Rain, rain, more beautiful rain!!

Today it is raining!!! But it is currently still warm, so fabulous growing weather. I know this because last Thursday the man came to mend the washing machine, while it was running a cycle he asked about my garden, so he got the grand tour. There where no flowers at all on the Trachy, and today there where loads!!

This is very soon going to be out of my reach and I am not good on ladders, so will have to make a decision on whether to keep or chop!!

I love this part of the garden, we are having a move around as the Rheum has grown beautifully but the Gunnera next to it is definitely dead. So closest to the camera is where we will plant the new Gunnera, and move the waterfall over to where the old one used to grow. The filter box, currently on the decking will come this side and hopefully be hidden by the Gunnera. Well thats the plan.

The blanket weed has had a field day and practically covered the pond, I have used one treatment and it has vastly improved, but I think still need one more dose.

 as to how many fish we have, could be anyones guess, the little things keep on breeding, I am hoping that this autumn my mum stays well and doesn't have any accidents or illnesses, so I can actually be here to do all the autumnal jobs, like cleaning out the fishpond!

My greenhouse is crammed, I could probably fit a few more things in, but whether I would be able to get in to water would be another thing. I still have to take off the winter insulation and clean, but currently that is impossible to do.

I always grow tomatoes during the summer when all the jungle is out in the garden. You can't beat your own tomatoes.

But as you can see they are competing for space, I have managed to squeeze in four small grow bags, but still need another 5. But no space! Not even enough to pot these on!

Now a quick trip around the greenhouse

Maureli growing well,

2 red Tigers, very slow starting

As is the Hiniba

Crammed shelves

 High shelves.

Floor

Crammed to the gunnels!

Pottering

I have been so busy in the garden recently,  I am not even sure what I think about when I'm out there, time just passes. But lots of work gets done.

I potter here, there and everywhere.

A lot of my time is spent in the greenhouse, sowing seeds, transplanting, bringing on dahlia's, trying to get the bananas going. But it is so full at the moment I have to empty it to get in. All the Brugmansia's get taken out everyday, fed and watered, this weekend I will trim their roots and re-pot. From next week they will be out and can take some frost without too much damage, but I will keep an eye on the weather forecast just in case and if necessary throw some fleece over them.

When emptied it looks like this. You can see I have unwrapped the greenhouse of its bubble wrap. I have a couple of tube heaters in, just in case but at this time of year the temps only drop for a short time. Lots of seedlings being brought on. If ever you decide to buy a greenhouse, think of the size you want then double it, then it maybe big enough. I do miss my 2nd greenhouse, that I used to have.

This is where they all go, along the side of hubbies office, it gets lovely and warm here. Some of the 'Brugs' are in bud already!

The new lawn is coming along nicely, really thrilled we did this as it really opens up the bottom of the garden and actually makes the office look as if its part of it rather than an added extra.

Moving up the garden, the pond area is looking OK. I must admit the oxygenating plants are not growing well, I would have expected then to be alot bigger by now. The Gunnera is coming back from the dead and I have been seriously thinking of making that side of the pond into a bog garden. It shouldn't involve too much work.... I hope.

I have started on the veg beds and have broad beans, onions, and spinach in. I also have some lettuce under a cloche and some leeks as well. My neighbour grows potatoes in tyres, I had thought about it but wouldn't know where to put them. I want to get some Kale in, I love Kale. and probably one or two other veggies.

At the top of the garden in the jungle area I find yet another pup from my TRex. so thats 2 potted up this one in the ground and another in with another plant in the greenhouse!! Maybe I should not have planted it???

Here is the mother plant, just taking off.

The bananas have come through the winter unscathed, not a soggy one amongst them, woo hoo!!

Finally, Tango enjoying the sunshine, he does love it hot, I think it soothes his aching bones and he follows it round the garden.

This is him on the other side of the garden in a herb pot!!!

April Already

Time is marching on so quickly. I have set myself a target of a couple of hours in the garden each day which should make it look pretty good for July 13th.

So the other day I decided to get the jet wash out and see if I could clean up the fence by the pond. My neighbours where away so I started off gently and I must admit they came up really well. I will probably only have to touch it up now. I then jetwashed the bottom patio and decking.
 What do you think?

Then I spent the afternoon sitting by the pond..... and saw 5 baby fish, woo hoo we're grandparents lol! I have been thinking that the back flower bed to the right of the filter box would havw made a very good bog garden. The slab closest to the box is lose anyway so I am now working out if its do-able. (Before you say anything I'm fairly certain its not a big job!)

Coming down the veggie bit of the garden, its not looking to bad for this time of year.

I have had to thin out the grape hyacinth as they where more leaf than flower. The veg beds are my next target, hopefully sort them out over Easter.
Meanwhile the new lawn is looking good, whilst the old lawn looks like a field!!!!

I spent this morning seed planting, watering and feeding in the greenhouse. I am rapidly running out of room, when I suddenly remembered I hadn't started the Dahlias off. So I have managed to fit in another shelf unit and the Dahlias are now on here.

Crammed, isn't the word! I am having to spray already as there is whitefly in here now. Hopefully I can start to move some of the plants out soon.

Is there anyone still reading this?

Look what I saw as I stepped out this morning, sun!! Oh what a delight,it has been so cold. I don.t mind the snow so much, but last night the heavens opened and then it froze!

Some of the plants have been trying there hardest to get going

good old snow drops

This is my T-Re, last year it was small enough to fit under the table. this year we had to give the legs extensions. But it seems to do the job and protect it from the frosts and snow we have. Not sure what we will do next year?

My Trachy, has been unbelievable this last year, it has grown more than it ever has since I had it. I put that down to the excessive rain we have had. I obviously need to water it alot more than I do! There are 3 spears currently pushing there way out. When it was covered in snow I had to rescue it and shake it all off.

More new shoots

The 'Living Wall'. Just I think, hanging in there. the biggest problem I have found here is the watering. Especially over the cold periods. You have to judge when its going to freeze and when its not. Only watering on the non freezing nights, so there little roots don't freeze. I haven't protected this at all this winter, so it will be interesting to see what comes through and what doesn't.

I went to and Open Garden last year and they had these enormous plants, which I thought would look really good in the jungle. I got talking to the gardener and although he had non For Sale then, he was going to split a big one, a month later, so I paid him some money there and then and collected them later. Its a Cardoon, and I have 2 which as you can see have come through quite well.

My neighbour grows bamboo, which she has not restricted, I have done everything I can to stop it invading my veg beds, so each year I dig up everything that grows my side and heel them into the veg beds to over winter, then pot them up for the Oen Garden. I must have about 10 plants at least.

Good old Hellabore. My friend has a gorgeous one Hellebore sternii which is beautiful, I will really try to get one this year.

So a big decision has to be made..... to open my garden or not? The Village is having its Open Gardens again this year. As you know I really need it to be as late as possible. But this year the Steam Rally is on and that is usually the 1st weekend of July. I think it really depends on when they decide to have it. Plus I will be on my own as hubby is now working away in Birmingham and only comes home at weekends, so I won't have his muscle power. Also my daughters boyfriend, who has helped alot with the heavy stuff is off on a ship, so it will be down to me and daughter K.

Mmmmm ???????????????

Stupid Primrose, far too early!!!

Fish are still alive, I appear to have only lost one so far.

The pond got hit badly by the snow.

Erm, and a certain person (me) forgot to cover the Gunnera. I wonder if it will come back?

Mean while in the tightly fitted greenhouse everything is ok.

Having to sprat regularly with white fly prevention spray as I seem to be inundated.

I will do my best not to leave it as long till the next post. If it stays sunny, it will be soon, if it goes grey again, it could be awhile.