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Gardeners' musings

Gardening in the rain

Posted by: Pippa Greenwood, 17 January 2008, 11.08AM

Rain on umbrella If screaming would do the trick, believe me you'd hear my dulcet tones on the other side of the Earth! However, I don't suppose my lungs can alter the weather forecast at all.

What I need is a massive sponge to suck up at least some of the unbelievable quantities of rain that are making it impossible to garden, and in some instances positively treacherous to even walk.

I skidded for over a metre across some wet grass the other week. My neck still clunks every time I turn my head, as if I had whiplash.

Meanwhile, provided I wear my walking books I can just about stay upright, but with little, if any chance of actually doing anything useful. I even cleaned the inside of the greenhouse the other day (which, for me is rather like ironing, not exactly a job I lust after!)

I am starting to think there could be a market for entire garden shelters which allow natural light through, permit adequate air circulation and wind movement, access to birds and other wildlife... but keep out the rain. If any one knows any anti-rain dances, please get dancing.

'It's my garden and I'll whinge if I want to, whinge if I want to' springs to mind, sung of course to the tune of 'It's my party and I'll cry if I want to'!

Comments

  • willow

    17 January 2008, 09.51PM

    know just what you mean its so frustrating wanting to get out there and get digging and get the season started again. I wouldnt even mind cleaning the greenhouse but Ive so many plants in there for winter protection that I cant even do that! Oh woe is me. At least I can feed the birds and I have just got a robin to take mealworms from my hand which is magic, there was also a battle going on over a fat ball! a woodpecker chased off all the starlings. Aint life grand, so lets not let the rain get us down.

  • Rhoda Dendron

    18 January 2008, 09.28AM

    Hi Pippa, I look on the positive side... on the odd occasion its dry enough to actually go out in the garden it is much easier to pull the wretched creeping buttercup out of my border!

  • Pat Hirst

    21 January 2008, 12.42AM

    Is there anything we can dig into the soil before winter starts to prevent the water ruining the established plants. I had my wellingtons on and my feet sank into the wet border when I was tying my newly planted in November Holly tree up.

  • Grumpy old Mac

    21 January 2008, 03.06PM

    Pippa I'm in Upper Lincolnshire and I'm so very depressed. The continuing wet weather means I get next to no exersize and the lack of sun means our lights at home are on all day. What happened to bright frosty winter days when the sun shone and we heard the birds singing? We were able to tidy the garden and chop wood in between warming mugs of soup bought out to the hard working gardener. It's all gone,gone,gone away.

  • Laid Back

    21 January 2008, 06.44PM

    An I the only person who enjoys the rest my garden and I am entitled to. It is winter after all and I prefer to spend this time tucked up in the house with a hot drink and seed catalogues. Our weather is why we have a green and pleasant land

  • Cheryl

    21 January 2008, 06.50PM

    How I agree Pippa... The weather has been foul. My shingle drive last week turned into a lake and the acre of garden is a muddy mess. Like you last week I cleaned the shed out, unheard of at this time of year. Perhaps we could do a duet.

  • Dave

    22 January 2008, 08.18PM

    I agree with laid back our gardens need a rest like the rest of us. It will soon be spring and even with this dreadful weather there are some bulbs coming to life in my garden, I live in the North Pennines so it can't all be bad, get those seeds ordered.

  • Hotsunlover

    01 January 2007, 12.00AM

    Don't let it get you all down so much! Plan your gardens for the spring and summer. Get the seed catalogues out and save yourself some money buy growing your own plants. Work out your colours for pots and hanging baskets rather than going in 'blind' to the GC in May/June. Weed your borders, its easier to do in the wet. Look through the previous years gardening magazines, you may have not read them properly when there was so much gardening to do, cut out and file the articles you want to keep. Plant trees. Plant roses. Make sure you plant winter flowering plants to entice you outside. There is gardening to be done, you may have to do it with more layers of clothing on but you will so pleased you made the effort.

  • Kate, gardenersworld.com

    23 January 2008, 03.00PM

    Hi Willow, if you like birds you may be interested in our RSPB wallpapers. There are 20 fantastic images to choose from to coincide with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which is taking place this weekend, 26-27 January.

  • Heather

    31 January 2008, 04.50PM

    I love the way your forecast says "UK" and has gentle 19MPH winds for this afternoon. Up here in central Scotland the wind has yet again reached howling speeds and the lid of my compost bin has just flown past the window!

    The secret of success in this garden is to grow a good shelter belt and when the grass is like a bog, curl up in the warmth with the garden design books and dream.

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