jo4eyes

What's the weather like in your area?

Well we've not had snow & ice today, but everything else in Manchester.

Wind was less first thing when went out & not too damp either. Ha, that didnt last. Really heavy showers on/off, sun, winds increased & then hail!

Was going for a 'day out' tomorrow, but the forecast awful again, so maybe not.... J.

Fork Handles

Ooh Frank, you should join my OH. Not sure who's got the remote, but as I said earlier it's only 2 weeks a year- sorry.

Local forecast for tomorrow now awful, so no idea what/where OH & me will do. Lounge picnic again? Looking at next week, not much better either. You bet Tuesday afternoon will be best, when have to stay in earshot of house phone for call from hospital- apparently new idea instead of us going down to clinic. True, saves petrol, parking fees, time etc, but I cant hear the phone from bottom of garden & the answerphone not the best idea! J.

Fork Handles

My 2 little gift roses also gone to plant heaven. I tried potting them on in better compost & lots of TLC, but they just kept dropping their leaves & I just couldnt be faffed. I think actually buying proper minature/patio roses from a decent supplier works. Memories of some I got from Southport show yrs ago doing very well in  the garden at our first house- but it did have clay soil & so roses loved it there.

OH has the remote!! & that Swedish cop show now on- one he missed!  J.

Fork Handles

Ah, a flowering currant, not red-currant. see am thick sometimes. Still dont know though. How about a really hard jo-style cut back & a bit of TLC & see what happens? They're usually pretty tough IME. J.

ANTS

If you can keep the compost moister that'll help. I wouldnt want to use the compost on/for food crops after using an ant killer/poison, but for ornamentals it shouldnt be a problem.

So far this year my bins ok- but could be famous last words. J.

Fork Handles

OH & me just got washing in as t'was going black again & now brilliant sunshine!

Meal tonight is a chickpea spiced thingy- nice with naan, but who forgot to buy, so bread will do.

Why is the bush dying Geoff? Age? J.

Screening help

Dont forget that you can also grow clematis scrambling up/over evergreens. That could really brighten up a laurel or similar. I've even spotted someone growing sweetpeas up theirs this morning. As long as a climber is planted nearer to the edge of the canopy the soil there should be better for it.

Had a look at my laurel this morning- I cut it almost right back last year, various reasons, & now it's about 3-4ft already, so perhaps not so slow after all. J.

Fork Handles

Oh, I taped it. Wont get a chance to watch until next week. Unless OH in a good mood- could try the it's either tennis or gardening, but must ensure have remote!

Have just cooked some new potatoes for a salad. That should shut daughter up! I did ask if she wanted bread out of freezer last night for her lunch today.....not my fault she said no!

He he, the squirrels are wandering around looking for things to eat! I got soooo cross yesterday that I removed both of the bird feeders, sorry, as 4 squirrels at a time! Trouble is though, 1 has discovered the not yet ripe berries on Amelanchier, which also isnt fair to the blackbirds. J.

Fork Handles

I've risked the washing out again- but may regret it! Not too shattered after the walking, so shall stay awake ready to dash out again. Wind strong though.

I can buy OH's shoes from C*****s as he's a size 101/2 G! But, bad grammar, he has learnt to look for himself, me around of course. Not sure who found the 'squeakers'! Have already pointed out that if he doesnt go looking for new, in sales, then he'll have to wear 'squeakers'! It's the soles, weird. Apparently someone at work said they could hear him coming!! J.

Fork Handles

I've just walked to/from the local shops plus rucsack- 2 mile round trip & I managed it! I will get fitter! Met a Mum whom have known since our 2 girls started nursery, hadnt seen her for ages so lots of catching up.

Have just got soaked though getting the washing back in! Why did I bother hanging the 2cnd load out & not get the almost dry sheets back in when I saw the dark clouds? Sun now back out- hmm shall wait a bit before I rehang it or tumble.

Enjoyed last nights' tennis. Daughter went up to bed early & banned me from shouting at the tv! Boy, was that hard! You watch OH get back tis afternoon just as another decent match going on! It'll either be that or the start of GQT! J.

Care & maintenance of elderly Bramley apple trees.

Suggestions for planting in a sunny, boggy site.