What are we doing in the garden 2025

Hi,

Another wet breezy day ahead with 95% rain forecast but it feels very mild for this time of year.

I'm still awaiting a good start to a day; getting up at 6 o'clock as usual as I headed to the bathroom I switched on the office light to be greeted by a brilliant flash and a bang as the ceiling pendant light bulb bounced off the carpet. The actual glass bulb had seperated from it's bayonet holder. This then knocked all the bungalow lights out needing a visit to the workshop to reset the breaker.

Before resetting the breaker I used a pair of pliars to remove the bayonet knowing I wouldn't be electrocuted; it refused to be removed by hand; this saved me having to use my digital multi meter (DMM) to ensure my safety; I never take chances with electricity because electricity doesn't take prisoners.



No gardening today due to rain but I can busy myself upgrading my studio laptop from Win10 to Win11. Even this proved a real pain a couple of days ago as I attempted to create USB memory stick; the program ran forever then locked at 99% DOOOOH. I've bought a;
Windows 11 Pro 64bit English Full version DVD package Factory Sealed.
This is due today but I think I'll ignore the email and expect it in two or three days; it might even arrive when I'm 100 miles from home tomorrow. I just can't be bothered with all this ongoing hassle; pay the money and move on to the next problem.

I can see couch grass pushing through again at the top of the middle meadow; I'm considering donning my weather proof clothing to attack it; it must have been hiding when I went over with the weedkiller; I'll have a go at manual weeding it. Just another day for me.

Kind regards, Col.

 

i'm so behind with the garden :( now starting to get cold here and no motivation. l want to transplant some blue hyaciths from front garden to a small area by patio that iv slowly been making into nice Spring seating area for just scented bulbs .Not sure if they will be ok to move now. I'm just enjoying all the Autumn colours from the tree's l can see from my bedroom window but no motivation to be out there to garden :(

 

@Retired, I’d be as fed up as you are if we had the same couch grass problem. I’d be so tempted to get a blow touch on it just to make myself feel better! Don’t know whether it would do any good but it would get rid of some pent up frustration.

 

Hi,

Many thanks @Songbird I'm thinking of contacting the RAF to do a napalm strike. The problem is I've created lots of lovely soft rich soil for every weed imaginable to make home as well as the local moggies who keep leaving me presents; I'm a cat lover so this isn't a real problem. I've even got rid of the major pigeon problem by removing the huge oak tree which towered over the patio and kitchen roof. It seems I can't do anything at all good without it being spoiled in some way.

I want to upgrade my studio laptop from Win10 to Win11; normally I've no problem doing such things; I set it up to create a boot up Win11 USB memory stick and after what seemed forever the program stopped running at 99%. I'm so sick of all the constand bad luck and without moaning 2025 has so far been the worst ever year of my entire life.


I refuse to get depressed; this disc is due today but it's Royal Mail so I'm not holding my breath.

Kind regards, Col.

 

@Retired i think with couch grass have to keep pulling it up, I've got a bit and that's what I do but it takes ages.
I hope that you have sorted your light bulb out.

Nothing today it's rain showers, so I've been cleaning the conservatory.

 

I think I have some couch grass as well. It particularly likes to frequent under thorny shrubs in my garden, which adds to the "fun" when trying to pull it out. ..

 

It would be a rare garden that doesn't, to some extent you have to live with it.
If you can't then try war surplus Agent Orange.

 

Hi,

Thanks @Logan I have cleared a decent section of couch grass by rotavating then pulling it up but I'm now 78 and doubt I'd live long enogh to do the same to the meadows; I've no intention of accepting couch grass; I'll bath it with weedkiller if it persists; I've had enough of it as I have with the many problems that are forever popping up in my life. The Win11 boot disc arrived and what a surprise; my laptop rejects it; I can sort it out but as with the couch grass it's all taking so much time when all I want is to have peace and solitude which constantly evades me. The laptop is going to the computer shop so it'll be one job I can dump for a bit of money. The weather is poor here too.

You need to get on top of your couch grass quickly if possible @CostasK otherwise it'll take over; it's amazing by how fast it spreads; I've got pathways of the stuff I'm getting rid of; I've already sprayed with weedkiller and the surface grass is turning yellow; I hope the rizones are also being killed if not it's in for a hard time because now I've started I'll not let go until I win. Normal weeds fight fair but couch grass doesn't.

Kind regards, Col.

 

Hi,

A quick update; my laptop is now at the computer shop having an upgrade; the new Win11 disc wouldn't load at the shop so a new hard drive is being installed; I've done such jobs previously but can't be bothered with the hassle now.

Fingers crossed I can resume hostilities with the couch grass on Thursday assuming nothing else goes wrong?

Kind regards, Col.

 

@Retired that's good about your laptop, hubby had to replace the pressure pad on his, some moisture got in, he found it easy to do with watching YouTube videos. He got a new laptop for Windows 11 because the other one was getting old.
I still get couch grass it comes from the lawn edging in one border, don't seem to get it anywhere else.
Nothing today it's raining.

 

You need one of those machines they use to pick up golf balls @shiney .

 

I've never really encountered couch grass. Maybe I'm just lucky. If I have it here - it certainly isn't a problem.
Yesterday was dry, and very very mild, although very little sun to speak of, so I started the other little green roof 'thing' yesterday for the top of the clematis support, but, of course, nothing's ever simple. A lot of faffing, but I think it'll be ok eventually. I'll have to move the support in spring to sort it when I cut the clem back, as it's a bit wonky. That's due to me forgetting that the raised bed it's in was cobbled together a bit, so it isn't the same all the way round internally. A bit of 'chopping of the legs' will be required.
Nothing happening today as it's to be pretty wet, so I'm going to see daughter instead.

 

Pruning shrubs, may be removing one of them.