Hobbies and Crafts

I agree Vera, the gremlins are at work in this GR site, and I know myself just how irritating it can be.

I planted lots of snowdrops last Autumn in several tubs and containers. I am a bit disappointed that very few are actually coming into flower, no idea why??

I also planted quite a few new crocus bulbs in Autumn but so far all the crocus are yellow which is a little bit puzzling as had chosen a variety coloured pack???

The weather has become very Spring like and the weeds are growing thick and fast.
I didn't get all the borders cleared as I had hoped to before Winter set in last year, hence I am on a mission (yet again) to dig out the deep rooted weeds.
I have managed to get out into the garden a few times and hope to carry on weeding again tomorrow. It doesn't look as if I have touched it, to be honest but I am sure a few more sessions will see a good improvement............. fingers crossed!

Well it was not springlike here today, a very cold misty dull day unfortunately after yesterdays lovely weather.

I wonder where Maryanna is she doesn't join us much these days, since she retired :-)

Cold and grey here today as well. I must try and get into the garden in the next day or two as it does need tidying up a bit now.

Not a sign of the anemone nemerosa that OH planted. I think we must have had a duff batch as there were 90 in the pack and I would have thought some of them at least would have come through.

We saw son in November but he and his partner hadn't got their Christmas shopping organised then. We didn't meet again till we were in Yorkshire last week so we have only just received a Christmas present from them. It is a very nice outdoor clock with a thermometer and humidity meter so himself will be out in the garden tomorrow putting it up on the wall.

I hope Maryanna is OK. Perhaps she is busy with the family.

Strange about the anenome nemerosa Vera. Were they corms, I wonder if it was so wet they rotted? Or a mouse ate them. Have you still got a packet or anything? Might be worth complaing to the retailer.

Today was dry and we saw some sun but it was still bitterly cold.

It is odd that none of the anemones have come up. They aren't corms but little thin rhizomes that look like bits of twig. OH followed the instructions which included soaking them overnight before planting. We bought them online from a reputable company and still have the invoice so I think OH should contact them. We also bought winter aconite at the same time and they have done well.

Our weather has also been dry with sunny spells but a really cold wind. I managed to get into the garden for an hour or so. I planted a pot up with a white agapanthus and tidied a couple of other pots but my hands got frozen, even though I was wearing rubbery gloves.

OH was talking about doing some pruning and cutting back and I know what he's like once he gets secateurs or shears in his hands, so I have reminded him that there is a list in the garage (where we keep all the gardening equipment) to tell him what to cut and when, but I think I will have to keep a close eye on him. ;-)

I have pruned the 3 buddleias and OH has clipped a few bits off the apple tree as we don't want it to get too tall but that is all. I need to get out and look at the grasses, as Monty Don told us last week we should be doing that now. :-D I don't like doing the garden when it is so cold though. Fair weather gardener, that is me.

A lovely day today, though there was still a cold breeze. I managed to get into the garden for a couple of hours this afternoon. I tidied up some of the grasses and pruned a couple of shrubs.

We have had a terrace peach in a large pot for a few years and have had some lovely peaches from it but it hasn't done well for the last couple of years so we have given it the old heave-ho. I filled this pot and another half barrel with lilies that I have been keeping in trays of compost while I decided what to do with them.

OH got on with some weeding and then phoned the supplier about our non-showing anemones. I had been told they should bloom Feb and March but apparently our sort bloom March to June. They said to give them a few more weeks and then if they are still not doing anything to get back to them.

The garden may be tiny but there still seems to be a lot of work in it. How did we ever manage to maintain the large garden we used to have?

We have had another couple of dry, bright but chilly days. I am carrying on
weeding the front borders. The green dustbin is getting full, my back aches
but the garden is finally beginning to look like somebody cares once again.

Back in the autumn OH found a pack of about 20 small unidentified corms or bulbs in the garage and planted them in a bit of ground that was somewhat bare. I had forgotten all about them but a few have come through and are in bloom and they have turned out to be chionodoxa (glory of the snows). I'm pleased as that's a little plant I like. I put a few in our old garden and over some years they spread into a big patch. These new ones are quite small at the moment and all seem to be blue, but if they take off they should look really pretty.

Isn't it nice to find unexpected treasure that you have forgotten about Vera? :-)

Is it my imagination or do the daffodils seem to be lasting longer this year? We planted February Gold daffs in the autumn and they seem to have been in bloom for weeks. It's the same with some little tête-à-tête ones I put in. I think daffs are my favourite flower.

You are right Vera, they do seem to be lasting a long time. I have just spent half an hour out there pulling out the dead grass from my grasses in pots (Mony Don said it was time to do it). The sun had gone in and it was very cold so I didn't stay out there although OH who is a hardier soul than me is still pottering out there.

One almost full green dustbin and a much tidier front border, now clear of all weeds.

The back border is wider and more compact with weeds and ivy, so enough to keep me out of mischief for a while. Little and daily is how I am tackling the weeds and I have the aches and pains and weariness to contend with. I am getting old(er).!!!!

It does get harde as we get older Kandj doesn't it? All the bending and tugging out weeds. It is the best way to do it, slowly a few bits at a time. I am sure it will look good when it is finished

Our Daffies have just come into bloomover the past few days,we have LOADS all over the place,just hoping we don't get some bd weather now that they are in flower! it wouldn't be the first time that ours get knocked over & end up with their faces in the soil!

Ann in Glos..........

I have an unreliable computer atm, very hit & miss getting onto the internet or even getting the computer to work at all!! our son is in the process of choosing me a brand new one so I might not be able to get on line for one reason or another.
Our Snowdrops are starting to fade now so if you could send me a PM & let me have your address (whilst I have access to site etc) will then dig some up & send you some as I promised.

Joan.

I bet they look a picture Joan, they really make you feel good to look at them don't they. I am afraid ours are getting battered today as it is windy and raining (and cold).

I have PMd you, thank you so much for your offer. :-) :-) <3

Dry here so far, but a strong wind battering the Spring flowers about.
No plans (or desire) to work in the garden this weekend, with wind and rain forecast too

Yes, windy here and had a few light showers so far. Been to the Range to buy bark and OH has spread that in the front garden to keep the cats off. It was very heavy to lift but he managed it although I was a bit concerned. Luckily he has a trolley to transport the second bag down the end of the back garden. :-)

Began the mission of attacking and digging out the back garden border yesterday but got rained of with a heavy downpour. Hey ho. It has been raining all morning with a
strong wind. It is meant to be fine later and so I hope to begin the mammoth weeding
then. A little each day or I will just made my self exhausted.