The work on the paths was delayed by the wet weather but finally it is finished. Sort of. I have to add in soil where I have gained a few extra inches of border and of course sorting out one corner throws up uneven levels in another area. But that is for another time. I have got the garden back – just in time for the arrival of the mini beast from the east. A cold weekend is expected. Here’s what I spotted as I walked round.
One
So this is the path looking shockingly new but I will soon get that sorted out with a few trips up and down with the wheelbarrow!
Two
The clematis pruned before the last batch of cold weather has survived and is surging onward. It will soon be covering the trellis again.
Three
A sure sign that everything is growing. This is most likely an ash tree seedling. Neighbouring gardens are well forested and every year I have to be super vigilant to pull up all the seedlings that come my way. Ash and sycamore are the most common and then the odd oak courtesy of the squirrels.
Four
The tulips are coming through. This beautiful pink edged leaf could be from China Girl or Angelique. These two were planted along with Spring Green in a mixed clump in November. They should be in flower come April/May.
Five
Right plant, right place I think. I planted half a dozen cowslips in a very wet border last year and this year there is a great crop of seedlings. I shall gently separate them and spread them around this border and elsewhere. Lovely free plants!
Six
Don’t they look tempting. The first lush shoots of the delphiniums. I can just hear the slugs smacking their lips. More vigilance required.
I am feeling excited and frustrated. So much new growth but such a cold weekend forecast. And I’ve still got the nerines to plant. Patience is a virtue…
Check in with The Propagator to see what else is growing this weekend. Gardeners from both hemispheres take part so there is always something to enjoy. Happy gardening.
My old path was broken, uneven and collected water. The new path will be well drained, carefully sloped and smooth. But I am already missing the patina and idiosyncrasies of the old path’s age. The builders are taking great care to keep the new path clean but I will be out there soon rubbing in the mud and possibly some yoghurt!
The laying of the paths sadly means that some things in the garden get trampled on or have been dug up to allow for the base to be laid. I don’t think I will see any fritillaries this year and I know that one or two tulips have been snapped off. As I always say ‘you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs’. And of course I will have the chance to add something new to omelette! On the upside I will lose the ugly concrete edges and gain a precious couple of inches of border.
I managed to get out the greenhouse this morning and was very pleased to see that the rocket seed sown on 16 February has germinated. The sweet peas sown at the same time are only just breaking the surface but they too are on their way.
My daffodils are still in bud, the pheasant eye narcissus are coming along but the pulmonaria is definitely in flower. The clump was planted last year from divisions given to me by a friend. I think I’m going to divide this up again this year and use it to soften the edges of that new path.
And here’s a couple of new ingredients for that omelette. Some nerines – bowdenii Ostara, and dahlias. The dahlias are a combination of greeny whites and are destined for pots. The path should be finished by Wednesday, whereupon I will become a gardener again.
n20gardener 