

 

Hammering down here, managed one job then soaked. Thunder due soon according to forecast.
Feet up time, can’t do much in this.

 

I’ve done a little work in our garden. Deadheaded the bedding plants and roses, tied in the climbers (Passion flower, summer jasmine, a climbing rose and a clematis) on the trellis on the side of the house, picked the beans and peas, treated the orchids with neem oil (they have woolly aphid).

Then loaded Izzy up in the car, and we went off to the church so I could sort the gardens there. Deadheading the roses, cutting back the spent flower spikes on the lambs ear and lychnis, cutting back the geraniums. I did 1.5 hours there (timed by car music stopping after 30 mins), and then decided we’d done enough for one day, so came home for lunch.

I’m guessing there will be time working on the compost bays soon, as the filling bay is full, and I have two trugs’ worth, plus a compost sack full from the church gardens to put in!

 

I've only done a bit of deadheading today, but got a lovely surprise when I went into the back garden at around 10am to deadhead the buddleias! There must have been about 40 Peacock butterflies flying around and feeding! Unfortunately I could only photograph a few of them because most flew off when I approached the bushes. :o(

Nick