The gardening thread
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Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
I did this back in January (getting it a bit more level later on thanks to a suggestion from ionaBeen out in the garden today, finally started digging out the bare patch of soil where I store my bins to put down a plastic shed base thingy. I’m not in great physical shape and using a spade etc to dig up soil takes it out of me.
Anyway after a few hours I’ve managed to more or less do what I want. It isn’t flat, but then my garden isn’t flat, and it definitely slopes the right way most of the timeAnd now my gate will stop catching on the grass as it had been
View attachment 407430
View attachment 407431
Bins will be on the top bit, the lower tier which is by far the least flat will have some form of planter on, to screen the bins. Can probably get that flat with plant feet. Concrete chunks found around the garden to border the two. Managed to lose the spare soil in the lawn on a bit where it dipped a bit.
To be filled with gravel next weekend, it will be cheaper using my mates Wickes trade discount so will wait till then rather than nipping to Homebase.
)I later chucked gravel on it
Annoyingly some grass coming through now as I didn’t apply a membrane
Now the lower tier is being used for its intended purpose which is to (eventually) obscure my bins, having just planted some jasmine
Just need to wait for it to spread
Anyway nice to make some progress. I’m never sure if my ideas will work out or not, but I’m feeling quite positive about this one
Next job is to tackle the lower “rice paddy tiers” of my sloping garden - probably in a few weeks time.
Callie
Pivoting
Been rummaging and trying to tidy in the garden. Would anyone in South London like a reasonable sized, purple flowered Hebe?
This kind of thing Veronica 'Autumn Glory' - hebe 'Autmn Glory'
I have a couple that I took as cuttings and grew on but no space:
Much loved by bees and other insects in flower, evergreen. Pretty easy going and sturdy (I haven't killed them!). I can deliver if you're not too far away!
This kind of thing Veronica 'Autumn Glory' - hebe 'Autmn Glory'
I have a couple that I took as cuttings and grew on but no space:
Much loved by bees and other insects in flower, evergreen. Pretty easy going and sturdy (I haven't killed them!). I can deliver if you're not too far away!
Callie
Pivoting
That looks pretty good to me!I did this back in January (getting it a bit more level later on thanks to a suggestion from iona
I later chucked gravel on it
View attachment 419679
Annoyingly some grass coming through now as I didn’t apply a membrane
Now the lower tier is being used for its intended purpose which is to (eventually) obscure my bins, having just planted some jasmine
View attachment 419680
Just need to wait for it to spread
Anyway nice to make some progress. I’m never sure if my ideas will work out or not, but I’m feeling quite positive about this one
Next job is to tackle the lower “rice paddy tiers” of my sloping garden - probably in a few weeks time.
kalmatthew
Lurker Extrodinaire
I'm hoping the urban gardening hive mind can help: I have a lovely red Acer, it is clear it has been grafted onto some green acer root stock, the green is now sprouting from the root, other than just being handy with the secateurs to snip off any of the host is there anything else I should be doing?
Callie
Pivoting
I think that's about it really, the root stocks tend to be more robust/fast growing iirc so may need to be kept at bay
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Things I've been doing.
Constructing an obelisk. Needs a coat of Hammerite before it can be used.
New plum tree. Nice to see blossom on it. The last plum tree I had was a dud that never even blossomed.
Growing the tallest fritillaria I've seen.
Transferring forget me nots I had in a pot to the garden. They are doing very well.
Constructing an obelisk. Needs a coat of Hammerite before it can be used.
New plum tree. Nice to see blossom on it. The last plum tree I had was a dud that never even blossomed.
Growing the tallest fritillaria I've seen.
Transferring forget me nots I had in a pot to the garden. They are doing very well.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
This is extremely hopeful:
www.theguardian.com
Have noted before but I used to love seeing elms when I was at uni in the 70s, gorgeous lopsided shape.
I got some elms from some bloke in Scotland 20 years ago. They're doing well but they've not reached the 20 feet when the beetles apparently start killing them - certainly seems true because there are loads of elms along our road and they do die when they hit that height. Mine are only about 12 - 15 foot high yet, not sure whether they'll have the proper elms shape that these new ones have though.
The disease-busting hybrids that could bring back the majestic English elm
The tree all but vanished in the 1970s. Now, thanks to two amateur nature lovers, it may soon grace our landscapes again
Have noted before but I used to love seeing elms when I was at uni in the 70s, gorgeous lopsided shape.
I got some elms from some bloke in Scotland 20 years ago. They're doing well but they've not reached the 20 feet when the beetles apparently start killing them - certainly seems true because there are loads of elms along our road and they do die when they hit that height. Mine are only about 12 - 15 foot high yet, not sure whether they'll have the proper elms shape that these new ones have though.
heinous seamus
Perfect in an empty room
Check the nick of my shed.
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
That's actually less wonky than mine is lol.
Got one raised bed raised again, few wheelbarrows of topsoil/home compost mix and 200l of more compost I'd bought before and its levelled up at the top. Dropped like crazy. One next to it has gone down from 80% full to about 10% somehow.
Planted rainbow carrots, nantes carrots, onions and french radishes. Sod whatever I'm supposed to plant. Loads of room left and anything planted has to be better than nothing. Tho I was more sensible this time and not throw huge amounts in like it was grass seed.
Few celery basically ready to pick soonish, those grew somehow from crowns(?) Top thing of what I'd bought anyway lol. Have strawberries, tomatoes and raspberries to go in to get me started on the trellis.
Other one joined to planted bed I'm adding basil, peppers more celery (covering holy trinity and mire poix) then maybe daikon/sweet potatoes to see how it goes and something from the random pile of seeds
Then I need to setup the next one, well two joined again. Sort out a proper compost pile and trim everything back plus look for something to shield the wind a bit thats cheap and grows reasonably quickly in a hedge lol. Was thinking maybe sprout a loaf of juniper seeds then stick em down the row. When it's like 80ft to cover I'm not buying mature plants and there's no huge hurry. I'd just like less wind from that direction and zeus won't answer my sacrifice of all the cuts and stings I got clearing it up.
MrSki
Who am I to say you're wrong
orient slacker
Well-Known Member
Clearly many garden plants have been sulking over the soggy conditions this winter, but one that loves it is Gunnera. I’ve got a few patches dotted about the place, though I know they’ve recently been banned from sale as an invasive species.
Callie
Pivoting
I decided to just buy some rooting powder in the end as the dahlias weren't quite big enough to chop bits off. Now I am eyeing up other plants...I have two delphiniums which I think you can do shoot cuttings from and could do with another rosemary closer to the backdoor.
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Planted some spuds in bags today. (First time growing spuds.) 
cesare
shady's dreams ♥
Button did his last weekend, same in bags. Also first time. Let us know how you get on!
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
Planted a bunch of stuff out today, well the two right beds, made a thing in excel for designing it so expect some stupidly involved timelines and things to be attached to it over time. Season, growing time, temps, whatever. Seeing what bed it works in etc. 
edit second after posting this I am thinking of temp tracking and direction and duration of sun, plus that I need a drip system setup and markers for when the things will be too big on the climber side so I can harvest some bamboo to use.
edit second after posting this I am thinking of temp tracking and direction and duration of sun, plus that I need a drip system setup and markers for when the things will be too big on the climber side so I can harvest some bamboo to use.
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
Anyone know anything about battery cylinder mowers? lol. Mine has just, stopped, battery is full, it almost starts but then just sort of cuts out immediately. Have picked out everything that could be blocking it and kinda stuck. Am getting a free replacement but it would be nice to get it going instead of landfilling it, wondering if I could just get it fixed on the warranty too....
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
It's just dawned on me that all of my thyme and savoury plants have died 
TopCat
Putin fanboy
Is there a safety cut out on it somewhere that is gummed up?
TopCat
Putin fanboy
BooIt's just dawned on me that all of my thyme and savoury plants have died
Callie
Pivoting
Never seem to have much luck with thyme...not sure if they need a bit more attention....or less!It's just dawned on me that all of my thyme and savoury plants have died
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