Green Fingers: Up front on a few gardening themes
I have planned the position of the bird table to be viewed from the kitchen and dining area.
I guess my gardening activities are slowing down in tune with the lower temperatures and less light but, unconsciously, I see that I am also reviewing the growing season and making mental notes on what changes I want to do for next year.
My enthusiasm for growing seeds at this time has disappeared and been replaced on fine days with tidying up the garden and planting or moving shrubs, trees and bulbs.
Sometimes I think of gardening as a horse race, as similar components come into play. There is a period of preparation before a race and, when the race has started, there is a time to hold back and a time to go for it.
In gardening it is all about timing too, and if you get it right there is a great chance that you will have success.
If possible, get to know when and what to plant at any time of the year and don’t let your enthusiasm run away with you to grow plants out of season as nature will soon bring you back to earth.
It might be a surprise to find out that not all soils are the same and it could have a big effect on what you can or cannot grow. The easy part is that you can see what type of soil you have by just looking at it. There are many variations from sandy up to a very heavy clay type.
All soils can be improved by adding manure (farm or stable), compost and sharp sand if a heavy soil. Now comes the more difficult part in that soils are either limey (Alkaline) or sour (acid) and it is a very good idea to find out, as not all plants will grow in limey soil but most plants will grow in acid soils. Simple kits are available to do a DIY job or you can ask at your garden centre or nursery.
I like to get as much from any aspect of the garden so I have planned the position of the bird table and water feature (small wildlife pond with small solar-powered cascade) to be viewed from the kitchen and dining area, as well as from the patio area.
We have done the same thing with other aspects of the garden with the setting sun viewed from the sitting area (both from inside and out) and patio area.
I guess in these quieter times it is no harm to review all aspects of your space and see what improvements can be done to achieve greater use and satisfaction.
It has been great weather for planting spring flowering bulbs and that can continue for a few more weeks but do not delay as supplies will be gone and also, it is not that pleasant planting when the weather gets wet and miserable.
It is also a time to continue to gather up leaves and either put them in sacks, compost heaps or put them around the plants in your shrub areas.
If you have any queries or comments you are welcome to share them with me on 051-384273 or orchardstownsgardencentre@hotmail.com and if of general interest I will include it in a future newsletter.
