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!
What a joy to read your in depth post about your garden especially as we aren’t able to meet up. We look forward to seeing the results of your labours.
We have started pricking our a few seeds, celeriac and cabbage and are starting tomatoes, beetroots etc in the heated propogators.
Like you we have been doing lots of cutting back and weeding and are enjoying the daffodils which we add to every autumn. It’s always gratifying to see more appear each year.
I’m dying to plant the garden from overwintered plants in the polytunnel, but shall hold off as your weather forecasts are usually right and a cold snap would probably not do them a lot of good.
Let’s hope the lockdown ends soon and once again people are able to visit you and your garden. Til next, trowels to the fore!
A garden quote for these times ‘where flowers bloom, so does hope’
Hi Gwynne
Can I ask will you sew your peas, beans, carrots, beetroot and parsnip seeds into pots and then plant out later when they have grown, or straight into the soil now? I’m new to planting vegetables but luckily I purchased veg seed 3 weeks ago.
Kind regards
Lindsey
Hi Lindsey, I’m definitely not Gwynne and a newbie, but I find I have had more success sowing seeds in trays and pots rather than directly, but that maybe because on a steep learning curve too! Good luck