jo4eyes

Giant Hebe

You can drastically reduce their size, for a while, by firm pruning. I've done it & providing you dont do it much later than early August, to allow it to settle before the colder weather, it should cope quite well. I'd always take cuttings & check they've taken first before I got the pruning saw out though. So that would mean next year now to do a really hard prune.

Yours is such a feature & obviously very happy though I'd be inclined to let it be. BTW bees usually love them too. J.

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He He Geoff, photos needed!

Am hot, having a break from steam ironing- daft- but it wasnt as humid up here today, am making up for it now- phew!

Seeds sown, biennials & more salad type stuff plus 2 lots of kale.

This prog about gold not 'grabbing' me at all- need to find something i can iron to, then a shower to cool off!

Will stick a note on door tomorrow for delivery men as planning to get out early on to do some more pottering. Need to investigate a Hosta pot that has no hosta- hmm, was it the VW infested one? It's in quarantine already, so not too worried.

Right, back to the ironing. J.

What's the weather like in your area?

Another hot day here in Manchester. Reached about 24-5C in my normally coolish back garden.

Not wall to wall sun, but the humidity is high & the ants are flying- ugh. J.

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Hi all.

Well done on the open day Pam, good total. Lucky Lottie getting to see it in reality.

The Ikea saga - delivery is now scheduled for this thursday, apparently. That's what customer services at store found out. Have I been asked/told/consulted by delivery company? No. Should it not arrive then I shall ask for a full refund of all monies paid & start looking again for a cabinet e/w.

Took myself shopping early this morning after being unable to get to speak to anyone at either company. Needed to get out before I exploded!!

Yet again a member of staff at the foodhall remembered me & my headscarf. She came up to me to see how was going on- bless. They're all going to be sooo disapointed when I turn up as myself, minus the scarf.

The living in the 70s is on. High boots- I had a glorious bright blue leather pair- really comfy for disco dancing, honestly! This I must watch, byee. J.

What's the weather like in your area?

Been pretty good most of the day here in Manchester too. Lots of sun, plus cloud at times & about 24+C late afternoon. In fact it's still just below 23C out the back at the mo. Darent risk going out to continue doing things though as am caviar to local midges, even with repellant! J.

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Evening all.

We didnt have reliable net over w/end- like a lot of BT customers apparently.

Am waiting, for the 2cnd day for a delivery of Ikea furniture. Not impressed, by delivery company, but WAS by local Ikea stores' customer services person. He also tried various contact numbers for the delivery co. He got engaged tones, I got a recorded message! They could still deliver up to 8pm tonight according to him, but I doubt it. I was told 4pm......

Shall be on the phone again, to them early tomorrow morning, just as today. Not helped by daughter starting nights again, so the extra noise if tomorrow onwards wont be appreciated.

Trouble is we DO want the cabinet- first spotted over 12 mths ago. We have a lot of lovely glass from parents house that we want to display/use & both OH & me liked this cabinet.Once I'd sorted out how we got it delivered we were going to get it, but first Dad was ill, then MIL died suddenly, then I got my diagnosis & subsequent surgery & chemo so buying furniture wasnt exactly a priority.

This Saturday after a good time in NWales as planned, am driving back along M56 & with both OH & daughter asleep & me getting dozy too- not sensible- I woke them up & said t'was driving to Ikea for a break! After a coffee & cake we wandered around downstairs & spotted the cabinet, in the colour we wanted, at below half price & only 1 left!! Decision made- no brainer really. Climbing over loaded trolleys, should've rung warning bells, to organise the delivery when OH around to assemble etc etc. At least it's me doing the sorting/nagging as OH was very very angry yesterday & I wouldnt like to think what would have gone on if he'd tried to sort.

As long as it arrives before this friday, when OH comes back, I shall be happy. Ok, am climbing over our furniture here as we'd moved things to clear a big space for packaging & assembly, but I can cope with that.

Anyway, spent a happy day today doing all sorts in the garden. Note stuck on front door, in case delivery- ha- & plan to use same note if am outside again when due.

Sorry to go on at length, but know you'll understand.Dont need this stress......

Daughter has just saved herself a lot of £ swopping car insurance companies for the same amount of cover. She even tried asking her existing co to price match, but they wouldnt budge, so she did! Now shall I get the 2cnd car discount or shall I enquire about t'other co too? as recommended by a car journalist in paper.

Oh & BTW have had pappadrelle pasta with melted gruyere & cream- very yummy. J.

When to prune a mature Magnolia?

Magnolias also tend to regrow multiple new shoots from the cut IME, so the resulting shape can alter. So the less removed the better. As with any shrub/tree pruning, give it some feed post prune too. Always prune after flowering. J.

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Aren't trhey just?

Beetroot cake- daughter did one recently & very yummy.

Still have gooseberry jam & tayberry jam from 08/9 & 07 respectively so they will need eating first folks. Didnt think I'd done tayberry jam before as usually prefer them done in crumbles. Jam cupboard nearly full, just enough room for last lot.

The jam pan didnt need a brillo after all. I'd resoaked it & that was enough. Oh yes, doing the jars in the dishwasher- excellent!

Still wandering around garden trying to decide where my Tatton purchases are actually going. Would really like to minimise the need for more plant moving this autumn if possible. So lots of muttering going on as original decisions need a re think. J.

No insect bites yet.... but they will come. Must start using repellant again- that was the 1 & only advantage of the chemo, completely left alone by insects!

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I've not even seen the Tatton pictures yet! Now you do know that am a complete duffer where computers are concerned, so honestly doubt if OH's pictures will get a public viewing.

I thought that the squirrel had really been eating the birdfood, as the level was getting rather low again, but after watching the birds visiting the feeder I now think that they are getting the majority. Need to find outdoor shoes, steps & food to refill it. Compost bin trip also needed. J.

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Try PAD not pan. J.

Care & maintenance of elderly Bramley apple trees.

Suggestions for planting in a sunny, boggy site.