Shall I start

[blackrose]

Thanks Rita, I agree, it is better now. The alpines that I put in will provide colour when they flower, plus the daffis I squeezed in.
just to work on getting some marginals now for the inside of the pond.

[madonplants]

Looking better now, CB. We will make a gardener out of you yet!!! Just keep an eye on the ivy.

Keith

[blackrose]

Yeh, the ivy will be kept in shape, thought of that whilst putting it in, if checked it's ok.
The red robin will eventually be moved to another spot.

[Deleted]

Probably best to move your red robin before it becomes established

[madonplants]

What is your soil like where the shrubs are and elsewhere, where you will move some of them to? Does it need to be improved, if not they won't survive long term? Probably should have mentioned this before, sorry.

Keith

[blackrose]

Keith, the soil in my garden is of excellent quality as just a little over a year ago it was farm land and years of cow poo going into the earth has done wonders, think thats why the rest of my stuff done really well last year, some of which had been in pots, when transfered to the ground they started growing very quickly.

The shrubs have been moved along the fence and I now plan to remove the turf along the same area and make a nice border.
Still trying to find a place for the red robin
Paul

[madonplants]

blackrose said:

Keith, the soil in my garden is of excellent quality as just a little over a year ago it was farm land and years of cow poo going into the earth has done wonders, think thats why the rest of my stuff done really well last year, some of which had been in pots, when transfered to the ground they started growing very quickly.
The shrubs have been moved along the fence and I now plan to remove the turf along the same area and make a nice border.
Still trying to find a place for the red robin
Paul

You lucky s*d, I have thick horrible clay. If in doubt about the red robin, just let it fly away!!

Keith

[Spruance]

CB, although Photinia Red Robin can grow into a small tree, it can be cut back every year to maintain a more reasonable height. Also, pruning promotes formation of new red leaves.

My photinia is restricted to 6ft high for instance, and resides in an island bed in the lawn.

[blackrose]

Yes Spruance I think thats going to be the way for mine I think, I could just leave it by the pond but as Rita pointed out earlier the roots may penetrate the liner.
Celtic on Sky sports just now (getting beat btw) so will have a look this afternoon.
Ooops make that a draw now ;D

If looking at my photo anyone see a place to put the red robin let me know, remember I've to leave some space for kids pool in summer.

[madonplants]

blackrose said:

Yes Spruance I think thats going to be the way for mine I think, I could just leave it by the pond but as Rita pointed out earlier the roots may penetrate the liner.
Celtic on Sky sports just now (getting beat btw) so will have a look this afternoon.
Ooops make that a draw now ;D

If looking at my photo anyone see a place to put the red robin let me know, remember I've to leave some space for kids pool in summer.

Can't they just use the pond!!

Keith

[blackrose]

No chance, they'd pallute the lilly ;D

Well that's half time so going to find a spot to dig up later.
And it's Livingston 1 Celtic 2 just incase your burning to know. ;D

[Deleted]

blackrose said:

No chance, they'd pallute the lilly ;D

Well that's half time so going to find a spot to dig up later.
And it's Livingston 1 Celtic 2 just incase your burning to know. ;D

OH is watching the game too....i keep popping through to get an update! Bought him the referee kit as it would appear he doesnt think the ref's know their job too well!

What about putting your Red Robin at the back of your border if you have space? Think they grow to 10ft x 10ft but can be pruned as mentioned to 6ft.

[blackrose]

Brilliant 1-4 Celtic now. Thinking about going down next Weekend but will definately be going to AC Milan game.

I think I've found somewhere to put it.
update later.

[Spruance]

I've just taken some photos of my photinia and spotted laurel CB.

I''ve posted them in my Spruance's Garden thread so it will give you some idea of what the mature shrubs will look like.

[madonplants]

blackrose said:

Brilliant 1-4 Celtic now. Thinking about going down next Weekend but will definately be going to AC Milan game.

I think I've found somewhere to put it.
update later.

Is the A C Milan game still on, due to what happened the other day, to that policeman? Shocking that!!

Keith

[blackrose]

Moved the Red robin, then got some of my planters, sorted them out and scattered around the garden, thats the big planter from the front ready for the spring planting.









Then I gave the flattened lawn a bit of teasing, it had taken some tramping on over the last week, being wet did not help.
Then finished off with sowing some Monarda "Bees Favourite"

And Celtic won 4-1 so quite a good day.
Paul

[Susie Snowdrop]

No disrespect but, if this thread is about your garden CB, shouldn't it be on the Gallery thread?

[blackrose]

spruance said:

I've just taken some photos of my photinia and spotted laurel CB.

I''ve posted them in my Spruance's Garden thread so it will give you some idea of what the mature shrubs will look like.

Spruance thanks for that, I actually walked passed on the otherday which was huge. Though at the time wasn't quite sure that it was Spotted Laurel. I have place my my Red Robin in the middle of my walkway around my beds, even with the size it goes to it will be ok there.
Paul

[blackrose]

Susie it has kinda drifted away from the pond now. Maybe get it back on track by asking for a list of suitable marginals to put in....
I'll be looking at a some Iris at the end of this week.

[madonplants]

CB, did you go back to get that iris that didn't look wonderful after all, don't think you have mentioned it?
Now that is back to pond talk again!!

Keith

[blackrose]

I have still got it in mindm but I'm going to go to another gc to see what they may have, though they don't restock till march they may still have something left, failing that I will revisit that option.
I have just purchased some watermint thelma aquatica and waiting for it to arrive, which will probably be Tuesday.

I was thinking about other work around the garden, would miracle grow and grass feed be harmfull in the pond water, if so I have a tarpalin to cover it whilst hosing down. My lawn has taken a battering over the last week and needs to rest.

Paul

[Deleted]

I'm not a lawn expert Paul, but I think it is best to only apply lawn feed in the spring.

The problem with fertilizers getting into your pond is that they will encourage blanket weed. Some of the other pondies may know more about that. As my pond is semi-raised it isn't a problem for me, my fish or pond water.

[madonplants]

I would do what Rita suggests, do a spring feed. Some feeds you can get in granular form so spray won't be a problem. It is surprising how much damage lawns can take, to perk up again after winter. It might just need no walking on it for a few weeks for you to see an improvment. Any feed, whatever it is can lead to algae problems, if it gets into the water course. You could get away with a spray in spring if it is a still no wind day. If you really want to spray, can someone follow you around with a barrier between you and the pond, just like you would with weedkiller next to a choice plant? A tarpulin over the pond could work as long as when you took it back off, no spray that it caught would drip into the pond. You could use a dribble bar, which means you can water lower down, less spray. They are designed for weedkillers, but a 'clean' one could be used for a lawn feed.
Just like I said before, time is all you need, for the lawn this time. You should see our lawn sometimes, with two boys, me and a large dog. My OH, hardly ever goes on it at this time of the year!! It soon perks up, if we keep off it.

Hope this helps, Paul. Like Rita says I am no lawn expert either!!

Keith

[blackrose]

Thanks, just what I thought actually, I have no feed containers lurking in the shed so could read any labels for the info. I Fed the lawn reguarly last year but on due to it being newly laid down In April.
Paul

[Deleted]

My OH uses a granular feed for our lawn applied with a spreader - like this ;)http://www.gardenhealth.com/product_range/lawn_treatments/premiumlawnspr.php - less chance of feed going where it isn't wanted using one of these

[blackrose]

Thanks Rita I may just go for one of them instead of the liquid form, do they disolve into the ground quickly, incase my wee Neice is on the go.

[madonplants]

I have not used granular for ages, maybe down to the fact we haven't stayed in the same place long enough to need to feed a lawn. I have always fed the front lawn with a liquid weed/feed. I seem to remember it states, sprinkle on and if no rain comes in two days water in. Don't see why you can't water in nearly straight away. Go out to a B & Q/G/C and read the instructions, unless Rita can help. I must buy the Lawn Expert, but have always thought.,how can you fill out one of those books on lawns? How many pages does it need to say prepare the ground beforehand, then feed it, then lay turf or sow seed. Oh and then how to treat it afterwards, with feeding it, de weeding it and scarifying it. Can't take up a whole book can it? Must go and just look at one when I go out next.

Keith

[blackrose]

I suppose it would also cover how to deal with problems, like toadstools mushrooms, weed controll, moles and any other problems with lawns as well as the different type of lawn, I'd love a golfcourse style lawn but it never looks that good. Could be a new thread on this???

[madonplants]

blackrose said:

I suppose it would also cover how to deal with problems, like toadstools mushrooms, weed controll, moles and any other problems with lawns as well as the different type of lawn, I'd love a golfcourse style lawn but it never looks that good. Could be a new thread on this???

When you state golf course, which part, the greens or the rough???

Keith

P.s. I am in the mood to go and definately have a look, never bothered before!!

[blackrose]

Oh that would be the nice lush greens, or that of outdoor bowling greens. I've never realy looked into lawn care myself. let me know how you get on.
Paul