Awful weather - typical Brits talk

twopenny

Lovely warm sunny day today. I spent it getting garden slabs and tools then a walk.

It was 4.30pm when the mad idea to try moving my Hidcote lavender hedge forward to put the slabs down. Most of the soil under the turf was fine to my surprise as it was builder laid until the last one of course and then it was rock hard compacted stone.

But it's done and in only a couple of hours. Couldn't believe it. And it looks good.

The excess stone will come in useful for underlaying the slabs properly.

Fingers crossed now that the lavenders all survive the move. Soil damp, BFB & grit added. Mild but not dry or snowy weather needed. At least these, being low to the ground, should not be affected by gales

RAS

The leeks are finally coming up; whilst the other seedlings are developing their first real leaves.
Pear buds are breaking but I was stunned to see cherry out down south a month ago. No where near that here although I saw a forsythia in bloom yesterday. A cool fortnight predicted but no frost.

Farway

Dull out again & feels a bit chilly.

Like RAS there is plenty just waiting to get going, I thought the plum was going for it last week but the cooler weather has thankfully delayed opening but I've seen a few bees about, one thing opened was a dandelion, an always rely on them

Time permitting I may sow some coleus & sunflowers, mainly for my volunteer borders

Davesnave

My trip out shopping yesterday shocked me, but it happens every year. Places nearer the coast are so much further forward than us.

As I did very little after my return yesterday, I'll just post a picture of our regular visitors:

Black_Cat2

RAS said:

I don't usually post pics on here but thought these might brighten someone's day. It's now largely clouded here.
The bulbs were given by a friend who had too many, so I've not had much to do with their success. The question is whether I can grow them on over the summer?

Brightened up my day, ty RAS 😊

Black_Cat2

Beautiful goldfinches D.  Nice to see everyone getting stuck into gardening mode now that Spring has sprung!  Nothing to report here, probably planting onions next week 🐈

twopenny

Nope, I;ve gone into reverse today. Wore myself out yesterday or the novelty of travelling 10 miles to pick something up. But still planning a lot.

I need the weather to be warm with occasional rain over Easter so I can plant and move plants, do some landscaping. This place will be heaving so a good time to do it. The weird thing is I was planning to make my garden Mediteranian or asymetrical and it's turning into largely formal and symetrical. Still the joy of gardening is that you can change it with no extra cost.

Have a lot of questions on hard landscaping and plants I need to ask in coming days (nothing difficult) and hoping people won't mind them.

You're right Dave, the coast is warmer. Went from no growth to wild abandon which is making me panic a little about moving stuff that's looking good.

First picking of broccoli though I should have left it really. Delicious. Also the seeding shoots of Kale which didn't grow this year and is bolting but I've found that the budding flower shoots are ok if lacking in flavour.

Blossom on plums is out, the bees seem to be picky on my plants I put for their early arrival. They like the open Hellibore but not the usually popular wallflowers or tree heather. Gee they are picky by season.

goldfinches

I spent a long time mooching around the Botanic Garden here on Monday afternoon admiring everything that's suddenly come out and took this picture of the magnolia by the main entrance. Last year I was watching this one and just as the first few flowers opened the Garden closed and it bloomed unseen so I was so glad to be able to catch it before any rain spoiled the flowers this year.

I also took this picture of some of the hellebores one of which is wrapped up as part of a project by one of the staff.

If I ever hear the results I'll pass them on.

Farway

Dull start to the day and wouldn't surprise me if it drizzled

Better fruit tree news today, well maybe it is but time will tell.

E mail from T & M this morning, normal junky stuff except there is a clear out of bare rooted apple & pear trees, and I am in the market for them having been thwarted let down by Chris Bowers.

The link shows £23.99 but the offer & bought at is £12 + P & P = £16.99 for the pair.

Of course I am aware they may just be foot long sticks but at least it's something to build on, in some ways maiden trees would suit me to train them as required

No choice of variety but they sound like they'll suit me, the apple for my son in law & the pear as a pollinator for my one should my neighbour's Concorde bite the dust when they get hacking at it again

twopenny said:

Blossom on plums is out, the bees seem to be picky on my plants I put for their early arrival.

Beaten mine then, still in bud with a promising hint of white

On other news, had a rootle & confirmed my sweet corn seeds have rotted , not unexpected due to age of the seed.

Never mind I may sow some dwarf French beans in the spot I had earmarked for corn

All being well I hope to sow sunflowers & Welsh onion today, in pots to start them off.

I've never done very well with alliums, including chives, in this garden so it's fingers crossed for these perennial type

Apodemus

Best of luck with T&M, you can perhaps expect your trees in time for Christmas and to produce plums and damsons!