I did a search and couldn't find a thread so thought I'd start one. Anyone else gardening this year? Planted some Dahlias yesterday and have been reading up on "pinching out" for when they have grown a bit. I've never tried pinching out before so hopefully it will lead to a better Dahlia year than last year. Also have planted a Echinacea ( Purple Coneflower) which I havent grown before and have a Helenium on order from Sarah Raven which is also a new one for me. My tulips are all up through now, just need a bit of warmth now to help them along! Anyone else?
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Gardening 2016
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Got several big pots planted up and sown some carrots. Must get some runners started soon. Tulips are all but over here - weird spring! Assorted hyacinths that we've been given and planted out in the garden are keeping the path to the patio smelling sweet. Mint sprouting well. Still waiting for the lawn seed to start - needed repairing after a path was laid. Might end up turfing it over come autumn if all else fails.
dejongj
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We found some really good gardeners last year who have just started again and come in every other week. Is a great help to keep things under control.
My wife has been buying lots of colourful stuff that's put in and looking rather nice.
Done the first cuts of the lawn back and front. Got to fill in the bumps and hopefully those weekend will go over it with the aerator as well.
Yesterday was lovely and I cleared out one of our sheds which was like something from arachnophobia. Looking good now and I fitted a four bike bicycle stand so we are almost a proper Dutch family again
Today we are going to a couple of garden centres as we need a replacement bird bath. The old didn't survive and my concrete skills aren't great.
It is starting to look really nice, just very squelchy but that is our area and normal.
My wife has been buying lots of colourful stuff that's put in and looking rather nice.
Done the first cuts of the lawn back and front. Got to fill in the bumps and hopefully those weekend will go over it with the aerator as well.
Yesterday was lovely and I cleared out one of our sheds which was like something from arachnophobia. Looking good now and I fitted a four bike bicycle stand so we are almost a proper Dutch family again
Today we are going to a couple of garden centres as we need a replacement bird bath. The old didn't survive and my concrete skills aren't great.
It is starting to look really nice, just very squelchy but that is our area and normal.
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beyond the blue
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I still have the only wysteria on the planet that never flowers.
And I have the only Pampas Grass that won't
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Some years ago, I set aside 2 days to dispose of a Pampas Grass in the middle of the front lawn. Took me about an hour to pull it up and another to get it loaded and dumped! Probably the only time I've been grateful to the people who "landscaped" this area, who lobbed about 4" of topsoil over the building rubble before turfing and planting it. Has meant that it's taken a while to get things growing properly in the beds (mainly raised) but we're getting there (after 27 years!)
I still have the only wysteria on the planet that never flowers.
We got rid of ours five years ago because of the same problem. We planted it in a south facing location, took special care over the size of pot, and looked forward to seeing vibrant blue blossoms cascading down.
The reality was harsh. A plant which didn't really look healthy from the start just went downhill. It seemed to have buds, signs of new growth, so we left it for the following year, when it performed even worse than the first season.
A total waste of time.
I grew dahlias last year from seed - about 60 in all, and had the best suc cess rate of any plant yet, arounf 50 made it outdoors into pots and borders, gave a few away as well.
Considering the price of dahlias, it is the most economic method of growing them. Pinching out will lead to a better plant, so it doesn't just grow upwards, but encourages lots of flowers down through the levels. For the initial seed planting, I spread a very thin layer of vermiculite over the seed and left it to its own devices. I used a North facing windowsill with four mini boxes with clear plastic lids, which produce a lot of moisture - ideal growing conditions. I am hoping that last years plants will come through again this year.
Julie1979
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I won't be doing much to te garden other than weeding and letting last years new plants establish. I planted a lot of Hosta, heughera, cala lily and ferns in a soggy part of the garden. I will probably add a few more plants to that section. Mostly i'll just weed the garden.
We built a polytunnel in our field last year so currently have quite a lot of red pepper, yellow pepper, banana pepper and jalapeno that are under a grow light having been sewn from seed. I'll be starting off sweetcorn and dwarf french beans next month for the poly. We have carrots, beetroot, lettuce, parsnips, onion, garlic and spring onion growing in there at the moment. Also have some strawberries that are suitable for a poly in there too.
Oh and I have potted up some echinaecia too and will do some sunflowers in there to attract the bees etc into the polytunnel.
We built a polytunnel in our field last year so currently have quite a lot of red pepper, yellow pepper, banana pepper and jalapeno that are under a grow light having been sewn from seed. I'll be starting off sweetcorn and dwarf french beans next month for the poly. We have carrots, beetroot, lettuce, parsnips, onion, garlic and spring onion growing in there at the moment. Also have some strawberries that are suitable for a poly in there too.
Oh and I have potted up some echinaecia too and will do some sunflowers in there to attract the bees etc into the polytunnel.
Alastair
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Got 10 crowns of asparagus planted yesterday, and 6 of 8 posts for the allotment vineyard banged in. Four apple trees were planted a couple of weeks ago, another still to be moved from the garden to the allotment.
Still got two more posts to buy and get in the ground, then wired ready for some rather late pruning. There's also a packet of Jerusalem artichokes ("fartichokes") to get in the ground.
Still got two more posts to buy and get in the ground, then wired ready for some rather late pruning. There's also a packet of Jerusalem artichokes ("fartichokes") to get in the ground.
viv1969
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Mines a decade old... Ground planted, good spread and beautiful foliage, just no flowers
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I still have the only wysteria on the planet that never flowers.
I got rid of mine about 3 years ago, as it was too rampant, grown against a SW facing wall, it took about 3 years to start flowering ( which apparently is normal)
And once it was off, it was a right PITA.
You're right about the Dahlia seeds being more economical Andy. It cost me £8 for my two new tubers this year against a packet of 50 seeds which would have cost around £3. I'm not sure I have the skills/patience to grow from seed though. Re pinching out any tips or advice would be welcome!
viv1969
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You were quite lucky then, or were given a young plant grafted on old wood.
Wisteria is renowned for how old it generally has to be to bloom.
Although I'm impatient, mine could have another 5-10 years until she blooms, depending on the species... Which I don't know.
Wisteria is renowned for how old it generally has to be to bloom.
Although I'm impatient, mine could have another 5-10 years until she blooms, depending on the species... Which I don't know.
From what I can remember last year, I waited until the seedlings were a decent size, then potted them as mini plugs into 3" pots.
Here is the guide which I used.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/propagating/how-to-grow-dahlias-from-seed/101.html
I think that I waited until three clear sets of leaves had formed, and then just pinched off the top set with my nails. I also needed to transfer them into 5" - 6" pots before planting them out in the beds and large garden pots. I kept them on a tray in a couple of those 5' high plastic covered greenhouses until I planted them out, making sure that I watered them a bit during the day. I also had to use slug pellets all around the base of the greenhouse.
Buck
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Managed to cut and edge both lawns today before the heavy rain this PM with the plan to scarily the lawns later in the week then feed them to give them a boost ready for the season ahead.
I also tidied up the pond, particularly the debris from Autumn/winter and the plants in containers in the margins that alway need a good trim at this time of year. The pump got a good clean and will service the filter in the next couple of weeks.
Lots of frogs coupled ready for spawning but no frog spawn as yet. (Probably why we have a near daily visit by Mr.Heron!)
I even spotted a common newt which I've not seen one around our pond before.
Still some Spring pruning to do but the garden looks a whole lot better for the cut and tidy.
I also tidied up the pond, particularly the debris from Autumn/winter and the plants in containers in the margins that alway need a good trim at this time of year. The pump got a good clean and will service the filter in the next couple of weeks.
Lots of frogs coupled ready for spawning but no frog spawn as yet. (Probably why we have a near daily visit by Mr.Heron!)
I even spotted a common newt which I've not seen one around our pond before.
Still some Spring pruning to do but the garden looks a whole lot better for the cut and tidy.
Wee man
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The secret to blooms on wisteria after about four/ five years is pruning. Take off long growth in September, then prune down to 3 or 4 buds per stem in February / March. This advice was given to me in 2014 after five years with plenty of leaves and no flowers. Pruned in September 2014 then again in February 2015. Flowered well for the first time last June.
Dahlia propagation is best with rootstocks planted in trays in greenhouse, when shoots appear take cuttings dip in rooting compound and plant four around the edge of a six inch pot. Cover with a plastic bag, keep moist and they should root in about fifteen days. Transplant to one per four inch pots. Harden off then plant out I got eight new plants from one rootstock last year. The advantage is you know the colour and type you are getting.
Dahlia propagation is best with rootstocks planted in trays in greenhouse, when shoots appear take cuttings dip in rooting compound and plant four around the edge of a six inch pot. Cover with a plastic bag, keep moist and they should root in about fifteen days. Transplant to one per four inch pots. Harden off then plant out I got eight new plants from one rootstock last year. The advantage is you know the colour and type you are getting.
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viv1969
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Aye, this has been tried too.
My neighbour reckons it's one of the older varieties which can take a VERY long time to bloom.
He's a very knowlegable man (with a beautiful wisteria of his own), so I have no cause to doubt him.
I shall continue to be patient and enjoy the foliage.
I will be gardening this year it's my job
Started first week in January and should finish about last week in December. Not complaining it's also my hobby
As for dahlias seed grown plants are best planted a bit deeper than you would most other plants
Tuber grown dahlias are pinched and de branched dependent upon type eg poms about 10-12 branches were as the giants only need 3 branches.
Don't be tempted to plant out before all risk of frost has gone because dahlias are very prone to frost damage.
If you want to save any tubers for next year wait until the frost has turned the leaves black before you lift and store them
Started first week in January and should finish about last week in December. Not complaining it's also my hobby
As for dahlias seed grown plants are best planted a bit deeper than you would most other plants
Tuber grown dahlias are pinched and de branched dependent upon type eg poms about 10-12 branches were as the giants only need 3 branches.
Don't be tempted to plant out before all risk of frost has gone because dahlias are very prone to frost damage.
If you want to save any tubers for next year wait until the frost has turned the leaves black before you lift and store them
dejongj
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We need to top up our borders and whilst the bulk bags looked a great option to get it delivered, I was surprised by how good value for money it can be had locally. We popped into Frosts in Woburn Sands yesterday and their multi purpose compost menure was like less then half the price.
I think I may to go back in our big car and load it up.
I think I may to go back in our big car and load it up.
Alastair
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You can get a frost at 3° forecast temp.
I don't put out non-hardy stuff until the night time temperature looks to be stable above 10°. That's usually into May.
Alastair
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Well it started out with blue skies and sunshine, greyed over as I got the bed dug and pegged out and the sky opened into a deluge as the spade went in for the first planting hole. Got the artichokes planted before a dash to the shed. Soaked.
At least everything's watered in.
At least everything's watered in.
Bring the tubers back in it's far too early.
Mine are sat in mushroom boxes covered in compost with the crowns exposed in a heated greenhouse.
If you have not got a greenhouse a shed or garage will do if they have got a window to let in some light. Place the tubers by the window and if frost is forecast place some fleece or newspaper over them at night. Keep them on the dry side so they don't rot before they root
Mine are sat in mushroom boxes covered in compost with the crowns exposed in a heated greenhouse.
If you have not got a greenhouse a shed or garage will do if they have got a window to let in some light. Place the tubers by the window and if frost is forecast place some fleece or newspaper over them at night. Keep them on the dry side so they don't rot before they root
akr
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Had my first Tulip flower today, daffodils still doing strong.
Going to try Sweetcorn again this year after the squirrels demolished last year's shoots. Going to give up on Strawberry's until I can protect them from the birds and squirrels. Will do peas and tomatoes again, need to decide on runner beans. Probably no courgettes this year though going to try cucumbers outside, Tried too late towards the end of last year but still got a good few cucumbers so will see how we go.
Flowers wise have ordered some Cosmos seeds, Cornflower, Poppy, Sunflowers, Foxglove, 50% at least requested by the kids though I expect I will end up buying plenty of plug or larger plants after I've finished feeding the birds...
Hoping to get some Kiwi fruit this year, plant is about 4 years old now, had loads of flowers and 3 fruit last year that stopped growing, so hoping with a bit more feed this year might have some luck, same with grape vines (not really vines yet).
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I really want to get someone to clear the front a bit this year, get the yew cut right back and sew some foxgloves, hollyhocks & sedum, we usually get hummingbird hawk moths here as well as privet hawk moths & deaths head as well and they seem to love sedum's.
Out back just more foxgloves, hollyhocks & wildflowers around the periphery, a few more old logs too as the insects love them and hence gives more food for the hedgehogs, birds & slow worms.
Yes my garden is left pretty wild in general and just managed for the wildlife rather than anything else.
Out back just more foxgloves, hollyhocks & wildflowers around the periphery, a few more old logs too as the insects love them and hence gives more food for the hedgehogs, birds & slow worms.
Yes my garden is left pretty wild in general and just managed for the wildlife rather than anything else.
LCPete
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I'm not really a gardener but have done 7 planters/tubs with wild flower seeds
I filled them with compost that's free at our local recycling place and got some seeds from eBay job done
Am hoping to attract insects to the garden so that I can photograph them
Also repotted our bamboo that was badly potbound I had to use a saw to split them up !
I filled them with compost that's free at our local recycling place and got some seeds from eBay job done
Am hoping to attract insects to the garden so that I can photograph them
Also repotted our bamboo that was badly potbound I had to use a saw to split them up !
I now have a decent display of Daffs and Tulips, from the bulbs which I planted in November 2014. This is their second year in the raised bed, and they seem to be enjoying the conditions.
I am a bit concerned that the Glads are starting to show already - about 4" high at the moment.
When do the rest of you prune roses if you grow them?
I am a bit concerned that the Glads are starting to show already - about 4" high at the moment.
When do the rest of you prune roses if you grow them?
akr
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I think this year will be the 3rd year. One is in the ground, one in a large container. I'm more hopeful this year but let's see!
3 bottles...I think you are way ahead of me!