Forgetting the Baskets

Checking the dry baskets for damage after neglecting them.

Admit it, who has forgotten to water the hanging baskets?  I know I have.  There are tell tale signs when you compare the plants growing in the confined area of a basket to the plants growing in the ground. The most noticeable of these is the fact that the container ones are nearly dead. Geraniums are very drought hardy so apart from the discolouring of the bottom leaves they are practically untouched, and even seem to flourish in the harsh environment. Creeping Jenny, nasturtiums (surprisingly) and sweet peas are really looking sorry for themselves and I’m not sure where a few less tolerant plants have gone, they must have just upped and left in disgust.  The funny thing about this is that when it’s sunny I’d go out every evening and soak the soil. When it’s cloudy and not summery I just forget. It’s just as dry and the plants still need water, but I just don’t think.

I don’t think I am cut out for this constant attention lark and again am questioning just why I bother with growing in containers at all. It’s just that when they are healthy they are just so “pretty”.

I’ve had better luck in the tunnel, I have only watered about three times since the beginning of August. I’m not sure where the plants are getting their water from, it’s not through me I can tell you. They must be tapping into the groundwater with some very long roots. This is the type of gardening that suits me. 

Maybe a Butt

I’ve been pricing water butts up this week. I am putting a length of guttering at the edge of the the garage roof so rainwater can go straight into the barrel. I’ve found there’s a big variation in price, anything from €30 euro to €90 euro and if I were to set up a professional watering system I could (but won’t) spend over €3000! I have narrowed it down to a blue 56 gallon barrel made from plastic with the residue of an undisclosed substance lining the sides, or a genuine oak barrel straight from the Bushmills distillery still reeking of 10 year old whiskey. It’s a hard decision but I am going to go for an old leaky wooden barrel that will just need to be licked clean.  A snip at just €35.

Getting ready for winter

It’s time for us to be looking at things to do in autumn. apple and pear tree leaves seem to be leading the leaf drop and other trees are following closely. The weather has not only been really dry this summer, but I can’t remember the last time we had a good gust of wind to toughen up the branches of trees and leaves. The poor plants won’t know what’s hit them come the first storm.

Early autumn- Jobs to do list:

Plant or move evergreens and conifers, whilst the soil is still warm.

Plant spring bedding, such as wallflowers and polyanthus.

Remove annual plants that have finished flowering and pick off any damaged or diseased leaves.

Rake leaves, trim shrubs and divide the perennials ready for next year.

Check if any perennials want cutting back (I like to leave them if I can o for overwintering insects)Grassy perennials also look good over the winter.

During the winter months there are plenty of cuttings and leaves. So add them to your compost bin and give them a good chance to break down and produce nutrient-rich compost for next year.

Early autumn is the time to plant snowdrops, crocuses, hyacinths and daffodils for an early array of colour in spring.

Protect autumn crocuses, amaryllis and cyclamen which will last through to winter.

Plant for winter colour. Try Skimmia Japonica, a colourful evergreen leaf plant with compact buds which change colour from white to pink/red. Also try Viburnum Tinus. It produces large, fragrant clusters of white flowers from mid winter, followed by small metallic blue berries.

Hang bird boxes to offer shelter from the elements.

Berry-bearing plants provide an extra food-source for birds and other wildlife and add a lovely wintery look to colour-deprived winter gardens. Try firethorn, rowan, holly or berberis.

Provide extra winter food for nature's visitors. Hang fat balls or put bird mix in a food holder. Be sure to place the feeders near a tall shrub, fence or mature tree to provide protection from predators. I’m planting some of my beautiful handmade terracotta pots up with melted fat and seeds this year.