Yeah! I had a chat with a RHS advisor and he was quite helpful... Shear them when they show... Bark Mulch etc.. The other option is as you say to just enjoy them.. Grrrr....
I was given a flame thrower to kill off the weeds in the patio. The weeds don't like it, but seemingly if they are deep rooted soon grow back again.
Pour hot salt water over them for a few days. Soon kills them off. Make sure the water goes right into the roots there.
BTW I used a **** ton of salt and mixed it in hot water first to make sure it dissolved. Did the trick....
Last year was a great summer fo some vegetables, and not so good for others. With the ground starting to dry out a bit I am now looking to get the rotovator out and prepare for a new season. The heaviest crop was haricot vert and I can sow those from early March under cloches. Many locals grow haricot blanc, but they are for the bean seeds that they like to put into a casserole.
Those of you who like Dahlias like myself should be thinking of starting them off now so they get a head start or so you can propagate or take cuttings. Push them into a tray or pot of any old compost (does not have to be new) and wait for shoots. Don't cover the crown where the shoots will appear from. Water as required but don't overdo it at first. If you can put them in a heated environment they should shoot fairly quickly, if like me you keep them in an unheated greenhouse it can take several weeks to see signs of life. Unless you are in a frost free area don't put them outside.
We have a lovely camellia japonica in a container that is in flower and has many buds waiting to open. Unfortunately the strong wind the other day knocked a fat bud off, but Mme has some florist's oasis that she made an indent in, and the bud is stood in that and is now opening indoors. Far better than just leaving it to rot.
They are planted in a bed near the house/// Cornish Mark on this thread I suggested leaving some in...to see..... I left them all in ! Oops...
Yes but I also said that I cover them in a heap of compost which then has an upturned hanging basket on top of the compost to hold it all together and provide insulation.
Yes you did....... my wife only reminded me last week..... a late winter dressing from me ..... maybe too late!! Mind you it has been a relatively mild winter here... with some frosts.... we will see
Given that we have had a mild winter I think some if not all my come through. If the ground has not frozen solid to any great depth and they are planted deeply then they should be ok. You could dig a few up still and get them going indoors, if you do and you find a slimy mush then they are toast. Don't be too hasty to dig up the ones you leave in the ground as they may well be biding their time. The winter dressing will protect them from now on unless we have a really big freeze that gets deep into the ground.
I have gladioli that it is recommended that I lift here in the autumn, and replant in the Spring. I don't, but leave them in the ground. I do not clear away the dead leaves in the Autumn, but leave them to provide some cover. So far they have return for the past ten years.
1st March... Meteorological spring starts today.. ... And i feel spring in the air, might be related to something that happened yesterday, as I take a load to the tip, prune the roses and the apple tree and transplant some hellebore... Mme meanwhile is raking up all the old leaves off our bedraggled back lawns.... First time the weather has let up enough for any garden activity for a long while... Thinking of planting some coriander and fenugreek this year to fortify my new growth in Asian cookery..
Any ideas on why several pots of daffs and tulips have not flowered? I have now split them and transplanted them in the garden with some potting compost...
I think you have done the right thing. Perhaps a feed as well despite the compost. Are they in good light? This year buds would have formed after flowering last year so if conditions were not perfect they may have taken a holiday.