madgardener23

Make overs

Plants that should come with a warning

The other day I was watching Gardener’s World (CPD) and one of the presenters was showing how you can have a wildlife pond in any size garden by sinking a wooden half-barrel in the ground – a great idea !! click on the link below to wqtch the barrell pond. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09jbcl8 you’ll notice that heContinue reading “Plants that should come with a warning”

Busy days

The gardens are in full swing after the cold spring we’ve had. Grass cutting weekly, weeds popping up everywhere. The rewards of the autumn and spring preparation, mulching, planting and pruning (especially the roses) are starting to show.

Clearing

Clearing for a start to a garden that will benefit wildlife..including; some water (wildlife pond), more perennial plants for insects, native mixed hedge for food and shelter. margins of cleared area – kept the comfrey, blue alkanet, herb Rober, nettles, some wood avens, and possibly clearing an overgrown veggie plot and planting veggies; beans, butternutContinue reading “Clearing”

Flowers

Some interesting, common and not so common flowers. Can you name all of them?

No day is ever the same

Some interesting work this week – A customer’s beloved tree peony was damaged in high winds – the first year that each of his 3 plants have had 3 blooms, and growing well; after expanding the bed and adding 20 bags of compost and 10 of manure last autumn. I discovered the damage and sawContinue reading “No day is ever the same”

Lawns

I use a mower which has 3 options; collection, mulch and side discharge. Generally I use collection at the start of the season i.e the forst cut after winter, and the last cut before winter. Why? Overwintered grass has to survive the cold, ice, snow – whatever is thrown at it – collecting these bladesContinue reading “Lawns”

Warmer weather

Although the nights have still been cold with the occasional frost, the day time temperatures have been rising, noticeable in perennials starting to shoot, and as usual the weeds out”shooting” the perennials we want in our flower beds. Now is the time to start weeding.. Especially if your prized perennials are being smothered. Many weedsContinue reading “Warmer weather”

Resilience of plants

I hate that word “resilience” – it’s THE word of the noughties , from schools to government – used to justify hard times and “praising” people for their “resilience”. However when it comes to plants , that is where you see true resilience. I transplanted a very old rose bush (25 years old) as itContinue reading “Resilience of plants”

“lawn” maintenance

This lawn is work in progress.. Bit lumpy from digging by 2 dogs. Watch this space! Unkempt front lawns can be a magnet for some unscrupulous “gardeners” especially vulnerable risky housebound persons. Keeping them tidy helps to avoid these “door to door” services. 1 hour and this lawn is now looked after…