Gardening

[Hugo]

That sounds like a good idea Steve and I'll have a think about it.     The alternative is for me to saw off the remaining branch and see if other branches will grow from the trunk
Something similar has happened with the larger Yucca in the distant past but  the branches had not snapped off completely and were still alive even though they were lying on the ground so I left them like that and they seem to be doing ok.

[SteveH]

Hugo, in the past I have pulled shoots off the main trunk, put them in a bucket of water and they rooted quite quickly, if you have kept the broken shoots give it a go, be careful the bucket does not freeze, as I did this in the summer time............

[Hugo]

The snow and ice has gone from my garden but apart from my Yucca Tree not much damage has been caused to my trees and shrubs.   Nature is incredible because despite the harsh conditions  last week the bulbs are starting to come up nicely and the Daffodils should start to flower in early March

[SteveH]

Monty Don does these three gardening jobs in January and always plants these seeds now

Gardening expert Monty Don shares which seasonal tasks he's doing this month

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/monty-don-does-these-three-gardening-jobs-in-january-and-always-plants-these-seeds-now?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

Hunt for rare daffodils that are feared lost
The much-loved plants have been bred for centuries and now come in a dazzling array of about 30,000 different shapes, sizes and colours.

Most daffodils are yellow but some are white, orange and salmon-pink.

The gardening charity, the RHS, is asking for help in finding rare and missing daffodils that are feared lost to history and science.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qwvppk0zzo

[SteveH]

Early spring shoots are beginning to appear so it will soon be time to put green-fingered plans into action – but costs can quickly mount up. On average, we spend a whopping £670 on our gardens each year, according to a recent survey.

But gardening needn't be expensive, if you're careful about what you buy and look after what you have. The experts at GardenBuildingsDirect have shared 12 ways to spruce up and maintain your outside space on a budget.

12 budget-friendly tips........... https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/12-budget-friendly-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-garden?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Monty Don says what to prune NOW and what to leave
It's time to get busy with the secateurs - but not everything should be cut back in spring

Monty Don believes there are two kinds of people, those who think of February as the lowest point of the year and those who love it – and he is firmly in the latter camp. "February is the month when the garden really starts to come alive and grow, even if the weather can be severe and the days are still short," he writes.

"In February, something is definitely happening. There is a thrill in the air." He says there's a lot to do in the garden to get it ready for spring, so it's vital to make good use of any days when it's not pouring with rain or Arctic cold – and pruning is one of his top jobs this month.............. https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/monty-don-says-what-to-prune-now-and-what-to-leave?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

I cut the front and back lawns yesterday  for the first time this year and although the grass was not long it nearly filled one garden wheelie bin.     I tried using my old heavy Honda mower but I couldn't get it to start so I had to use another mower I bought two years ago
My old mower is very heavy and I have to push it and with a steep garden it's quite tiring but the new one is self propelling and virtually pulls me up the slope so that's good for my old legs
It's been a nice start to Spring and the flowers are starting to come out so there is a bit more colour in the garden  now

[SteveH]

Well done, on the mowing Hugo, after much thought I decided to employ a gardener to come in once a month to do the heavy work.
 
It was making me feel       watching Mrs H doing it all while I sat in the sun 

[Ian]

We've taken that step too, Steve; he's very good, doesn't charge a fortune by any means and keeps our acreage in great shape.

[Hugo]

I'm winding down on the gardening too and have gardeners in to do the tall hedges around the house.   It's only once a year but I manage the rest of the gardening myself. but for how long?       These old legs are not getting younger,     

[SteveH]

In its simplest form compost is a collection of garden scraps and green kitchen waste tossed into a receptacle and left to decompose over a period of time. Get it right, and you're garden will become self-sustaining. As plants die off they are added to the compost bin and go on to feed the following year's growth.

Get it wrong, however, and you'll be left with a pile of waste that's neither useful nor ornamental. The experts at Poly Tunnel Gardening suggest there's no one-size-fits-all recipe for compost, but get the key ingredients right and you'll be on your way to a free and potentially endless supply of this garden essential.................. https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/how-to-make-the-best-compost-that-works-for-your-garden?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

I've been taking a good look at some Camelias that I planted in the garden a few years ago.      The leaves look very good and healthy but there is not one flower bud on the shrubs and I don't know why.         I didn't trim the shrub last year so there should be plenty of flowers on it by now.
The flowers are insignificant anyway and I'm tempted to cut it down and plant another variety of Camelia that I like such as Donation which is an attractive pink  double flowered variety