Spring In Our Step

greenbee

I've moved a table into the summerhouse and set off a bug bomb in there. I've also removed two plastic containers from the garage, but they've only made it as far as the lawn, and actually need to get to the shed.

I started filling the planters outside the kitchen (where I grow my salad and carrots) and ran out of compost. So I went to Tesco and filled a big trolley with bales of compost (I fitted 10 in - I probably could have added another two, but probably wouldn't have been able to move the trolley), loaded up the car, came home, and finished filling the planters. They are temporarily covered with chicken wire to keep the cats off, and I will find the frames and covers tomorrow so I can sow stuff in them. As well as going back to Tesco for another 400l of compost as I have veg plants to pot up and beds in the veg plot to top up and start planting. 

greenbee

Plastic containers are in the shed. More stuff is out of the shed, hopefully being used by the builders as they adjust the summerhouse roof so they can attach guttering. Rest of the compost is now in the garden rather than behind the car, so I need to summon up the energy to go and buy another trolley full. 

Other jobs today include getting the planters covered and sown, making a start on temporary gates for the veg plot, and raking some patches in the orchard to get to bare soil so I can sow wildflower seeds. 

Makingabobor2

Wow, that's a lot of compost you are getting through @greenbee. This is the trouble with gardening isn't it? The cost of compost really pushes up the cost of growing your own veg. 

greenbee

Just came home with another 400l... once the garden is 'made' then I think I should be able to manage on what I make myself plus a bit of extra manure/BFB/tomato food/whatever, but this is the expensive time. Last year I was ordering it in bulk bags. This year I want a tipper load of mulch now and probably one in the autumn (trying to get hold of the supplier, as ideally I want it before the next bank holiday), and in future any tree work will involve them leaving shreddings on site as I'll have organised space for them!

Frames and covers have been located for the planters, so those can be done in the next day or two as well. Guttering is nearly done on the summerhouse, so I just need to grab a builder to help me with the garden furniture before they leave/I start work

Also on the list if it remains damp is getting the rest of the books put away in my office now the paint is dry. 

PennysIntoPounds

I have finally taken off a cupboard door that didn't close properly that has been annoying me several times a day every day for a year 😂

Cheery_Daff

A big OAT ticked off for me - the LPG firm have finally agreed that the work they claimed was mandatory was actually NOT mandatory, and have reduced what they planned to charge us by about £700. I could persist and go to the ombudsman I think, but I'm not going to, so as soon as I've replied and said yes, that's the whole saga dealt with 😊

Also another OAT in the study - shifted all my exercise stuff from some overflowing baskets in the corner to a chest of drawers which is ultimately destined for another room, but will stay there for now. Mice had been at the foam in my cycling shorts 😬 so they've gone in the bin, along with a few other nibbled items, so a bit of bonus mice-induced decluttering 🙄 Corner is now clear and hoovered, and I'll wipe down the walls when the dehumidifier has been running for a bit.

Also posted an envelope full of seeds off to a friend, so a bit of decluttering there too 😊

Sallyforth

Nice to catch up on everyone’s OATs. Not sure mine count today but feel exhausted by too many things in one day. Knew our chiropodist was coming at 9.30 so had to be showered and vacuumed etc. Window cleaner arrived mid foot stuff which terrifies boy cat. Paid window cleaner. Dashed off for pedicure and manicure. Arrived home shattered so put feet up and caught up on more All Creatures Great & Small.

KajiKita

Significant, long standing OAT demolished today 😊

I have two largeish pots in the corner of my conservatory. One has a Hoya in it, growing up the wall and the other a now perennial black eyed Susan that climbs up the Hoya. 

The BES had become very top heavy (all the growth at the ceiling), both pots very impoverished and black mould on the leaves of the Hoya. Tackling it is a job I have been putting off for months ….

Well today, I made up a vinegar water mix and washed all the black mould off the leaves and the wall, pruned the Hoya lightly and the BES vigorously, topped the pots with 2 inches of fresh compost, planted a trailing white geranium in the front of each pot and gave them both a good water. 

The cleaning up after that lot took a while! 😉

KK

PennysIntoPounds

Love the feet, hands, cat, sofa combo @sallyforth

Wonderful work @KajiKita

rachmac3

OOOOOO I bet that looks stunning @KajiKita !!
I too have been dealing with mouse related matters @Cheery_Daff, cleaning out a cupboard that a mouse had been in recently, soaking and scrubbing all contents, hoovering and bleaching, and having a good sort out (me, not the mouse, he could have stayed if he'd done such house chores). It took me all weekend!