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

greenbee

Set up sprinklers last night, and replaced connectors on the leaky hose under the hydrangeas (they're in front of a dying leylandii hedge shared with next door, so need some help). I'm particularly cross about having to do the latter, as the gardener connected them up the other day and didn't mention that the connectors needed replacing and the water wasn't making it to the end of the run. I also fixed the bit of hose that Stinky had chewed when it was left next to his paddling pool...

Water pressure is definitely down (sprinkler patterns give it away). I'd rather not be using sprinklers, but have no other way to water the borders. At least the veg plot uses buried soaker hose and the hydrangeas use leaky hose on the surface. There's soaker hose in the front hedge, which the gardener put in last week, but I need to redo that too as it's done badly and won't be effective - the idea is to save water by watering close to the roots, not spray it in the air... so sometime when Stinky is busy with a kong in the kitchen I'll go out and try to fix it. 

I've got miles of soaker hose (connected by ordinary hose) in the veg plot, and need to work out whether I can run these from a solar pump out of the IBCs. Most of the pumps come with drippers, but the soaker hose is already set up. I think I might need to make some calls - the solar pump system I have for the greenhouse is very good, and the same brand does larger systems. 

Lots of planting and sorting out of the veg plot needs doing today. As well as entertaining a bored dog who keeps bringing me balls. I let him out for a wee last night on his own rather than having him on the lead, and he was ambushed by Fatty who stalked him and pounced (full bum wiggle as she took aim!) before chasing him across the garden. They were both VERY happy. 

I also need to nip out to the garage (closest shop) as we're out of yogurt. It's mostly consumed by the dog, and as he's having more lick mats than usual, we're getting through a lot. I have a BNS and some carrots to cook (not sure whether for him or me!), want to get some pulses batch cooked in between everything else, there is fruit to pick and there are bound to be courgettes. I'm delighted to discover that I can feed Stinky frozen courgette slices (nice quick win for prep) and put mashed cooked courgette in his kongs and lick mats. Obviously I need to prep some to freeze for myself (courgette curry) but it's nice to know that any accidental marrows have an obvious use). 

greenbee

Water pressure is very low - I don't think much is making it through to the end of the run of soaker hose (there were spots of damp on it when I checked, but not many. So I definitely need to look into pumped irrigation from the IBCs. 

The 30m hose doesn't reach to run the soaker hose in the hedge, so I'll need to do that in the morning with the 50m hose that I've been using to do the border (which is nearly done - only one section left to do). 

Muntjac has been prepped (with attentive supervision by Fatty and Stinky). Both cats are very vocal at the moment, but only Fatty is still eating properly. Stinky is obviously eating - he's a labrador. 

Trying to stop Stinky racing around and playing with the cats is hard work. During the week it's relatively easy to keep him inside and only go out on the lead but it's not really realistic at the weekend - and it's far too hot to leave the garden doors closed and keep him shut in. 

I'm very glad I got the blinds in the garden room sorted out in time for the open gardens, as it's made a huge difference. I've even used blinds on the north-facing windows today and it's made a difference. So I'm definitely going to order some for the kitchen - they'll also need to go up using batten as the frames are metal and the reveals are plasterboard.

Soaker hose for the hedge has been redone. I now have lots left over, so I'm considering running some through the borders. I've also realised it would probably be worth mulching the hedge and trees with grass clippings. Not ideal, but if I take them from the compost heap they're at least partially rotted. 

greenbee

Hedge is mulched - it took nearly a hole compost bin full of mulch (so probably about 800l of home-produced mulch). Hopefully this means that all the water that is lavished on it will go into the ground, not evaporate.

Lots of borage has been cut back and either put in a barrel or left on the ground. The barrel is open so all the bugs can escape (except the aphids!). The borage was always a green manure/sacrificial planting along with marigolds, and it attracts pollinators too. Raspberries are now visible (and picked). Blackcurrants picked, and a few gooseberries but most are not ripe. The gooseberry bush needs a really good prune as it's lopsided and floppy. More strawberries picked (and wild strawberries) and the net removed as I need to take the frame off and start weeding and tidying the bed.  I also need to think about ground cover under the fruit bushes to reduce evaporation... borage and poppies are pretty but not much good for that!

Washing has been done. Pulses have been cooked and I've discovered that the low pressure sensor doesn't work (this is the first time I've tried to use low pressure, so I really should try to make a warranty claim). I'd like to keep going doing a batch of pulses a day until I've got a decent stock built up as it will help me eat properly. The same goes for grains. 

Still have snapdragons, dianthus, sweetpeas, pelargoniums, and celery to plant - I just need to work out where they are going to go! I thought I'd need to replace the pansies and violas in the pots, but they're currently still going strong. 

CCW007

Apparently borage produces pollen and nectar all day long unlike other plants so is especially beneficial for bees. 

greenbee

Lots of bees on the borage - and lots of borage still. Actually, not many bees right now as we have rain!

Still spending lots of time at the vet - stripy cat clearly felt left out, has been in a fight and had to go in yesterday. She's limping today and hasn't used the loo (my cats HATE indoor loos with a passion) so is going back after lunch. 

Stinky is being very, very good about not licking, but is also very, very bored of being confined to the house. I've locked the cat flap for both cats just to be on the safe side, so I'm getting a lot of complaints and I'm not getting much done!

EssexHebridean

It has definitely not been great weather for having to confine animals to barracks, has it! Hopefully all the poorlies will be back to full fitness soon now - although your comment about "of course Stinky is eating..." made me chuckle - if a Lab stops eating you KNOW it's serious! 

greenbee

Stinky managed to blag too portions of food from the student vet nurse looking after him post-op... he still has a lovely little puppy face! He also had loads of treats from the vet yesterday when it wasn't even his appointment.  They all spoil him rotten, and as a result he loves going there. Obviously the cats aren't so keen, but they're good.

Stripy cat is looking better and eating well, although that may be down to the painkiller, which will wear off soon. I hope she manages to use the litter tray before it does - otherwise she'll be in for an enema. She's probably resisting as she'd rather go outside. 

As she's now confined to my bedroom, the other two have access to outside as they really weren't happy. I hope she recovers soon, as letting the cats have access to the bedroom is one thing. Having them living in there is another... 

greenbee

Stripy cat is full of beans this morning - eating, drinking (noisily, during the night), playing, purring, chatting, and has done a wee. But no poo... She knows where the tray is, so hopefully she will soon. I've been rubbing her tummy lots as I know abdominal massage can work for people!

I think I'm going to have to find a new window cleaner - mine used to come every 5 weeks and do the gutters/fascias/frames as well as the glass. I've just checked my bank details and he's only been twice this year (March and April). And part of what I need him for is keeping the spider population down by cleaning the cobwebs and nests off the frames. I was going to ask him whether he could do the solar panels (and the outside of the greenhouse in the spring), but it's a bit difficult if he doesn't ever turn up. I'm not even sure what other customers he has in the village - I just used him because my vendors left his details, and he was great until this year. 

Off to the vet with Stinky today, hopefully getting sign off to stop wearing the cone and being allowed to run about, play, use the paddling pool, and go for proper walks. 

I need to find the energy to get some work done, and get back into the garden. Cleaner is here today, hopefully gardener tomorrow (must check what I need him to do ... possibly de-cobwebbing in addition to some gardening). I need to do yet more lick mats and kongs for Stinky (it seems to be never-ending, and I think I need to cut down the regularity, but they're a good way of keeping him busy), and probably go food shopping. Although there may well be enough food in the garden if I look properly - and there are still bits of protein in the freezer that I can add to the broad beans/chard/beetroot leaves etc. I do need to sow more peas, spinach, and salad over the weekend. And I have some dianthus that still need to be planted in the pots on the patio ... I'm just putting off pulling out the pansies and violas as they're doing so well. 

Jessy103

Hope stinky gets the all clear and can be bonkers again! x

Watty1

Hope Stinky gets a free pass today.  The window cleaner might just have "stuff" going on, I found posting on the village F*cebook page gave lots of choices