Gardening

[Sue]

Oh Stanley I don't know these cats are damn clever. Can't speak for slugs though.

[Stanley]

I'm putting the grounds out each morning as soon as I've brewed my coffee. I shall report on progress.....

[PostmanPete]

I bet you don't get any slugs Stanley.......

[Stanley]

That's Nice and positive Pete!

[Sue]

Well we have cut down and removed our Fir tree hedge here in Rochdale. The new fence goes in this week. I now have an extra 4 feet strip of garden. However when I hung the washing out yesterday I remembered why we put them in. The wind whipped across the garden and my washing dried horizontally.

[Sue]

Well even if the cats and slugs are still there you should have a bit if extra composting going on, and the front garden will smell homely.

[Stanley]

Talking about compost.... I'm ready for an FYM injection David!

[David Whipp]

Noted Stanley! Should be able to manage at back end of week.

[Stanley]

What a good man! Usual terms adjusted for inflation......

[Stanley]

Encouraging signs in the front garden. The buds on the Lilac bush are bursting into leaf and the first brave little mint shoots are appearing. A long way to go yet but what we have to report is progress!

[Sue]

Yes things are looking good. Our fir hedge was replaced with a nice fence yesterday. The garden has more sun but also more wind! I have space in my fliwers borders to plant some flowering non spreading perennials.

[Stanley]

Don't put them in too soon Sue..... June will be plenty early enough.

[Sue]

I only do hardy perennials Stanley, hardy because of where we live, perennials because I Have neither the time nor inclination to plant borders every year. I usually go for root stocks or sturdy plants that have been outside at the garden centre. I leave them in their pots for a bit, buried in the soil where they are going to be planted. It usually works.

[PanBiker]

Sally set about our back yard sun trap today while I was out on my walk. She has set up her two small vertical greenhouses ready for propagating stuff for this year. I'm told that I will need to fetch compost and at some point a trip up to Wendy's for some of Sparky and Dennis's best. Plans are afoot that I keep well clear of and just do the humping and shifting, It will look a treat when she has done.

[Stanley]

I am waiting in hope of a visit from my FYM man.....
Sue, I knew you wouldn't be falling into the trap of exposing annuals too early.....

[David Whipp]

Sorry Stanley, car off road last week and am full tilt with elections right now...

[Stanley]

Understood but try to fit me in when you can.
The leaves on the Lilac have decided that Spring is here. They are sprouting like weeds! No doubt encouraged by the fact that after the gale damage and the subsequent drastic pruning they are being fed by the same size root system the larger tree had.... Must spot treat weeds with Roundup today.....

[Wendyf]

Got the mower out and did my first grass cut today, some bits were a bit long and others hadn't grown at all but it all looks much tidier. Last week I planted half my onion sets outside and broad bean & mangetout seeds in the polytunnel. It's a big task just to get the deep beds in there rehydrated. Tomorrow's job is to clean & tidy my small greenhouse so I can start sowing peas and everything else in pots. It's still much too cold to sow anything outside.
Colin wants me to grow some Yacon, it is a tuber that contains inulin, an indigestible sugar,

[Whyperion]

Electric mowed the front and rears at the Burnley property, its on a slope so the rotary bit cuts different lenghts, the dandelions still get through - and the neighbouring gardens dont seem to mow their green areas. most of the garden is laid to concrete slabs so its not too bad to do, with shrubs and succulents (in wet lancashire - they seem to thrive ). Back at mum's flat the window sill geraniums need a tidy, but I have some seeds to sow out on the balcony so giving that a try, the grey squirrels run up the drainpipes and hide their nut,that a neighbour persists in putting out for them.

[Stanley]

Just had a look at your local weather station Wendy and you have no frost yet. It's freezing already here down in the valley...... Interesting that the Gisburn Road weather station is reporting almost 1.8C (1C warmer than you!) , must be getting heat from the building because it is definitely freezing the water on car roofs.

[Tizer]

Colin wants me to grow some Yacon, it is a tuber that contains inulin, an indigestible sugar,

Indigestible by the human enzymes secreted in the stomach and small intestine but the bacteria in the large intestine ferment it, producing abundant gases such as methane and hydrogen (which can be uncomfortable!) Not recommended for anyone with irritable bowel syndrome.

[Wendyf]

True Tiz, just like Jerusalem artichokes which also contain inulin.

[Sue]

My seedlings(second attempt) in the greenhouse are looking good enough to to have a trip to France later in the week. The beetroot is till pathetic And I am Still not happy with courgettes but plants are easily bought on the market in France. It looks like I will have to have a third attempt at butternut squash

[Stanley]

Early days but there is a possibility that the coffee grounds are putting the cat off. No pick up for the last three days.....

[Sue]

Fingers crossed. My daughter has an arrangement at work. She has the coffee grounds from the machines in the canteen. Not only do they keep the cats off but apparently they are good fertiliser for her veggie raised beds.