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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

"in the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer" Potting shed chat continues here

999 replies

funnyperson · 07/03/2016 13:25

So as agreed (by 2 other people!) I have started this thread for spring gardeners follwing on from the previous thread : Welcome one and all. experts and novices alike and draw up your chairs and join in discussion on all things garden related (and even not garden related)

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SugarPlumTree · 17/03/2016 14:29

I like my Wolfgarten push pull weeder (or something like that) and used it a lot at the allotment. One of the old boys to,d me when he was in Australia someone told him to keep hoeing round the veg and it helps the plant cope with drought . No idea if true but I didn't water the allotment other than initial planting and did get some decent crops.

Gorgeous day here. Dug up my sickly looking winter box which split into 5 pieces with new growth coming through at the bottom . 3 are in different spots in the garden and 2 in pots. Moved a hellebore, split my tiny clump of snowdrops and potted a couple of dahlia tuber. Was pleased to see my chrysanthemum cuttings seem to be doing ok plus new growth on one of my cannas.

Bit worried about my recently transplanted hydrangea limelight that looks decidedly dead - is it just too early to show signs of leaves yet ?

Callmegeoff · 17/03/2016 17:00

Good afternoon fellow potters!

sugarplum i wondered if my Annabelle was dead, no signs of bud but I think it's ok I broke a small price off which was green inside.

Lovely day in the garden today, weeded the path, cut the grass and turfed the sweet peas out of the greenhouse to harden off.

I'm wondering about moving the compost bins currently behind the greenhouse to create a tropical area. Remember Dh's yuccas I moaned about well the couple that got planted to one side of the greenhouse have shot up and ahem look good. I could plant the rest there.....

NigellasGuest · 18/03/2016 10:55

I'm enjoying reading everyone's posts!

Yesterday I moved some cyclamen that were in a pot over the winter into a bed in the hope they will settle in and come back next winter. Deep down in the cyclamen's pot I found a load of smallish bulbs with good developed roots and white shoots starting. No idea what they are! I had obviously stuck them in there in order to have a sort of "continual display" but clearly there is going to be a long gap in the desired continuity, as the shoots are deep down still and the cyclamen finished. I've replanted the bulbs into a different, larger pot with fresh compost, and will wait with interest to see what appears.

I planted a young Tarragon plant in the pot where the cyclamen and mystery bulbs had been, after washing it out. The Tarragon's label asks for "poor soil", so I used second hand seed compost (as in, I've potted the seeds on already so they've taken all the nutriments out). Then I decided it might be too poor quality, so added a handful of multipurpose. I will see how the Tarragon gets on!

funnyperson · 19/03/2016 00:35

I like the thought of Tarragon scenting the sunlit beds. I must grow it again this year. In my garden it isn't hardy so I have to get a pot of it every spring.

Its that time of year when it can still get very cold, like today, and unless one has a seriously sheltered potting shed or greenhouse, gardening options can be limited. it really is extraordinary that in spite of the fact that really there are only 8 proper growing months in England, everyone likes gardening so much. I guess its because from April onwards through till October the garden can be like Eden.

Well I have put the orchids in transparent pots and watered them and fed them and put them in a warm place in sunlight indoors near the front door which is part glass, and they are thriving! They have a lovely scent which greets the person at the door and wafts through as one goes out!

I've gathered all forgetmenot seedlings from various pots and seed trays outside which grew as a result of me scattering forgetmenot seeds in them last autumn, and tomorrow I will plant them out in beds, freeing up the seed trays.

Monty has the same braces as Richard Norton in Grantchester: there must be a common supplier to media men. I do like the people and gardens in Monty's 'big dreams small spaces' this year.

On the subject of clematis I have been reading Christopher Lloyd and he reminds me to 'puddle in' the clematis when I water them. Th clematis man today was great, his planting ethos was the antithesis of growing only 7 varieties of plant.

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HumphreyCobblers · 19/03/2016 08:45

It is lovely to read about what everyone is doing. Smile

Yesterday I sowed some cosmos, cleared the children's bed in front of the playhouse, moved a lot of forget-me-not seedlings into position under the geum rivale. The gardener came and finished clearing the cottage borders, they look fab! We are going to replace the lupins as they are tired, split the Hilltop Beacon Geums from the pigs cot borders and put them in the cottage borders (not overly sure about this as they are a kind of burnished orange and the rest of the borders are more of a red/purple/blue). I also repotted some spearmint cuttings.

Shame it is so cold and grey today, I was hoping for some garden time but the toddler isn't keen on being out in the wind.

Elledouble · 19/03/2016 09:25

I finally sowed my lawn yesterday! It took forever and it turns out my scales weren't really sensitive enough to measure out the right amount of seed, so I've sown rather more than the instructions said but hopefully it'll still grow and won't just become a bird buffet! Fingers crossed for growth in 7-10 days...

After my picture of my jungle a few days ago, here is what my garden looks like now!

"in the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer" Potting shed chat continues here
HumphreyCobblers · 19/03/2016 09:27

Wow! What an amazing transformation.

NigellasGuest · 19/03/2016 11:06

Humphrey I've been thinking of sowing Cosmos too.
Elle that will be a lovely lawn! I'm looking forward to seeing it turn greener and greener....
Planning to split clumps of snowdrops today.
Funny I guess it's the anticipation that makes us enjoy gardening through the bleak months!

SeaRabbit · 20/03/2016 14:42

I've just sowed cosmos too. This year I am trying 'Bright lights' - yellows and oranges, as well as tall white ones, and medium Seashells. Maybe I am very obtuse but I only became aware of cosmos about 10 years ago! I've also decided life is too short to try to grow basil and tomatoes as I don't have a greenhouse.

MyNightWithMaud · 20/03/2016 21:38

Hello all.

I'm glad to have found this lovely thread.

Not much gardening got done here this weekend, although I have potted up the philodendron cutting given to me by a friend and shifted a few more pots around in the garden. Frustratingly, the pot that holds the magnolia stellata, which had got through the winter, has just fractured (presumably in a late frost). And we went to a local Easter event and came home with a purple primula, angelica and heuchera of unknown variety.

funnyperson · 21/03/2016 12:49

General advice on keeping children safe in the garden

www.npis.org/garden.pdf

mulching here today

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HumphreyCobblers · 21/03/2016 13:21

Hello! Shame about the pot Maud. I still miss my stellata, the one that died for not apparent reason two years ago. We have just lost ANOTHER lilac, I really think we shall give up trying now. DH put an elder into the position instead.

Good luck with the mulching funny person.

SeaRabbit · 21/03/2016 13:51

I think half of my pots are held together with Araldite after frosts! Some have wire round the top too. After a while you don't notice the cracks and, ahem, holes.

Elledouble · 21/03/2016 13:57

I'm digging my border today - it's pretty overgrown and I'm hoping to get some nice summery flowers in there at some point - this little chap keeps coming to check up on me...!

"in the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer" Potting shed chat continues here
SeaRabbit · 21/03/2016 13:59

Funny did you see that post on MN a little while ago from soene whose daughter ate some foxglove leaves and nearly died? Quite a lot of people didn't know they are poisonous - have to say I didn't realise quite how poisonous but I gather the leaves are very bitter so few children would eat them

Callmegeoff · 23/03/2016 07:48

Great photo ellen

I read the post about the foxglove poisening searabbit scary.

Do you all know about www.secretgardeningclub.co.uk/ I've bought a few things from them now, they are always well packaged healthy plants. They also sell in 3's which stops me from buying single plants that look lonely :)

I've sown cosmos too, this year I'm trying a dwarf variety.

SeaRabbit · 23/03/2016 08:29

Which varity geoff? Has anyone had any success with Cosmos Antiquity? Mine have never grown very big, or bushy. All other varieties have boomed away.

I was also pondering today that my hardy annuals never come to much - sometimes they grow into a big patch but rarely. I have much better success with HHA or perennials from seed. Maybe I'm too mean with the seed...

Callmegeoff · 23/03/2016 10:46

They are called Gazebo mixed, I've also sown some two year old seeds from my first and best attempt. They might not germinate. I've never tried Antiquity, they do look lovely. Last year I tried the double variety but didn't really like them.

NigellasGuest · 23/03/2016 14:46

Are Cosmos Seashells bright or pastel colours? There are varying photos online so difficult to tell!

funnyperson · 23/03/2016 17:00

The GW website says they are pink
www.gardenersworld.com/plants/cosmos-bipinnatus-sea-shells/2644.html

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SeaRabbit · 23/03/2016 19:54

They are a mix - last year I got white, soft pink bright pink and magenta, all with the pretty fluted petals. Not great for bees, as they are sometimes quite closed.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 23/03/2016 21:48

Hi everyone, do you mind if I join?

Haven't actually been out in the garden this year really as yet, the older 3 dc have all had chicken pox & I've had some horrible ear, sinus & throat infection for 6 weeks now Sad meaning I've not felt like getting out there.

I've a love for herbs, clematis & lilies. Back garden is just patio & lawn because i'm not a complete wally as beds with 4dc & a giant dog isn't the best idea, we have plenty of containers in the summer though. But I've got3 decent size beds in the front garden. The children love growing bedding from seed for the summer & like garden centres as much as I do Grin.

NigellasGuest · 24/03/2016 19:01

thanks for the Cosmos Seashells info - you can see why I was confused!
Sorry to hear you're unwell Bernards - hopefully you'll be feeling better just when the weather starts improving.

Can anyone tell me what's wrong with my Daphne? It's about 4 years old now and has never flourished. I'm thinking of digging it up and nurturing it in a pot; I read online that Daphnes don't like being in pots, but I notice in the Van Meuwen catalogue they are selling Daphne and recommend them for pots!

"in the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer" Potting shed chat continues here
SugarPlumTree · 26/03/2016 09:29

Love the robin ! Can't help on the Daphne as mine died. Found th secret Gardening club thanks to you Geoff a couple of months ago and am very grateful as have ordered a few things from there. Just ordered brunnera and lavender this morning as have wanted some of both. 6 plants for about £9 including postage, bargain.

Hope you feel better soon Bernard, impressed your children are involved in the garden !

I've really enjoyed Monty's spaces (apart from voice over) . This week's people were lovely again and I loved what they did for little Noah. It was good to see how much veg was grown in the front garden and a lovely idea to have it ad a community garden, though think I would find it strange to just go in to start with.

I missed the decent weather yesterday so don't think any gardening will be happening die to weather. We're going shopping for SIL's 60th though with instructions to get her something garden related. Camellia nursery have a sale so probably a camellia in a pot.

SeaRabbit · 26/03/2016 21:52

I sat around yesterday sugarplum, and also did nothing in the fine weather which I now regret. I can't help on your Daphne, Nigella. Are you a member of RHS? I have had some help from their member advice service - you email a photo and they email back a couple of weeks later.

I popped round to a friend's today and she showed me two large Edgeworthia Chrysantha grandiflora she'd just bought. She said bringing them back in the car was glorious as they smell beautiful. I've seen & admired them at Wisley, and rather fancy getting one. Quite tender though.

I read a letter in I think The Garden from a woman who said the warmth from her wormery which she sheltered in the greenhouse over winter means she doesn't need to heat the greenhouse! I wonder if I could keep one in the garage, which is where I overwinter my plants...