The zombie army COVID-19 Gardening thread.
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The two wildflower beds in the front, seeded this May, are looking unruly but very pleasing. Bees and butterflies everywhere.
The seeds were sown amongst other plants, so when I mow it in the autumn i am going to have to not murder the lavender and sedums hiding in there.
One thing is that the summer bulbs I also planted have put up their sword-like leaves, but failed to flower. I wonder if the proific wildflowers have simply outcompeted them?
Lots of variety and colour, and changes every day.
IMG_20200723_084135 by baconrashers, on Flickr
But looking quite out of control!
IMG_20200723_084121 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Tricky to know what are flowering plants, and what are non-flowering weeds. I have no idea what this two foot monster is, for example.
IMG_20200723_084156 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Another giant that looks about to flower - any ideas? It almost looks like a sunflower, but I did not notice any of those seeds in my mix? There are four of these in the beds.
IMG_20200723_084209 by baconrashers, on Flickr
The seeds were sown amongst other plants, so when I mow it in the autumn i am going to have to not murder the lavender and sedums hiding in there.
One thing is that the summer bulbs I also planted have put up their sword-like leaves, but failed to flower. I wonder if the proific wildflowers have simply outcompeted them?
Lots of variety and colour, and changes every day.
IMG_20200723_084135 by baconrashers, on FlickrBut looking quite out of control!
IMG_20200723_084121 by baconrashers, on FlickrTricky to know what are flowering plants, and what are non-flowering weeds. I have no idea what this two foot monster is, for example.
IMG_20200723_084156 by baconrashers, on FlickrAnother giant that looks about to flower - any ideas? It almost looks like a sunflower, but I did not notice any of those seeds in my mix? There are four of these in the beds.
IMG_20200723_084209 by baconrashers, on FlickrEdited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 23 July 09:02
Harry Flashman said:
Could be this I like them, weeds (as the local farmers call them) get encouraged.
Another must have weed, about finished now but prolific spring/early summer is valerian. Good for attracting hummingbird hawk moths.
ETA
More weeds.
Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 23 July 09:27
Harry Flashman said:
The two wildflower beds in the front, seeded this May, are looking unruly but very pleasing. Bees and butterflies everywhere.
The seeds were sown amongst other plants, so when I mow it in the autumn i am going to have to not murder the lavender and sedums hiding in there.
One thing is that the summer bulbs I also planted have put up their sword-like leaves, but failed to flower. I wonder if the proific wildflowers have simply outcompeted them?
Lots of variety and colour, and changes every day.
IMG_20200723_084135 by baconrashers, on Flickr
But looking quite out of control!
IMG_20200723_084121 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Tricky to know what are flowering plants, and what are non-flowering weeds. I have no idea what this two foot monster is, for example.
IMG_20200723_084156 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Another giant that looks about to flower - any ideas? It almost looks like a sunflower, but I did not notice any of those seeds in my mix? There are four of these in the beds.
IMG_20200723_084209 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Looks brilliant. Not what I would describe as unruly though! Hold my beer - I'll be back this arvo with photos!The seeds were sown amongst other plants, so when I mow it in the autumn i am going to have to not murder the lavender and sedums hiding in there.
One thing is that the summer bulbs I also planted have put up their sword-like leaves, but failed to flower. I wonder if the proific wildflowers have simply outcompeted them?
Lots of variety and colour, and changes every day.
IMG_20200723_084135 by baconrashers, on FlickrBut looking quite out of control!
IMG_20200723_084121 by baconrashers, on FlickrTricky to know what are flowering plants, and what are non-flowering weeds. I have no idea what this two foot monster is, for example.
IMG_20200723_084156 by baconrashers, on FlickrAnother giant that looks about to flower - any ideas? It almost looks like a sunflower, but I did not notice any of those seeds in my mix? There are four of these in the beds.
IMG_20200723_084209 by baconrashers, on FlickrEdited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 23 July 09:02
The thing I love about gardening is the constant change, and the occasional surprise.
This magnolia arrived from Gardening Express looking like a twiggy stick last year. This spring, it failed to flower. I took care of it, fertilised it and didn't throw it away. It grew well, becoming a small, green, flowerless tree.
Lo and behold - flowers are forming, in midsummer? Weird, but excellent.
IMG_20200723_143023 by baconrashers, on Flickr
And as for change. as the lavenders and sages die away, these beauties are coming on strong. Massive gladioli, no idea what colour they will be.:
IMG_20200723_144816 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Something yellow. Masses of flower buds:
IMG_20200723_145152 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Astilbe plug plants put in a few weeks back:
IMG_20200723_145330 by baconrashers, on Flickr
This magnolia arrived from Gardening Express looking like a twiggy stick last year. This spring, it failed to flower. I took care of it, fertilised it and didn't throw it away. It grew well, becoming a small, green, flowerless tree.
Lo and behold - flowers are forming, in midsummer? Weird, but excellent.
IMG_20200723_143023 by baconrashers, on FlickrAnd as for change. as the lavenders and sages die away, these beauties are coming on strong. Massive gladioli, no idea what colour they will be.:
IMG_20200723_144816 by baconrashers, on FlickrSomething yellow. Masses of flower buds:
IMG_20200723_145152 by baconrashers, on FlickrAstilbe plug plants put in a few weeks back:
IMG_20200723_145330 by baconrashers, on FlickrI have also chopped my salvias to the ground (above new shoots) as they have all collapsed and looked dreadful. Supposedly this promotes new growth and flowering late season. I suspect I have killed them...
And Hotbin is going strong. Lots of fluffy mould in there and temperature is a rock steady 55 degrees. Pile now sinking very slowly, so I suspect the bottom layer needs to be taken out as it will be compost now, I think about six weeks after I installed the bin and started it going.
IMG_20200723_145726 by baconrashers, on Flickr
And Hotbin is going strong. Lots of fluffy mould in there and temperature is a rock steady 55 degrees. Pile now sinking very slowly, so I suspect the bottom layer needs to be taken out as it will be compost now, I think about six weeks after I installed the bin and started it going.
IMG_20200723_145726 by baconrashers, on Flickr1) modern garden magnolias often repeat flower later in the season provided they’re happy, watered, fed, so this is expected. Enjoy!
2) the yellow flowers are Rudbeckias, possibly goldstrum as it’s a more common one.
3) I doubt you’ll kill the salvias, provided they were reasonably well established. It’s a common technique
4) make sure to keep the astillbees well watered!
2) the yellow flowers are Rudbeckias, possibly goldstrum as it’s a more common one.
3) I doubt you’ll kill the salvias, provided they were reasonably well established. It’s a common technique
4) make sure to keep the astillbees well watered!
Harry Flashman said:
I have also chopped my salvias to the ground (above new shoots) as they have all collapsed and looked dreadful. Supposedly this promotes new growth and flowering late season. I suspect I have killed them...
And Hotbin is going strong. Lots of fluffy mould in there and temperature is a rock steady 55 degrees. Pile now sinking very slowly, so I suspect the bottom layer needs to be taken out as it will be compost now, I think about six weeks after I installed the bin and started it going.
IMG_20200723_145726 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Salvias are regarded as tough plants, you should be ok at this time of year.And Hotbin is going strong. Lots of fluffy mould in there and temperature is a rock steady 55 degrees. Pile now sinking very slowly, so I suspect the bottom layer needs to be taken out as it will be compost now, I think about six weeks after I installed the bin and started it going.
IMG_20200723_145726 by baconrashers, on FlickrBack exploring our wildflowers for us - this has perhaps been the best year for species that we've seen since we laid it 3years ago now. Not sure why that might be, but it's possible that the extended warm period in spring, and the subsequent wet cooler weather came at the perfect times. In previous years we've had a good start almost for it to then hit summer and look utterly baked and it hasn't recovered again before autumn. I've seen wildflowers this year that we haven't seen at all before though, so it's also possible that some may simply have been dormant for some time and finally come to life.
Dutch clover
Bladderwort
Meadow Cranesbill
Wild Carrot
Birdsfoot Trefoil
And a cornflower - last seen first year of laying the turf. This is actually about 20ft away from the wildflowers on a patch of as yet un-sorted scrub - it just popped up this year! Will be watching closely and harvesting any seed for sowing back into the main meadow area.
And this is how it all currently looks
The wildlife seems to love it - nearly mowed this little chap up the other day. Can't remember the last time I saw a cricket in any of my gardens
On other matters - is this a Rudbeckia? It was given to us by my son's nursery a couple of years ago as a seedling and didn't do much for a very long time, before popping up last year, and it's come back again this year.
Lastly - we have a magnificent rose that was in the garden when we moved in 8yrs ago, which goes bonkers with flowers and then this dreaded rot sets in. Every year this happens to the extent we end up with a sorry looking twiggy mess. Is there anything that can be done that actually works? We've tried removing bits as they turn and keeping it clear etc. but it seems to happen without fail.
Dutch clover
Bladderwort
Meadow Cranesbill
Wild Carrot
Birdsfoot Trefoil
And a cornflower - last seen first year of laying the turf. This is actually about 20ft away from the wildflowers on a patch of as yet un-sorted scrub - it just popped up this year! Will be watching closely and harvesting any seed for sowing back into the main meadow area.
And this is how it all currently looks
The wildlife seems to love it - nearly mowed this little chap up the other day. Can't remember the last time I saw a cricket in any of my gardens
On other matters - is this a Rudbeckia? It was given to us by my son's nursery a couple of years ago as a seedling and didn't do much for a very long time, before popping up last year, and it's come back again this year.
Lastly - we have a magnificent rose that was in the garden when we moved in 8yrs ago, which goes bonkers with flowers and then this dreaded rot sets in. Every year this happens to the extent we end up with a sorry looking twiggy mess. Is there anything that can be done that actually works? We've tried removing bits as they turn and keeping it clear etc. but it seems to happen without fail.
Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Friday 24th July 12:53
First time this evening in over a week I’ve been out to my gardens whilst still light.
Lilies still going strong and smell absolutely amazing from a good distance too which is nice
Going to try and get some bits done this weekend out here including finishing off my naked boy now he has my beach collected cobbles installed
Couple of Gladioli flowering already, Passion Flower begins in flower too.
Secret Garden rife with ‘wildflower’. I’ll leave it this year but may rethink this space again next year.
Few shrubs coming in to flower in the White Garden and the Wisteria over the Catio has had a second flower
Lovely garden in the cottage I stayed in last week, sat out there with drinks and enjoyed some other activities. Turned out it didn’t belong to the cottage...
Lilies still going strong and smell absolutely amazing from a good distance too which is nice
Going to try and get some bits done this weekend out here including finishing off my naked boy now he has my beach collected cobbles installed
Couple of Gladioli flowering already, Passion Flower begins in flower too.
Secret Garden rife with ‘wildflower’. I’ll leave it this year but may rethink this space again next year.
Few shrubs coming in to flower in the White Garden and the Wisteria over the Catio has had a second flower
Lovely garden in the cottage I stayed in last week, sat out there with drinks and enjoyed some other activities. Turned out it didn’t belong to the cottage...
Was tasked with making a kindling store. Having not done any woodwork since school I approached this in blissful ignorance !
Armed with a hand saw, a mitre box, a set square, a tape measure and a wheelie bin (to cut things on) I had a go...
The project manager changed the spec halfway through the build and requested a hinged lid
I'm actually quite chuffed with the result ! Have handed it over to the project manager...for painting
Armed with a hand saw, a mitre box, a set square, a tape measure and a wheelie bin (to cut things on) I had a go...
The project manager changed the spec halfway through the build and requested a hinged lid
I'm actually quite chuffed with the result ! Have handed it over to the project manager...for painting
d animal has decapitated and shredded my gladioli!
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