Dysfunctional Planner

For the last few years I have had Dahlias in the garden and during September they are my pride and joy. This year I plan to pop them in the garden and see how they grow. I know a good gardener would dig them out and look after them but I don’t have that much patience so I will just let nature take it’s course.

This year I bought a few bulbs and I should hopefully have some flowers ands plants for years to come. I normally buy my bulbs from Sarah Raven but as I am not working I thought it was best not to fill my basket. So instead I just added 4 plants from my Sainsburies shop.

We have snowdrops currently and we will have bluebells and daffodils soon and I can’t wait.

New bulbs

I am not sure how these will get on. I will follow the instructions and plant when it tells me too but I have ordered some agapanthus.

This is one of my favourite flowers I love it’s striking blooms, it spear heads as it grows. The colour is incredible and my neighbours garden has some that are just marvellous.

The second set I have bought are peonies, they wouldn’t let me select the colour but I am happy with the pink. One side of the garden is darker than the other but I am planning on planting them in opposite flower beds. I know this means they may not grow but it’s all trial and error with a garden.

Plus lots of plants are more robust than you give them credit for.

Planting

We are due show in the next few weeks so I will wait till after February to plant them so I avoid any frosts.

Agapanthus thrive in full sun and need 6-8 hours of sunlight each day so I will plant them at the foot of the beds. They do grow fairy tall so hopefully I will make the right decision.

Peonies like full sun, and though they can manage with half a day I may plant these in tubs and keep them on the deck as this is the sunniest spot. Or I could order some giant terracotta pots I have had my eye on.

More plants

I am going to sort out the front yard as well. We have a box plant that was totally destroyed by moths so I need to dig that up and replace it. I would also like to have a hanging basket at the front as well as retrain my clematis if it comes back.

I will make it a nice bee friendly basket so there is lots of choice for the bees abs butterflies.

I won’t be starting till it gets a bit warmer but they need to be in at the start of March.I really enjoy gardening but I am a complete novice. I bought top soil instead of compost so I need to buy some compost and mix it together so I don’t waste it.

My garden is the perfect size for the 3 of us we used it a lot last summer but I didn’t make the most of it. It needs to be cleared out and I need new cushions for the chairs. I think it will be a lovely place to work when it gets warmer. I need to make it a haven for me and Gavin.

Last summer, considering we were in quarantine was glorious weather wise and hopefully we will have a great spring summer this year.

Here’s hoping!