Tuesday 18 February 2014

so much to do … so little time …

So – how was your Sunday – did you enjoy a day without wind and rain – did you bathe in glorious sunshine as we did?  I ventured into the front garden where it was sheltered and warm to do a little shrub pruning – I almost had to take my coat off.

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I cut the top third off the hardy fuschia, hypericum and cotoneaster tree, there is just the buddleia to chop back.

There is still a lot to do out there after so many weather delays but little by little I am slowly making an impact on the garden – as you can see in the next picture, there is still a lot of dead stuff to be collected and beds to be cleared – I left all the forget-me-not seedlings in to help keep the soil from washing away but I will start to clear and move them now so I can think about sowing and planting some annuals

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Here are some that I will be sowing this year

1st row: l to r - california poppy . pot marigold . nasturtium

I also have some wild flower mixes – it will be a bit of a squeeze trying to fit everything in but I do like the garden to be full of colour and bursting at the seams.  There isn’t much colour in the garden at the moment – primulas, pansies a few snowdrops and the perennial wallflower – but the bulbs are making good progress, so I guess it will be only a few weeks before it looks a lot more cheerful.

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Do you have a lot of catching up to do ready for when spring finally arrives?

32 comments:

  1. I have to start on our buddleias both in the garden and on the plots - lots of chopping to do.

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    1. I think they do flower better when they've been given a good haircut.

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  2. I haven't really started yet, it's still so wet underfoot. But if we get a few more of these sunny dry days it won't be long. Today is as good as Sunday, it feels positively warm out there.

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    1. I'm trying to make the most of any dry spells we have - it is just so pleasant to be out of the house for a change.

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  3. Yesterday was a real treat for me Elaine - I got tons done. It was the first day in a while when I could actually walk out onto the lawns. Still terribly behind though. D

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    1. My energy levels aren't what they used to be but I keep going as long as I can - there are lots of cups of tea involved.

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  4. Good to see that you made the most of a glorious day. There may not be much colour in your garden now but looking at these colourful pictures shows just how lovely it will look in the summer.
    I'm lucky as I won't have much catching up to do when I can get plotting properly again. Flighty xx

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    1. Lucky you managing to keep on top of everything that needs doing - if the weather would just keep fine for a while it would help.

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  5. We had some nice days too, so I was off to to work in the garden. I have many Hydrangeas and all the dead flowerheads have to be removed, a slow job but there is a start. Love to be able to work outside again.

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    1. I don't have any hydrangeas in my garden so that's one less job to do.

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  6. Baking sunshine you say???? I'm heading over to yours!!! I love your plans especially the wildflowers, I too love a garden bursting at the seams! Yes!xxx

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    1. It was a lovely day and felt great to be working outdoors - sadly it didn't last.

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  7. It's been warm here too, but not yet T shirt weather. Not looking forward to digging my veg' patch this year; bad back. Ouch!

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    1. You will just have to take it steady - or maybe practice the 'no-dig' method.

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  8. A productive day Elaine. Like you I still have a lot of cutting back and picking up to do, and I would dearly love to now there grass but I need a dry week before that will be possible!

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    1. Our grass is looking very lumpy at the moment but I guess it will be a while before the lawnmower can come out.

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  9. I got lots done in the garden on Sunday too in that glorious weather - it is really satisfying to be out there at last, isn't it? You'll have some beautiful colour in your garden again this year with those flowers. There's not much colour here at the moment either, but it is lovely seeing more spring bulbs coming through.

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    1. I can't believe how mild it is at the moment - great to be able to get cracking on in the garden.

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  10. It's good to get out in the garden again after such a rotten winter. Lovely weather again today.

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    1. Same here - loads of outdoor jobs still to do - but I don't mind in the least.

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  11. Funny you should ask. We have had a lot of snow and now warm temperatures to melt it away. We have so much bare grind that weeds quickly sprout and take over so we try to get down a lay of pre emergent for the annual weeds. I was thinking at 4 AM that we should be getting it down in the rough spots where we
    Just cannot control the weeds. Enjoy the sun.

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  12. Sounds as if you have been very busy Elaine. Mind you, we have too and are now ready to order our turf. That will hopefully be the week after next and I have lots of plants to put in the (small) borders around it.

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    1. It will seem so different and probably easier for you to maintain as well

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  13. I'm glad you had a break in the weather to get some of the jobs done in the garden. I was hoping to do some cutting down today but it started to rain again! Sarah x

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    1. I will be glad when the weather settles itself down so that we have more than just the odd day of fine weather won't you?

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  14. I love to visit gardens but I am generally glad that our tiny plot doesn't require much maintenance. That said I've just taken on a border in my father's garden to use for more dye plants so work to be done there.

    Hope you get some decent gardening weather soon :)

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    1. My garden isn't that big - but when there is a lot to do it seems huge.

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  15. Hope the flowers turn out great :)
    And yes there's a lot i have to catch up but little time!

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment Goku.

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  16. We are about to have a mild spell here as well, but in our case it may well be a bit of a disaster. Heavy rains and wind are forecast. There is several feet of snow on the ground that is likely to melt causing flooding in some low lying areas (like our place). Then the temperature is promised to drop and the whole mess may freeze. It isn't going to be fun!
    Already we have a ton of cleanup to do from the last ice storm. It has been so cold that we haven't been able to clear away the piles of fallen limbs. All manner of cleanup awaits the first days of spring!

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    1. Oh Jennifer - that sounds horrendous - I feel for you - hope your lovely garden survives all that this winter has thrown at it. Keep warm my friend.

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