John The Gardener

Spring jobs in the herb garden.

2008-05-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

I have tidied up the herb bed and given it a good mulch, the Jasmine has plenty of new growth, rosemary is thriving as is the chive. The oregano is emerging, no sign of the sage yet. The green pot contains self-seeded tarragon.

Clearing Weeds

2008-05-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Today I have been clearing weeds from the veg patch ready for some planting. Robert has been helping, there's his spade.

The compost bin is full, ready for digging in. The water butt is also full.

Plenty of worms and slugs are out and about plus a snail but not much other insect life as yet. The blackbirds were sat on the roof waiting for me to go in for a cup of tea so they could feast on the freshly turned over soil.

We've had typical spring weather today, sunshine and showers.

New Growth

2008-03-29T05:10:00.000-07:00

After all the wind and snow has subsided I can see little things growing in every corner of the garden. The London Pride looks fresh and green and random Snap Dragons are appearing where they have self-seeded. The blackcurrant has new leaves and right down at the far end of the garden I can see a couple of wallflowers in flower.

The birds are very much awake in the mornings now, their song starts my day. A friend of mine was telling me how he has a pair of Nuthatches which visit his garden to feed from the bird feeders he has put out. He was a surprised to find just before the snow came the male Nuthatch frantically pecking at the mortar between the house bricks. After a time the bird had made a hole large enough to fill with seeds from the feeder. Its incredible how they are aware of the changing weather and know how to prepare for the worst.

What Are They?

2008-03-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

I was wondering if anyone out there on the blogosphere can name these flowers. I spotted them while we were on holiday in Devon and so far I cannot figure out what they are called.

Did the Earth Move?

2008-03-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, we had an earth tremor. The whole house shook. I had just gone to bed when it happened. Most people slept through it.

Nothing to do with gardening per se but I thought I'd record it for posterity anyway.

Tomatoes

2008-03-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well, its the1st of March and pretty soon, the clocks will be going forward an hour to put us into British Summer Time once more.
The first thing I do in March is to plant tomato seeds to stick in the greenhouse for summer.
I'm thinking of trying the new method of growing tomatoes this year where the roots are hung high from the greenhouse roof and the trusses are allowed to hang down. I think it's a Dutch idea. Apparently, because the plant doesn't have to use its energy pushing the water and feed supply against gravity, the fruit is bigger.

time will tell but i am a tomato junkie and my favourite variety is Moneymaker. I find that the bigger tomatoes haven't got as much flavour.

Roll on summer.

Water Features

2008-02-29T03:27:00.000-08:00

This year, I am determined to install a water feature in the garden

There are so many types to choose from. Real concrete, resin, you can even buy stainless steel.

then there is the problem of electricity in the garden.

Now I'm the first to admit that I'm no electrician. but i know a man who is. My brother Steve qualified as an electrician before he went self employed and he pointed me to the pond he has built. Apparently, Blagdon who manufacture pond pumps an accessories do a simple garden electricity kit. It comes in various lengths and plugs into a 13 amp socket in your kitchen. It terminates in a fully double insulated switch box from which you can run all your equipment such as pond pumps, water features and low voltage garden lighting. Sounds good to me. i have got my eye on a stainless steel mushroom water feature as it is small enough to fit in my garden.

Here's a link to the water feature if you want to have a sneak preview. Steve built it into his deck so you can't see the resin bowl underneath but it looks fantastic, and it's lit as well. Should provide a talking point in the long summer evenings.

As you can tell, I'm an eternal gardening optimist. Surely this year can't be as bad as last weather-wise.

Weather:

Uncommonly warm for the last day in February. Looking at the onion patch from last year. I'm wondering whether to put a deck up and grow veg in bags this year as an experiment into micro-gardening.

Saves all that digging and weed problems. plus if i get some copper strip it may keep the slugs away.

Snow

2008-02-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

Well, it had to happen. the moment I think about the garden, the white stuff descends from the heaven

The dafodils were poking their heads up from between the paving on the front garden and i hope they survive the snow. the temperature is in minus figures as i write and the central heating seems inefective strangely.

Only thing to do is sit by the fire and look through the seed catalogues.

Free Seeds

2008-02-16T05:35:00.001-08:00

We are hoping to grow some carrots this year and found these free seeds on the cover of Kitchen Garden Magazine

You may know, we are huge fans of this publication. It features many useful articles on growing vegetables and includes recipes for those summer gluts.

The free seeds definately make the magazine worth buying throughout the planting season.

After The Rain

2008-02-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

Its a new season. After last years washout we are cautious about our spring growing. I think more veg will be put into the greenhouse and flowers outside. Everything failed last year except the onions and runner beans. It was heartbreaking to stand at the kitchen sink and watch the rain bash the petals off flowers and waterlog tender young vegetable plants. As for the house, that took a bashing with the weather last year so we have had to install new guttering and downpipes. Lets hope we have a good spring to get the gardening started this year.

And as for the rats we have had no visitors over the winter. Every access point into the kitchen has been sealed. But I did see one rat yesterday running across the back garden and as my father would say, "it was big enough to put a saddle on!" So next week we are baiting and trapping again to rout out the last of them.

John the Gardener 2 Vermin 0

2007-07-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Strange smell coming from the weed tea bin.

On closer inspection I found a dead rat floating in the water. A disinfectant soaked towel around the nose and mouth and the offending corpse was put in a black bin bag and deposited in the wheelie bin.

It had taken the poison left in the back door frame and obviously climbed up to look in the bin and was trapped and drowned.

It was one big rat. I'm glad it's dead although normally, I love all living creatures I'm afraid this can never apply to rats.

On inspecting the compost bin, some potatoes that we had put in had been eaten. The composting advice says that it is OK to compost vegetable matter but it just seems to supply a free feast for the vermin. I am seriously considering whether to continue composting next year.

Everything is waiting to flower, except the onions which seem to love the rain. We could do with the sun to make an appearance to dry everything out instead of all this grey murk and constant rain.

Flood!

2007-06-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

A month's rain fell in 12 hours. The garden is waterlogged. I will wait a couple of days to let water levels subside then see what can be rescued. Not only is there water damage but it got very windy too. Tall plants have been blown over somewhat. There isn't a single flower in sight. The onions are still bolting. The only upside - the water butt is full.

Still our family is safe, the floods in both Derbyshire and South Yorkshire have taken lives. The trains stopped running and non-essential car journeys were banned. More rain is expected at the weekend.

The picture above shows Horn's Bridge in Chesterfield, Derbyshire which is less than two miles from where we live. The one to the right is Ravenside Retail Park just south of the town center.

More Bolting

2007-06-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

Those poor onions are getting confused again and putting up flower heads. This time I snipped them off with the scissors. The runner and french beans are starting to flower even though they have hardly grabbed onto the poles. The second sowing of radishes are doing very well and the rain has made everything look super green. The tomatoes are loving the rain and the courgettes are flowering. The sweetcorn are holding their own and oddly some poppy seeds I threw in have moved around the garden and are springing up in random places.

Rain again

2007-06-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

My dad has a theory that the electrically charged air during a thunderstorm is good for plants. I reckon its the rain. Whatever it is, todays welcome rain has put the green back into the garden. It doesn't seem to matter how much water you put on a plant from the domestic supply it is never as good as the real thing.

Note to self. See if there is any research on the net about the effects of thunderstorms on plant growth. Perhaps I ought to buy a Van der Graaf Generator. (*Not the terrible rock band from the 70's ) although it has been said that plants like music, but the device that poroduces electrically charged air.

I'm talking to myself again....

Onion flowers

2007-06-13T04:25:00.000-07:00

Due to the weather being changeable, one of the onions threw up a flower stalk. This is known as bolting. and is caused by a sudden cold snap fooling the onion into believing that it has been overwinter and being a biennial should flower. Once this happens, the gardener has two choices.
The first is to cut off the flower stalk to allow the bulb to mature or the second is to dig up the onion and eat it

Cheddar cheese and Red Onion sandwich. Delicious.

Buttercups and Bolognese

2007-06-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

I was idly gazing through the kitchen window at the garden this morning when I spotted some pretty yellow flowers popping up amongst the onions. 'I don't remember planting those' I thought to myself as I waited for the kettle to boil.

'I didn't plant them! They're buttercups.'

Before the kettle had chance to cool I had routed out the enemy with my trusty trowel. Stopping the runners in their tracks.

The culprits went swiftly into my trusty plastic bin which lives next to the water but and in which perennial weeds rot down to make weed tea. Weed tea is a wonderful brew of old perennial weeds, hard fibrous stalks, twigs and rainwater which over a year rots away to make something resembling river mud. Highly rich in nutrients and very smelly. It can be used either as a direct feed or add it to the compost bin.

Thee onions are doing very well after all the rain we've had. The runner and French beans are climbing their poles. The peas are grabbing on too. We took in a second crop of radishes today and Debs used some fresh oregano from the garden in her bolognese sauce tonight.

Radishes!

2007-05-29T11:49:00.001-07:00

Here they are...our first crop of radishes this year and they taste fantastic. They have a nice sharp peppery flavour.

Debs grated some into her homemade coleslaw to add some zing. Here's the recipe.

Deb's Special Homemade Coleslaw

Half white cabbage.
1 red onion.
2 large carrots.
6 large dessert spoons mayonnaise.
Juice of half a lemon.
1 dessert spoon cumin seeds.
6-8 radishes.

Slice cabbage and onion as finely as you can into a bowl. Grate carrots and radishes add to bowl. Add lemon juice and mayonnaise. Stir thoroughly. Put cumin seeds into a small saucepan and heat for about 2 minutes so they crack and release their aroma. Add cumin seeds to bowl and stir lightly.

Serve with anything and everything!

Creating a Wildlife Garden

2007-05-29T03:53:00.000-07:00

Creating a wildlife garden allows you take part in your larger surrounding environment. Often gardens are completely shut out from the natural landscape around it and aren't welcoming to birds and other wildlife. Adding a few well placed and well chosen shrubs or trees can make all the difference when trying to attract birds to your garden.

Map out and observe your surroundings to see what natural habitats are close by. Are there any ponds, rivers, or streams? Are parks, golf courses or nature reserves nearby? Remember, your garden is part of the larger environment. Knowing what the local ecosystems are will better enable you to plan your garden.

In order to attract birds, gardens must supply them with food, water, shelter and nesting areas. Provide for different bird species by making available a variety of seed and berry producing trees and shrubs, such as Washington hawthorn, mountain ash, cherry and viburnum. Flowers such as hollyhock, nasturtium, and sunflower produce seed which attract birds as well. Indigenous plants, those which grow naturally in a specific area, are very effective at attracting local bird species. Try to incorporate some of these into your garden.

Also, be sure to provide food throughout the year. For example, in the spring have a few different berry producing shrubs available, such as blueberries and raspberries. In the summer, perennials provide seed and in the fall trees such as dogwood and serviceberry bear fruit which birds will seek out. Birds which over winter in your area will need sustenance provided by winterberry and other fruit bearing shrubs.

Different birds need different foods and different environments in which to live. Robins, for example, eat at ground level where they forage for insects and worms while many other birds prefer to be off the ground a bit in the midst of a perennials garden where they eat the seeds of the flowers. Some birds, like grosbeaks, prefer the height of shrubs and others still, such as the woodpecker, prefer to be in the canopy of taller trees where their able to find insects in the tree's bark.

Plants, while providing food, also supply birds with shelter. Evergreens and other dense shrubs provide nesting areas and protection from cold winter winds and create shade in the heat of the summer. While it may be impossible to incorporate all these habitats into your garden, plan at least a couple. The more habitats you can provide the more birds will flock to your garden.

Along with food, birds require water for both drinking and bathing. If there aren't any natural water sources near your garden, be sure to place a birdbath or water dish in the area. Keep the water fresh by filling it daily. In the winter when the water freezes knock out the ice and replace with fresh water. Most home and garden stores that stock birdbaths sell small water heaters which will prevent freezing. If you are considering using one of these consult an electrician to help with the installation. If their aren't any natural water systems in your area, consider planning a water garden, just remember bird prefer shallow water to deep water. Waterfalls and bubbling fountains will attract a number of birds since most species are drawn to the sound of running water.

If you're contemplating using a bird feeder, maintain it and be sure to keep it stocked as birds often come to depend on these feeders, especially during the lean, harsh months of winter. Since birds are attracted to a variety of different foods, supply them with seeds, berries, fats, breads and nuts. Avoid salty foods. Using a birdhouse for your seed provides shelter as well as a place for food.

Creating a garden which attracts birds has positive effect on the environment; you're providing a new habitat for birds and well as beneficial insects and other wildlife. While birds will thrive and will benefit the most from your efforts, you're also providing years of enjoyment for both yourself and visitors to your garden.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Hallinan

Compost Corner

2007-05-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Way back in 1981 I was a big fan of the ITV kids Saturday morning TV show TISWAS. (I have the TISWAS T shirt to prove it folks) What's all this got to do with gardening? Well. One of my favourite bits was a sketch called Compost Corner where a very young Lenny Henry threw compost over various guests while doing a very good David Bellamy impersonation.

Why bring it up now?

I came downstairs yesterday to find my 5 year oild son had split an 80 litre bag of compost in my hallway while I was blogging. He was sat gleefully in the muck, throwing it around the hallway. I had to do some pretty fast potting up and fill every container I had to and get the last of the seedlings out. So the last of the Basil, Cucumber and tomato seedings now reside in tubs, buckets and old fridge salad shelves on the garden. As fas as I emptied the seedling plant pots, child made compost castles as though he were on the beach.

Just the thing when you've got a temperature of 104, a headache fit to burst and the wife will be home in less than an hour.

Oooh my blood pressure.

Did I ever tell you I do a very good David Bellamy?

Daisy Daisy

2007-05-26T04:10:00.000-07:00

When thinking of flowers our mind often goes to the rose, but there are a world of flowers that bring joy to the visual senses as well as the sense of smell and that is the delicate, beautiful daisy flower. Daisies are the easiest flower to purchase and they have to be one of the cheapest. Although some people underestimate them, they can make the prettiest bunch of flowers that you can have or give as a gift.

Daisies are the most popular flower for homeowners or anyone that loves gardening to grow. They are popular because they are so diverse. They can be used inside or out to decorate your home and their easy growing characteristics help to make them so popular. There are dozens of varieties such as the white Shasta Daisy (see top left pic) and the African Daisies (see bottom right pic.) These are annuals and they are also the perfect flower for kids that will have gardening in their future.

Daisies are commonly grown from seed. They can be grown directly in a flowerbed, but look best when grown in clumps. If you start them indoors early, they will make a showing the first year, but you have to plant them in pots six or eight weeks before the last frost is due. Every couple of years, daisies should be separated and thinned out, as they tend to over crowd each other. After a while all you have to do is dig up clumps of them and replant them in another place.

Daisies love full sun, but you should select an area that you know will be undisturbed for years to come the soil should be rich and well draining. Manure or compost is all you really need for fertilizer. The only time you will need to add fertilizer is when the weather is going through a dry period or during it's first early growth. After that there is not much need. Make sure they are kept watered during a period such as this. In cold weather, a thick layer of mulch will help protect your daisies and get them through the winter if you are in a climate that has harsh winters.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Wilssens

Fill in the hole

2007-05-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

The rats have filled in the hole they were using to get under the compost bin. I put some poison down the hole yesterday. I wonder if the rats think of it as an underground larder. If they do, they're in for a nasty shock.

The trap has been set again by the back door. Hopefully the little blighter will have got the message...

I've caught a cold through getting wet over the weekend and then doing a job at a hotel where it was hot and stuffy.

Found rogue potato plants growing in the onion patch. They have been pulled up and put in the compost bin.

No Sign

2007-05-22T01:29:00.000-07:00

Well folks, the house has been successfully defended against the rodent menace for one night. No sign of activity on the door frame. Rat traps don't half go with a bang when you spring them.

Total so far Rats zero

John the Gardener 1

Rats!!!

2007-05-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

Saw a hole in the garden the other day, too small for our friendly hedgehog. Didn't think too much about it until I got up this morning to find that something had tried to gnaw its way through my back door frame.

By the damage done and the droppings, it looks like the rats which live around our local curry houses have decided to move North West in search of easier pickings.

So, I've bought some rat killer, brown pellets that you wrap in cling film and stuff down the holes. Baited up all the places they're liable to be and stuffed a bag into the door frame.

If they breach those defences, there will be a Lucifer Rat Trap waiting on the other side. I'm a pacifist normally but rats have been added to my "KILL ON SIGHT " policy.

Stalag John the gardener is nearly complete. If this fails then it's Jasper Carrot time. An air rifle with torch attachment.

The guy across the road has terriers. Wonder if they're any good for ratting.

DIE YOU VERMIN!

Free Pumpkin Seeds

2007-05-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

One of the things we like to do when we are not in the garden is to trawl round the net for any freebies we can find. Looking through the exhibitors for the Chelsea Flower Show this year we came a cross a charity courtyard garden. They are trying to encourage gardeners, especially children by giving away a free pack of pumpkin seeds.

The garden is based on a children's book called Where The Wild Things Are. This is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown-up. If you disagree, then it's been too long since you've attended a wild rumpus. Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief and gets sent to bed without supper. Fortuitously, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to continue unimpaired. Sendak's colour illustrations (perhaps his finest) are beautiful, and each turn of the page brings the discovery of a new wonder.

The wild things - with their mismatched parts and giant eyes - manage somehow to be scary- looking without ever really being scary; at times they're downright hilarious. Sendak's defiantly run-on sentences - one of his trademarks - lend the perfect touch of stream of consciousness to the tale, which floats between the land of dreams and a child's imagination.

Potting up in tubs

2007-05-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, the rain has stopped for a couple of hours so its time to pot up the bedding plants I bought yesterday.

Our own compost mixed with commercial John Innes No3 is what I use. 75% home compost 25% John Innes.

The plants came in polystyrene trays and some are root bound but I have soaked them well so it shouldn't take too much effort to pot them on.

Bedding Plants

2007-05-13T07:27:00.000-07:00

Bought the bedding plants fot the front garden tubs this mornings.

Antirhinums Night Scented Stock Alyssium plus a tray of lobelia given to me by my workmate Paul Cost me four pounds, about 8 dollars for the lot. Will plant them tomorrow.

Raining again so work on the paving for the front garden has come to a halt until everything dries out.

Free coffee grounds for your garden

2007-05-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Recycle and improve your garden by nipping into your local Starbucks. They are giving away their used coffee grounds for composting.

Free coffee grounds are impossible to resist free food for your garden.

In the spring, spread handfuls of coffee grounds around acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, rhododendrons. The grounds are slightly acidic and besides helping to lower the soil pH, they make the humus-rich soil texture acid-loving plants really need.

In late summer and autumn, dig coffee grounds straight into the vegetable plot after removing early-season crops such as peas and spinach. In winter, add the grounds to your compost bin.

Coffee Grounds are a good source of nitrogen.

Theft of decking

2007-05-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Last night 200 lengths of decking were stolen from JS Discounts by thieves who cut through numerous fences and carried the decking nearly half a mile obviously to where a vehicle must have been waiting.

If you were in the Whittington Moor area of Chesterfield last night and saw anything or if you live in the East Midlands area of England and are offered any cheap decking or someone offers to do you a job for a very low price then please contact Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 33 33 or contact us through webmaster@js-discounts.co.uk

Thanks

BUMPzee Gardening Community

2007-05-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

We have started our very own gardening community on BUMPzee. Check it out at

http://www.bumpzee.com/gardeningworld/blogs/

If you have a gardening blog. Feel free to join our community.

Courgettes and rogue runner beans.

2007-05-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

Since planting out last week in our own compost, the courgettes have started to put on new leaf. They are a bit yellow at the moment, I am wondering if it may be due to the weather being a little on the cold side. They seem to be growing though, I will put some fertilizer on them at the weekend.

Rouge runner beanshave started to appear in the onion bed. They will be transplanted into tubs tomorrow as well.

Tomatoes

2007-05-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

The tomatoes are growing well in their pots on the window sill. They are ready for splitting into several pots now. that is a job for tomorrow.

The tomato is a member of the tobacco family and so is especially sensitive to nicotine so if you smoke then it is best not to handle them unless you have washed your hands thoroughly. Do not smoke in the same room or in the greenhouse when you are growing them or they will die very quickly, the nicotine is poisonous to the plants.

The weather forecast for our part of England ( the North Midlands ) is heavy rain for the next day or so then showers after that. Good for filling the water butts up in expectation of the dry summer that has been forecast.

Fence erecting instructions - New PDF in the pipeline.

2007-05-10T04:30:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked me how to erect concrete fencing.

To do it properly is just as easy as doing it badly so I am working on a PDF version letting the readers into all the tips of the fencing trade.

I have been involved in the fencing and paving business since 1990 when J.S Discounts was one of the first companies in Britain to invest in moulds to manufacture concrete posts and plinths. Then we moved into manufacturing wooden panels for garden fencing and the company has never looked back currently turning over in excess of 1 million pounds per year in paving fencing and garden products. A big part of our work is fence erecting and we do the job right. No short cuts. so I thought I'd pass my experience on to you the reader. The ebook will be free of course to readers of this blog and available for download from the JS Discounts website.

Watch this space for further details.

A glorious morning

2007-05-10T01:43:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining, there is a stiff breeze and I'm off to town to get some new gardening gloves. The cloud looks ominous for later though.

The heavy rain we had yesterday has blasted the plants into life. When the soil dries out a bit I will give everything a dose of Miracle Gro to help during the summer.

Blog moved

2007-05-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

If you're surprised by all the posts in one day it's because this blog has been moved lock stock and water butt from wordpress.

Why move to blogger? Well, quite frankly wordpress just couldn't deliver what I needed on a blog.

Picture storage was rubbish, they didn't allow javascript and took down some of my posts without my permission as they contained links to sites that sold product and needed an affiliate link so I've moved it all to here.

Hope you like the blog template by the way. A lovely summery feel to it. It will be nice for all those winter evenings when we're planning for next year.

Hedgehogs the Gardener's Friend

2007-05-09T13:44:00.001-07:00

Noticed that something has been digging and uprooting some old flower bulbs that are at the side of the onion bed. It looks like we have a hedgehog in the garden. This is good news because hedgehogs love slugs.

Hard Landscaping 1 - Fence Off Your Plot

2007-05-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

If you have just moved into your place and are starting a garden from scratch then perhaps one of the first thing we need to do is to fence the garden off. Not only does this deter unwelcome attention from visitors but a good fence can be useful in many ways.

A good stout fence acts as a windbreak, stopping the soil from drying out too much in the summer, also, if your garden is slightly on the shady side, a fence will reflect a lot of light from the sun onto the garden.

The type of fencing I recommend is concrete or PVC posts with a plinth in the bottom of the fence again either concrete or PVC and a wooden panel on top of that. the plinth stops the wood from touching the ground and so defends against the inevitable rot that occurs with more traditional wood post and panel fencing

As soon as I have made the video I will post it on the blog showing you exactly how to erect a concrete and panel fence.

Growing Things

2007-05-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

To recap so far we have planted courgettes, sweetcorn, cucumber, basil and tomatoes. These are in pots on various windowsills in the house. Also planted parsley.

Varieties

Tomatoes Gardener's Delight

Climbing French Bean Blue Lake

Courgette F1 Green Bush

Radish French Breakfast

Parsley Plain Leaved

Beetroot Chioggia

Sweetcorn Bandit F1

Peas Hurst Green Shaft

Runner Beans Scarlet Emperor

Sweet Basil

Cucumber Marketmore

The weather is grey and overcast today but no rain. We have taken to conserving water by emptying all washing up water into the water butt. Surprising how much water was going down the drain.

The onions are growing well. Some are nearly an inch high already. Last year we had runner beans in the bed that the onions now reside in so the soil is high in nitrogen

Want to make a great feed for next year and get rid of perennial weeds.

Gardening tip of the week

I use an old swing bin. The tall ones, Addis and the like. Put all your weeds, dandelions, buttercups and such in there. Get rid of the swing top. Then just leave it. Once it fills with rainwater, the weeds and their seeds are destroyed and it makes a great liquid feed for next year. You can either put it on the garden, or do what I do.

Empty it into the compost bin in the winter. Helps the compost no end.

Cloud, Rain and Sand

2007-05-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

A welcome drop of rain over the last few days has helped things in the garden no end. I must have said this before, last time it rained probably that nothing beats rain. No matter how much water you put on the garden with a hose or sprinkler or watering can, nature can do the job better.

Run out of grit sand for the front garden. Must nip down to J.S Discounts and get them to deliver me 5 bags.

Wallflowers

2007-05-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Time to plant the wallflowers for next year so I get a continuous display.

It has forecast rain for tomorrow. The garden needs it.

Despite the recent cold snap, the courgettes and beans that I planted earlier in the week seem to have come through it well.

The peas in the front window have started to germinate after soaking. The ones we planted straight into the ground don't seem to have taken but only time will tell. The next thing is to build some strawberry planters . Get the decking out again I think.

Ooh My Back

2007-05-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

Started work on the front garden today.

Lemon balm roots go down a mile. Or at least my back thinks so.

Started to clear dog rose suckers too. Then of course the phone rings and I have to go out and fix a computer.

Will put some photographs up as soon as I have a blank canvas to work with.

New 2007 JS Discounts Site Finished

2007-05-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

It's took Debs a month but the site is now finished.

A lot more product, a lot more articles and of course John the Gardener's Blog so if you're reading this via their feed then welcome aboard.

Decking Planter Plan

2007-05-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

Planters.

2007-05-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

Just had a great idea for containers for the front garden. Cheap and easy to make.

My local suppliers of garden products do a fair amount of decking. This is extremely strong and being tanalised should last for years. Sometimes. if they haven't been stored under the best conditions which can happen, it is possible to get old bits of decking cheap. four pieces, 450 mm square will fit in a space if I lift a paver. The only major expense will be the decking screws but I have some of them somewhere or failing that any plated screws.

Four pieces of fencing lath, longer and with a point sawn at the end to go into the ground and lets say 10 inches high gives me a material list.

for 1 planter.

3.6 metres of decking cut into 8x450 mm lengths.
4. 3x3 fence posts or failing that 4 2x1 fence framing or similar. The thickness is unimportant its just to give strength and something to screw the decking to. Length 16 inches each.

32 deck screws 2"

Pencil /ruler /set square.

Instructions.

The fence posts need to be placed a piece of decking's width from the edge of a piece of decking.

Check for squareness and mark out.

Make sure the post is flush to the decking and drill. Affix with deck screws.

Repeat for other end.

Do the same with another two pieces of decking.

Take another piece of decking and affix underneath.

You should now have something that looks like a miniature fence panel 2 decking pieces high.

The other 4 pieces need to be cut to 450mm LESS the width of 2 pieces of decking.

Affix to your posts. Paint or varnish.

Seems more complicated than it is. I'll work on a diagram and some pictures showing the different stages of construction.

Front garden

2007-05-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

Work starting on the front garden this week.
Not a lot I can do in the back until the plants are ready to go out.

Plan of action for this week.

Some years ago we planted Lemon Balm. Lovely green leaves but the stuff grows everywhere, including under the house. The neighbours think it's nettle.

Also, the people who live across the road have a field behind their house which is home to the gardeners friend bindweed.

A Briar Rose to come out too. Daffodil bulbs to be lifted and stored for next year and a load of gritsand left over from the back garden paving was done has to be dug in under the paving that is there.

I think for the front I may just go for container gardening for less maintenance.

Hardening Off

2007-05-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

The beans and courgettes have been put outside during the daytime to harden off. they are in a shady spot behind the house. They will be brought in as the sun sinks so they can be in the house overnight as it is still a little too cold.

Signs of beetroot emerging too. Onions still growing well. Looks as if our slimy friends have been munching at the emerging radish leaves.

Have decided to tip the some of the grey water into the compost bin as it seems a little dry.

got to get to grips with the buttercup problem in the next day or so as it is creeping out of the ground again.

Kitchen Garden Subscription

2007-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

To my mind, Kitchen Garden is the best magazine around for the vegetable gardener. lots of great advice plus they always have free stuff every month. This month it is plug lettuce. Just after I'd bought and planted a load too. Still, they will always grow in tubs.

This months article is how to get rid of my favourite pest - slugs.

You can get your subscription here

Rain

2007-05-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

strange, but it doesn't matter how much you water the garden using a can or a hose, nothing beats a good drop of rain. We have had fine drizzle most of the day.

The tomato seeds have germinated and the French Beans are nearly ready for hardening off.

Lettuce has appeared in the salad bed and so has the beetroot.

The first pea has poked its head above the soil. Looks like it is going to be a good year for crops.

The onions are growing really well with the rain.

All's right with the garden.

Parsley

2007-05-09T11:47:00.001-07:00

Never had much luck with parsley, it always failed to germinate. this year I have covered the pots with cling film and put them in the sunniest window in the house facing south.

There are sins of life which is great. My Grandmother had parsley for years in her garden and she used to pour hot water on the plants in the early spring to boost the next years growth.

Looking good.

The cucumber is not looking too healthy though, the edges of the seedling leaves are going white as if the plant hasn't had enough water. The compost is soaking though, I wonder if the opposite is the case.

Courgettes are really growing now, as are the beans.I think it's time to have them outside in the daytime to harden off ready for planting out next week.

Exclusive Rolawn Discount Code

2007-05-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

For a limited time only I have managed to get hold of a discount code from Rolawn Direct.

The Rolawn brand is the recognised benchmark of quality and service, our reputation having been established over 30 years.

Their renowned Medallion turf is Britain's biggest selling and most frequently specified, being the first choice for both professional landscapers and experienced gardeners who demand the best.

Rolawn Direct also supply Top Soil, Bark and Lawn Seed.

The discount code saves you a whopping 12% on purchases over £150

To claim your discount check out their site Rolawn Direct the discount code is rolawn107 and is valid until 31st May 2007

Planting Out

2007-05-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

Its a beautiful sunny day and time to for a bit of planting out. Last years compost is nice, black and earthy. It smells gorgeous.

Today the runner beans, french beans and sweet corn have all been planted in beds. The courgettes have been planted in tubs.

Time to deal with the slugs.

As soon as the french beans had been taken outside, and before we had even thought about planting them, our friendly neighbourhood sparrow who seems to be fond of our conifers decided that the growing tip was his lunch. I found the plant complete with its pot on its side on the patio a few feet from where I had put it.

Welcome to our garden from John and Debs

2007-05-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

We are keen gardeners who are trying to be as organic and thrifty as possible.
This blog is intended to highlight our progress throughout the year.

This blog also appears as a feed on http://www.js-discounts.co.uk which is where we get all our supplies for the garden. We also designed the website.