20190930

HIGHER MORWELL GARDEN DIARY

30th September 2019

Lesley is suffering a recurrence of the rheumatoid problems she had in 2012, and as a consequence is largely unable to work in the garden. This has meant that projects like the pond haven’t been started, maintenance levels reduced and generally areas of the garden are now looking a bit neglected. It won’t be a quick fix either for Lesley so we are braced for the weeds and brambles to take advantage until winter slows them down.

The contractors did indeed finish the new workshop but not until mid August. The curious brown wilt found in July may well have been due to drought, the blueberry plant which lost all its foliage has shown signs of new growth at the base. Three bushes in the leptospermum hedge line though have mysteriously died off while the others still look fine. We hope to replace the three next year. Coming up are two big jobs - the wildflower patch, which was spectacular at times this year, needs to be cleared to be ready for re-seeding in the spring. Currently we are experiencing very wet days and can’t start with the strimmer or the mowers. Also coming in November are 50 new bare-root laurel saplings which will be planted in front of the fence on the east border put in earlier this year. The brambles from the next-door field are particularly aggressive along this run and will probably need close attention. There are faint hopes that the field owners may do something as they look to be replacing their fence too.

The four gaura plants have been very successful, they really do look like small butterflies as they wave around in the breeze and two of the plants seem to be gearing up for a second flowering. We also planted four nerines, which all seemed to be growing but the group of three disappeared and slugs are chief suspects. The fourth gave us a pretty pink flower but unfortunately slugs had that too. The Madame Alfred Carrière rose that we bought from eBay (!) grew well alongside the pagoda but was plainly lacking in Madame A’s main qualities - the flowers aren’t white, it has no fragrance at all and it isn’t a climber. So it has been moved and replaced with what we hope is a real one from a reputable garden centre.

The logstore is finished and being filled, although again the wet weather has stopped me sawing up the remaining boughs of hazel left from the tree cutting of January 2018. We should have plenty already cut and split for this winter though. We plan to remove the greenhouse as soon as we can find someone who wants it and is prepared to dismantle it. Free to a good home!