jo4eyes

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Our rain has stopped, only for a while I suspect. No movement on chores yet....

Kate- no chance of any moss on your roof is there? Seem to remember you're in a newish build, so probably unlikely. Birds round here hammer away at ours, above my head, sometimes at very early hours in the morning in high summer. J.

LOW MAINTENANCE MEDIUM SIZED FLOWERING SHRUB

Hebes. Some can get quite big, but you can prune them back to a better size. However, better to plant one of the smaller varieties in the first place. They will flower all summer long & can be smothered in bees. Their foliage is evergeen. They wont appreciate a frost pocket in the North of UK, but otherwise trouble free. J.

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Dont panic Jean, easily done. How many genuine garden worthy plants have we got that are also 'thugs'?

Right, hoovering & oops, my ear drops....... J.

What's the weather like in your area?

It was dry very early on this morning, but it has started raining. Not too heavy so far, but wasnt planning anything outside today should it get worse. J.

I.D. needed please.

OH also thought it was orchid related! Non gardener. Does look really good in pics though. On our walk last w/end it was EVERYWHERE in various shades of white through to rich pink & growing well in both sun & shade. If you didnt know about its' thug tendencies you could understand the plant hunters who first brought it here. J.

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Morning all.

Touch of OCD around here too Dan, sympathies..... Any tips for short term memory loss? My usual stategies not working recently.

Rain again here, not too heavy at the mo. Inside tasks were on the cards for today anyway. Hoover reassembled so can now use it. Waiting on call from local mechanic to finalise when he can do my cars' MOT & service, but have a back up plan should things not work out.

Jean- am on 2cnd coffee & just realised forgot to order more when did Tesco. Drat! Still have plenty, I hope, but none in reserve. J.

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Hi all.

Have had a 'busy' day doing nothing much! Turned out rather pleasant after all, not hot, just warm enough to sit outside with lunch, then a bulb catalogue & pad & pen! Have to actually order them, but have been quite restrained really. Use them for 'choice' items & pop into local Parkers GC for the basics if need more. Did also do some deadheading & made more notes 'to do' as the year progresses. Didnt get much done last year, nor the previous, when was living at Dads', so much moving & splitting of plants needed this.

Discovered that am missing Southport Flower Show yet again! Started today, oops, forecast c**p for tomorrow & am off out Saturday & Sunday! One year I'll make it again.....

Had courgette & tomato garlicy pasta with lots of Wenslydale cheese & basil scattered on top. Yummy. No room for a pud!

Ok some ironing awaits. J.

What's the weather like in your area?

Actually turned out rather nice today.

We had a short shower early on then it's been bright & breezy for the rest of the day. Think it reached about 19-20C & in the sun certainly felt good. J.

Compost Problems

Unwanted seedlings from homemade compost when used as a mulch, now means that anything I dont want an excess of, does get put into my council garden waste wheely bin. Their systems really get hot & so the seeds dont survive. Ok an excess of Mysotis & Aquilega were very pretty but took quite an effort to sort out.

BTW always put potato peelings into my bin & yes, the odd potato plant also pops up.

I also use bought seed compost. Am lazy & dont always seive mine, nor do I want to use my microwave to sterilise it. J.

What's the weather like in your area?

Too right Frank. Would love a new greenhouse, but not on the cards. So shall continue to spend every windy day/night wondering if the roof panels are still around- at least when they do flip out they dont shatter nor do any real damage.

Over the winter any plants stored in there are well covered with fleece & cloches & so far so good. One of the panels has actually slipped down so a permanent small gap at the top ridge. That will need to be pushed back up before the colder weather. OH will have to do that for me, with much muttering no doubt.

Think you've been very lucky with the weather. Rain stopped here now & have reopened various house windows so cooling down. J.

Care & maintenance of elderly Bramley apple trees.

Suggestions for planting in a sunny, boggy site.