[Tuppence2]

Hello Telecom, everyone.

Yes, I'm still at it! The growing season hasn't stopped here, yet! Bulbs shooting all over the place, buds on trees and bushes. I've still perpetual spinach in the garden from the spring. We're extremely wet, too, but I understand there could still be water shortages in the South East if rain doesn't fall regularly there. I was tidying polyanthas at the garden center the other day - pretty little things - actually saw green-fly and eggs. We've just not had the very cold weather to put a finish to them.

Managed to plant "Guinee" (climbing rose) today, underneath the garden obelisk so that it will be supported and I can see it from my window. Also got "Shelia's Perfume" into the ground and I'll be able to see her from the window, too.

Thinking of what I want to grow this year: Potatos, mange tout, courgettes, lettuce, spinach, tomatos - don't think I'll bother with runner beans this year. There are also the "mad" strawberries trying to take over!

I may also be "growing" bantam eggs! A friend has some housing I can use for them, an ark, that could be put at the bottom of the garden, beyond the fencing to keep the dogs away, and once they're settled, they could have free range of that part of the garden. In the planning stages at present but I'm going to look at pretty bantams now.

[Tuppence2]

Hello, everyone. (Friday, 12th) I'm just preparing photos to post at RosariansCorner in the Photo of the Week forum as I'm on the calendar for the 14th. I've chosen "Abraham Darby".

I've bought packets of seeds (can't wait to plant them but they don't go in the ground until March). The little blue grid under "March" on the packets is shown as the time to plant them, so does that mean the beginning of March? I suppose it will depend on how cold it is then.

I've got: Mangetout "Oregan Sugar Pod"; Beetroot "Bolthardy"; Spring Onion "White Lisbon"; Spinach Beet (perpetual spinach); and Courgette "Black Beauty". Hope they, or some of them, grow well. Want to get lettuce as well, later.

Just ordered a strimmer as I've not been able to get at the grass with the mower. Driving rain and strong winds yesterday - I was out with the dogs in the worst of it! The wind is just getting up again (Friday evening).

Good gardening!

[telecom69]

Hi all,but not many of us around at the moment is there Penny,as you say it depends on how the weather is in March of course as to when you sow,and its easy to get carried away if we have a warm start and start sowing only for the weather to change suddenly,and a long period of cold wet weather arrive and rot the seeds in the ground....Mid to late March is a good time to be starting,even better if you can cover the seed rows with some sort of plastic cloches.....seeds sown later always catch up anyway with better conditions.....its always a gamble really you just hope you made the right descision at the time,hard though it may be,it might be better if you waited till very late March early April,to get more certain results .

This site here might help as you can click on individual veg seeds to see what might be best http://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/veget...g_how_to_s.php let us know eventually as to how things turn out ......One thing for sure each season is different,sometimes good when everything goes great,and others when it all goes wrong thats the beauty of gardening really the uncertainty of it all,and that special buzz when it all goes well

As for me well,Ive started cleaning out the wildlife pond and deep down in the roots of the reeds there are lots of frogs no doubt still in some sort of hibernation mode,that didnt take kindly to being disturbed but it has to be done or it will be choked solid with nowhere for them to spawn,will have it finished this weekend,weather permitting ....so many of my things are showing very early buds,even some of the Fuschias which are always last to get going,the grass is still growing,gave it a good raking with the lawn rake,and looked at my Clematis Montanas,they need to be cut back very soon now,but everything is so wet

Till next time thats about it, will post again soon,we kept the thread going Penny

[Tuppence2]

Good morning, Telecom, on Saturday. We'll keep the thread alive until others are around again!

I saw snowdrops in a garden the other day, though mine aren't out yet. I think the daffodils are going to be first to flower, either those or the crocus.

Thanks for the very useful link about the seeds and for the advice. I'll wait as long as I can. I'm waiting for potatos sets to come into the nursery! It'll be a while yet, I expect. Or I could order a specific variety on-line. Will think about that.

It's like a spring day today, unlike the strong winds and rain of the past couple of days. I'vr just photographed the quince flowers and bulb shoots, along with buds and shoots on trees and roses. It's unbelievable, it's seems only last week that the plants were settling for the winter.

You frogs will be much happier with more space. I know one year that there were tadpoles in my big pond that didn't develop and I only saw a very few frogs later on.

It's my turn to post the "Photo of the Week" at RosariansCorner, so if you look there you'll see my "Abraham Darby", such a beautiful rose (My name there is "Meschuee). There's a separate forum for POTW.

This morning, I took a photo of the new obelisk in place, with it's rose underneath and will post it later.

I've a huge piece of cardboard that came wrapped round a fridge/freezer and have lain it on the veggetable garden to walk on - it will decompose naturally and could even be used to line the bottom of a trench, say for the mangetout.

I had to buy a new pair of long wellies and have cut down the old ones and am using them as garden shoes, rather than throw them out. They'll do as long as it's not very wet as one has a tiny hole in it.

[Tuppence2]

This is the Chaenomeles (Japanese Quince) in flower already and a photo of new buds on my dwarf Kilmarnock willo.

[telecom69]

Hi Penny, thanks for posting the photos of the first signs of Spring I love just going round the garden to see what is coming to life again,and this year its there in abundance,but Im wondering just how this might affect the plants for the coming season,as you say they have hardly had any rest yet....there is nothing we can do about it though so we will just have to wait and see...

I went looking for the Rosarians Corner site and was mightily impressed by it,its certainly some big site ...some parts I was not allowed to see unless I became a member,so I signed up ...you know, you might just have rekindled my interest in roses after many years with just two I think,I saw so many of my old favourites,and am strongly thinking that I might just have another try with them this year,as I have plenty of room at the bottom part of my garden ...there have been so many new additions since I grew roses over thirty years ago and I had never heard of that one you posted on the site,but it looked very impressive

I will look round the garden centre in the next week or so and see whats on offer,and at what price of course,and let you know in due course ...so thanks for posting that site,it might be the start of something new till next time hope the weather keeps fine for you ...Bob

[trekguy]

Wow, things growing already. Forgive my ignorance, but do you all in the UK have winter?? I suppose the proximity to the ocean tempers the winters there. My definition of winter is, well, where everything freezes completely solid for about 4-6 months, then slowly comes back to life sometime in April.

Last night it was -20F here...

[telecom69]

Hi trekguy, no we dont have Winters nowadays,well not what you can really call Winters,we just get very short days with not much sun about its only been like this in recent years,down to global warming we think, as we used to have Winters with deep snow and freezes that lasted for weeks,but for some reason it just doesnt happen any more ...we still get a few frosts now and again that puts paid to the more tender plants but in the main most things continue growing just about,the grass for instance never stops growing,I even managed to cut mine a couple of weeks back ....the modern generation over here dont know what a Winter is,as in lots of parts of the country we never even see much snow any more,if we get a hard frost here this country shuts down it cant cope,schools shut down and the traffic stops moving,they havent a clue as to how to cope,so its perhaps as well we dont have real Winters any more ....biggest problem at this time of the year is that everything is so wet from lots of rain,and they cant even cope with that as there are hosepipe restrictions in some areas even at this time of the year....

[trekguy]

Actually, we have had a relatively mild winter so far. But even the mildest of winters here don't allow for growth of anything until April or May.

As far as Global Warming... not sure I'm convinced about that. The earth has warmed and cooled a countless number of times... and I tend to think we are just in a warm cycle right now. Saves on the heating bill, though!

Yikes, more ignorance here... but....what are "hosepipe restrictions"?

[telecom69]

Hosepipe restrictions cover this below ....

These restrictions only apply to the private use of water.

You may not use a private hose pipe in any way connected to mains water to water your garden. This applies to fixed or handheld watering.
You may not use a hosepipe in any way connected to mains water to wash your car.

Its not a national thing,it just applies in certain areas,does seem strange though,that in a Country as small as we are,completely surounded by water,tht we need these things

Im not entirely convinced about global warming either yet,but there are so many programmes on TV giving evidence that it is happening,and the fact that we dont get any Winters anymore,not here anyway,it does make you wonder .....

[trekguy]

I guess I don't doubt that the earth is warmer... right now. I understand that the polar ice is melting, etc. I'm just not sure that WE are the cause of it. Even though there are a lot of people on earth, I think we're still fairly insignificant as far as affecting such a massive thing as climate. I mean, the earth is 3/4 ocean, and a huge part of what is land is uninhabited. It's a natural cycle... a few years from now, we'll have a few bitter cold years, and scientists will be sure that we're heading for another ice age... like they predicted in the 70's. Remember, they said temps were dropping, crops wouldn't grow, lakes were going to freeze, we would burn the fossil fuels at an even faster rate... just to stay warm.

Ahhh, water restrictions... is that normal for this season, or just this particular year??

[Tuppence2]

Hello Trekguy and Bob.

I did wonder where that "Ice Age" had gone - can remember well it being predicted!

In the South West, particularly in Wiltshire, we have enough water for the time being, in that there are natural aquafers beneath the chalk hills of the area. The South-East of the country is much shorter on water than we are and, even with the rain we've had, is predicted as not having enough water in resevoirs, etc. to cope. I can only remember one hose-pipe ban here, way back in the 80's, I think. It costs water comapanies a lot of money to bring in water from other areas - our water bills are horrendous!

I'm very pleased, Bob, that you liked "RosariansCorner" - a wonderful collection of people from all over the place. Not many of us Brits, so you will be a welcome addition.

You'll like "HelpMeFind" as well. Another rose forum, where you can add photo of your own roses - they're particlarly pleased to have photos of ones they don't have already. I've some of my photos there.

http://www.helpmefind.com/

This interest in roses has only manifested itself in me recently - I've always liked them but am becoming addicted. I see that "Arthur Bell" (in the front garden) has some very nice shoots appearing. "Felicia" in a tub has kept its green leaves, they've not died as on some of the other roses. I took a piece of one of the roses, "Perpetually Yours", I think, and it's doing well. There are a couple of other pieces that seem to be growing, too - won't know what they are until, and if, they flower.

I looked at potatoes and garlic today for the vegetable garden. There's a variety of garlic to plant in early spring. I'd like some "Harlequin" seed potatoes. There was a site that offered a selection of potatoes and free ones if you spent over £19.

I've just ordered a strimmer, hoping to get the longest of the grass cut with it as I still can't get the mower on the soggy ground.

[Tuppence2]

Whee! I was looking at seed potatoes on-line yesterday, only to find, when I went to do my voluntary work today at the garden centre and nursery, that their stock is in. I know it's early to buy them but they would sell quickly, so I've got some and they're sitting upstairs in the dark, in a cold room.

There were lots of interesting varieties but I won't have room for hundreds of spud plants! I got:

1Kilo each of lst Early Red Duke of York
Salad Charlotte
2nd Early Catriona
and 2.5Kilos Main Crop Pentland Crown.

Will probably get some Pink Fir Apple as well.

I'm just about to have mashed potato for my evening meal. What makes you think I like potatoes!

There are a lot (20 or more) of hanging baskets in front of the garden centre and I spent two hours dead-heading, tidying and watering them. Found some with masses of greenfly, would you believe! Eggs and adults. They were taken down and will be sprayed, as will the others. I've never known a year with greenfly in January!

My "Black & Decker" Strimmer arrived. It's a GL741 with a 700w motor. I need a few dry days now to get some of the moisture out of the grass so I'll be able to use it.

Penny

[telecom69]

Hi all,but Penny in particular as everyone else seems to have hibernated Im supposing you know all about potato growing Penny,but this here is a great little site with lots of info on it http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_..._1a_potato.asp nothing quite like freshly dug potatoes from the garden ....used to grow them one time long ago,but dont have the room any more ...glad you got your strimmer hope you can find the dry period to get the grass cut,sometimes if the grass has not dried and its getting long,Ive gone out and given it a good brushing with a bass broom first thing in the morning,and a couple of hours later its been in good enough condition for using a strimmer on,as long as it stays dry of course .

Surprised you found those greenfly, I suppose it was because the baskets were in a sort of sheltered position,hardy little so and so's arent they ? ...Looks like we are in for another battering of high winds and heavy rain for today (Thursday) just hope that my fence weathers the storm its OK and in good condition,but these 6ft panels tend to bow a bit and blow out of the post grooves sometimes,so will be keeping an eye on them ...

Finally got my wildlife pond sorted,just hope I have not upset the sleeping residents too much,would hate to lose my newts especially,still its got plenty of time now to settle before they wake up for Spring ...

Ive got this Hebe and I rather liked it but Buster,my dog,for some reason thinks he has to pee on it every day,have no idea why, and of course one side of it has died,its gone black I dont know if I can salvage whats left of it,I will certainly have to move it behind the fence,where he cant get to it,as soon as I get a chance I will lop off all the dead bits and see how it goes ...till next time take care ...Bob

[Tuppence2]

Your poor Hebe! I certainly know about that situation. Hope it revives when you move it. Thanks very much for the potato information. I do need to know when to start the chitting process and how long it takes. And thanks for the tip about brushing the grass before strimming it. It makes sense to have the grass brushed upright.

Awful strong winds today, fencing down, especially the panel sort you have. Mine is of a different, stronger construction, post and rails put up with the fencing pieces nailed to it. My neighbour on the left hand side has panels down, they've blown into my garden. Hope they don't squash the onions. I can't get out to move them as the wind is just too strong.

Lots of damage at Palmer Gardens this morning. I did some volunatry work and thought at one point that the roof was going to blow away from the big potting shed while I was in it! Posts have snapped, plants and trees in post blown everywhere, wooden bird feeders blown over and the hanging basket stand went over and had to be put in to the shop. It's gusting at around 40 miles an hours but feels a lot worse than that. I left my bike at the nursery - I was blown to a standstill several times walking home.

I'm pleased your pond is sorted. There are lots of newts at the nursery and it's a protected site for them. I've some nice photos of the orange, spotted under-belly on one of them. The youngsters (most with learning disabilities) had found a "frog" at the nursery and put it in a big bath! I took it out yesterday and found it was a toad and had to tell them that frogs and toads need exit routes from ponds, baths, etc., as they don't live in the water all the time. I think the poor thing was close to drowning. I put it under a hedge and covered it with leaves. The greenfly wouldn't stand much change if it could get at them!

Yes, the affected baskets were hanging on a wall in a sheltered position, the others that were more exposed weren't so badly affected.


I'll remind Frankwhen I email him, that he needs to come and see us here! Not to worry, though, more space for ourselves.