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DIY GW
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Boofer (U3709461) on Monday, 27th April 2009
As there is no GW this week(for which some are thankful) why don't we build our own.
What will you be doing in your garden at the weekend and how will you be doing it.
While th soil is damp I will be trying to get rid of some of the carpet of celandines which are presently smothering my borders.
I've found the best way of winkling them out from between other plants is with a three pronged daisy grubber. This lifts the celandines and their bubbly roots without disturbing the other plants.
Hot or not (I mean the weather!) there is plenty to be getting on with out there so post it on here. -
Message 2
Posted by mutebuttondelight (U3517782) on Monday, 27th April 2009
I've got some potatoes to earth up, some chard and leaf beet to plant out. A spot of weeding too. Oh and hens to look after (but they don't take long to do).
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Message 3
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Monday, 27th April 2009
Not exactly for the weekend but have just planted out my runner bean row with a "trial" of Armstrong, as recommended by Pippa Greenwood in an 08 GW trials article on runner beans and is recommended for taste and non-stringiness .
The rest of the row, 20 plants, are the tried and tested Scarlet Emperor which is own kept previous years seed which I must have done for the last 10 years.
Shallots are cropping for spring onions and planting 6 new bulbs a week for succession together with lettuces with a similar approach but with 1/4 of a row sowing.
Beetroot bed is prepared and will be planting 3X20ft (6 metre) rows on Saturday weather permitting.
Blackcurrant's are flowering/setting well just about ready for the bird netting.
Still does not replace or excuse GW being off for a week when at the busiest time of the season especially where there always seems to be air time for repeats, often in the same week !! either on Ö÷²¥´óÐã3 or 4. Shows where we stand again in the viewing pecking order
. The one consolation is Beechgrove is not taking a week off for snooker just moving channel. 
Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland well done. -
Message 4
Posted by Margi (U2334861) on Monday, 27th April 2009
Can I present the 'out and about' in other people's gardens bits? Ths weekend I'm gonig to Alnwick Garden and the Garden of Cosmic Speculation, (and possibly a quick trip to Edinburgh Botanic Gardens if I can squeeze it in, but I'm not holding my breath on that one!!!) I won't have a camera crew with me, but I'll certainly take a look and report back if anyone's interested...
Margi x -
Message 5
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Monday, 27th April 2009
can't wait - go girl!
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Message 6
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Monday, 27th April 2009
I love Alnwick - garden is superb: Haven't been to Botanics for ages:
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Message 7
Posted by JakiB (U4322875) on Monday, 27th April 2009
I will be pricking out petunia seedlings and potting on sunflowers. I will also be on Robin watch as we have a number of young families in ours and surrounding gardens. They're getting through so many mealworms it's becoming quite expensive!
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Message 8
Posted by crouchee (U13371975) on Monday, 27th April 2009
I'll be planting out some spring cabbage under some netting to thwart the local pigeons, and getting French beans and curcubits started in cells in the greenhouse and keeping up with the hoeing.
Funny how most garden programme professionals airily dismiss a lifetime combatting weeds, by the magic words "first get rid of all perennial weeds before establishing your asparagus/raspberry/strawberry bed"!
Have I missed the perils of weed control at Greenacre or don't they have any? -
Message 9
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Monday, 27th April 2009
And I'll be planting out my mangetout babies - hence the mad scuttle round for slug deterrants.
And covering them with an old net curtain!
Sowing more parley and basil, and worrying about my tom seedlings.
Perhaps some different cabbage?
we'll see.
Should i decide to make a mini-pond, which is unlikely, I shall bury a trug, and so how I go on from there!
I've only got an underground bunker, not a proper shed, so I won't be sitting in there - it gives me the creeps.
Nooj (weedsRus) -
Message 10
Posted by Butternut (U7874795) on Monday, 27th April 2009
I will be pruning and reshaping appropriate spring flowering shrubs so that they get plenty of new wood for next years display. Transplanting some of my brassica seedlings to the right spacings while the soil is wet. Splitting my newly purchased fan lobelias so I get more plants for my money, and hardening off my seedlings during the day, back in the plastic greenhouse at night.
And weeding, which is mandatory -
Message 11
Posted by omegaLexa (U7472510) on Monday, 27th April 2009
As I am disabled I am paying a neighbour to bring my hedges into some semblance of order and pulling up an ugly bush which has been overtaken by bramble. There is plenty of pruning to be done as well.
The garden is new, to me, and I can't wait to get planting but fear it will be the middle of the year before front and back will be in any condition to plant anything.
In the meantime the bluebells bring me great joy. -
Message 12
Posted by The_Colonel (U13936630) on Monday, 27th April 2009
Does this mean rugby's on again next friday at 8pm, god I'll be watching Pobol y Cwm next.
I have 80 runner bean plants ready to go out this weekend as I want to test a new placement this year whereby my rows will sheltered behind a wall and shed, but will get plenty of sunshine. -
Message 13
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Monday, 27th April 2009
Hoeing, hoeing and more hoeing (or I'll have definitely lost the battle against the weeds). Putting in some lawn edging. Trying to find a space, any space, to transplant some of the zillions of last year's digitalis purpurea 'alba' seedlings before they get too big and problematic. If the weather is dry and sunny, applying weedkiller to the 'lawn' (euphemism for the grassed area), as well as 'the usual' cutting it and strimming the edges.
And then sitting back and just enjoying it whilst at the same time nursing a very sore back (the hoeing and spraying really does my back in). -
Message 14
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Monday, 27th April 2009
Does this mean rugby's on again next Friday at 8pm, god I'll be watching Pobol y Cwm next.Ìý
I think you will find its snooker this Friday !! different colour balls
.
Now if it was the rugby I would agree with the re-scheduling and so should you if you are in the Pobol y Cwm reception zone or do you pick it up on Sky?
Give BG a try I am sure you will be favourably impressed.. -
Message 15
Posted by Boofer (U3709461) on Monday, 27th April 2009
Yes to Margi doing the 'out and about' slot. Every garden prog needs one.
To all you veg planters, more detail needed. Can we have the variety names on the screen please and details of spacing etc.
Weeders, are you hoeing, down on your knees with a hand fork or using a flame-thrower?
The novices need you! We must improve on the original GW. -
Message 16
Posted by novicedippychick (U9694696) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Just found this and love this new GW. This weekend I shall be building more raised beds and moving several tonnes of topsoil to put in thoses beds
.
I've also got some pricking out to do and realised yesterday I hadn't sown any courgette seeds
, so I'll be doing that as well.
Hopefully the weather will be good in the London and so that I can get alot done over this Bank holiday
.
NDC -
Message 17
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Sorry boofer.
Oregon sugar pod, i think they are called and only a few inches apart.
Pasley of all sorts I grow inside in pots and then plant the whole clump out together to find its own way.
seems to work for me.
Basil, I keep indoors all the time.
I have cabbage Caramba - a sweetheart variety , but not ready to go out yet, and it's the first time i've tried that one.
Toms are black russian and a cherry whose name I have mislaid.
I may try some red cabbage for the first time, and I've got some Algarve flat beans that aren't ready to go out yet either. -
Message 18
Posted by kath74 (U8999103) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Plant out sugar snap peas, I think they're Delikatt. Planting distances? I'll see how I feel at the time. Beginners need to know - sometimes you can just do what feels right.
Sow some carrots.
Prick out gillenia trifoliata seedlings, grown from my own plant's seed, a first for me.
Depending on the weather I may venture into the 'shrubbery' to do some weeding amongst the 'ground cover', most of which is actually weeds, or native plants if you prefer. This would definitely be on hands & knees with a fork. It's quite possible I may admit defeat very quickly and find something more rewarding to do.
Admire my neatly mulched border before the bindweed really gets going. 
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Message 19
Posted by TallyHo (U2364821) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
How long have you got?
Every time I go outside, I see another thing that needs doing.
I've got two beds to weed, not huge but they're in the front where they show up and they'll need mulching as I reckon we'll have a dry summer this time ("oak before ash").
Order more mulch (woodchip) as I used it all up on the new hedge around the veg garden.
Plant out Freckles and Cocarde lettuces which are big enough now to withstand slugs
Dig pits for the runner beans and french beans and put up hazel tepees
Buy more canes for the outside tomatoes (Black Krim and Gardeners Delight) and erect frame for them (I'm using bamboo hoops, but need longer canes to steady them up).
Buy more wildlife-safe slug pellets and spray hostas with garlic water to deter the critters (this worked quite well last year).
Get a nice big tank for watering the veg garden (it's a little too far from the house for the hose) don't care what sort or what it looks like.
Hope my seed order arrives, so I can sow some fresh carrot seed, sugar snap peas and french beans. Possibly plant out the courgettes, but may wait another week or so (frosts).
So that's me. -
Message 20
Posted by mommydoos (U2592301) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Talleyhoe - sooo glad I'm not the only one who has obviously been peering up at oak & ash trees the last couple of weeks! The oak is deffo out before that flippin ash (hate ash trees - so messy!) Here's to a good summer!
Mommyxxx -
Message 21
Posted by Scotsgardener (U13901027) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Well - can I do the What's Hot and What's Not in the gardening world?
*hides behind an avalanche of thrown slippers!*
Hot - keeping bees in your garden (see the other thread about Who Killed The Honey Bee for more info)
Not - other people's children
AX -
Message 22
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Just so you are not the only one who gets a clobbering.
Not hot
children at all, unless cute little babies.
Hot
Peace and quiet, birdsong and the odd lovely cat looking like a statue -
Message 23
Posted by talloulah2 (U11194472) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
I'm loving this new gardners world!
This weekend in Talloulahs garden we will be seeing her on her hands and knees weeding the herbaecious (sp?) borders after she showed us how NOT to lift turf about six weeks ago and left bits of grass behind.
We will also see her pretend to tend her greenhouse while in reality she'll be escaping from making tea for the workers (OH and FIL) who are sorting out her new conservatory (which she will call an orangery whilst on air!).
We may even see her face down on the weeds (ooops lawn!) begging her apprentice (11 year old son) to walk up her spine after afore mentioned border weeding lesson!
BTW mommydoos I have a rowan and while its full of buds its not flowering yet! Does that mean a nice summer?
Talloulah -
Message 24
Posted by TallyHo (U2364821) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
What's hot? My little border terrier copying me digging when I'm weeding... soooo cute.
What's not? When he uses the seed bed as a shortcut. -
Message 25
Posted by talloulah2 (U11194472) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
Whats hot? ..... hopefully the sun!
Whats not? ..... kids with footballs and bikes in my garden! -
Message 26
Posted by Scotsgardener (U13901027) on Wednesday, 29th April 2009
ooooh Had a thought! Annoying little kids that chuck in bottles and kick in the odd football are as nothing, compared to CATS doing their business in the garden.
You all know what it's like, you're weeding and you catch a whiff of....something...and before you can say 'catsh*t' you've either got it on your fingers *shriek* or wodged up between the teeth of your fork!
Cats are deffo HOT - but only because if I catch any of the furry blighters shaking their booty against my mini, they'll be tossed on the bbq
I'm joking. I think.
AX -
Message 27
Posted by Boofer (U3709461) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
With two mentions of black tomatoes methinks they must be hot.
As to the summer - on Ö÷²¥´óÐã 1 lunchtime news they have just announced that we are in for a 'barbecue summer'.
Is it too late for me to sow tomatoes? After a severe attack of blight last time I haven't bothered. Now it looks like I'm going to miss out. -
Message 28
Posted by marinelilium (U8293024) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
What's Not: Teenage 'children' climbing over the garden wall for whatever feeble reason they come up with.
What's Hot: Anti-climb paint and homemade 'tool rack' just inside wall edge(ML eagerly awaits finding a chav tarred on to back wall)
Over to Cleve West with our garden shed and allotment security tips and gadgets.
MLx -
Message 29
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
What's definitely NOT : neighbours who opt for the 'meadow' look by not mowing their wind-sown wild grasses and perennial weeds (now in flower)
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Message 30
Posted by Scotsgardener (U13901027) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
Marinelillium - isn't a pity that we can't put big sharp bits of glass atop our walls like we used to in the good old days when we were less bothered about the Human Rights of burglars and more about the Human Rights of garden owners to enjoy their own property without fear
...and yes, now over to Cleve West....
AX -
Message 31
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
I think he's having a long lunch hour:
3 min rule
blah de blah de blah de blah de blah -
Message 32
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
Cleve!!!
Cooooeeeee!
late again.
Matthew!!!
Come on, there's a good lad! -
Message 33
Posted by marinelilium (U8293024) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
All our presenters, and some of our posters, are manically preparing their plants, designs and stands for the Shows I think?
I wonder what the viewing figures are for Chelsea? I watch it, over and over and use the interactive button on TV even if I attend the show. CAN'T WAIT!
MLx -
Message 34
Posted by JakiB (U4322875) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
What's hot - long-tailed tits on the fat ball feeders, song thrushes in full song, baby squirrels trying to balance on the fence whilst running very fast and my Clematis 'Dr Ruppel' and 'Montana Reubens' both currently in full bloom.
What's not - snails eating the tops of my baby sunflowers, snails eating through the stems of any of my Clematis collection, in fact - snails, snails, snails! -
Message 35
Posted by BelindaCat (U3157630) on Thursday, 30th April 2009
This weekend I'll be potting up all my Rocket Garden herbs which came today!
Also trying to clear some of the overgrown border to place my new composter.
Some potting on to do, but that's probably all I'll manage as we're also decorating the living room!
Hoping for good weather
Belindacat -
Message 36
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Just popping as I should really be tackling the ironing mountain for my holiday tomorrow
So the only gardening I'll be doing this weekend is crossing my fingers that there are no disasters this next week, i.e mass invasion of slugs/snail, unseasonal snow, gales, hailstorms, etc
Earthed up my potato containers today and protected my onion & carrot raised bed (only 1m x 0.5m) with fine mesh. Oh, and sowed courgette seeds
In case Margi doesn't make it to Edinburgh. Botanical Gardens, here are some photos I took when I was there - although they are 4 weeks out of date I'm afraid:
Tulipa Tarda in the Rock Garden
Trillium Ovatum, also in the Rock Garden
Magnolia Cylindrica, on the Chinese Hillside
Have a good weekend everyone, and happy gardening
Jb -
Message 37
Posted by grapevinegirl (U3734803) on Friday, 1st May 2009
what's HOT... the roses just coming into bud around the garden - including a beauty on my climbing etoile de hollande
Oh and the masses of buds on my peony this year - it's going to be a good year I think, as long as we don't get torrential downpours... my pond and all the little tadpoles wriggling around in the murky water (see the new 'sensible pond thread' on 'garden inspirations' for more details ) Oh and the sun, here in sunny norfolk
what's NOT... slugs & snails eyeing up my fresh hosta leaves, ground elder/bindweed/nettles creeping under my fence from next door (grrr) etc etc etc... and, er, dare I say it - snooker? not that there's anything else on...
loving the new look DIY GW folks, well done :D -
Message 38
Posted by grapevinegirl (U3734803) on Friday, 1st May 2009
stunning photos btw, JB... perhaps we have the beginnings of a gardening programme here
anybody any good at building sheds???
(but please, no mismatched upholstery!!!) -
Message 39
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Come along then peeps.
It's Gw time.
I made great preparations for planting out my mangetout, and have only recently been stopped by hunger and cat fights.
Anyone planning on making a sensible pond this long weekend?.
Tell us all about it!
Tomorrow I shall be harvesting spicy salad leaves, which I think may be the easiest crop ever -
Message 40
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Viewers question...
How do I deconstruct a decaying shed, get it through my house (I'm terraced) and take it to the dump without having to pay for a skip? -
Message 41
Posted by talloulah2 (U11194472) on Friday, 1st May 2009
The OH will be giving a demonstration on how to remove blanket weed from a 'sensible' pond using a childs fishing net but not, alas, how to prevent it from getting there in the first place.
I shall be earthing up potato bags and putting pots of beetroot and carrot outside.
Whats hot ... a child free day and choosing matching upholstery for 'garden room' furniture.
Whats not .... the bindweeds back! -
Message 42
Posted by Holbert (U3994703) on Friday, 1st May 2009
How do I deconstruct a decaying shed, get it through my house (I'm terraced) and take it to the dump without having to pay for a skip?
Ìý
Paraffin and a match? -
Message 43
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Holbert - that is the best idea ever!!!!!
Ta! -
Message 44
Posted by TallyHo (U2364821) on Friday, 1st May 2009
Put a bale of barley straw in the pond in a net sack. This works like a charm.
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Message 45
Posted by grapevinegirl (U3734803) on Friday, 1st May 2009
hmmm... wondering if a decaying shed could be turned into a Sensible Pond... ???
perhaps not - better call in the Gnomes! -
Message 46
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Friday, 1st May 2009
In order to conform with GW 'Apprentice-style' firings we need to eliminate several posters from this thread. Who will they be?
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Message 47
Posted by hazelthenut (U11049456) on Friday, 1st May 2009
30 MINUTE PROJECT. How to teach the birds to sing after 7am in the morning, If I catch the Blackbird that sings on my roof at 5.30am it will 4 and 20 + 1 in the Pie!!
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Message 48
Posted by grapevinegirl (U3734803) on Friday, 1st May 2009
carmen - probably me, as I can't for the life of me work out how to persuade people to do things which I wouldn't want to do myself...
hazel - can I swap my blackbirds for yours? I wouldn't care what time they sang as long as they actually SANG - as opposed to the hysterical shrieking they do whenever my cat dares to venture into the garden - who told them to nest all over the abundant ivy on my back wall anyway!!! -
Message 49
Posted by grapevinegirl (U3734803) on Friday, 1st May 2009
oh, I forgot - we're now onto 30 minute projects... oh dear, something else I'll fail at most miserably
I just can't get the hang of doing anything remotely involved with the garden by watching the clock - what would be the point of that anyway?
you've guessed it - I have a most un-manicured garden, blousy and unrestrained, and all the prettier for it IMHO -
Message 50
Posted by hazelthenut (U11049456) on Friday, 1st May 2009
grapevinegirl,
You dont want mine, they along with the wood pigeons have left messages all over my windows and all over my car. My mum never fails to tell me it's supposed to be a sign of good luck. For who? not me who has to clean it up, guess I should be grateful it's not on the washing - Oh heck I bet I have tempted fate now!!
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