"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

LadyWithAPlan

There is a hive of activity over here ! The garden and patio sound great

greenbee

Utility door frame has been fixed, and the door rehung so it doesn't stick. Architrave round landing door has been removed and replaced - its now straight, even though the door frame isn't, and looks much better (will look even better when it has been painted) even if technically it's still wonky. Ensuite door has been fixed. Shelves are up in the hall so all the hubs for gadgets can go on them - I need to move them around a bit and then get cable ties out. Hand rail is going on the wall next to the stairs. 

I've emptied a planter so that they can all be moved ready for sealing the brickwork (ideal day to do it), been and stocked up on 15p carrots for the dog (will lob them in the freezer later) and might have accidentally bought 5 cheap clematis, so need to get them planted and get on and put the wire up for them!

One small tree seems to be dead, so I need to contact the supplier under their 5-year guarantee. I also need to order brackets for some other shelves so they can go up in the bathroom. I don't think the brackets will arrive in time for this round of work, but hopefully the builder can drop in on the way to/from another job to do them when they're here. 

No seed compost at either supermarket, so need to work out what to grow the next lot of seeds in. I have lots of multipurpose. And plenty of topsoil (needs riddling), and some sharp sand, so maybe I can make my own. 

greenbee

Builders have got on well. I have lots of putting stuff back to do in between getting stuff done outside over the weekend. Too tired to think much about it right now though. I have made a list... 

greenbee

Exhausted after yesterday. I dealt with some outstanding admin, washed cat bedding, washed dog bedding, built (but haven't yet installed) a raised bed, weeded a previously installed bed and topped it up with compost from the planters as I needed to use the wheelbarrow, removed wood and rocks from around the bed I'll be using for the next raised bed, shifted half a builders' bags of leaves into the leaf composter (the two bags emptied into it previously had settled enough for me to do that), moved some kindling from the back of the garden to the log store and chopped a small amount (must bring it into the house, I'd like to light a fire tonight), and then pressure washed about half the patio. 

I've just cleared and swept the rest of the patio. I need to go over the bit I've done again, and then do a first pass on the rest. And ideally find time to go over that again (possibly more than once). I also want to at least start on the veg plot fencing. 

Seedlings are in desperate need of potting on, but I'm having to prioritise. So having had a quick break (and a hot cross bun!) I'm going to clean the WM filter and set it on a drum clean so I can use it for human laundry again!

The dog, unsurprisingly, is unimpressed with all this domesticity. 

However, on returning from this morning's walk, we found cowslips, bluebells, speedwell, primroses and cuckoo flower coming up in the grass at the front which had been planted/sown with wildflowers, and was the only bit I scythed properly last year. I now have to try to replicate this in the orchard!

Watty1

My goodness I have just caught up here.  A hive of activity.    I feel shamed by inactivity (smile)

greenbee

I don't see you as being inactive at all Watty!

There's just so much to do - the 'living in the house/garden' stuff as well as the 'fixing the house/garden' stuff. 

I've swept the whole patio, been over the bit of the patio that had already been cleaned with the pressure washer (once with the scrubber, once with the lance to rinse, replaced the hose connector that was cracked and popped off (I have billions, and I'm grateful to my past self for over-ordering!), and rinsed the patio doors. Just stopped for a break, and a HCB, and have cleaned the WM filter and stuck it on a drum clean (I'd already done a rinse/spin/drain and lots of dog hair had magically appeared). 

So we're back out again in a minute to do a first scrub on the next section of the patio. I'd like to try to get it all done, and then I'll rinse/scrub/rinse again before starting to put stuff back. If anyone is thinking of laying a huge patio, don't. Grow plants instead. 

greenbee

Another section of the patio done. Last bit to go. I can still see bits that need doing, but can't face keeping going over them (also the extension lead might overheat, and the water bill will be horrendous). There's certainly no point in going over slabs that may be taken out.

Nicotiana and ragged robin have germinated in the heated propagator. I really do need to get the one-time construction stuff out of the way so I can concentrate on growing things. Veg plants are getting leggy in the kitchen but I'm not yet ready to get them potted up in the greenhouse. Plus there is weeding to do and mulch to order and chuck around.

greenbee

The patio cleaning was finally finished on Saturday, and one arch built. Shattered, so went to the garage for pizza, crisps, wine, and ice cream. The rubbish food resulted in a poor night's sleep.

However, the menagerie don't let me lie in, so up early on Sunday, dog emptied, back to bed to read. Up, dog walked via poo bin, then back and feeling a bit more energised got on with stuff. Two arches built and two 5m stretches of fence done before my mum arrived - she and I then did another two 11m stretches that I wouldn't have been able to do on my own, got some garden furniture out and also marked up the patio with where we think the slabs need to be removed. After she left I moved all the pots and planters back into the marked spaces, as well as putting all the other stuff that I'd dumped on the lawn away. The mowed the 'lawn' bit of the grass. Managed to find some 'cook from frozen' veggie burgers and had just enough energy to chop some broccoli to go with them! Bath and early night after my book got a bit damp in the bath.

Forgot I'd turned the heating off as the doors and windows had been shut, so it was a bit chilly... only one cat on the bed, but that one was firmly ensconsed on a HWB and cuddled up to me, complaining every time I moved. I was cold but CBA to do anything about it. Second cat came in to get us up at 5.45am... so outside, dog emptied. Then back to bed for a bit - dog walk via poo bin, back to feed everyone, then planted brunnera my mum had brought yesterday, finished the last section of fencing and did the rest of the cable tying to the arches and clipped the ties, watered the greenhouse, filled up the watering cans in case the rumours of rain were true. Still have to work out gates/how to block the entrances to keep the dog out, but it's HUGE progress, and makes the garden feel very different despite being almost invisible as it's fencing pins and deer mesh. Dug up three primroses from flowerbeds and shoved them in the orchard, dug up some boring yellow daffs from a bed and put them in a bucket (will plant them in the veg plot somewhere... have some orange and yellow tulips to move there too). Oh, and emptied and started refilling the DW. 

Went to my mums, went for a walk, had lunch, got her garden furniture out, split logs, came home.

Painted second coat in office so I can now put stuff back on the shelves (once I've put the painting stuff away), pulled up some dandelions when the dog insisted on going out. Shoved some lamb I'd defrosted in the oven, took the dog for a walk via the garden waste bin (bucket of dandelions emptied into it ... there is room for more before I put it out tomorrow evening) and the poo bin. 

Completely shattered, but pleased with progress... however, asparagus crowns have been despatched so I need to barricade the entrances to the veg plot and get the asparagus beds dug. I also need to get the other beds mulched with compost and chicken/farmyard manure, which I've been putting off as the dog would probably eat it... and get some stuff sown. Planters on the patio can be filled now and salad sown. There's a rose to plant next to one of the arches, and lots of weeding. And the veg seedlings in the kitchen to pot up so they can try their luck in the greenhouse... 

We've made a start on the design overall design (my mum is drawing up a plan of the garden and it's helping having a diagram). 

Somehow I need to fit in work

Watty1

And to think all I did was tidy a bit of my tack room/garden shed to find a fork so I could weed

greenbee

I read your diary. You also did some work work ...