General gardening thread
- Thread starter The_Arbiter
- Start date
I was thinking about it but its very wet/soft underfoot and we are expecting a deluge tomorrow and then down to 3-4°C next week so leaving it for now. Its not looking too bad anyways, just could do with a run over to tidy it up.
I did nab some more bunches of snowdrops form my parents garden and transplant them into my wildflower area as well as remove the Kilmarnock Willow. The spread of branches was getting too wide which was leaving a big bare patch underneath where nothing would grow.. This was caused by my inexperience in tree pruning a couple of years ago making the thing sprout out strongly
You live and learn though. I may get another now I have a better idea what I am doing.I also moved my potted Apple and Pear Trees back to their normal positions. I put them next to the house in Winter to give them protection from the cold and wind. Its mostly for wind protection as they are frost hardy varieties anyway. The pear has pea sized buds almost at the point of opening up already and the apple is only just budding. It was the same last year - The apple is about 4 weeks behind the pear.
Hoping to get some pears this time as got none last year albeit the trees were only 2-3 years old. Got a bumper apple crop (about 45 apples in total from a very small tree) and the Red Falstaff apple had an amazing taste to them when ripe. Loved eating them
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Mine was quite dry and is free draining. I took the chance but left 60mm still standing, all I did was take 10 or 20mm off. It does look better and needed the roller to take out some bumps. We also have snowdrops out and crocus leaves only at the moment. Other assorted bulbs are peeking through.
The back lawn is still too soft at the moment to venture on.
The back lawn is still too soft at the moment to venture on.
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Managed to get a few garden jobs done over the weekend:
- Took most of the weeds out of the raised veg boxes
- Emptied all old pots from the greenhouse
- Turned over the compost bin (and mixed in leftover compost from above)
- Trip to the garden centre to stock up on missing seeds (tomatoes, carrots, parsnips), as well as seed potatoes
- Planted a couple of flowers that I picked up from the garden centre (some Snowdrops, and "Zebra Blue" Primula that the wife wanted)
- Took most of the weeds out of the raised veg boxes
- Emptied all old pots from the greenhouse
- Turned over the compost bin (and mixed in leftover compost from above)
- Trip to the garden centre to stock up on missing seeds (tomatoes, carrots, parsnips), as well as seed potatoes
- Planted a couple of flowers that I picked up from the garden centre (some Snowdrops, and "Zebra Blue" Primula that the wife wanted)
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Soldato
- Joined
- 21 Jan 2003
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- 7,152
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Isn't it too early to cut the lawn yet?
I mean I guess it depends where in the UK you are, but I would think we still have a good chance for frost and such in March yet, so was thinking end of March at the earliest for a cut.
Am I wrong, I'm no lawn expert
I've got a massive lawn, with the first cut I take it down to the height I want for the summer, dumping the clipping on the compost pile, but subsequent weekly trims I mulch dropping back onto the lawn.
The issue i've got this year is the amount of mole hills that have cropped up over the last month!
I saw a tip I might try once the weather is dry, use a garden leaf blower to blow the mole hill soil spreading it around, its got to be better than me just driving over it on the mower
Can you tell I'm not really a gardener, I just do as I'm told and love the mower as its my quiet time I also set myself lap times around the garden on it. The problem is, now that my son is 12, he's trying to get on board with the more fun garden jobs!
I mean I guess it depends where in the UK you are, but I would think we still have a good chance for frost and such in March yet, so was thinking end of March at the earliest for a cut.
Am I wrong, I'm no lawn expert
I've got a massive lawn, with the first cut I take it down to the height I want for the summer, dumping the clipping on the compost pile, but subsequent weekly trims I mulch dropping back onto the lawn.
The issue i've got this year is the amount of mole hills that have cropped up over the last month!
I saw a tip I might try once the weather is dry, use a garden leaf blower to blow the mole hill soil spreading it around, its got to be better than me just driving over it on the mower
Can you tell I'm not really a gardener, I just do as I'm told and love the mower as its my quiet time
I also set myself lap times around the garden on it. The problem is, now that my son is 12, he's trying to get on board with the more fun garden jobs!
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I'm hoping to get out into the garden this weekend and start working on it.
When we moved in 6 years ago, it was completely overgrown.
Spent 12 months sorting it out and it looked amazing. However, the last 18 months, I've kinda let it go. Me and the wife have both decided to make it a maintenance free garden and turf the majority of it with a couple of beds (one at the back and another towards the front).
The pallet decking I made during lockdown needs going. While the idea was nice and it was nice to set up there and be surrounded by shrubs and flowers, maintaining it provide to be a pain. The massive bed with flowers, shrubs and trees it a ball ache to keep weed free (plus I do a lot of weeding down the allotment), so thats going.
When we moved in 6 years ago, it was completely overgrown.
Spent 12 months sorting it out and it looked amazing. However, the last 18 months, I've kinda let it go. Me and the wife have both decided to make it a maintenance free garden and turf the majority of it with a couple of beds (one at the back and another towards the front).
The pallet decking I made during lockdown needs going. While the idea was nice and it was nice to set up there and be surrounded by shrubs and flowers, maintaining it provide to be a pain. The massive bed with flowers, shrubs and trees it a ball ache to keep weed free (plus I do a lot of weeding down the allotment), so thats going.
Has anyone bought into product such "The Lawn Pack" as a lawn rejuvenation system?
Our lawn is looking patchy and there's plenty of moss and thatch to deal with. I'm a complete novice as this is my first proper garden of my own. It's not massive, maybe 80sqm, but I feel like it needs a lot of work. The above packs don't seem like they will deal with moss etc and it seems likely I'll need to scarify, aerate and maybe add a top dressing of some sort.
Has anyone done anything similar and got decent results? I'm not sure where to start!
Also need to get the patio cleaned (it was spotless before winter!) and soft wash the render, but I'll likely get someone in to do that. Then I can dig out the borders and tidy those up. I'm looking forward to enjoying my garden more this year
Our lawn is looking patchy and there's plenty of moss and thatch to deal with. I'm a complete novice as this is my first proper garden of my own. It's not massive, maybe 80sqm, but I feel like it needs a lot of work. The above packs don't seem like they will deal with moss etc and it seems likely I'll need to scarify, aerate and maybe add a top dressing of some sort.
Has anyone done anything similar and got decent results? I'm not sure where to start!
Also need to get the patio cleaned (it was spotless before winter!) and soft wash the render, but I'll likely get someone in to do that. Then I can dig out the borders and tidy those up. I'm looking forward to enjoying my garden more this year
We’re lucky enough to have a huge garden, top end for enjoying, a woodland second half that the dogs love. We tried laying some turf last year for shaded areas (fence and trees shading), between the dogs, the shade and the horrible wet weather, it was 90% killed off.
Just finished raking it over, fresh topsoil, fenced off from the dogs and mixed grass seed and clover seed, we just want some green area to sit on and grandkids can enjoy when the weather is nice.
Reason we’re using the worst shaded area for our grass attempt, the other 3/4 of the top end is terrible green clay, worst I’ve ever seen actually
Just finished raking it over, fresh topsoil, fenced off from the dogs and mixed grass seed and clover seed, we just want some green area to sit on and grandkids can enjoy when the weather is nice.
Reason we’re using the worst shaded area for our grass attempt, the other 3/4 of the top end is terrible green clay, worst I’ve ever seen actually
looks expensive ?
In search of something to put in next months Amazon S&S
Miracle-Gro EverGreen Mosskill Lawn Food and Moss Control, 2.8kg, 80 m2, Brown
I'd prefer a sprayable option though, easier to distribute uniformly (but maybe borrow folks spreader/trolley)
Scarified my small lawn twice over two weekends and it's now ready to be aerated. Anyone use a rolling aerator and recommend one. This is my preferred so far. https://amzn.eu/d/jah9CSS
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Feb 2007
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- 13,681
- Location
- London
I just did some now, got some of that slow release plant feed. Guess anytime in Spring is a good time as its growing season.
Today I cut back the Buddleia, Gaura, and a few grasses in the garden. Nice weather this weekend, but deceiving as next week turns colder again, so still protecting some plants.
I was hoping to do a lot to the back garden this weekend but two things have got in the way 1) needing to finish off a presentation for Tuesday and 2) the local garden centre doesn't sell scarifier rakes.
One member of staff commented to the others "why don't we sell those?". One of them said due their size.... it's no bigger than a soil rake?
Brick and mortar stores really don't help themselves.
One member of staff commented to the others "why don't we sell those?". One of them said due their size.... it's no bigger than a soil rake?
Brick and mortar stores really don't help themselves.
The pond started leaking, so sorted that.
Planted 200+ bulbs and a few rows of spuds, and hopefully next weekend will get carrots, parsnips, beans/mangetout, onions, leeks, toms, cougettes, beetroot, cabbage, peppers, cauliflower and cucamelons on the go.
Hopefully we'll have good summer.
Planted 200+ bulbs and a few rows of spuds, and hopefully next weekend will get carrots, parsnips, beans/mangetout, onions, leeks, toms, cougettes, beetroot, cabbage, peppers, cauliflower and cucamelons on the go.
Hopefully we'll have good summer.
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 Apr 2006
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- 7,245
- Location
- Earth
I spent an hour poking holes in the lawn with a fork. Got blisters on my hands as forgot to wear gloves. Didn't notice til I washed my hands and huge blisters right in middle of palms. Ouch
Threw a load of lawn feeder down after. Tuesday we due some rain and then hopefully lawn feed will take. Lawns so patchy and bumpy too. Rustic garden is hard work
Threw a load of lawn feeder down after. Tuesday we due some rain and then hopefully lawn feed will take. Lawns so patchy and bumpy too. Rustic garden is hard work
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 47,508
Trying to leave it a little bit longer.
Have done some trimming though since it looks like most things will be budding soon.
First full growing season on my garden this year
Been out today and have mowed the grass, added more compost to the raised beds and had a general tidy up.
Still more general bits of tidying to do and going to start planting some seeds in the rear porch tomorrow and plan my beds.
Last year I grew runner beans, tomatoes, carrots and basil successfully. Tried brassicas but they'll need cover this year as unsuccessful first time round.
Bought seed potatoes for m B&Q too so I'll get those chitting and get those sown in a week or two.
Plenty to be getting on with!
Been out today and have mowed the grass, added more compost to the raised beds and had a general tidy up.
Still more general bits of tidying to do and going to start planting some seeds in the rear porch tomorrow and plan my beds.
Last year I grew runner beans, tomatoes, carrots and basil successfully. Tried brassicas but they'll need cover this year as unsuccessful first time round.
Bought seed potatoes for m B&Q too so I'll get those chitting and get those sown in a week or two.
Plenty to be getting on with!
Cut the back lawn on Friday and am back to nice looking stripes and I edged it along the fence lines today. Only two out if ten of last seasons geraniums pulled from pots have managed to overwinter sadly. Will have to buy some more this year. No sign of seedlings from the propagated chilli seeds yet but the daffodils I've planted are flowering now. Two weeks and I will start with the seeds from last year's fine marigolds for the front garden display.
I'm jealous of people cutting their grass, mine is currently a complete swamp and basically unusable for the kids. This is going to be the 3rd summer in this new build, time to effectively start from scratch with the grass, first job is figuring out how to get some sort of drainage going and then start from what is effectively a dead start.
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