Or, 8.30am to 5.00pm to be precise. Well, the weather was fine again, wet due to the overnight rain, but mild, so I decided to crack on with more of the jobs that needed tackling.
I had a few plants in pots and throughout the garden that were in desperate need of dividing. The hosta above was just starting to send up shoots, so it was the perfect time to give it a good chop in half.
In fact, I got 3 good bits from this, a couple of which I've placed near the wildlife ponds and a further piece has been potted up. I also divided a rather large poppy and a rudbeckia. Don't you love a plant for free :-)
Next, I placed the obelisks that I'd been painting last week. I'm really looking forward to seeing these clothed in sweet peas and morning glory.
I had lots of plants overwintering in the coldframe, and it was time for them to move on and make room for the seedlings that will need hardening off in the next few weeks. I didn't realise quite how many cuttings I'd taken of veronica and geraniums (definitely got carried away!) and then all the aquilegias that I'd potted on. Still, you can never have enough plants, so I found room for them all somewhere.
Then I made my first set of outdoor sowings for the year.
- Rocket (Sky Rocket)
- Leaf Salad (Cut & Come Again)
- Swiss Chard (Bright Lights)
- Dill
- Garlic Chives
- Radishes (Jolly)
- Night Scented Stock
- Marguerite (May Empress)
- Cornflowers
And a few more trays that have gone indoors until things really warm up.
- Oenothera (Lemon Sunset)
- Coreopsis (Presto)
- Foxglove (Candy Mountain...so excited to see this one develop!)
- Canterbury Bells (Mixed)
All the outdoor sowings are protected by cloches, mainly to stop my cats and the foxes and squirrels digging everything up, but also as a safeguard against any chilly nights.
Not a bad days work, and the garden's looking very springlike now. Lots more to do, but my back needs a good overnight rest!
Gosh, hope that you can move tomorrow after all that effort.
ReplyDeleteLove the obelisks and adore sweetpeas.
Can't wait to see how it looks coming up to the summer.
Happy Friday x
Surprisingly, I feel okay this morning Maria. Must be all that squash I've been playing helping out the muscles ;-)
DeleteWhat a lovely garden and path you have! Seems like spring is somewhat late in a lot of places this year. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt has been very late, but it looks like things will catch up now with the warmer weather forecast.
DeleteGoodness you have been working hard there's such a lot to do at this time of year isn't there and what with the cold weather delaying everything etc. Love the pictures of your garden and looking forward to seeing it in the summer when it is in full swing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine. Yes, it seems like there's always something to be getting on with...not that I'm complaining :-)
DeleteI really do like your garden as it's so full of interest, and colour to come! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Flighty. There are still parts I'm not happy with, but it's getting there :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely garden you have, love the long view with your path. You have certainly been busy with all the jobs that need doing at this time of year, it will be wonderful when you see the results later in the year! I'm like you, I love plants for free, I always examine them in the garden centre before buying to see which can be split!
ReplyDeleteLol, I do that too Pauline, no point paying all that money for a plant if you can't split it ;-)
DeleteLovely photographs of your garden; I look forward to seeing it in full bloom. And the obelisks will look beautiful with those flowers growing up and around them.
ReplyDeleteI hope so Wendy. Doesn't help that I knocked a tray of sweetpea seedlings over today and squished some of them.
DeleteYour garden looks lovely with what looks like wood chip mulching. I like the cloches you have they look quite nice all lined up together.
ReplyDeleteI call it cloche city at this time of the year ;-)
DeleteSo heartening to finally be able to sow outdoors, and thank you, you have reminded me that I need to sow garlic chives too. As for free plants, what's not to love! I hope your hostas will be very happy and slug free in their new home.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet, I hope they'll be slug free too, although I doubt it as now we've had a bit of rain they are all over the place!
DeleteHow lovely that you've had some good weather. This is a great reminder for me to split my plants, my hosta is jam packed in a pot.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks lovely, I do love that little path, sooooo pretty.xxxxx
Thanks Snowbird, I love my little path too :-) Yes, my hosta should have been out of it's pot last year, but it was miserable and wet I really couldn't be bothered. Hopefully the split sections will enjoy their new homes around the garden.
DeleteSome of my herbaceous plants are just about mature enough to be given the same treatment. I'll be doing similar next spring. I am hoping to be quite methodical about it and only really do what does well or what I want more of - but I doubt it will end up like that!
ReplyDeleteLol, it never does Angie. We gardeners are plant hoarders and can't ever resist just one more.
DeleteI love those stepping stones through the garden! Are they wood? And your obelisk is so pretty! I do love the color. It will look fabulous with morning glories and sweet peas on it. Doesn't working out in the garden all day feel great?! If only the weather would stay cooperative!
ReplyDeleteIt really does feel good to get out in the fresh air at last! The stepping stones are actually made of stone. They're very heavy and we had to bring them in a couple at a time due to the weight. I don't think I'll be moving the path around very often ;-)
DeleteHow fresh everything looks now. I like your little path!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love the 'green' of spring Linda.
DeleteIt's looking great Paula.. don't forget to make time to sit out on that lovely bench and just enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll try, although sitting still for longer than 10 minutes is hard for me ;-)
DeleteI need to split and repot some of our hostas - half were done last year. WE grow ours in pots to try and limit slug damage a little. I think the hardest part will be getting them out of the pots!
ReplyDeleteI've tried keeping mine in pots Sue, but somehow those pesky slugs still manage to have them for dinner. I figured I may as well just pop them in the ground and hope for the best.
DeleteI need cloches just like those! I love your garden path. Now I just need more time to actually garden.... :o)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love more time to garden too, I think we need a few extra hours each day now just to catch up with everything!
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