Where are my sons...

...when I need their brawn and expertise?

Alec

Doug

The two in question.















The answer to that question is that they are too far away to be of any use when I need them.   So much for expending all that energy bringing up sons.

This afternoon I wanted to make the frames for two raised vegetable beds.  They aren't very high but I needed frames to contain the soil, compost and manure.  So since son-in-laws are also unavailable for help and likewise very-useful-grandson too far away, the task of making these frames was going to be my entire responsibility.  Sigh!   I really could do with a tame-man for these sorts of jobs...

Anyway not all was lost.   The local hardware store will cut wood to size which saves a lot of schlep.  I had a couple of planks already but needed 4 more.  And something to make the corner joint.  Oh yes, and some nails or screws.

2 raised beds 

The corners - a real botch job.

These are the result.  Botched together and then need levelling.  Also need filling up with nutritious soil ready for sowing of seeds and seedlings.   That's the job for tomorrow.

What might they hold?   Peas, maybe radicchio, possibly spinach beet.   I also want to plant cucumbers and courgettes but possibly in grow bags rather than in beds.

The potatoes I planted a couple of weeks ago...well, the ones called Swift are up already.   Apparently they are living up to their name.

'Swift' potatoes sprouted.

Other seedlings need replanting or planting out.

Tomato seedlings need to be planted out.

Sweetpeas need to be planted out too.

This year I am growing a couple of pots of French Marigolds in the greenhouse - they are supposed to repel flying pests.   They are pretty and it's worth a try, why not?  Though some say they actually attract pests.   I know the slugs love them.

French Marigolds -with slug pellets.
I can only use these in strictly controlled places like
the greenhouse where I can keep Seren out.

The Backyard Gardener says:
Marigolds are relatively pest free and many people interplant them in their vegetable gardens to deter insect pests. While the data is lacking as to whether marigolds actually deter insect pests, they definitely attract beneficial insects such as lacewings, ladybeetles, and parasitic wasps. A vegetable garden with some planted flowers is also more attractive and this makes it more enjoyable to work in.

Others say they can destroy nematodes in the soil that are doing good.  So - mine are in pots, they won't destroy any nematodes and maybe they will keep put some of the flying pests and if nothing else - they look pretty!

Something that is looking very pretty right now is the Aquilegia or Granny's Bonnet

Aquilegia

This self-seeds itself every year - it grows just about anywhere - I love the little nodding flowers and so do the bees.  The bees are busy now.   Yesterday walking in the wood Leah's sharp eyes spotted a bee hive (nest) in a hollow tree.  She is a sharp kid and notices things many other people miss.

I have been enjoying more and more rhubarb.  It is so easy to grow and a real treat fresh from the garden.

Rhubarb - yum.

Any gardening I do at the moment has to be done around walking time.   Seren needs, like any and every collie, huge amounts of exercise every day.  That means a walk morning and afternoon...which I love, but it does cut down on the gardening time.  However, I can always get hints and tips from nature on our rambles.   For instance, this morning I spotted a patch of wood anemones growing intermingled with dog violets...stunning.   As G remarked, what a perfect combination to put on JP's shady corner grave.

White wood anemone and dog violets (not my photo)

Another task this week is to plant up hanging baskets that are bursting out of their socks in the greenhouse.  That is after I have finished the veg frames and many other tasks too many to list.  In the end we can only do what we can do in a given period of time.  The tomato seedlings need feeding.  Probably the indoor plants do too.   The Hibiscus is flowering again, such beautiful big double red flowers.   They make me feel warm just to look at them.  The pelagoniums I cut back are flowering.   The cut back bits seem to be doing OK  - hopefully they will root and provide many extra pelagonium plants.

Hibiscus

Pelagoniums, two varieties.

It is certainly the season when everything grows.   G took some Marguerites off me and some Periwinkles too.   The Periwinkles are flowering in her garden already - and the Marguerites have buds.   Both plants are tough but that is still pretty incredible after I roughly yanked them up and G roughly dug them into her garden.   Of course the things that grow fastest are the weeds.

The little pond plants are all beginning to show signs of growth especially the Bog Marigolds ...yes, there is more than plenty to do.  All good, happy jobs though.

The weather forecast for the week ahead is most unusual - we have winds of up to 52mph  forecast - that is a winter gale.   I dread to think what will happen to the apple blossom if it really does blow that hard.  Fingers crossed it doesn't.  Yesterday the forecast was for over 60mph for one of the days in the week ahead, so here's hoping there is a decrease of wind speed every day.

More garden news next week - meanwhile happy gardening!