I have a surprise day off which is great because it's actually not raining so I will get out and do some work in the garden. It's good timing too because today was brown bin day so hopefully they've emptied it by now and I can get on with digging shrubs out. I think it's actually been quite good for me to not be able to buy much yet as my plans keep evolving and I'm now happier with it all, but at the same time I do just want to get going. I've finally figured out the general design I want for the back garden (where to put paths, seating areas, pond - this makes it sound a lot bigger than it is :lol: ) but I know we can only do sections at a time as it's such back breaking work, so it will just be the first section this spring I think (it's also getting rid of the dug up turf/rubble that's limiting).
Just those exact two things you recommended. :lol: They're here and I've decided where to put them but I'm keeping them in for now - do you think it's a bit cold to put them out in the ground?! I know they're outdoor plants but I'm scared I'll kill them if it gets frosty.
I wish I had your vision (and knowledge). I need to create some dimension in my garden. It's just long and slender with long slender borders each length. I'm hoping I can gradually build dimension/ depth in, this year, with shrubs.
Lovely! I would err on the side of keeping them in until the risk of frost has passed BUT I think they're both quite tough (especially the choisya), it's very mild and the soil has warmed up so if you can't find the space and don't mind some risk you could plant them now.
You are lovely but I don't have much vision, it's taken me a year to figure out how I want to plan it. :lol: Can you break up the long bit with a horizontal bed going part way across the width of the garden or a tree/big shrub in the middle somewhere? It might be nice to have different sections and parts of the garden that are hidden from view and only emerge as you wander through.
I've filled the brown bin again. :lol: That took about 30 minutes. I am feeling very happy because I bumped into my (gardening friend) neighbour while I was out there and she was being very nice about what I've done with it so far, and in specific enough detail that it wasn't just pleasantries. I love a bit of gardening chat and I'm happy that this part (which is essentially like a public space rather than a "garden") is starting to bring a bit of happiness for the people who see it/walk past.
Yes I saw on the website that it flowers a couple of times a year and I'm looking forward to smelling it. :lol:
I've got room to keep them in for now. I'll harden them off in my attic room.
I've got a horrible concrete path R was going to smash up for me bissecting the entire length of the garden down the middle which doesn't help with getting some meandering shapes in. I have sort of tried to section it off in thirds with broader curved borders and taller plants (mock orange blosson; black sambucus & lilac) but need to fill out the borders so with these two new plants I can move around my short shrubs and start making it look a bit different. Who knows maybe I'll smash that horrible path up myself this year. I will extend a border or two width wise in strategic points to give an illusion of winding maybe to offset the straightness of the path.
That's nice to hear from your gardening friend. I like it when people take ownership of their non garden parts* of grass and make them pretty.
* in the new build houses nearby there are grassy edges/ corners to the plots biut i think they're public rather than owned by the homeowners but they still tend to them
Your curved borders and wider bits sound really lovely and so do your bigger shrubs. I wouldn't fancy smashing a path up though. Well in some ways it might be pleasing but I'd rather someone else did it. :))
It's like you describe but mine is owned by us rather than being public. I really want to make it lovely, I don't get much direct benefit from it as I can barely see it from my house but it's large (corner, wraps all the way round one side of the house and garden) and in a prominent position and it would be so nice to be something that makes people smile when they walk past. And also that slightly offsets the fact that is was built on a greenfield site with lots of planting for bees and butterflies.
I got over excited in a seed sale, plus they I think accidentally sent me a load of extra packets I didn't order, and now I have a million packets of seeds and not enough windowsill space (given that I have a cat who takes his role as security very seriously and patrols the windowsills all night, already I have to open blinds before bed so he can do his job, I can't be blocking his path with my seed trays :lol: ). I'm going to start my sweetpeas and ...something else, was it salvia? at the weekend and see how it goes. I've got some windowsill lettuce/rocket/spring onion going. I have definitely got eyes too big for my garden though, I'm going to be giving seeds away to everyone I meet. :lol:
I've started cutting back some seed heads where they are starting to look scruffy and where the new growth is coming through.
I have started to save egg cartons so I can use those. I'll order some soil stuff next week and will get things going. I've got quite a few seeds still but would like to get some companion seeds like borage and marigold.
I had been keeping the catnip plant in the bathroom - out of bounds to an unaccompanied George - but I caught him poking his head through the open window munching it down to a stump, so it's compromising window sill sapce in the best germinating location in the house now.
I have some of both types of marigold in my seed stash, they might have been one of the ones that can be started now? I can't remember.
Similarly, I am stashing loo roll insides for my sweet peas. :)) Someone keeps helpfully throwing them out so I'm going to have to just take them straight to the garage every time, regardless of time of day/weather.
Just realised I need something to put my seedling pots onto on the windowsill, there must be something cheap/free that will be durable and protect the windowsills?
My god, my head so clearly had a picture of a lipped tray that I never thought of the many things around the house that are just a little taller than that. I have whipped a tub out of the bin already but also have eg tupperware that would work.
Marigolds are so cheerful and useful.
I was hoping to get started today but I'm not venturing out in this rain/ wind.
ETA: I was wondering what to use for my shop bought seedling tray things as they're larger, and just found that they come with their own drip trays anyway. Perhaps I should pay more attention? :lol:
I've just got out and tidied up the edge of the lawn/border where it's gone a bit astray and where the curve is all a bit wrong. When we dug the border less than a year ago I think we found about four worms in total, today I was delighted to find myself apologising to worms every few seconds.
I was set for a sedate knee based weeding session today but my neighbours gave me five laurels,three bamboos (in pots), a privet and loads of heavy pots. Oh and an acer. I always complain about them to my friends but today I like them. :lol: .
It's perfect though as I've been after evergreens for the perma-foliage and to bulk out. I'm just having a rest as I've dug big holes and planted all the laurels. I need to plant some exisitng things in new spots when I get back to it.
A free acer is so lovely! I really miss the beautiful acer we had in the backyard in DC. But our elderflower leaves are unfurling and the choisya has loads of buds on it. My hellebores are looking really healthy too
It's only small but still. I do love them. My black elder is starting to unfurl its leaves too. One of my hellebores has lovely flowers but the other one seems to be stunted. I don't think they like where they are. They've never thrived there and it is a bit boggy so I might move them tomorrow if weather permits and wil just let the wild garlic have at the boggy bit.
I just had to google choisya. I have a mock orange blossom!
I had some hellebores pop up at the back of the garden this year (very pretty purple ones) and had to Google them - I swear they weren't there the last two years!
I saw some magnificent magnolias out and about today, but they really shouldn't be in such full bloom yet should they? Definitely proof that February was warmer than usual.
I would err on the side of keeping them in until the risk of frost has passed BUT I think they're both quite tough (especially the choisya), it's very mild and the soil has warmed up so if you can't find the space and don't mind some risk you could plant them now. 
My god, my head so clearly had a picture of a lipped tray that I never thought of the many things around the house that are just a little taller than that. I have whipped a tub out of the bin already but also have eg tupperware that would work.
I always complain about them 
to my friends but today I like them. :lol: . 
