WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

Too cold and windy for gardening, so went for very bracing and invigorating walk on the beach. Lots of noise, huge waves and sea foam blowing everywhere. Had a wander about when we got back filling up bird feeders and noticed some of my Spring bulbs have begun to sprout , very exciting.

 

Poor little bean . It's a very common problem. I've had hogs who have been poisoned ( slug or rat ) and there is absolutely nothing I can do for them

One of my babies has suddenly taken a nose dive and is very poorly. Hogs are like Rats, they appear to be doing ok and then suddenly deteriorate rapidly. I had already started worming treatment but I think there is a lot of gastric type infection going on. I am doing all I can, time will tell.

 

sending love and well wishes to you both, dear Lucius, for all that you do for these sweet souls that you care for

 

@BeeHappy . He is very, very poorly and needing some intensive nursing, but I am hoping if I can keep him going once the anti biotics kick in he might have a chance.

 

God bless his 'ickle heart
@luciusmaximus do you have a system where the Vet costs are met by the Hoggie Welfare group or is this something that you do from your own pocket(s) please forgive me for asking and if you feel I've asked something you don't wish to answer please say ...I will understand...but why im asking is that i would like to donate to the Hedgies this year in lieu of my Christmas pressie, my family and friends do this every year we each choose a cause so if you could help me with an answer ...if and where to donate to I would love to participate

 

@BeeHappy

My vet does not charge a consultation fee as they are wild animals but I cover most of the treatment costs myself. I do sometimes get a few freebies like half used bags of Hartmans, needles, syringes, etc.

Were you thinking of donating to an official body like the BHPS or to a local hedgehog rescue near to where you live?

 

Oh dear Lucius, fingers crossed for your poor little hoggie. Hoping for the best here

Bee - what a lovely thing to do. Inspiring me here with your huge heart x

 

@luciusmaximus preferably a local one as maybe they would be in more need of support perhaps? Or even to a rescuer adopter like yourself if that was possible? Just a thought? maybe I could donate some of the items you mentioned- Lucius If you would rather continue this conversation to advise me then please feel free to contact me - via PM here, mine is open to forum members

 

Your an inspiration yourself lovely lady with your line of work as indeed lovely Lucius is doing what she does

 

Finished digging out my new border . Skimmed off the turf and placed it in a large pile in the corner - which has now been covered with weed blanket.

Looks like I'll be fashioning a composter out of old pallets - the Council want £30 next year to collect my brown bin - I'll spend this on the composter instead.

It's all money, money, money these days .

 

What are your planting ideas there Clanless?
You will make a better compost bin than most you can buy....pallets are excellent

Just dug up a salvia leucanthemum......still in flower, looking good, but I wanted to divide and pot it. Plenty of runners from the base so severed a couple of clumps, potted and into the gh Plus the main plant. ( How does my nosey....but nice...neighbour do if??? She cannot see me here yet popped in to claim one of the potted leucanthemums ! Mind you, the odd lager, piece of cake, etc., often accompanies her . ). This is a superb late salvia, i.e. from August into late autumn. You can have this as a spring flowering salvia if not cut back and kept growing in the gh over winter but I much prefer it as a larger later specimen

Wet morning but sunny and feeling warm now from mid day.

Tempted to being in some gazanias as temps supposed to drop to 6 or so degrees. However, they usually cope and even flower during mild spells over winter so will leave them where they are

 

I've not decided yet - was thinking along the line of roses - my soil is heavy clay so they should thrive. The new border is fairly sheltered (it gets really windy here) but lacking some sun.

Any other ideas for planting up would be welcome

I'm going for a triangular composter - to fit into a dark corner under the birch tree - not much will grow in this corner - and it's 'out of the way'.

I'll put some piccies up - so everyone can see the finished composter

 

I guess its good for roses clanless

For me, heavy soil and lacking some sun, shouts perennials like astilbes, astrantias, acteas (all the "a's") ferns, sanguisorbas, persicarias (amplexicaulis type), hackonechloas, veronicastrums, hellebores, heucheras, esp the yellows, tiarellas, scented phlox, white anemones, bergenias, shade loving geraniums and blue corydalis flexuosa

Roses are ok, I guess . Ha ha (hope WO isnt reading this or I will be in trouble!!)

The composter sounds good.

 

Council are charging next year for emptying the brown bin, supposed to be £35 but bin man said £30 a few weeks ago.

No gardening today for me, was hoping to get back early and get some Allium bulbs planted. Didn't get back in time and its been snowing like mad so tomorrow doesn't look go either