More weeding...
Winnie the Dog
I have two hours of gardening time before today's music rehearsal. What can I achieve? Hmm... What should I do? The answer to that is easy - do some more weeding. There is always more weeding to do. Pick a garden area - any garden area - and weed!
So the dogs and I sat down on the back lawn and I weeded underneath the pergola. Planted two little special things - a sage and a variegated Silene - in the Herb Spiral. Cleared the little path underneath the Crepuscule rose. Small scale gardening, large scale enjoyment.
Lucky I hadn't started the bonfire. The hot nor-west wind started up mid-morning with a hiss and a roar.
Friday 10th October
Today I planted the four Lavenders by the washing line, and trimmed all the edges of the little lawn there. Popped the Kaka Beak shrub in a pot by the cottage. Cleared more of the edges around the back lawn (which had been mown).
The Back Lawn by the Water Race
Then moved over the water to Middle Path and started weeding the gardens either side. An Astelia had died off - cleaned it up. The Oak leaved Hydrangea had a lot of dead wood. Oops.
Spraxias and Forget-Me-Nots
Gorse...
Pulled out quite a few gorse seedlings. Every year without fail there are some to deal with (thirty years ago there was a gorse hedge here). Cleaned up the striped Phormium, planted divisions in a large pot, placed it in a garden gap near the bridge. Nice!
A seed raising flop!
Remembered to go to the glasshouse to check on my seeds and Lupin cuttings. Am sad to say that my seed raising has been an absolute flop - no idea what has happened there. Only the Nasturtiums have germinated. Disappointing. No spinach, no lettuces, no cornflowers.
So I went to the veggie stall down the road and bought some seedling peas, spring onions, and tomatoes. If I am hopeless, then I will support a local grower who isn't. Too early to plant in the veggie garden, though.
Spent all afternoon weeding by Middle Bridge - hard work, achy hands and fingers. Late in the day, decided to dig out the big Carexes by the water. Sat down with the breadknife - steady but very slow work. Tried swinging the shovel, stopped myself (a bit hard on my shoulder).
So I decided to ask Non-Gardening Partner for help. He is not going to like this one bit. Will have to use my sweetest voice.
Messy Carexes by the Water
I have two lists for tomorrow (am now far too tired to do anything more).
Plantings :
- Plant the David Thomson rose by the pergola.
- Plant the potted Flower Carpet rose in the Septic Tank Garden.
- Plant the rest of the potatoes in the veggie garden.
Maintenance :
- Bring mess to bonfire, burn (if there's no wind).
- Weed side of Island Bed. Weed-kill Alstroemeria seedlings.
- Continue watering new Camellias.
Well, that's enough from me for now. Five hours work, some great results, and some good decisions.