Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Woolsery

Farway said:

 Last time I looked there were so many rules about disposing of paint that lobbing the tin in a hedge was the wise choice

There was a great scheme running in Bristol years ago. Industry would send potentially useful waste to a warehouse where members of community groups and schools could purchase stuff at knock-down prices. It still exists, but sadly it's not as interesting as it used to be, probably because of 'elfin safety rules' regarding stuff like paints etc.

I remember building a Time Machine with wood, cardboard from a local factory and huge quantities of plastic parts in an array of bright colours. I probably offset any gains in material waste reduction with the number of glue gun sticks I used! The final indignity arrived when the prop was trialled in the show we were putting on and our scenery people shouted "It's too tall to go through the flats!"

Cue large saw and red face....

in_my_wellies

Well the sun tried to shine all morning but has now given up and rain is starting.

The plum blossom is out and being enjoyed by two very fat wood pigeons, the pear blossom buds are still tight. On Sunday I removed a beautifully shaped old hebe from the path by my front door. It was just too big and couldn't be pruned without spoiling the shape. Postman complaining of wet legs! I replaced it with a cutting I took two years ago, a hydrangea cutting taken last summer and another hebe bought from a garden centre. Very minimalist and stylish until I couldn't help myself and filled in all the spaces with other cuttings, penstemon, heather, iris, etc 

A plant has appeared in my raised bed and I can't decide if it's flat leaved parsley or random weed. I'll take a photo when the rain stops. To me it tastes too strong but my friend says it is.  It's an oval about 12" x 9" and has a thick root which looks like parsnip tops although I haven't dug down to investigate. It's very healthy, was growing under the kale, the remains of which I have fed to 'my' sheep - yes! The sheep have arrived with tiny lambs

Farway

Misty but mild morning. The sort where the sun will break through but never does

My cherry blossom is now out and I may try for a photo if sun arrives and my foot stops aching I’ve done something to it so it’s a bit sore. Such a shame I was thinking about mowing the grass this weekend, thinking about it will be the limit probably

A steady supply of lily beetles to be picked off daily now, pity in a way, they are in an amorous embrace as I arrive, scoop them up and stomp on them, not the way they expected their romance to end

My little 69p pot of flat leaved parsley arrived with the groceries yesterday, looks strong and duly potted on and in the conservatory to settle in

Fed & watered the primulas in troughs at the front, they do look nice & showy, bought as plugs from T & M on offer, I was dubious TBH because some of their plants are iffy, especially during lockdown, but these are great, hit you in the eye jobbies, I’ll try for a picture later today, foot permitting

Woolsery

Farway said:

A steady supply of lily beetles to be picked off daily now, pity in a way, they are in an amorous embrace as I arrive, scoop them up and stomp on them, not the way they expected their romance to end

In their last millisecond of consciousness they probably think "The earth DID move!"

As I age, I find myself less able to terminate even the most annoying of bugs and slugs. Still open season on vine weevils though.

There will be little gardening done here now till after the big weekend event, happily being held off-site! So long as it's warmish and not wet the weather will be fine.

I have 6 tomato plants; probably the lowest number since about 1982, but they will be well cared-for. Three courgettes have also germinated in the coir/multipurpose mix I'm using. No rotting in that so far.

TintedLemon

Black_Cat2 said:

Well it's been downright awful here in Somerset for the last couple of days with non-stop rain!

Just wondering how committed you lovely peeps are... have you been put off by gardening when it's raining?  Are you a shrinking violet or a hardy perennial? 

Just a light hearted thread ☔🌧️

I actually enjoy gardening when it's a bit wet, as long as it isn't chucking it down with rain. Although I'm on the south east coast, so we've not had too much rain the last few days. Hopefully it stays away over Easter weekend!

twopenny

True. I had a small shopping basket (as wicker basket) full of the left over cement in the flower borders and was told it would cost £7 to dispose of. So you can see why. Ok for a sink and pedistal but a tiny bit of cement?

Fortunately the guys were reasonable and said if that's all just put it in the right skip. Though they sounded anxious because they are being monitored by cameras!

So, cloudy and gloomy first thing but brightening up come afternoon.

Unfortunately I'm still on the computer trying to sort out common day bills in the new era. All designed by committee.

To report, my enormous 5ft purple sprouting and kale aren't producing very well. The usual smaller plants did much, much better. Seems all the energy goes into the growth and not the flower/fruiting. I was so proud then looked like the allotmenters plants but it's what you eat, not size so I'll keep them small, late planting from now on,

I'm amazed about my little 3ft Cherry. Just look at the blossom! I'll hand pollinate as it's late and even though I have insects around not the garden is established.

I'm thinking I'll have to be thinning these if they mature into fruits. Ouch! I struggle with this being greedy for fresh fruit.

Anyone had this problem that can reassure me?

Woolsery

twopenny said:

True. I had a small shopping basket (as wicker basket) full of the left over cement in the flower borders and was told it would cost £7 to dispose of. So you can see why. Ok for a sink and pedistal but a tiny bit of cement?

Fortunately the guys were reasonable and said if that's all just put it in the right skip. Though they sounded anxious because they are being monitored by cameras!

Similarly, I remember being unable to exchange a gas cylinder of a brand we had no local supplier for with one we could have used. It was all about the cameras.

Very still and misty here with zero wind, so no threat to your lovely cherry tree today I'd think. I am not gardening today or tomorrow, but I'm going to cut mizuna en masse in the remains of the polytunne. At least something produced on time!

LessImpecunious

twopenny said:

I'm amazed about my little 3ft Cherry...I'm thinking I'll have to be thinning these if they mature into fruits. Ouch! I struggle with this being greedy for fresh fruit.

Anyone had this problem that can reassure me?

The birds will thin them for you!

RAS

2p, you'll need to net it when the cherries look like small green peas, or the pigeons will strip it. It's small enough that you should be able to put in canes far enough away from the branches to deter the blackbirds, who'll peck through the net.

Farway

A lovely sunny & warm Easter morning, made even better by all the fruit blossom in my garden now open & awaiting a good “doing over” by bees

Well done on the cherry 2P, looks same blossom stage as mine, I’ll post mine later once I get down the garden today. No need to thin out BTW, they seems to sort themselves out because despite the amount of blossom a lot doesn’t set IME. I net mine against birds, actually I use chicken mesh ‘cos it holds its shape and doesn’t trap birds, but find the snails crawl up & ruin them instead.

I do hope you get a crop 2P, I have eaten some of mine over the years but handfuls not bowlfuls, that’s gardening for you though, makes what you do eat taste even better

More good news, my Burpless cuc have germinated, only a few months before I’m out there picking away [sarc]

I may pot on the castor oil plants today, they are rocketing away now and the root spaces is limited, plus nip out tops of the Bishops Children dahlias