Tag: gardening

Sunbather

So it seems Bert is a bit of a sun worshipper too. He and the kittens have been laid out sunbathing today.

He was a rather hot pupster after our walk this morning. But insisted on a bit more sunbathing over lunch. We met a lovely couple on our walk today. The wife was gardening and Bert wanted to say hello. Ended up talking to her and her husband for a long time. She even got Bert a bowl of water while we chatted. They were telling me some of the history of Strumpshaw village. They’ve both lived there all their lives. In fact the husband was born in the house they live in. 81 years ago. She was born down the lane.

I love it when I have random meetings like that. It’s really cool to find out stuff about the area I live in.

Gardener

I came across some photos from when I moved into my little house last night. It seems like a long time ago now. Well it was over a decade ago. The garden looked so neat, tidy and manicure – a far cry from the lived in version now. I know I’ve let things grow a bit too much. It’s gotten quite out of hand. I love gardening. But in recent years, I haven’t had as much time or inclination to get out there and keep on top of it. I’ve prioritised other things I guess too.

The photos were a stark reminder of how bad it has gotten. The former owner is probably turning in his grave at the state of it. So this afternoon I made a start by mowing the back lawn. I’m going to try and spend a bit more time out there. I really need to weed my driveway. It’s more grass than gravel.

Having new neighbours is a bit of an incentive too. My garden won’t ever look like a Chelsea Show Garden. I’m not that good a gardener. I do prefer the more natural look. I do think it needs some more hard landscaping though so thinking about that.

I spent a fortune on my last garden. I absolutely loved it. I was gutted to see that the people who moved in had ripped it all out.

Still today it was Lawn 0 – Pip 1. Which was a better result than the football. So glad I rushed to get everything done before kick off…

Raving

Well I have had a VERY productive day. Ticked soooo many things off my list. I won’t bore you with everything. It involved a lot of housework and gardening.

I charged up my iPod (shows my age right there). It’s got so many bangers on it. I was raving in the garden while I battled with the mower. Bopping while I was planting some veg. And wiggling while hanging out the laundry. So many tunes I haven’t heard for a long time.

Not sure I needed to burn extra calories dancing, but when you hear a tune, you just can’t help moving. Music is so uplifting.

At least tomorrow I won’t have a hangover, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be feeling it. Good job I won’t be doing much walking tomorrow, oh wait I’m off to Burnham Market to watch the eventing.

First cut

After a few aborted attempts, today I finally cut the back lawn. I say lawn, there’s a lot of moss too. It’s needed doing, but trying to find a time when it wasn’t raining has proven tricky. The nicest days I’ve either had plans, been working or quite frankly couldn’t be arsed.

But today I woke up with a weird determination. Good job too as it took bloody ages to do! It was still a bit damp, so not only did I have to keep emptying the mower, I had to clear the mower too as the grass kept getting clogged up around the blade.

Not totally sure it looks better. But it’s a start. Scarifier next. The kittens approve. Though I think they were enjoying hiding and playing in the long grass.

I even spent time doing the edges and made a start on clearing the borders. Of course, I’m now covered in bramble scratches and stinging nettle stings. Still I’m pleased with my efforts.

Next time, I’ll turn my attentions to the front garden.

Dead wood

Today it was the turn of the front garden to be tamed. Even mowing the lawn made a huge difference. I got the hedge cutter out and cut back the hedge under my living room windows.

In the recent storms, it has started to sound like something out of a ‘Hammer House of Horror’ film as the branches scratched and banged on the windows. 😱

Still a long way to go but pleased with the result so far. Sometimes we need to get rid of the dead wood to allow things to grow again.

First cut

I decided to have a garden day today. Mowed my back lawn for the first time in 2022. And tidied up the borders. Still lots to do, but I’ve made a start.

Want to crack on with the front lawn and borders next weekend.

The brown bin was creaking. I find gardening really rewarding. It’s hard work sure. But the results are worth it. The bad news is that I’ve cleared a lot, so will need more plants. 🤪

Blank canvas

So it’s finally done. After several aborted attempts, several culls and a lot of swearing, the cotoneaster is no more!

I have a whole new blank canvas wall to play with. It’s so exciting. I didn’t realise how deep the border actually is.

Looking forward to Spring and lots of new plants.

My helpers

After a bit of a slow start (I woke up feeling rather crumpled), I’ve had a very productive day. I mowed and scarified both lawns, weeded the borders and attacked a few bushes for good measure.

Also got 3 loads of washing on the line. Hurrah!

The kittens came to help me with the weeding. I say helping. Hugo wanted to lie on the bit I was weeding and Dodo ran off with one of my gloves. They do make me laugh sometimes.

Lopper happy

So I may have gotten a little carried away with my pruning today. 😳

This bush was taking over the driveway. Every time I reversed out, I ended up in it. So it got a good haircut. 3 full green bags later, I can reverse out with ease.

I have more border to fill and even found a hydrangea that was hiding under there.