Early Easter Gardening Plans ?

[PLUMPUDDING]

Don't be scared of pruning vines Pawty. You aren't sure of the results first go, but when you've seen how they grow and fruit when you've pruned them it all becomes clear. Also the bits you've cut off root very easily so you can grow lots more. A nice way to grow one in a small space is to grow it as a standard in a large pot with an umbrella shaped support (or just with a strong cane). Just prune it back to the new buds at the top of the main stem in winter and you get bunches of grapes on the new growth that year.

[Pawty]

Thanks plum pudding - maybe I'll get one and put in a pot for practice and motivation! Trouble is, my in laws have thousands so I must get quicker! They also have two grape varieties which are grown differently, and I've one just started learning gentle pruning (the intention being to stop the main trunk growing each year). The other way they prune is the 'guyot' method (longer runners). I forgot t take my camera, but maybe I'll get a picture next time.

Pawty

[PLUMPUDDING]

You should have plenty to practise on then Pawty. I've tried one in the double guyot shape which did well. I went on a very interesting and useful pruning course run by the head gardener at Arley Hall in Cheshire a few years ago and came away with several Black Hamburg grape cuttings which all rooted and also Red Lake red currants which are also still doing well. I like nice easy gardening - just stick them in the ground or round the edges of a pot and get lots of new plants.

[Pa Snip]

Well that's it then, Easter is over for another year.

It was an early one and apart from Good Friday it wasn't very pleasant here. Towards the end of the weekend I think I might have picked up this virus that's doing the rounds.

Did manage to get plot shed painted on Friday and over the rest of the weekend I fixed wire stock fencing to the shed on three sides.
Went up a number of times to get it done but was very quickly back in car and on way home as it was just too windy
Finally managed to finish the job late Monday afternoon and the wire can stay on there indefinite now for sweet peas to grow up each year.

Some friends lost a beautiful large Camellia tree thanks to Storm Katie. It was in full flower having been given to them many years ago as a first wedding anniversary present from her parents.
They awoke Monday morning to find it lying on the ground with all its roots ripped off. They had had a it a good few years. Luckily it fell within their own garden and did no damage to neighbours property.

[Geoff]

All I managed was finishing servicing the mower. My trailer load of muck arrived on Saturday but I've sheeted it over with DPM, was a bit worried about sheet blowing away.

IMG_3547_RR.jpg (234.37 KiB) Viewed 2505 times

[Pa Snip]

Geoff

Effective way of keeping cover fixed down. Wonder if left long enough will car grow into next model up.

[Geoff]

You mean like a car boot sale where you arrive in hatchback and leave in a saloon.

[retropants]

finally got round to clearing the dead material form my herbaceous border at home, looks so much better. BUT I will have to dig out a rampant bidens that is spreading everywhere. it is a thug.
Friday was spent in the garage! oh joy! But we got wall cupboards up, lots of rubbish sorted and extracted and I mixed up some cement to fill a gap inside the door where it was dug out to put in a closing strip (kerb) and drainage channel outside. (previously it was a level floor from outside to in and the rain came in!) the chasm in the floor has been there since about 2004

[Pa Snip]

You mean like a car boot sale where you arrive in hatchback and leave in a saloon.

I've often wondered how car boot sales work if you attend with a classic VW Beetle.