What have you done today in the Garden?

Hopefully soon I'll be able to ditch the crutches @Sjoerd ....I don't always feel the need for both indoors now but when outside I still lack the.confidence, I still need to have them very close by me for the time being..

 

DHR. I have a few sizes of batter op drills , they really come in handy. I like the rechargeable screwdrivers too.
Ya never know when a handy tool with make a big difference with any repairs or projects. in fact most of my new garden tools are also battery operated and light weight. I luv my battery op chain saw. It has conquered many heavy duty projects hands down with no issues. Remembering the ole days of carting heavy extension cords everywhere. Well that chore is no more.

 

Thanks Daniel. We have a group (called Victory Gardens) that does what they call a garden blitz each year. They put in gardens in 1 or 2 days. That's where they came from and they were less expensive than buying the wood and soil on my own. Last summer I put the second layer on, my back and knees are getting too old for just one level.

You can have all of my snow! I am so ready for spring! This picture is through the screen door. I was lucky, someone cleared the front sidewalk with a snow blower. I don't know who, but I appreciated it!



Logan, I hope you feel better soon!

 

Thank you @Willowisp0801 I'm a lot better from my falling over, still got the muscle strain a bit in my left hip and thigh but I'm still trying to do things when the weather is right.

 

Thanks for that, but for the use I'll get out of a drill with more "punch," a cheap corded one seemed more sensible. For jobs with timber or little projects like my hedgehog feeder, the battery one I have is fine.

 

We baled out of pruning the trees today, as it's damp and only +3c. So we've re-scheduled for next week-end, when we're promised sunshine and +14c.
Hmm..

I finished "tarting up" the new hedgehog doorway in the fence. I needed my new mains drill to be able to attach it to the concrete fence base panel. No sign of any hedgehog activity yet.





I've come to a decision about this area under the acer in front of the tea-house.

I think I'd be kidding myself, if I thought I could rescue the grass. It looks a mess at the moment and squirrels digging in it doesn't help.





There's a reclamation/brick-yard near Asda, where do some of our shopping. So one day next week I'll check them out for similar bricks to these.
I'll make the perimeter much bigger. I'll also need a couple of bags of fine concrete mix, in which to set the bricks. It will probably need a roll of turf too.
I'll also give the acer's skirt a trim once I've taken the net and wires off, to allow more light to the area around the bricks' perimeter.
Of course, I won't be doing any of this until it gets a bit warmer.
But I'll be ready for it.

 

DHR Under my acers I planted Scotch Moss, a lush chartreuse to yellow, moss-like foliage forms a soft mat that works well along walkways and between stepping stones too. This plant is nearly indestructible grows well in full shade and flowers in late spring to early summer. Easily grown and withstands my big feet walking on it with no problem.

 

I have not gotten anything done for a few days. We have had heavy rains, and some light snow and it is just too cold to do much. It is supposed to be -8F by Wednesday or Thursday, and 8-10" of snow is forecasted for Tuesday, so I probably won't get anything done outdoors.

I did plant some ginger indoors in pots, and hopefully they will grow. I have them covered in plastic (they do have air holes) to help keep them warm. My front rooms do not heat well because of how my house is laid out. My porch plants are hanging in there, but it is warm enough for them. I got a small set of shelves to set on the table and try some cold weather seed starting. It is sitting directly in the window, so maybe it will get enough light? I planted some of my rhubarb seeds in starter pots this afternoon. I will try starting some flower seeds in other starter pots too. I up-potted my new rosemary plant too.

Next month I want to get some heat mats for my seedlings. That will help keep that room a tad warmer I hope.

@Oreti I am glad you are on the mend, and able to get about more.

Keep warm y'all.

 

Thank you @AAnightowl .

Have you ever tried the Wintersowiing method...... I tried it about 7 -8 years ago and had the best germination rate and the best summer garden display ever..Not sure why I stopped really, probably got fed up with milk container everywhere!
I have a couple going now on a smaller scale to see how things go as I knew I wouldn't really be up to full scale seed sowing this year. You just sow ,leave to the elements and forget.
I also plan to clear areas in the borders and try my luck as just direct sowing too.

Wintersowing is quite popular I thought in the States.

https://thereidhomestead.com/seed-starting-101-winter-sowing/

 

Oreti—Ta for the link.
I will begin sowing shortly.

 

A cold day today, seems lower than +5c.

No hedgehog activity. I've put the second camera out to cover the new doorway.

 

Interesting article about winter seed sowing. Way too much effort for this gardener. Usually making a huge effort to scale down a bit. Years past this winter method is ok not had as much success as with using my heated greenhouse and heating mats. Hardening off when weather permits is much more successful in my zone. We need more light in winters and the lights in the greenhouse are huge and designed for green plants and flowing plants.
Some plants have overwintered well out in the winter elements, reseeded and spread in some sheltered areas of the garden.

 

Did some flower seeds yesterday....Yarrow, Salvia, Foxglove, Larkspur

 

As today warmed by late afternoon and the sun popped out, it was time to check the pastures for fallen tree debris and fallen branches and damage from two back to back wind /rain/snow storms. The weather was nice for a ride on the small garden tractor to inspect the out buildings and other areas for wind damage. Lucky no damage to the barn and sheds. However, the pasture is littered with fallen tree limbs some huge , but mostly the tree debris is covering the entire pasture covering the grass from view. This will be a big job and probably would need a warmer day to clean up all the fallen branches to pile up on the non-burn pile. I also made another observation, I found elk scat in a couple of entry and exit areas from the woods . Today’s findings was alarming with the amount of added cleanup work as the wind storms also blew huge limbs across the horse trails and littered the house and barn roofs and caught up in the gutters and down spouts. Had flat tires on the large maintenance tractor, lost my favorite sunglasses and managed to sprain my wrist. Bah-Hum-Bug….
All I gotta say is, “ Sometimes your the windshield and sometimes your the bug.”
Tomorrow is another day…..

 

Awwwwww @Pacnorwest ....what what a nightmare of a day!!!!! What a workload you now have on your hands...I just can't imagine how I would cope....well Ok I can......I just wouldn't..

Just make sure you allow your wrist time to rest and recover first before you tackle anything.....otherwise you could end up creating a whole lotta extra trouble for yourself.
Look after yourself.x