Roseisle-News.com

Community Blether

Gwynne Hetherington

GardenTips#03

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Our weather here in Moray has been very kind to us and looking ahead for the next week to ten days we are in for more dry weather except for tomorrow morning. Another cold spell is coming up this weekend so maybe some delicate plants need protection against the cold with a fleece.

The garden is still a bit sleepy although the bulbs have come through and looking promising. I think with the little to no rain the herbaceous borders look as if nothing is growing but time will bring growth at some stage. With no rain in the forecast I will give the Rhododendrons a bucket of water each to help with the flowering period.

The vegetable seeds are coming along nicely but are not at a stage where they need to be pricked out and potted on. There are some flower seedlings which are ready to prick out and pot on.

There is still some cutting back and tidying up to do in the flower border to get on with. At the same time I shall have some stock fencing ready cut to put over some perennials that need support. This method has proved very successful in the past. The Lavenders and some Ericas which have passed flowering have been cut back today. Next are the Buddleias to be shaped and cut back.

We have some lovely home-made compost all ready to be spread out onto the new bed we have created where the multistemmed Elm tree had to be taken down due to Dutch Elm Disease.

In a weeks time I will sprinkle some Poppy seeds in the areas which will need some extra colour, also the Meadow seed mix and Calendulas will be sown direct into the soil and let them get on with what they do best. Then next in line will be to sow the Peas, Beans, Carrots, Parsnips and Beetroot seeds and that will be a relief!

We are in a very unusual surreal situation with the Coronavirus on our door step so to have a garden is a real bonus and we are very fortunate to be able to step out in ours to enjoy the developing stages of plant life.

And yes the first frog spawn has been spotted today and hopefully there will be much more to follow!

GardenTips#02

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Moray certainly has had a sunny weekend and the days ahead look reassuring, mainly dry and sunny with some showers on Tuesday and Friday.

These sunny days brings one into overdrive, still plenty to do like washing down the inside of the polytunnel, the outside might be more tricky to do?! Next will be the greenhouse but this will need to be a sunny day because all the plants go outside while the glass gets a good wash and clean then all goes back, the plants having had some loving care.

The buds on our wildlife hedges are swelling and some are coming into leave and having left the hedge untouched since last summer, this week we are giving it a cut and leaving the birds to use it as they desire.

Looking at our selected seed packets I have started sowing the ones which show that sowing can commence from February onwards eg. Savoy Cabbage, Cauliflower and Brussel Sprouts. Mid to late March more vegetables of the cabbage family will be sown.

Weeding is still on the menu every day but taking up less time now from previous years! Cutting back Elders has been completed and for the Dogwood, Buddleia and Fuchsias we need to wait another month.

The birds are fed daily with fresh water too, the Blackbirds love apples this time of the year. Has anyone got frog spawn yet? My aunt in Guildford has had some over a week now. I love to compare with other parts of Britain what flowers are appearing and how long it takes for the same flowers to come through here.

A lovely lady once wrote to me ‘Fruit for sustenance, Flowers for gladness and Buds for hope’ and I feel those sentiments daily!

Garden Tips#01

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We are in for an another week of unsettled weather and more strong winds to come.

Walking round the garden we are looking for any damage to trees and shrubs but luckily so far only dead wood has fallen from our mature trees. There was an Abutilon shrub which looked very drunk and in desperate need of staking back into an upright position and then we reduced its height.

Now there is still plenty of weeding to do while the flowering plants and bulb foliage are still small, the unwanted “weeds” are romping ahead and easily visible. All the weeds make a good concoction for the compost heap!

There are still one or two herbaceous plants to split up and replant and a few biannual Evening Primroses to plant here and there in the flower borders. Soon the garden is coming alive – so very exciting!

Now too is the time to choose your seeds to grow your own vegetables either in your vegetable garden or in containers!