What are we doing in the garden 2025

Cut lots of branches off a particularly vigorous (and thorny!) Pyracantha. Then came the really
satisfying part where I shredded it all down ......




..... and added it to the compost heap to become next year's mulch and complete the cycle

 

Looks a lot less deadly in teeny pieces.

 

Been there done that, I've got loads of it, but putting most in multiple garden bins I've shredded some but I use shreddings for paths and the spines survive the shredding process.

 

Ouch!

Not found any in my compost yet (it gets upto 65°C) but there's always a first time.

 

Thank you @fairygirl yes there's not much to do at the moment.

Yes they are VeiwAhead but they won't be as smooth as they were.

 

If you make sure it's well rotted I doubt you will have problems.

 

Those shreddings are nice and small @LunarSea - what make/model is your shredder please?

 

Hi @CarolineL - it's a Bosch AXT Rapid 2200. It's an 'impact' shredder which makes the difference between actually shredding and not just 'chipping'. Actually my blade is quite worn now - you should see the output when a new blade is fitted.

 

Picked 2lb 9oz (1.163kg) of blackberries. I just happened to notice some hanging over the bottom fence and when I looked further beyond the fence I noticed there were masses ready for picking and even more still to ripen. I don't think I've picked them in July before. And the brambles obviously like the hot dry weather.

So to get over the fence I have to use a chair on my side and an upturned plant pot on the other side. If the chair suddenly sinks into the ground the sharp picket fence could do a lot of damage - oooh.

Gave the blackberries a good soaking to get the little grub things out. Now they are on trays in the freezer.

 

Yes- I've got plenty of paint available @lizzie27, but I'll need to get into the understair cupboard to see what there is. Did a lot of painting at daughter's flat [wall art project] and I think there you could be some white/light grey - enough to do the ceiling, which is the main bit needing done. I did the inside of the door with the mustard yellow we used at the flat - nice and bright! I may need to mix some stuff up to get enough. Got shelves done and various other bits and bobs in there yesterday, so it's making a difference. The main problem will be having enough wall space for the rakes to hang. I hardly use them though, so I think at least one could be ditched.
I have no problem with spiders - of any size. I found one with a little nest in the timber surround of the old window I was taking apart. It's now safely in a little area near the shed to carry on producing youngsters. I have some huge ones in the compost bin 'box' too.
Other than that, I tidied all the outside boundary where it meets the pavement, and had a chat with my neighbour across the way. That took a while, as I was also interrupted by some blokes who were trying togain new milk delivery customers. One of them came up with a very patronising comment. I had a hoe in my hand at the time. He's lucky he didn't end up at A&E with it inserted carefully....
Today I'll hopefully get the grass cut, as it's getting long again. I have to go out, so not sure what else I'll do, but probably the shed project.

 

Thanks @LunarSea - does it jam at all? And more importantly is it easy to dismantle to get at the jam? I had one that was an absolute pig - bolts everywhere. The next one had a simple hatch you could open.

 

Need to replace a wooden fence after more than 40 years. A willow tree that has been dead for some decades was left for any wildlife and nearly part of the old fence, but had to go. Ivy was holding it up as most of it was totally rotten. Still took all morning to remove it....well into a huge heap which will be cleared tomorrow.

 

I tidied up the wildflower raised beds to end the sad look after a fox destroyed everything in June. The same fox destroyed one of the two grasses two nights ago.
I spent around two hours to remove the crab apples. There have been so many apples it literally bent over and looks really sad. Wrong decision two years ago. Our garden is too windy (like one member who opened a thread a few weeks ago about the same problem). The leader hangs down and almost all branches too. That tree either recovers from the drought and goes straight or will have to go in winter time.

 

I like the sound of your colourful shed @fairygirl but can't agree re the spiders.

I'm finding it very hard to get enthusiastic about the garden lately but that's par for the course for me. I fall out of love with it once July is over.
However today I chopped down the two old blackberry canes that have finished fruiting and tied in the new canes.
I have also reduced by about a third the wisteria below the terrace wall as the builder is going to tackle this bit next week. More might need to come off depending on what he needs.