Gardening

[SteveH]

Four jobs you need to do to your lawn before the end of October

The lawn may take a bit of a backseat in the mind of any homeowner during the cold winter months, but it still shouldn't be left to fend for itself during this period................https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/four-jobs-you-need-your-30223142

[SteveH]

Can I stop mowing yet? How to prepare your lawn for winter
Sophie Harris learns when to do the last mow of the year and what else needs doing

Autumn means things are slowing down in the garden so you might think it's time to put away the lawnmower. But before you banish it to the back of the shed, experts have sounded a note of caution.

One of the most common mistakes made by homeowners is when they stop mowing their lawns, according to gardening experts at Yell. Some stop too early, while some stop too late, but both can affect the health of your grass come spring.

“The final mow should align with the grass stopping its growth, typically between October and November,” said the experts, when the average daytime temperature is below 10C. But changes in our climate are having an impact on plants and that includes your lawn's growing season...https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/can-i-stop-mowing-yet-how-to-prepare-your-lawn-for-winter?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

I've been busy in the garden recently cutting the grass and tidying up .     Woody the gardener has cut the hedges for me and trimmed the Eucalypus tree for me!
I'm not feeding the birds at the moment so the Badger won't be climbing up the tree and the feral Pigeons have stopped coming here now that there is no food for them.   

[Hugo]

This year has been a strange year for the garden.  My Laurel hedge normally grows about 18 inches each year but  this year sections of it had grown between 4 and 5 feet and the gardeners who cut the hedge had noticed the same thing when they had cut other Laurel hedges this year,
My Yucca Tree has also been affected by this year's weather and in a normal year the flowers come out in late Spring followed by a second blossom in late Summer.       This year the second lot have just come out and there are about 15 flowers due to come out on the large tree and 5 on the smaller Yucca.     Unfortunately they don't survive in very cold weather and next weeks snow and ice weather forecast will probably finish them off

[Hugo]

It has stopped snowing here and we had a bit more snow overnight but it seems to be melting already.     I don't need to go out today so I won't start digging the snow off the drive and hope it will melt by tomorrow

[Hugo]

The snow had mostly gone yesterday but last night it hailed and covered the grass and drive.  It has frozen and is quite
 lethal to walk on.     I would imagine that the frost has killed off all the Yucca flowers which is a shame as there are so many flowers on the tree at present
 I had arranged to have a breakfast at Kava's today but that's off and I  won't be going out tonight as it's safer just being at home           

[SteveH]

Gardeners urged to check 4 things before winter takes hold
Chloe Dobinson discovers how to avoid unnecessary work come spring

While the weather is often unpredictable, it's safe to say it's likely to get colder, wetter and, quite probably, more windy before the month is out. Before you batten down the hatches and get ready for the festive season, it's a good idea to give your garden a quick once-over.

Winter affects everything from plants and furniture to sheds and fences. High winds and plunging temperatures can leave devastation in their wake, but you can help minimise the damage to your garden..............https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/gardeners-urged-to-check-4-things-before-winter-takes-hold?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

Now is also the time to protect tender shrubs from the cold and frost.      I normally put a fleece jacket over our Australian Tree Fern but I haven't done it yet.
In some ways it's a good job that I haven't done it as Storm Darragh could well have damaged the tree.       It has survived colder temperatures in the past without the jacket being on so it should survive this recent cold spell

[Hugo]

Well our Australian Tree Fern survived the storm but a large heavy branch snapped off the Yucca Tree.    The garden gate with its two bolts and a latch blew wide open and it was too windy to repair it but a very heavy plant pot against the gate stopped our dog from escaping again.
This morning I spent clearing up the glass that came over the fence when my neighbours greenhouse was shattered by the storm

[SteveH]

A massive clear-up operation is underway at Bodnant Garden in Conwy after Storm Darragh wreaked havoc.

The storm, which hit on December 7, brought down approximately 30 mature trees in the world-renowned garden.

The National Trust Cymru team has been working tirelessly to clear debris and blocked paths, allowing most of the garden to reopen to visitors.

However, the damage is estimated to be between £80,000 and £150,000.

The storm, with wind speeds reaching upwards of 70mph, caused significant damage to the garden, including the loss of two monster firs, both more than 100 years old...........https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24808018.storm-darragh-conwy-bodnant-garden-massive-clear-up/

[Hugo]

Bodnant Garden faces bill of up to £150K from Storm Darragh as parts of site remain closed
Damage is currently estimated at £80,000 to £150,000 but may rise.   After last night's gales I wouldn't be surprised if more damage has occurred which would be a terrible shame

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/bodnant-garden-faces-bill-up-30633310

[Hugo]

We had a heavy snowfall last night and I don't think that the plants would have liked it,  certainly the Yucca Tree wouldn't have.   T least our dog Teddy liked it and he was running around the garden for ages

[Hugo]

I got up early  this morning to clear the drive and found out that the smaller Yucca Tree had become a victim of the heavy snow and also the wind.   Two branches had snapped and I had to saw them off the main trunk of the Yucca Tree and it now looks just like a stump     
I was lucky though as the Australian Tree Fern appears to have survived the adverse weather.       It grows at the rate of one foot every ten years and I bought it as a present for Mrs H on her 50th birthday and now the tree is massive!         
I've cut the fronds off it and put a fleece jacket around it for protection this Winter because if I lost it  Teddy wouldn't be the only one in the dog house 

[Hugo]

Over 20 years in the making........but only one day in the breaking     

At least the larger Yucca Tree has survived...... for now anyway

[SteveH]

Shame, might be a good idea to support the main branch with wooden brace, in case of heavy snow etc.