What Jobs Are We Doing in the Garden Today... MK3.. 2013

Pretty much finished planting out the bedding stuff

 

Oh ... and I walked down the new hedges, 3rd year from planting, and nipped off any side shoots that were extending beyond the "pattern" of the edge - so that they thicken up, rather than being the first to jut out!

 

I've pruned the 'portable' Elaeagnus hedge (ie the ones I've got lined up in planters). They were growing outwards and encroaching too much so I got my new hedge clippers out.

 

Nothing done yesterday, went to see the dukeries rally with little Mowgley.
Made up for it today though, watered everything this morning then off to my fiancée grandmothers to build and fill 2 10ft x 5ft raised beds. The mowed the lawn and sorted out the borders, trimmed back the daffs, bluebells, tulips and dead headed some aquilegia (I must get some off these). Sorted out her outside tap and hose (bad arthritis). Back in the week to plant up with veg that she has sown.
Then round to mrs mowgleys cousins to mow the lawn and plant some sweet Williams and marigolds I had got left, tied in a climbing rose.
Then had my tea @8 then watering mine again.

 

Tackled the bed with the three evils in - Bamboo, Ivy and Japanese Anenome. Actually it's four if you include the Crocosmia too. As it involved lifting some paving slabs I left the two out next to the wall so as to extend the bed into the rockery uninterrupted.
Having ripped the nasties out and dug some goodness in, I replanted the spring bulbs, added a few from pots , and then planted the perennials I had reserved for this bed. As it gets some shade from the wall and extra shade in places from the Forsythia and Vibernum I've put nine different Tricyrtis in, positioned according to their light preference. Plus a largish Hosta, Fritillaria, Commelina, Salvia and Campanula.

 

So a quiet one then??

 

ooooh, Geranium Rozanne is a cracker FC. It will fill a large space in the border but not densely. Have a Google,
Jenny

 

Aaaaw FC. I can feel your annoyance and frustration from here. I hope they = Thompson and Morgan know that Gardeners Corner members are viewing this and will take grave note of their incompetence,
nearly time for a B and Coke,
meantime,

Jenny

 

These look a bit cheaper http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAX-TAPENER-GARDEN-PLANT-TYING-TAPE-MACHINE-CANE-TIES-/260630928633

 

Personally I would have a target price of £30-35. They certainly aren't cheap, but more than that is a lot to pay!! Its a while since I've had to buy one though.

Harrod Horticultural want £60

 

And so is Digitalis "Illumination" too! I picked one up for three or four quid a few weeks ago - they were upwards of a tenner last year. Rather conveniently, it is sterile and T&M own the PBR for this one. But it is worth the effort of some winter protection fat controller.