Paul
Jeff Moxshi
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Pictures then !!
The "Grow Your Own" Thread
- Thread starter Hereford Wolf
- Start date
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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Will get onto it...
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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Have repotted a lily that was in a big pot but seemed to be struggling. I wondered whether the soil in it was starved of nutrients, so trying to bring the plant back a bit.
One of my composters was leaning, so I emptied it and fixed it as it was starting to lean against the neighbours fence.
I sowed some pumpkin seeds, and a 2nd lot of spring onions. The first spring onions have sprouted and will hopefully be good for summer salads.
We bought an autumn flowering clematis late last year and it seems to have died off in winter. However I went to aldi recently and they had some lovely looking clematis and I bought one. It’s a spring flowering variety, with huge purple flowers, and is planted out up the new pergola. I must stop looking at the plants at places like aldi!
We have forget-me-nots absolutely everywhere!
The other lilies are doing well and all are either flowering, or we can see flowers forming. 3 lilies were in small pots, and on my travels I have “acquired” some new bigger pots, so I have potted these up. They had been split last year, and likely need the additional room.
I bought some ericaceous compost, and dug up a camelia we bought years ago that hasn’t really grown, no doubt because the soil doesn’t suit the plant. After only a week you can see the plant is growing!
Noticed the dhalias are sprouting. Haven’t got them out yet – plan doing so this weekend as there shouldn’t be any more frosts.
The clematis cuttings we took last year are now planted out and we will train them to grow up a fence panel.
I got the balloon plants out of the greenhouse as all but one of them are growing again.
The princess trees I planted last year have all regenerated this year, and they have new growth. They’re now in individual pots and hopefully will get some height this year.
I have sowed more lettuce (lot 3) and more marigolds in various tubs, and also sowed some wildflowers in the hope that bees will like them.
One of my composters was leaning, so I emptied it and fixed it as it was starting to lean against the neighbours fence.
I sowed some pumpkin seeds, and a 2nd lot of spring onions. The first spring onions have sprouted and will hopefully be good for summer salads.
We bought an autumn flowering clematis late last year and it seems to have died off in winter. However I went to aldi recently and they had some lovely looking clematis and I bought one. It’s a spring flowering variety, with huge purple flowers, and is planted out up the new pergola. I must stop looking at the plants at places like aldi!
We have forget-me-nots absolutely everywhere!
The other lilies are doing well and all are either flowering, or we can see flowers forming. 3 lilies were in small pots, and on my travels I have “acquired” some new bigger pots, so I have potted these up. They had been split last year, and likely need the additional room.
I bought some ericaceous compost, and dug up a camelia we bought years ago that hasn’t really grown, no doubt because the soil doesn’t suit the plant. After only a week you can see the plant is growing!
Noticed the dhalias are sprouting. Haven’t got them out yet – plan doing so this weekend as there shouldn’t be any more frosts.
The clematis cuttings we took last year are now planted out and we will train them to grow up a fence panel.
I got the balloon plants out of the greenhouse as all but one of them are growing again.
The princess trees I planted last year have all regenerated this year, and they have new growth. They’re now in individual pots and hopefully will get some height this year.
I have sowed more lettuce (lot 3) and more marigolds in various tubs, and also sowed some wildflowers in the hope that bees will like them.
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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I dug up some hostas that were planted by the previous house owners. Where they were, they were hidden by ferns each year, and were lost. They also got repeatedly trashed by snails/slugs. We’d spoken about moving them and I worked out a place to move them to. Monty Don then moved his on gardeners world months ago, yet ours hadn’t started growing. In fact, we got to the stage of thinking the bulbs had died. However they poked through a couple of weeks ago. I moved them to somewhere that had a lot of weeds, so did some serious digging, and took off 6 inches of soil and divided the hostas. I thought initially I’d split them into 2, but the group was so big I had to split it into 4. Since planting them, they really look to have settled, and the leaves look really good so they seem to like their new home!
I planted some bluebells in amongst the hostas for next year.
I sowed some more basil. The first lot I sowed about 6 weeks ago has shown some germination.
None of the first batch of peas I sowed sprouted, so I have sown a new batch. Peas are my fave vegetable, so that’s a bit of a shame. Thankfully the new peas have sprouted (or some of them at least!)
Slugs or snails got at my cucumbers. I went from having 14 plants to 6 overnight, so have potted up the ones that survived, and sowed a few more seeds so we have sufficient plants and fruits.
I again sowed more marigold seeds as we have various places they will go.
The sunflowers have germinated, so I planted them out, and sowed beans direct into the ground and put the bamboo canes up. The idea being that the canes can support the sunflowers when they get big, and te beans grow up the canes or sunflowers.
I have sown some leeks. We had some that over wintered but it looks like they are going to flower, so we won’t be able to eat them.
Next job will be to move the sweet peas out into the planters in the garden. Noticed the wisteria has flower buds appearing on it!
I planted some bluebells in amongst the hostas for next year.
I sowed some more basil. The first lot I sowed about 6 weeks ago has shown some germination.
None of the first batch of peas I sowed sprouted, so I have sown a new batch. Peas are my fave vegetable, so that’s a bit of a shame. Thankfully the new peas have sprouted (or some of them at least!)
Slugs or snails got at my cucumbers. I went from having 14 plants to 6 overnight, so have potted up the ones that survived, and sowed a few more seeds so we have sufficient plants and fruits.
I again sowed more marigold seeds as we have various places they will go.
The sunflowers have germinated, so I planted them out, and sowed beans direct into the ground and put the bamboo canes up. The idea being that the canes can support the sunflowers when they get big, and te beans grow up the canes or sunflowers.
I have sown some leeks. We had some that over wintered but it looks like they are going to flower, so we won’t be able to eat them.
Next job will be to move the sweet peas out into the planters in the garden. Noticed the wisteria has flower buds appearing on it!
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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Quick garden update before I go swanning off on holiday…
In wandering around the garden have noticed that a fair amount of the apple blossom on the tree is now tiny apples. Our tree is odd, in that it seems to be productive bi-annually!
The raspberries have been covered in flowers. There are a helluva lot of bees flying around the garden.
I planted out the sweet peas, and in the same patch dropped some poppy seeds and a combination of marigold seeds or small marigold plants.
I’ve sown a new batch of lettuce, and also spring onions.
I have potted up a load of tomatoes. I have approx. 50 tomato plants so far!
I have potted up/pricked out the rudbeckia, verbena and delphiniums that I sowed in spring. Monty don was growing these and wanted us to grow them with him, but he’s done no update for too long, and the plants were too big for the trays now, and it would’ve been risky to leave them any longer.
I sowed 4 more trays of marigolds, as we have some planters that will need flowers. The trays became free owing to the above potting up.
I potted up the sprouts and cauliflowers that were sowed a while ago.
I also potted up the pumpkins – I can see by how quickly they are growing that I will need to give away most of these plants!
I made the criminal mistake of looking at the flowers on a recent aldi visit. I bought some extra dhalias and potted them up. I bought some trailing petunias for the good lady, who loves petunias in hanging baskets/planters. After seeing them she felt a desire for some more, and luckily I went to fetch some compost from b&q and they had a clearance, so we have bright pink and white ones mixed up.
The Asian lilies are about to flower, immediately before we go away! I will need to split them next spring.
The small daisy plant from aldi late last year is now rather large, in a big pot, and will need splitting next spring also. I might plant some outside, but at the mo is covered in buds!
In addition I bought a digitalis from aldi, and it has flowers for the first time. I am intending planting that into the ground after our holiday.
The strawberries have fruits on them (we luckily have some early plants and some that fruit later, and the later ones are growing and have flowers appearing!)
The hostas I moved look the best they ever have done. I wonder if they will flower this year given I moved them.
In wandering around the garden have noticed that a fair amount of the apple blossom on the tree is now tiny apples. Our tree is odd, in that it seems to be productive bi-annually!
The raspberries have been covered in flowers. There are a helluva lot of bees flying around the garden.
I planted out the sweet peas, and in the same patch dropped some poppy seeds and a combination of marigold seeds or small marigold plants.
I’ve sown a new batch of lettuce, and also spring onions.
I have potted up a load of tomatoes. I have approx. 50 tomato plants so far!
I have potted up/pricked out the rudbeckia, verbena and delphiniums that I sowed in spring. Monty don was growing these and wanted us to grow them with him, but he’s done no update for too long, and the plants were too big for the trays now, and it would’ve been risky to leave them any longer.
I sowed 4 more trays of marigolds, as we have some planters that will need flowers. The trays became free owing to the above potting up.
I potted up the sprouts and cauliflowers that were sowed a while ago.
I also potted up the pumpkins – I can see by how quickly they are growing that I will need to give away most of these plants!
I made the criminal mistake of looking at the flowers on a recent aldi visit. I bought some extra dhalias and potted them up. I bought some trailing petunias for the good lady, who loves petunias in hanging baskets/planters. After seeing them she felt a desire for some more, and luckily I went to fetch some compost from b&q and they had a clearance, so we have bright pink and white ones mixed up.
The Asian lilies are about to flower, immediately before we go away! I will need to split them next spring.
The small daisy plant from aldi late last year is now rather large, in a big pot, and will need splitting next spring also. I might plant some outside, but at the mo is covered in buds!
In addition I bought a digitalis from aldi, and it has flowers for the first time. I am intending planting that into the ground after our holiday.
The strawberries have fruits on them (we luckily have some early plants and some that fruit later, and the later ones are growing and have flowers appearing!)
The hostas I moved look the best they ever have done. I wonder if they will flower this year given I moved them.
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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Had a weeks holiday, and came back to being able to see things have been growing.
On my return I had to pot up loads of tomato plants. As usual I have too many (I am guessing I have around 45-50 plants!
I have potted on the 6 dhalia flowers I bought from aldi. 3 of them are in flower already. They look lovely.
The apple tree has loads of fruit appearing. It’s odd, the tree seems to produce a lot every other year, with a fallow year in between.
The raspberry bushes were covered in flowers before we went, and are now covered in small fruits. Therefore I am already thinking about how much freezer space we have!
The hardy geraniums are in flower and are a lovely deep blue colour.
I have done a lot of weeding around the gladioli that are now visible, and hopefully they flower well.
The peruvian lilies and Asian lilies are in flower.
The hostas I moved have flowers coming. The Iris’ I planted in march have purple flower buds. Looking forward to seeing them open.
None of the balloon plant seeds I sowed have germinated. Thankfully we have a few plants already.
Been observing dragon flies around the pond which is always a joy!
On my return I had to pot up loads of tomato plants. As usual I have too many (I am guessing I have around 45-50 plants!
I have potted on the 6 dhalia flowers I bought from aldi. 3 of them are in flower already. They look lovely.
The apple tree has loads of fruit appearing. It’s odd, the tree seems to produce a lot every other year, with a fallow year in between.
The raspberry bushes were covered in flowers before we went, and are now covered in small fruits. Therefore I am already thinking about how much freezer space we have!
The hardy geraniums are in flower and are a lovely deep blue colour.
I have done a lot of weeding around the gladioli that are now visible, and hopefully they flower well.
The peruvian lilies and Asian lilies are in flower.
The hostas I moved have flowers coming. The Iris’ I planted in march have purple flower buds. Looking forward to seeing them open.
None of the balloon plant seeds I sowed have germinated. Thankfully we have a few plants already.
Been observing dragon flies around the pond which is always a joy!
You sound like the forum expert on these matters so…. roses.
Never had any before so all new to me. I’m currently just nipping off any dead heads right at the top and they seem to just keep on coming and do look good. Problem is, the plants themselves are getting quite tall and spindly and the really nice new flowers are sometimes on very thin stalks/strands (or whatever the word is), making them top heavy and lean over, unable to support the weight of the rose head. The ones in the sun are pretty good, but in the semi-shade they are leaning and stretchIng right over to face the sun. I’d imagine I’m supposed to trim the dead heads much further back, or perhaps I carry on and just be quite ruthless in the autumn.
Don’t want to cock up any previous good work and do irreparable damage, so any tips would be appreciated!
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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I'm not a roses expert, however the question is are your roses climbing roses, or not? If they're climbers, they need a support (this can be a trellis, a wall, a tree, or a post or 2) and they'll happily grow up the support.
That said I think you're right in that the time to be ruthless is autumn/early winter, when the plant has stopped growing. At that point you can cut them back pretty much to 6 inches above ground level.
I have mentioned elsewhere on the thread that taking rose cuttings does seem easy enough, but is a long term thing as you have to leave the cuttings for at least 12 months to develop roots.
That said I think you're right in that the time to be ruthless is autumn/early winter, when the plant has stopped growing. At that point you can cut them back pretty much to 6 inches above ground level.
I have mentioned elsewhere on the thread that taking rose cuttings does seem easy enough, but is a long term thing as you have to leave the cuttings for at least 12 months to develop roots.
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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Just on the above sentence, plants want to grow if they can. Unless you starve them of food or water, or remove all leaves/bark etc, then you're unlikely to do irreparable damage. They are resilient!
I'm the same with computers/tech. Always think I'll break it when everyone tells me I won't.
I’ve got some against trellises etc which are tied back, but the main section is in the centre of an area sectioned off by a very low box hedge (I think that’s what it’s called). Those roses are free-standing so I guess need to be kept at quite low. They were a good 2 foot or so at the start of spring and now some of them are waist/chest high hence the ‘top-heavy’ feel.
Going to be a brave move to cut those bad-boys right back but if It’s the right thing to do so be it.
Cheers, thanks for the reply.
Going to be a brave move to cut those bad-boys right back but if It’s the right thing to do so be it.
Cheers, thanks for the reply.
MARKakaJIM
Contrary Mary
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We've got roses growing free standing and they get over 6 foot high but rare we have any breakages. They're up against a wall so quite sheltered from wind but they're not tied back to it or growing directly against it. Possibly fallen victim to birds trying to land on parts of it or neighbouring cats jumping up the wall for most of the damage they've suffered.
We cut them back every winter once the flowers have stopped coming and they shoot up again the following year no problem. Slowly trying to get them to spread out a bit as it's an old plant that was previously at my partners grandad's so we cut them down to the lowest split at the moment. Got it up from a single tall stem 4-5 years ago into around 10 stems growing up now and slowly trying away at the redundant woody bits around the base.
We cut them back every winter once the flowers have stopped coming and they shoot up again the following year no problem. Slowly trying to get them to spread out a bit as it's an old plant that was previously at my partners grandad's so we cut them down to the lowest split at the moment. Got it up from a single tall stem 4-5 years ago into around 10 stems growing up now and slowly trying away at the redundant woody bits around the base.
b3h
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Looking for plants(flowers) that trail well. Got 3 planters and want stuff to drape down the sides. Anyone got any to recommend that do it and are noob friendly?
So far got some lobelia, snow carpet and a yellow vine thing that are draping down nicely. Got some busy lizzy, fuchsia and livingstone daisy too but they aren't really draping/yet (am trying to force them to ha)
Grown everything from seed bar the yellow vine one but don't mind paying for a few. Or can keep them in mind for early next year
Nasturtiums kinda piss me off so not those and got loads of petunia in pots so not those and neither really go downwards
I've started off some morning glory this week as think those might do it
So far got some lobelia, snow carpet and a yellow vine thing that are draping down nicely. Got some busy lizzy, fuchsia and livingstone daisy too but they aren't really draping/yet (am trying to force them to ha)
Grown everything from seed bar the yellow vine one but don't mind paying for a few. Or can keep them in mind for early next year
Nasturtiums kinda piss me off so not those and got loads of petunia in pots so not those and neither really go downwards
I've started off some morning glory this week as think those might do it
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
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no footy going on = might as well occupy myself in the garden!
planted out the peas. usually only get a small crop, but the flavour is worth it. fewer plants this year as used up seeds leftover, and not many sprouted. probably planted them out a bit late tbh!
cucumbers have gone into some big pots, getting bigger so put some canes in today.
planted out 5 pumpkins, though 1 has broken in the wind. Put extra canes up for these today too.
have been sowing lettuce repeatedly. eating it as fast as it grows in the hot weather!
the iris bulbs I got in spring are flowering and look lovely. a really deep blue!
the hostas i moved are all going to flower. they look so much better - be fore they were smothered by a fern, and chomped by slugs. they are thriving now.
we have random poppies. when we first moved here, one solitary purple poppy appeared. we've had poppies in various places around the garden ever since, and i collect the seeds. sowed a load with the sweet peas and a lot appear to be growing!
the wisteria which we damaged when planting out is flowering.
i put a daisy and 2 peruvian lilies in bigger pots in spring, and they're huge. they definitely need splitting next spring.
the carnations and dianthus (both from cuttings from my mom) are glorious in flower, and the scent is something special.
likewise i potted up the basil i have sown, and that adds a lovely scent. only a tiny bit of thyme has germinated, but it'll do for xmas dinner.
my mom gave me a cutting recently. apparently I asked her to try getting some cuttings to take a while ago. only thing now, is neither i nor she can remember what it is!
i possibly neglected watering a bit in recent weeks. most plants are ok, but a few are struggling. I have mulched a few with wood chippings.
most tomatoes are now in their final pots. just a few stragglers to go.
i finally got around to planting out the digitalis I got last year.
i potted up the flamingo plant - this is one i think was struggling in the hot weather, given it a much bigger pot, and a good soaking.
potted up a load of rudbeckia I have sown from seed, as well as 8 balloon plants, and a couple of dahlias.
still have loads of things to do. got to pot on the delphiniums and verbena for a start, and plant out caulis and sprouts.
we definitely need more rainfall mind. the water butts are constantly on the verge of empty. It's been a really dry year so far.
planted out the peas. usually only get a small crop, but the flavour is worth it. fewer plants this year as used up seeds leftover, and not many sprouted. probably planted them out a bit late tbh!
cucumbers have gone into some big pots, getting bigger so put some canes in today.
planted out 5 pumpkins, though 1 has broken in the wind. Put extra canes up for these today too.
have been sowing lettuce repeatedly. eating it as fast as it grows in the hot weather!
the iris bulbs I got in spring are flowering and look lovely. a really deep blue!
the hostas i moved are all going to flower. they look so much better - be fore they were smothered by a fern, and chomped by slugs. they are thriving now.
we have random poppies. when we first moved here, one solitary purple poppy appeared. we've had poppies in various places around the garden ever since, and i collect the seeds. sowed a load with the sweet peas and a lot appear to be growing!
the wisteria which we damaged when planting out is flowering.
i put a daisy and 2 peruvian lilies in bigger pots in spring, and they're huge. they definitely need splitting next spring.
the carnations and dianthus (both from cuttings from my mom) are glorious in flower, and the scent is something special.
likewise i potted up the basil i have sown, and that adds a lovely scent. only a tiny bit of thyme has germinated, but it'll do for xmas dinner.
my mom gave me a cutting recently. apparently I asked her to try getting some cuttings to take a while ago. only thing now, is neither i nor she can remember what it is!
i possibly neglected watering a bit in recent weeks. most plants are ok, but a few are struggling. I have mulched a few with wood chippings.
most tomatoes are now in their final pots. just a few stragglers to go.
i finally got around to planting out the digitalis I got last year.
i potted up the flamingo plant - this is one i think was struggling in the hot weather, given it a much bigger pot, and a good soaking.
potted up a load of rudbeckia I have sown from seed, as well as 8 balloon plants, and a couple of dahlias.
still have loads of things to do. got to pot on the delphiniums and verbena for a start, and plant out caulis and sprouts.
we definitely need more rainfall mind. the water butts are constantly on the verge of empty. It's been a really dry year so far.
Loki
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Had a bit of a disaster with my blueberry bush. Came back from holiday a couple of weeks ago to the leaves starting to yellow/brown. Thought it might be lack of water and watered it gradually. Only got worse. Did a bit of googling and wonder if the ph of the soil in it`s pot as diluted to alkaline. I ordered some sulphate of iron which is supposed to help increase acidity in the soil. The postie attempted to deliver it on Thursday but I was in the garden and missed him. Have had to rearrange delivery for tomorrow. Bloody annoying as it is getting worse by the day. First year it has fruited too though over half have just dropped off. Don`t know if it will be too late or indeed if the sulphate of iron will work.
lemonjelly
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Events in the garden since the last update;
I have planted out the sprouts and cauliflowers in the ground. Having to water them a lot in this heat.
I potted up the verbenas I sowed in spring. Trying to work out where they will go.
we’re very well stocked for raspberries, having to go out picking fruit early every morning!
The apple tree is also full of fruits. Expecting some of the fruits to fall off over summer, as the tree will prioritise water retention.
We’re very hopeful for a decent blueberry crop this year. The bush we were given is now settled, and is sheltered by the raspberry plants. It has quite a fair few fruits on it maturing.
The blackcurrant crop was small this year. Making me glad I took some cuttings from the plant. Which reminds me, I need to get around to potting up the cuttings that have taken…
Had a surprise when the Iris bulbs I sowed suddenly created a load of yellow flowers. I thought they were done when the blue ones ended, but the yellow flowers were beautiful!
I have potted up the basil plants, and the one solitary sprig of thyme that germinated. Thankfully, the one bit of thyme will be enough for christmas dinner!
The first lot of spring onions were ready, so have been harvested (just in time for the main salad eating period!) and more have been sown.
I have spotted tiny cucumbers and tomatoes on the plants.
I finally got around to repotting the delphiniums that I sowed ages ag. Way way overdue! Again, I need to work out where they will go.
I did however plant out some of the rudbeckia plants that I sowed in spring in the hope they take/settle. I planted them around the yellow digitalis plant.
Of all the fuscia cuttings taken, I am hoping 2 remain alive. I potted them up and moved them to a shady area in the hope the roots continue to develop.
I have started taking down 3 bushes the previous owner had here. Once I have dug out the roots, I guess I have somewhere to plant out these flowers I have sown and have no idea where to put…
It’s bloody hot, and the constant watering is time consuming and a pain. I hope we do have the forecast thunderstorm with a persistent period of rain, and I’d like heavy rain at that to help the plants and fill the water butts!
I have planted out the sprouts and cauliflowers in the ground. Having to water them a lot in this heat.
I potted up the verbenas I sowed in spring. Trying to work out where they will go.
we’re very well stocked for raspberries, having to go out picking fruit early every morning!
The apple tree is also full of fruits. Expecting some of the fruits to fall off over summer, as the tree will prioritise water retention.
We’re very hopeful for a decent blueberry crop this year. The bush we were given is now settled, and is sheltered by the raspberry plants. It has quite a fair few fruits on it maturing.
The blackcurrant crop was small this year. Making me glad I took some cuttings from the plant. Which reminds me, I need to get around to potting up the cuttings that have taken…
Had a surprise when the Iris bulbs I sowed suddenly created a load of yellow flowers. I thought they were done when the blue ones ended, but the yellow flowers were beautiful!
I have potted up the basil plants, and the one solitary sprig of thyme that germinated. Thankfully, the one bit of thyme will be enough for christmas dinner!
The first lot of spring onions were ready, so have been harvested (just in time for the main salad eating period!) and more have been sown.
I have spotted tiny cucumbers and tomatoes on the plants.
I finally got around to repotting the delphiniums that I sowed ages ag. Way way overdue! Again, I need to work out where they will go.
I did however plant out some of the rudbeckia plants that I sowed in spring in the hope they take/settle. I planted them around the yellow digitalis plant.
Of all the fuscia cuttings taken, I am hoping 2 remain alive. I potted them up and moved them to a shady area in the hope the roots continue to develop.
I have started taking down 3 bushes the previous owner had here. Once I have dug out the roots, I guess I have somewhere to plant out these flowers I have sown and have no idea where to put…
It’s bloody hot, and the constant watering is time consuming and a pain. I hope we do have the forecast thunderstorm with a persistent period of rain, and I’d like heavy rain at that to help the plants and fill the water butts!
Having to learn very, very quickly as the speed of change in the garden is quite astonishing and far exceeds my ability to learn and keep ahead. Can’t believe just how fast things transition and need attention. Looks very much like pruning and cutting back is going to need to be a top of the list of learning if there’s to be any hope.
Have made a few basic errors but am learning quickly and the confidence is building. Worst case scenario is you lose something and have to start again. Thanks for the encouragement previously as it’s given me the confidence to get stuck in. As they say the best lessons learned are the ones learned the hardest so might as well be brave and go for it.
How and when to cut back/prune is going to be key and plant identifier apps have been a godsend. I wouldn’t know a dahlia from a rhododendron but suddenly all the information is there - identify, pruning, treatment, amazing. Would be almost impossible otherwise. Things like soil type, pest control etc are a long way off but let’s walk before worrying about running.
Blimey, I remember when the kids were toddlers they didn’t demand as much attention. How you’re supposed to work full time and keep on top of things I don’t know. Do envy those that are naturally green-fingered as it sometimes feels like trying to learn Chinese but will stick with it for sure. When you do get it right the rewards are tremendous and nothing quite beats a glass of wine and enjoying the results of your work.
One step at a time but we’re getting there
Have made a few basic errors but am learning quickly and the confidence is building. Worst case scenario is you lose something and have to start again. Thanks for the encouragement previously as it’s given me the confidence to get stuck in. As they say the best lessons learned are the ones learned the hardest so might as well be brave and go for it.
How and when to cut back/prune is going to be key and plant identifier apps have been a godsend. I wouldn’t know a dahlia from a rhododendron but suddenly all the information is there - identify, pruning, treatment, amazing. Would be almost impossible otherwise. Things like soil type, pest control etc are a long way off but let’s walk before worrying about running.
Blimey, I remember when the kids were toddlers they didn’t demand as much attention. How you’re supposed to work full time and keep on top of things I don’t know. Do envy those that are naturally green-fingered as it sometimes feels like trying to learn Chinese but will stick with it for sure. When you do get it right the rewards are tremendous and nothing quite beats a glass of wine and enjoying the results of your work.
One step at a time but we’re getting there
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2010
- Messages
- 20,517
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- 2,229
Yeah, I kinda feel you're constantly learning stuff, as well as realising how much you still have to learn as well! A lot of my efforts are simply having a go & crossing the fingers. Some things work, some don't.
Currently cutting back some bushes & digging out some roots & overhauling a corner of the garden. Hard work & no idea what it will look like when done, but it's fun!
Main thing I have learnt is it's never finished!
Currently cutting back some bushes & digging out some roots & overhauling a corner of the garden. Hard work & no idea what it will look like when done, but it's fun!
Main thing I have learnt is it's never finished!
lemonjelly
Housecoat, la
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2010
- Messages
- 20,517
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- 2,229
Also, I don't remember many plant names. They're still "the blue/pink/white/yellow one " etc to me most of the time 
Loki
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
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Learning and adapting to whatever nature decides to throw at you. Even the best gardeners get caught out sometimes thanks to our unpredictable climate. I`m the same with plant names, I`d like to put it down to my age but, alas, it`s always been so.
