Strawberry Runners.

Today I managed to get some Strawberry runners potted up which as it happened turned out to be a good job as there some quite heavy showers this afternoon. The ones in the pictures are to be grown on before being planted out in the garden at a later date. I also have some more smaller ones coming on which I am thinking of growing in the greenhouse. I already have some indoors but they don't seem to be a very productive variety so it might be time for a change.

Also today I managed to do a cut of the small lawns in the walled garden. They where long overdue on account of all the wet weather we have been having of late. It was still wet this morning when I cut them but this mower seems to cope quite well with wet grass so I was able to get them done.

Also today I had to attend the diabetic clinic just so they could check to see if I was coping okay. They were very pleased with both my record keeping and also the way I have been keeping my blood sugars under control.

Finishing Of The Border.

Today I managed to finish off the border behind the dog runs which I started yesterday. The first job was to cart off all the Ivy to the burn pile. I then laid off the border job while I cut the lawn in the front garden as it had dried up enough to do so and the way the weather is I have to make the most of such opportunities. Before I could do any cutting I had to clear up a load of Beech nuts as I couldnt run on where they were or I would have pressed then in to the lawn. Once the grass was cut I returned to the border work where I pruned a few low branches off the Fig tree in the corner. That done it was just a matter of putting a new edge to the lawn around the border and this finished the job off nicely.

Below is a picture of the finished article.

Tidying the dog run border.

Today I made a start on tidying the border behind the dogs runs although we had more rain on and off so I didn't get on as well as I might. First job was to cut down all the old growth and clear it off the border on to the grass. I have recently been following this contract gardener who doesn't take away any rubbish, instead he reduces everything and then returns it back from where it has come from. This goes against the way I've always done things but it does make sense so I thought I would give it a try. So I got all the rubbish laid out in a row on the edge of the grass and then ran over it with the mulching mower that I have. It took a few passes but it did reduce everything to almost nothing. The only problem I encountered was the mower didn't want to pick up the long stalks so maybe next time I will try and cut them off shorter. After mulching everything down in then got the big leave blower and blew everything back on to the border. I have to say that I am happy with the way it looked and there wasn't to much that it buried the plants so hopefully there are to be no hidden problems caused by it. It certainly saved carting away a lot of rubbish and I can see that it will be good for the soil as it dogs down.

After dealing with the border I then set too removing the Ivy from the top of the wall. This proved to be quite a job but I just managed to get it all done before it was time to go home. I still have it all to cart away in the morning. It will have to go away to be burnt as there is far to much to mulch and it would be to strong for the mower anyway.

 This picture was taken before I started work.

Another Train Ride

This afternoon we are going on another train ride. This time from Buckfast to Totnes and back.

Buckfast Abbey.

This morning we are visiting Buckfast Abbey.

Torquay

Yesterday was spent in Torquay, mostly just sitting around in the sun and looking at the various boats.

Torquay Harbour

Some of the gardens.

Round Robin Train Ride

Today I am going on a train, boat and bus ride from Paignton.

Pelargonium Display

This is the Pelargonium display that I have in the cool greenhouse at the moment. 

11th March

1. See to the dogs - Fed and watered. Cleaned the kennel. Left in the garden. 

2. See to the sheep - Took across some hay. Checked and counted the sheep. 

3. See to the greenhouse work - Checked round. Did some pollinating of the Peach, Apricot and Nectarine trees. 

4. Break for tea. 

5. Pruning - Pruned the Quince tree. 

6. Pruning - Pruned and trained the Blackberry growing against the south wall. 

7. Break for lunch. 

8. Tying in Raspberry canes. 

9. Packing up - Cleaned and put away the tools. 

10. Fed and put away the dogs. 

1st March.

1. See to the dogs - Fed and watered. Cleaned the kennels. Left in the outdoor run. I no longer have Blondie to look after as she has been given away to someone. 

2. See to the sheep - Took across some hay. Checked and counted the sheep. 

3. See to the greenhouses - Checked round. 

4. Clearing leaves. - Picked up leaves from the old conservatory. 

5. Raking the Japanese Garden path. 

6. Raking the Rock Garden path and stone masons grotto. 

7. Break for tea. 

8. Preparing the leaf blower for work. 

9. Sweeping round - Swept the front drive, back steps to the office and all other hard surfaces around the grounds. 

10. Break for lunch - Just when you think you're on schedule you come home to find a delivery of live plants waiting for you. 

11. Unpacked the seedlings and watered from the bottom. 

12. Picked up some heaps of rubbish. 

13. Raked the South Front gravel. 

14. Raked the South Front gravel with the tractor. 

15. Packing up. 

16. Fed and put away the dogs.