Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Seeds - On a rainy day why not go through your seed collection and throw out any old & unused seed packets then replace those that you like. You could also make a list of what you have to make it easier than sifting through each one every time you need to check! You may also be able to take advantage of offers with the new seed catalogues being released at this time of year.

2. Cyclamen  -Keep checking for Grey Mould or fallen leaves on plants such as Cyclamen daily and remove when seen. Also it is better to water them from below to prevent wet leaves and the plant rotting. If you want to keep them indoors like me then they like a cool location without direct sunlight. So my North facing un-heated conservatory suits them fine! 

3. Hellebores - Check foliage for signs of black spot, if seen cut down the stems but don't place them on your own compost heap as the spores will spread. It's best to either burn them or place them in your council collection bin. Cutting out these stems will also help the new flower shoots get all the light they need.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Plant Roses - Now is a good time to indulge in a new Rose, or many! Remember to plant them with the graft covered and a good mulch!

2. Tulips  -November is a good time to plant Tulips, so if you haven't already done so it's time to get it done. This year I have gone for the variety 'Black Parrot'.

3. Hardy Fuchsia's - Speaking of mulching it is also recommended that you give the crowns a thick mulch for the Winter. You can do this at the same time as planting your Roses!

4. Cuttings - If you have any plants such as Currants and Gooseberries in your garden, you can take some Hardwood Cuttings from them now.

5. Treat - Lastly why not treat yourself to a good Gardening book to read on those days that the weather prevents any time outside. I know I am! Not only is it something for you to enjoy but it may give you ideas for next year.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

I know it's a little late this week ,so i'l get on with the Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Remove Yellow Leaves - If like me you are over - wintering some Pelargoniums, make sure you remove any leaves that are starting to turn yellow or have fallen off.

2. Ventilation  -Even though the days are cooler it's always good to keep your Greenhouse door open throughout the day to provide good ventilation for your plants. Failure to do so can cause grey mould which will spread very quickly. Just don't forget to close it back up again on a night!

3. Leaves - Keep collecting fallen leaves for Leaf Mould. Even if it is just once a week you'll be glad you did it come next year.

4. Slugs - With all the wet weather recently it seems the slugs are starting to make more of an appearance! Keep checking your Outdoor Pots and Greenhouse's, I've had a few sneaky slugs finding there way into my GH recently! 

5. Enjoy - Even though there aren't our usual summer displays at this time of year it does give you the ability to look at your garden and enjoy the Evergreen Plants & Grasses, along with seeing which areas could benefit from even more permanent planting structures.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Winter Bulbs ...

Good Morning!

Today's post is short and sweet about something that you can do this week, will take you 5 minutes and ensure some well needed colour in the Winter months!

As I mentioned in the Checklist now is the time to plant Winter bulbs, especially if you want something in bloom at Christmas. Well why not try some Narcissus - Paperwhites! These can be planted in pots now and will bloom in about 8 weeks, giving you some great indoor blooms.

I decided to try three different techniques of growing them. The first is one I saw on-line of planting them in a clear vase with just a layer of stone / grit in the bottom. Add some water to about a third of the way up of the layer and ensure this is kept topped up. I haven't tried this before so it'l be interesting to see if it works!

I also tried them in some plastic vases with some compost and another layer of grit. 

Along with these techniques I planted the two left over bulbs in just compost. It'l be interesting to see which way performs better, if any!

Thanks for stopping by & have a good weekend!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Auriculas ... Lot's Of Auriculas!

Good Morning!

Today's post is a little job that I managed to do a few days ago, yes even though it is November there are still some things you can do.

A few weeks ago my Grandad gave me some Auricula plug plants and it was time to pot them on last weekend. Ideally you should do this in early Autumn but you can still do it now if needed. Auricula's start putting new growth on in the Autumn so it's good to get small plants potted then. 

You can pot them on in either Teracotta or Teracotta coloured plastic pots. 

I like to use a mix of John Innes no.2 mixed with Horticultural Grit for the compost finishing off with a top layer of Grit.

TIP - When watering you only need about a teaspoons worth at a time and try to make sure you do not splash the leaves.

As you can see my collection spreads right across the top shelves of my staging. If I have counted correctly I have 40 plants and don't forget you can indeed split plants to create even more. It should certainly be a good display when they're flowering ... fingers crossed!

These can be kept outside during the winter but they do need protection from the rain as the leaves don't like getting wet. So until I manage to persuade my Dad to build me an Auricula Theatre (*hint hint* I hope you are reading this ... ) they will have to make do in the Greenhouse for now.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Deadhead Violas - If like me you have some Hanging Baskets or tubs including Violas, make sure you keep on top of the dead heading to keep the blooms going.

2. Pot Feet  -To help prevent outdoor containers becoming waterlogged in the winter wet raise them onto pot feet or wood offcuts to help them drain properly.

3. Rockery Plants - Protect Rockery Plants from the rain by bringing them inside over the winter. Alternatively place a sheet of glass raised on bricks over the top of them. They are perfectly fine with the cold they just don't like the wet.

4. Christmas Displays - I know it feels like it's ages away but now is the time to plan your pot displays for over the festive season. Bulbs such as Amaryllis and Narcissus - Paperwhite are best started off now to ensure that you have blooms in time.

5. Indoor Plants - Lastly why not bring a plant inside to enjoy now that the days are getting cooler and darker? It makes much more sense when you will be spending more time indoors!

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Autumn Colours ...

Good Morning!

Today's post is all about the colours of the season, we are well into Autumn now and there's still plenty of colour around. Why not bring it into your home like I have? Although my Chrysanthemums suffered from white rust there were still some lovely blooms that I could use which I teamed with some Heuchera flowers.

There's also still plenty of plants that can give you instant colour right now. Heuchera's are one of my favourites and provide colour all year round. Here I have used 'Plum Pudding' along with an unknown Hebe I got in a buy 1 get 1 free offer and some White Viola's. 

Next to the pot is another Heuchera called 'Marmalade' which has a wonderful leaf colour with a pink underside.

As you can see here the pots fit in well with my others near the conservatory and are certainly providing lot's of colour! 

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX