The zombie army COVID-19 Gardening thread.
Discussion
king Don you know 
Yesterday I wasn't actually gardening but FINALLY, as in after two years, sealing the porcelain tiles out the back.
When they went down they looked amazing but, as it quickly transpired, they are slightly porous and mark very easily.
I started off with some Cemelex which is a relatively highly concentrated acid brick cleaner then I pressure washed and dried them. Then applied Wickes stone sealant which is oil-based not water based.
This is the water beading after the first coat. The un-treated slab on the right looks dry - I guess because it has absorbed the water rather then repelling it.
When they went down they looked amazing but, as it quickly transpired, they are slightly porous and mark very easily.
I started off with some Cemelex which is a relatively highly concentrated acid brick cleaner then I pressure washed and dried them. Then applied Wickes stone sealant which is oil-based not water based.
This is the water beading after the first coat. The un-treated slab on the right looks dry - I guess because it has absorbed the water rather then repelling it.
Harry Flashman said:
I have never thought to ask, but honestly, who doesn't? 
Yes I’ve noticed things are later flowering this year. My alstroemerias are usually in flower by now but no sign yet, honeysuckle likewise.
I like to do a monthly photo so to look back on flowering times the previous year as I’m sure you
have many of your garden to look back on.
SPR2 said:
Harry Flashman said:
I have never thought to ask, but honestly, who doesn't?
Yes I’ve noticed things are later flowering this year. My alstroemerias are usually in flower by now but no sign yet, honeysuckle likewise.
I like to do a monthly photo so to look back on flowering times the previous year as I’m sure you
have many of your garden to look back on.
AC43 said:
SPR2 said:
Harry Flashman said:
I have never thought to ask, but honestly, who doesn't?
Yes I’ve noticed things are later flowering this year. My alstroemerias are usually in flower by now but no sign yet, honeysuckle likewise.
I like to do a monthly photo so to look back on flowering times the previous year as I’m sure you
have many of your garden to look back on.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/mgdn6PT9.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/b4gg55yf" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/b4gg55yf.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/b4gg55yf" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/b4gg55yf.jpg)
Photo from the Mrs' phone; hence the plastic box full of cobbles, right in shot. Ach weel.
Colours starting to appear, I've been going banzai with the plant-feed via the hose.
I wish the weeds didn't love the stuff so much as well, they are growing like billy-o.
The tree growing out the grass at the right hand side of the pic? Sorry, mate - you're going.
It's one of those "nothing" trees that does nothing. I don't like chopping trees; I'll probably apologise to the thing as it's happening.
In brighter news, I've a couple of azalea plants on the main bed about to spring into action - one scarlet, one orange - pics soon.
Hopes are high!
The latest raised temps are a good sign.
Colours starting to appear, I've been going banzai with the plant-feed via the hose.
I wish the weeds didn't love the stuff so much as well, they are growing like billy-o.
The tree growing out the grass at the right hand side of the pic? Sorry, mate - you're going.
It's one of those "nothing" trees that does nothing. I don't like chopping trees; I'll probably apologise to the thing as it's happening.
In brighter news, I've a couple of azalea plants on the main bed about to spring into action - one scarlet, one orange - pics soon.
Hopes are high!
The latest raised temps are a good sign.
AC43 said:
SPR2 said:
Harry Flashman said:
I have never thought to ask, but honestly, who doesn't?
Yes I’ve noticed things are later flowering this year. My alstroemerias are usually in flower by now but no sign yet, honeysuckle likewise.
I like to do a monthly photo so to look back on flowering times the previous year as I’m sure you
have many of your garden to look back on.
It's been a good year for Tulips as I think Harry reported a while back.
I'm trying to move house as per usual, so have had to resort to short term plans, the greenhouse has been repaired and is full of different types of radish. In about half of it i've gone for a bit of a rushed 'No diggedy', the rest is just normal.
Right on cue the radish came through as soon as I turned my back.
Pic from the other side of the trees, I felt duty-bound to leave the plastic box in place for authenticity. Not because I'm bone idle.
Oh, and have a bit of washing line an' all.
We sat out for dinner this evening and - happy days - the midges that would normally ruin an evening in the garden don't appear to be around just yet.
I wonder if they are 3-4 weeks behind, like the plants seem to be.
Oh, and have a bit of washing line an' all.
We sat out for dinner this evening and - happy days - the midges that would normally ruin an evening in the garden don't appear to be around just yet.
I wonder if they are 3-4 weeks behind, like the plants seem to be.
lemansky said:
Dug some dirt. Planted some plants.
Ate a Chinese takeout in the garden in the sun and had too much to drink.
Magic stuff
Today was a good day. Lots of sunshine on the bones helps enormously.
Taking a sneaky day off work tomorrow, too, fuggit.
The weeds get another day's grace.
It's hot down here. I managed to down tools and get some proper sunbathing in yesterday afternoon. Plan to do the same today. Ate a Chinese takeout in the garden in the sun and had too much to drink.
Magic stuff
Today was a good day. Lots of sunshine on the bones helps enormously.
Taking a sneaky day off work tomorrow, too, fuggit.
The weeds get another day's grace.
Might be able to start planting or at least planning soon. Worked with my dad over the last few days building some oak raised planters. Never want to lift another oak sleeper in my life. Waiting on gravel arriving to put a layer down for drainage then will probably staple some Terram around the inside of the box and on top of the gravel to retain the soil. Once the gravel and Terram are in it’s a case of weeding & removing stones etc from the soil then get it back filled into the boxes.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Nice work!
We've spent a little time at the allotment weeding and laying woodchip paths between the beds.
Pretty much ready for runner beans and sweetcorn to be planted this weekend.
Also had another bout at removing the immense stand of bamboo in the back garden I've been fighting for nearly two years... Actually feel like I'm making some headway - but too embarrassing to post recent pics!
We've spent a little time at the allotment weeding and laying woodchip paths between the beds.
Pretty much ready for runner beans and sweetcorn to be planted this weekend.
Also had another bout at removing the immense stand of bamboo in the back garden I've been fighting for nearly two years... Actually feel like I'm making some headway - but too embarrassing to post recent pics!
SPR2 said:
Harry Flashman said:
I have never thought to ask, but honestly, who doesn't?
Yes I’ve noticed things are later flowering this year. My alstroemerias are usually in flower by now but no sign yet, honeysuckle likewise.
I like to do a monthly photo so to look back on flowering times the previous year as I’m sure you
have many of your garden to look back on.
Next Spring it starts growing from the same foot high stalk again.
It never gets any bigger!
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff