What have you done in the garden today? Part 6

[MereDintofPandiculation]

What have you done in the garden today? What went well? What surprises have you had? What could have gone better?

Planted my lupins and a chrysanthemum I got over the weekend into pots. I also added some salvias and dianthus to my rose bed.

I did nothing but tie in a clematis and get excited about my Crocus delivery but DH fixed a shed window, put up some trellis and built an EcoChair.

Is it bad I’m thinking of getting sweet grass to see the weird grass thing? 😂

Today my compost was delivered so I sprung into action - I pricked out the seedlings, planted 6 large containers, and divided and planted ornamental grasses. I’ve ticked about ten things on the gardening to-do list, so I’m feeling very virtuous tonight. Also knackered.

Some seeds of some plants develop a mechanism for boring into the soil to help anchor them when they have contact with water.

I don't know if sweet grass is one of them but I absolutely adore how different seeds are in different plants. They're almost alien.

Do it! I'd really like to know what you see. I bought my seeds from Nicky's Nursery.

I’ve been working clockwise and weeding the whole garden steadily. I finally completed the last metre today! It’s taken so long I probably need to start weeding back at the beginning now. I also made a really terrible home made frame from bamboo sticks to lean against a bare fence panel. Looking forward to buying some new clematis for it tomorrow.

Planted out my sweet peas, a bit late but I’ve been away . As usual I’ve got far too many, but I’ll hang on to a few in pots to make sure the planted ones are ok.
More weeding, where do the come from!

I have weeded. And weeded. And weeded. How the weeds can be so rampant when I'm having to sweet-talk everything else into growing, and watering and caring for them like they are my own offspring - I do not know.

I've been doing a weeding test; March and October seem to be the most effective months to weed. The patch I did in March still doesn't have a single weed in it. Mind you, its been very dry.

I attempted to build a raised bed out of hazel and willow. It did not go well. I think the weaving bit will be okay, but making it square / making stakes etc is a DIY step too far for me.

DH has a list of DiY jobs that'll take him into the middle of next year so really hoped this was one I could do myself. Sigh!

Also dumped a bag of ericaceous compost on a very well established but currently very sad look rhodendron in the hope it is just lacking nutrients.

Scowled at the red tulips that were supposed to be pink Angelique!

@Thelnebriati give them time, a few drops of rain and they'll be back!

I remember a young chap asking me about weeds one day. He told me that he'd spent ages getting all the weeds out of his garden but that they were reappearing and, with a very serious look on his face, asked 'What's all that about then?'.

Attacked the last remaining Spanish bluebells. Clearly I left the worst til last so very little success.

However I did establish it is boiling hot in front of my house so everything in the greenhouse can be planted out there now.

I've scarified the lawn and fed and seeded the bare patches. Then realised it's so blooming dry that I'm going to have to water the lawn regularly for the next week or so if I want the seedsto germinate. It's looking a lot better than it did this time last year though so getting DD1 to mow the lawn every week over the summer clearly helped. I've faffed about with bamboo poles for the sweetpeas, aim is to have a wall of them. I also planted some very old sweetpea seeds outside in the hope that some will actually germinate (I've got ones in pots inside that will be planted out soon so if the old ones don't germinate it's not an issue) and started hardening off a few things I've started off inside. Planted some primroses as well because I've realised I've got a spot next to the house with no spring flowers. And finally got round to planting my basil and padron peppers inside.

Visited the nursery and bought 2 black currant bushes for the new allotment. Planted up the geranium hanging basket for the front of the house, it’s in the greenhouse and pricked out some seedlings. I thinks that’s enough for today.

Just had a lovely couple of hours sowing seeds in the sunshine.

Cosmos, rudbeckia, chives, coriander and parsley all in the greenhouse for now. Glad to see 2 of my sweet pea seeds showing signs of life!

I found some tomato and chilli seeds from last year so have sown them and bunged them on the kitchen windowsill; they can go into patio pots if they germinate or do for swaps. Will get some lettuce and radish going this week but that was enough for today.

Tied in a couple of climbers

Still plenty to do out there, including the constant bindweed battle but now enjoying the garden with a book and a cold beer.

Took delivery of 3 bags manure, 3 bags compost and 7 bags sand. Then carted them all up 13 steps, through the house and down 13 to the garden. That was enough!

No garden work for me today, but i’ve put my better half to work laying some cable for a fountain. Made lots of cups of tea as payment.

Swept the garden, looked like a nutter sweeping the grass, trying to get rid of as many stones as I can so I can put the pool up tomorrow and get it filled to at least paddling level.

Really need to get some of these seedlings in the ground, they're gagging for the earth.

My lavetera cuttings have defied the odds and have actually put some decent roots out now.

It's DSs birthday tomorrow so hoping to surprise him with a garden at least semi-ready to play in, but now the outside tap has been switched on for summer I will try and get the plants in now the hosepipe works.

Yesterday I cleared the front garden and drive of many many weeds, but after about 3 or so hours I was feeling a bit broken so didn't finish it. Today I made up a mix of vinegar, salt and washing up liquid and sprayed it on the remaining weeds and within a few hours they were all crumpled up and dying! I know it doesn't get rid of them do but if I can weaken their roots and they give up growing then that would be amazing.
I mowed the back garden, that yesterday was so long I couldn't see the starlings that were pecking about into the earth getting bugs and grubs. I only mowed it a week ago!
I have ordered some more seeds as I don't know if my seeds have expired or are being eaten as they germinate. I need to get some zip lock food bags to seal over the pots to see if that keeps the slugs and or snails out.

Weeded my rose border which was getting swamped with forget-me-nots. Pleasantly surprised to discover how many plants have come back this year but were hiding under the forget-me-nots.

However I start a new job tomorrow and my arms, and even my face, are now covered in scratches from the rose bushes. What an idiot.

Weeded the spring bulb border and found some spaces I can fill with the fuchsias that successfully overwintered in the greenhouse.

I may get them in this afternoon but it is so hot I have had to come in to cool off!

Didn't end up getting anything planted. Spent all day assembling a pool, learning about pumps and heaters and having a pool party.

I really will get something in the ground tomorrow though.

Fuchsias are in, yay! All pots and baskets watered as the scorchio weather continues tomorrow.

I intend to tackle the strawberry bed tomorrow and perhaps get some lettuce and radish into the shady bed.

I planted out my climbing beans and courgettes, hope I don’t kill them off. I needed to do more as I go away tomorrow and I have some tomatoes that have outgrown their pots. But I did some.

Cut the grass for the first time this year. I try not to do it too often but it really was long. Also cut the power cable to the mower! Picked dandelions for syrup and nettles for cake.