Diana's Journal

Last Post 1113 days 3 hours ago

Happy Mayday.

01 May 2010 20:30:13

The weather has been a mixed bag for that last few days. Didn't get much done at all. Bought loads and loads of seeds though, and have trays and pots all over the place. There was a clump of primroses outside the fence so I dug them up and got 12 plant from them. Going to plant them under the trees, unless you think that might not a good idea.

Managed to get broccoli plants in woodies and put them out for a week to harden off and then planted them in a patch (cant call it a vegetable patch because thats all thats in there at the moment) The slugs had a feast. So planted 3 more along with some slug pelletts. Touch wood they seem to be growing.

Thinking of doing a corner of the garden in shrubs. Would I be better off putting a membrain down over the grass or do I need to dig first. Mind you by the time I have got rid of the stones and rocks it will be pretty well dug over anyway.

Enjoy the bank holiday and hope the weather improves for you all.

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Dick 01 May 2010 20:52:23

Diana, perhaps you could put down some slug pellets. Cover them in such manner that the slugs will go for them but the birds will not. Regarding the putting down of the shrubs, perhaps you could spray the area with Roundup and wait until the grass turnd yellow. Then you could dig the ground. If the bank holiday is fine, I will be in the garden DG.

MartinB 01 May 2010 23:09:06

A thick layer of newspaper covered with bark or other is a good method that I have tried. It will kill off all the hard weeds and by next year or so it will have been absorbed by the soil. Membrane is death to soil.

Diana 02 May 2010 09:51:11

Thanks Dick I have not been able to hide all the bright blue pellets but have done my best.

Hi Martin...I will try the newspaper I think as it sounds much more friendly, and I have a small collection of newspapers so will do a little bit at a time. Usefull advice thank you.

Johnplotman 04 May 2010 08:45:27

Hope you had a great May bank holiday,Diana and all is going to plan.

sallysarah 04 May 2010 15:03:42

I bought some 'everlasting' broccoli a week ago in car boot sale in Castlebar. Haven't grown this type before. I was surprised at all the different veggie plants for sale. I also got a tray of spinach - never grown it before either. I go with my friend every month to car boot sale for flowers and shrubs. This last visit the place was packed with people and stall-holders. Could it be the recession?

Diana 06 May 2010 20:24:41

Sally. I do wish that I could get myself organised. Honestly you I could manage a trip to the car boot sale in Carrick on a Sunday but every Sunday evening I remember it and have to wait for another week to forget it again ;o) Hope you are lucky with your plants. Everlasting broccoli sounds interesting please let me know how it goes. I planted spinach and have several seedlings so am hoping for good things.

Dick 06 May 2010 20:51:54

Diana and Sally, now that you have spinach, you will probably have as much energy as Popeye!

Diana 06 May 2010 21:23:34

Oh I do hope so Dick!!! I'd need it to keep up with you and all your seedlings.

sallysarah 07 May 2010 08:17:06

I will let you know how I get on with the everlasting brocolli. I'm still picking from my purple sprouting broc!!! Last week (my daughter was over for hols so we went to Ballinrobe (Morleys) gdn centre) on way to see cousins and bought some plants of purple spout broc - 9 for 3 euros which I didn't think was too bad. Normally I only plant 4. Monty Don says 'to treat like trees and stake'. He's right as they grow tall with thick thick stumps, more like a tree-trunk.

Dick, if I get any more energy I'll be going round in more circles than usual..........

Looking forward to seeing you Diana on 4th July - will have to look up my emails to see what I've promised to who!!