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

greenbee

Still no word on gravel (but Monday is the end of the advertised time-frame on the order, so will call on Tuesday), or mulch/compost and absolutely no response to phone/'live' chat/FB messenger/contact form, so I've emailed in response to the order confirmation and will give them Monday to respond before instigating a CC chargeback and leaving a public comment on their FB feed. I know their product is good, but clearly their customer service is appalling so I'd rather have the money back and spend it elsewhere. It's a pity, as it's a local business too - I suspect they may be growing too fast, but it wasn't a small order. 

Local builders' merchants (guttering etc) have 3-5 working days for delivery with a call on day of delivery, so they've got until Wednesday. 

In the meantime, I've done a lot of weeding and planted the hardy perennials I bought on Thursday, as well as one of the climbers. The other climbers are awaiting either compost to go in pots temporarily, or the gardener to dig holes for them. Some obelisks are on order (a present from my mum) to match the one that's already in the garden for them to climb up round the patio. 

I have lots of cosmos seedlings, so I'm hoping to get the ones that are bit enough to pinch out in the ground today. They've got pretty good roots, and they do well in poor soil, so I'm saving compost and not bothering to pot them on. I have two seed trays full of smaller seedlings, but definitely not enough pots or compost to pot those on, and have lots of other seedlings that need pricking out and potting on, as well as sweet peas and a few other things that really do need to find homes.

First load of laundry is in, more stuff is soaking ready to replace it. Dull and cold and overcast here this morning, so probably not much outside stuff being done for a bit - I need a rest, even if the dog disagrees!

I also need to get the two new hoses set up on the old hose reels, which will make tree-watering easier, and also fill up all the available water butts as there is no sign of any significant rain turning up anytime soon (this will obviously change once the butts are full...

greenbee

Hoses are set up - and some more soaker hoses in the veg plot, but I need a few more connector ends, which should arrive tomorrow. Two more water butts refilled.

Lots of weeding done, and lots of cosmos shoved in some of the gaps. I think I'll try to get more into the rest of the clear space and then make an effort to pot on more seedlings.

Three loads of laundry done, one finishing off in the dryer, the other waiting to go on the line tomorrow.

I'm sure there's some other stuff that was done, but I can't remember what. Fed the animals and myself, and took the dog for a couple of walks. 

rtandon27

Most important is that you remembered to feed yourself! 😁  Hope you've got a tiny bit of down time this evening before the work week starts.

greenbee

I did watch Dr. Who And then the dog wanted to go out, so I watered the fig/gooseberries/blackcurrants/rhubarb.

This morning I watered the trees, fed & watered the newly transplanted roses, weeded round another rose and fed that, and have hacked back an euonymus that now needs the stump dug out. 

I've also chased the compost and gravel orders, so hopefully they'll both turn up in the next day or two. Ah... just had an email, gravel is due on Wednesday (well, it was due today at the latest, courier is 'a bit busy', and the supplier has apologised). 

Some blind fittings I'd enquired about (replacements for an old blind bought for my previous house) randomly turned up at my mum's via a redirected parcel! I wondered why they hadn't responded to my 'can I buy a new mechanism?' request - I did mention in the email that I'd moved since I bought it  

I've got a big metal water bowl and a couple of pots due for delivery today, and a set of 3 pots also on the way. I have visions of being trapped when all these deliveries arrive at once, as they're all kerbside and will block the drive! However, it does mean that I should be able to make significant progress over the bank holiday. And in the meantime, I can do weeding...

What I MUST do now, is deal with the blind that I got the measurements wrong on. Or rather, must do when I've got some work done!

greenbee

Water bowl arrived, and pots. All unpacked, and the pallet put aside - I need to check whether it'll do for under the IBC or whether it's going to be part of the composting set-up. 

Compost/mulch order has been processed, but I still have no clue when it's going to arrive. I'm wondering whether to call them again as there's no tracking link (as promised) on the email. Solar fountain has arrived, and the aqua-stop hose ends but not the ordinary ones (those are due at the weekend I think). Water butts are now almost filled and I could do the hedge if I drag myself out there. It's actually looking pretty health which is good news.

I also want to sow some salad today, and do some more weeding but I have to get some work out of the way first. 

And sort out the blind.

greenbee

Compost and mulch arrived on Tuesday - delivered to the edge of the drive, so 65 bags and two pallets moved between meetings. Gravel arrived on Wednesday, further up the drive, but on the edge of my neighbours' drive, so one builders' bag of gravel and the pallet shifted on Wednesday evening! The patio is looking really good - I just need to work out which pots go where and then fill and plant up the empty ones and make any changes I need to make to the ones with stuff in.

Called about the blind - they'd made it wrong, so it's been re-ordered. Gardener/handyman was here today, but the rest of the blinds aren't up as the reveals are plasterboard - he's going to put up some batten next week to fit them. 

Summerhouse guttering is done - I need to sort out the water butts during the week (paving needs clearing and I need to make sure they fit). Wisteria and honeysuckle are planted - I have two jasmines and a clematis to decide on homes for. Obelisks are on the way.

Thanks to the lovely @kazwookie my raspberry frames have FINALLY been built and installed (with help from the gardener as they needed three people to get into them into the ground!). 

Spare room bookcase has been fixed to the wall, so I want to get that filled tomorrow (apparently it's going to rain) and work out where the pictures are going. 

Beetroot seedlings given to me by my neighbour have been planted (must add a label). I've also cleared the weeds from the biggest of the new raised beds, and laid cardboard which I need to soak tomorrow and add compost/topsoil/manure to ready for planting some gifted squash. I also made a teepee from coppiced hazel and have planted the Bijou 'Giant Sugar Pea'. The squash will need a climbing frame too, and a bean frame needs building. Thankfully the mangetout and french beans will grown up the small supports I already have. 

I've planted more cosmos, so freed up some modules for some baby plants that have arrived, but having done the watering and eaten, I've run out of steam. So I'm watching the Chelsea coverage on catchup with the dog, who also seems to be tired for a change!

kazwookie

Great fun, glad its done, met the dog and cats, had a lovely lunch and long chat.

EssexHebridean

Good grief, hasn’t it all been going on in your world! Deeply impressed with both the amount you are achieving and your decision to open the garden to the public! 

greenbee

I think I must be mad opening the garden, but the neighbours encouraged me. It's billed as a 'real' gardens event - just to see some ordinary gardens with all the imperfections It has certainly motivated me to get things done.

We've had rain overnight, so the connected water butts are full (haven't checked the one by the compost bins, that probably isn't as it won't get much rain under the trees). Obviously there are still 4 water butts and 4 IBCs not connected, and I'm sure that as soon as they are up and running (sometime this week), the rain will vanish. 

I've moved my miniscule plug plants into bigger modules this morning, so hopefully they will start growing soon. Two seed trays of cosmos are ready to go into the borders, lots of beans need planting, and the broccoli looks like it could go out too. Cavolo nero and spinach need picking. 

kazwookie

Woops a daisy, someone on here is a bad influance on me!!

Seem to have spent about £30 on some seedlings / bulbs etc, my finger slipped on the submit button, honest gov.