Here we go round again! 5 crocuses flowering, two snowdrop clumps showing bloom, and the early-planted garlics have-to my surprise- put up two tender hope-shoots (from many more planted).

As there's not much of interest going on with regard to the weather, my thoughts have returned to gardening.  The winter-flowering jasmine has put on a good show this year, as we've hardly had any frosts which tend to kill off the flowers.  The begonias that I planted last spring are still alive, though the tops of the old flower heads got nipped by the frost when we had some last year.  There's a chance they might survive to next spring, though there's always the possibility of a late frost to do them in.

A couple of weeks ago I got out and tied up my loganberry canes because the buds were starting to burst (two months early) and if I'd left it any longer there was the possibility of damaging them as I moved the canes around.  Apart from that there's not much I can do as the ground is so sodden it isn't even possible to do any weeding.

A beautiful sunny day has allowed me to do the first mow of the lawn, sweep up the last of the leaves and generally tidy up the garden. Green bin is full, so needed to use a "garden bag" - which is nearly full! Feeling very satisfied. Beer fridge is full so I can keep up my fluids as needed! Managed to bake 2 loaves of bread too!
Roger

Edited by user 13 March 2020 17:18:38(UTC)  | Reason: + bold

Newly arrived patio cherry tree ' Stella ' has arrived. Plenty of buds on it so need the frost to stay away. I have  a good sheltered spot for it. 

What a beautiful day it is here today. Although I've been doing bits and bobs in the garden for a while this feels like the first real day of gardening for me.

With preparations for a lockdown in mind I've sown a number of pots of herbs to grow indoors (should've done it sooner but never mind). I've also sown spinach, chard and lettuce. The garlic and leeks are coming along nicely and we still have plenty of chard and kale that has lasted over winter - although it is now starting to go to seed.

Bumble bees are around, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, it's been a real tonic to get out.

Originally Posted by: ktaylor

On my front lawn I got tulips and daffodils but last two years they don't seem to flower. The leaves grow but no flowers. Perhaps time to let them go. Also the grass needs cutting but the ground is so spongy the the mower will probably just rip it up. Me shrubs are starting to sprout leaves. Really need to sort my garden the winter has trashed it. 

You could try lifting and moving the bulbs. Also, a well-drained spot is better than a muddy lawn for many spring bulbs- not fritillaria of course.

Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle

 

You could try lifting and moving the bulbs. Also, a well-drained spot is better than a muddy lawn for many spring bulbs- not fritillaria of course.

Ok shall try that see how we get on. Didnt think of moving them. 

Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle

 

You could try lifting and moving the bulbs. Also, a well-drained spot is better than a muddy lawn for many spring bulbs- not fritillaria of course.

And divide the bulbs at the same time,  overcrowding can lead to loss of flowering. But if you;ve got any spare cash this autumn, I'd say buy in new bulbs and pick varieties billed as suitable for naturalising, some hybrids lose their vigour after a while.

Originally Posted by: NMA

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-52262603/coronavirus-digging-for-therapy-amid-the-pandemic

 

 

That's a nice piece. Hard work turning grassland to a vegetable patch! 

For what it's worth and to avoid the hassle of sowing seed, it's probably easier to buy for 45p or so, those pots of parsley you often find in supermarkets. Far far cheaper than most garden centre offerings. They are often a bit floppy but if you cut them back by a third and repot into a decent compost or even plant them in open ground they soon produce fresh growth. Otherwise parsley from seed can take an age and a half to germinate.

However for dill and basil, both are very easy to grow from seed yourself if you can find seeds nowadays. Thyme is easy from cuttings once you have a decent plant but you must keep it well trimmed so it produces fresh leaves.