Work Book (Week 7).

Monday, 15 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 see to the sheep ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
2) Put out some minerals.
08:50 - 09:30 See to the greenhouses ( Palm record )
Checked and watered round,
09:30 - 10:30 Painting ( Indoors )
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Misc )
10:50 - 11:45 Clear leaves ( Main Garden )
11:50 - 12:00 Clear leaves from tramoline ( Main Garden )
12:00 - 12:15 Pick up sticks under beech trees ( Main Garden )
12:15 - 12:45 Trim bushes ( Main Garden )
12:45 - 13:30 Break for lunch ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:40 Tidy gravel ( Main Garden )
15:40 - 15:50 Clean and put away the tools ( Indoors )
15:50 - 15:55 See to the greenhouses ( Palm record )
Check the seedlings and set the mouse trap etc.
15:55 - 16:00 Make todo list ( Main Garden )
Make a list of jobs for next monday.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 see to the sheep ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
2) Take across some hay.
08:50 - 09:30 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Checked and watered round,
09:30 - 10:30 Turn the compost ( Misc )
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:15 Clear leave off corner borders ( Public Gardens )
12:15 - 12:45 Cut down Japanese Anemone ( Public Gardens )
12:45 - 13:30 Break for lunch ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:40 Trim back the shrubs ( Public Gardens )
Any shrubs by the barn and buddleias
15:40 - 15:45 Make todo list ( Public Gardens )
Make a list of jobs for next monday.
15:45 - 15:55 Clean and put away the tools ( Indoors )
15:55 - 16:00 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Check the seedlings and set the mouse trap etc.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 see to the sheep ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
08:50 - 09:10 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
1) Checked and watered round,
2) Took off some dead leaves.
09:10 - 09:20 Spray against whitefly ( Glasshouses )
Sprayed all greenhouse plants with
09:20 - 09:30 Put down grit ( Public Gardens )
Put down grit on the office steps as they were icy.
09:30 - 10:30 Turn the compost ( Misc )
Turned the first bin.
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:15 Turn the compost ( Misc )
Finished turning compost.
12:15 - 12:45 Set the pump working ( Walled Garden )
Lily pond
12:45 - 13:30 Break for lunch ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:00 Have a bonefire ( Misc )
Burnt some boxes and other stuff that had been gathered over the past few weeks.
15:00 - 15:30 Prune the Gooseberries ( Walled Garden )
15:35 - 15:40 Make todo list ( Walled Garden )
Make a list of jobs for next monday.
15:45 - 15:55 Clean and put away the tools ( Indoors )
16:00 - 16:05 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Check the seedlings and set the mouse trap etc.

Thursday, 18 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 see to the sheep ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
2) Put out some minerals.
08:50 - 09:10 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Checked and watered round,
09:15 - 10:30 Plant the new roses ( Walled Garden )
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:05 Plant the new roses ( Walled Garden )
12:05 - 12:45 Plant the old roses ( Public Gardens )
Planted the old roses dug up from the Memorial gardens.
12:45 - 13:30 Break for lunch ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:15 Clear leaves ( Walled Garden )
Clear leaves from around the Lily pond and tidied up the raised beds.
15:15 - 15:45 Harrow gravel ( Public Gardens )
15:45 - 15:55 Put out the black bins and tubs. ( Hall & Pumpend )
15:55 - 16:00 Clean and put away the tools ( Indoors )
16:00 - 16:05 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Check the seedlings and set the mouse trap etc.

Friday, 19 February 2010

08:30 - 08:40 Put down grit ( Misc )
Gritted the office steps and front passage.
08:40 - 09:00 see to the sheep ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
2) Take across some hay.
09:00 - 09:40 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Checked and watered round,
09:30 - 10:30 Tidy potting shed yard ( Misc )
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Misc )
11:00 - 12:30 Tidy potting shed yard ( Misc )
12:30 - 13:15 Break for lunch ( Misc )
13:15 - 14:00 Sow seeds ( Indoors )
14:00 - 15:00 Walk round with the boss ( Meeting )
15:00 - 15:20 Sow seeds ( Indoors )
15:20 - 15:40 Sort out some Chrysanths ( Glasshouses )
Cut back old growth, potted on and put in to the conservatory.
15:40 - 15:45 Clean and put away the tools ( Indoors )
15:45 - 15:50 See to the greenhouses ( Glasshouses )
Check the seedlings and set the mouse trap etc.
15:50 - 16:00 See to the bins ( Hall & Pumpend )

Mickey Mouse Strikes Again.

I noticed this morning as I was going about my work in the greenhouse that there were bits of Clematis that I have growing in a hanging basket all over the floor and on closer inspection there were many chewed up bits in the basket itself, I can only assume that this is a mouse that’s done this. I grow it in a hanging basket because when in flower its highly scented so fills the conservatory with its fragrance. It looks like they’re going to have to manage without fragrance this year.

The chewed off pieces to the left of the pot.

Shorter pieces left in the pot.

Maureen thought I may have trouble digging up trees in the snow. I can think of times when I may not be able to get motivated to dig trees up in the snow but when you have the threat of Dick Dastardly and his chainsaw hanging over you there is ever incentive to limit his time in the garden as much as possible hence the trouble I went too yesterday to remove the trees completely and today I removed all the branches from the tree that I couldn’t uproot so all that’s left from him to do is saw up in to logs the trunk and thicker branches – should take him ten minutes at the most.
As for snow being a blessing really I just take everything that comes my way. As you will know Weaver being farming people yourself you just have to get on with it whatever the weather. I think these days weather plays little part in peoples everyday lives other than it being pleasant or unpleasant and I think this is why whenever there is any kind of extreme they can’t cope. So actually yesterday was actually a good day for digging out trees because it was cold and there wasn’t a lot more to be done on such a day. Had it been a spring like day I would most likely have been doing some border work. It’s the way it is when you work outdoors with nature, she is your boss.

Plans.

Its amazing how you make plans only for them to get thrown up in the air and come crashing down all mixed up. I had planned on going for a walk this weekend but had to put it off as there was no one to look after the dogs so that meant Saturday was dog sitting day for me. Then for some reason my computer developed this manic installing sickness where by it was constantly trying to install something but it seemed that something somewhere was doing the same manic thing trying stopping it so all it would do was this install/cancel, install/cancel at such break neck speed that it drove you crazy just to watch it so the only solution to the problem that I could see was to wipe everything and start over. It was over a year since I had to do anything like this so it was about due for a fresh start so that’s what I spent all day Sunday doing. Its easy enough to wipe everything and re-install windows, the hard and time consuming bit it getting everything talking to each other again afterwards. There were several drives that proved illusive in particular for the sound, Ethernet and video. Anyway everything seems to be back in order now and will hopefully see me through another year without too much trouble.

Because we have another covering of snow I divided my time today between painting another garden seat and digging up a couple of Cherry trees that had become stricken with something. There is another one to be removed but it is too big for me to dig out so I have to wait for Dick Dastardly to come with his chainsaw and cut it down for me. Then I think next winter we are planting some more trees of a different sort in their place.

Veg Garden (Week 7).

In the veg garden this week there are some nice Broad Beans coming along. As you will notice they aren’t actually in the garden yet but have spent the winter in the unheated conservatory. They would have been ok outside but I why put them to the test if you don’t need too. I’m hoping they will reward me with a few extra beans to say thanks for letting me stay inside all winter.

The Flower Garden (Week 7).

If anyone is planning on growing their Sweet Peas from seed it’s about time you got cracking. Just remember that they are a favourite of mice so make sure you protect them somehow. Don’t assume you don’t have mice just because you’re not seen one. Chances are that if you put you seeds in the greenhouse there will be a mouse not far away. If you go one morning and find something has made holes in the compost you can be sure it’s a mouse that’s been and taken the pea. The plants you see in the picture we sown last November and are just about ready for having their tips nipped out.

Greenhouses (Week 7).

Under glass this week one of the things in flower at the moment and for the past few weeks is this Camellia. There is also a white one but that is only in bud at the moment. This has actually spent the last couple of months in the heated greenhouse. The plant itself is hardy enough but I believe the frost can kill off the flower buds. Now it is back in the unheated conservatory which will hopefully now keep of the worse of the frost that is left.

Work Book (Week 6).

Monday, 08 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 See to the sheep ( Field ) ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
2) Put out some minerals.
08:50 - 09:30 Put the letter box and stand back ( Hall ) ( Hall & Pumpend )
09:30 - 10:00 Deliverying wine ( Hall ) ( Hall & Pumpend )
The hall had a delivery of wine which was brought on a big truck which couldn't get in the courtyard so I loaded it on my tractor and trailer and helped the guy take it in to the hall.
10:00 - 10:30 Fetch a new gas cylinder ( Farm ) ( Misc )
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:45 Removing tree roots ( The Ride ) ( Public Gardens )
Removed some tree roots that were sticking ou out of the ride as they were becoming liable to trip some one up.
12:45 - 13:30 Break for lunch ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:55 Potted on some seedlings ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )
15:50 - 16:00 Clean and put away the tools ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )

Tuesday, 09 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 See to the sheep ( Field ) ( Misc )
1) Checked and counted the sheep.
2) Put out some minerals.
08:50 - 09:00 See to the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
Checked round.
09:00 - 09:15 Take some wine down to the cellar ( Hall ) ( Hall & Pumpend )
Took down 11 crates of wine.
09:15 - 10:30 Find a better cover for the water tank ( Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
Made a better cover out of wooden batterns and stone slates for the water tank.
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Home ) ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:45 Tidying up the conservatory plants. ( Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
12:45 - 13:30 Break for lunch ( Home ) ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:30 Finished off tidying the plants in the conservatory ( Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
15:30 - 16:00 Made a new todo list ( Misc )

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 See to the sheep ( Field ) ( Misc )
1) Took across some hay.
2) Checked and counted the sheep.
08:50 - 09:15 See to the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
Watered and checked round
09:15 - 10:30 Potting On ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )
Potted on some standard Fuchsia's and strawberry plants for indoors. Also cleaned off some Gloxinia corms.
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Home ) ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:45 Pruning ( Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
Pruned the Fuchsia and Plambago on the back wall of the conservatory.
12:45 - 13:00 Break for lunch ( Home ) ( Misc )
13:00 - 15:45 Made a start on changing the soil. ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses ) Changing the soil in the greenhouse border and where the new roses are to go.
15:45 - 15:55 Put the plants back ( Greenhouse ) ( Greenhouses )
Had to take plant outside so as to work in the greenhouse.
15:55 - 16:00 Clean and put away the tools ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )

Thursday, 11 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 See to the sheep ( Field ) ( Misc )
Checked and counted them.
08:50 - 10:30 See to the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
1) Checked and watered round,
2) Finished off pressure washing the floor,
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Home ) ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:45 Replacing the greenhouse soil ( Greenhouse ) ( Greenhouses )
12:45 - 13:45 Break for lunch ( Home ) ( Misc )
13:45 - 15:50 Removing old roses ( Memorial Gardens ) ( Walled Garden )
Took out the four roses which are to be replaced in the memorial beds. Also removed the obelisks as they were concreted in and the roses planted on top of the concrete which is no good at all. I will remove the concrete and paint the obelisks before replacing.
15:50 - 15:50 Clean and put away the tools ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )

Friday, 12 February 2010

08:30 - 08:50 See to the sheep ( Field ) ( Misc )
08:50 - 10:30 See to the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
Watered round and took some plants from the greenhouse to the conservatory.
10:30 - 10:50 Break for tea ( Home ) ( Misc )
10:50 - 12:45 Cleaning the rust from the obelisks ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )
12:45 - 13:45 Break for lunch ( Home ) ( Misc )
13:30 - 15:50 Painting ( Potting Shed ) ( Indoors )
Painted three of the obelisks
15:50 - 16:00 See to the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
Lit the heater and checked round.


Saturday, 13 February 2010

09:00 - 09:20 See to the sheep ( Misc )
09:30 - 09:50 Check the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )
17:00 - 17:15 Check the greenhouses ( Greenhouse & Conservatory ) ( Greenhouses )

Roses Grown In Concrete.

In the Dahlia beds of the Memorial gardens there are four roses that are supposed to climb over Metal obelisks and for some reason that have never done very well so we’ve decided to replace them with some new one. I got the replacements before Christmas but have yet to plants them as I wanted to do it when I changed the soil in the greenhouse border because when you plant new roses where old ones have been you need to renew the soil as well so as I needed to change the soil in the greenhouse border as well it would be a good chance to sort both jobs out at the same time. So today the time had come to do this and I was surprised when I started to dig out the old roses to find them sitting on top of six inches of concrete.

Before removal.

This isn't right surely!

Whoever put in the obelisks had concreted them in to the ground and then planted the roses on top of the concrete. I don’t pretend to be a rose expert but to my mind this doesn’t seem right – I don’t know what you all think. If you look close at the pictures you can see the roots of the roses all curled up like that would love to go deeper but can’t get. Anyway unless someone tells me that is how they’re supposed to grow then I’m going to be knocking hell out of that concrete before returning the obelisks and planting the new roses.

I guess another alternative would be to plant the roses to the side and train them in to the middle as they grow, I think I’m going to try and bash the concrete off though.