Just been out to inspect the garden.

[Mowgley]

Untied the trachycarpus f for the first time in 3 weeks some leaves a bit battered and yellow but still growing nicely
Dug up some cannas out of the soil to start them off in the GH and some already had small shoots already waiting
The butia and Phoenix canariensis_CIDP in the GH are throwing new spears out
Everything's looking quite good

[dino]

Untied the TF?

[Mowgley]

Yes it's in a exposed location , so decided to tie up the fronds save them being smashed by the wind

[cordyman]

Agree Nigel , my wags in the front garden on South facing slate slope have been pushing spears out all winter. What temp to trachys go dorment?

Not sure exactly Cordy.... I am guessing somewhere below 8 to 10C.

cheers

[cordyman]

Yes it's in a exposed location , so decided to tie up the fronds save them being smashed by the wind

I think Dave mentioned this is counter intuitive as the leaves can't then naturally bend when tied up, and more harm than good is done

[flounder]

I go in to the garden every day rain or shine to determine what needs to be changed/repaired/replaced, then I go back in doors to find something less to do
Why put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until it's warmer I say

[Mowgley]

Yes it's in a exposed location , so decided to tie up the fronds save them being smashed by the wind

I think Dave mentioned this is counter intuitive as the leaves can't then naturally bend when tied up, and more harm than good is done

Oops I'll know for next time then!
Hopefully though I'll not have to do it again any time soon

[cordyman]

I go in to the garden every day rain or shine to determine what needs to be changed/repaired/replaced, then I go back in doors to find something less to do
Why put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until it's warmer I say

everything is better done under a warm sun, with a cold beer in hand

[GREVILLE]

I've been distracted by the damage. while trying to sort this out I noticed today under the warm sun just how much is up and out. Two mimosa in bloom along with Grevillea, Sedum praeltum, Forsythia and various bulbs. ALL the palms have had continuously moving spears through the winter and some are now opening.

The grass REALLY needs a cut.

[fern Rob]

I have no grass left in the lawn, the lawn needs removing.

[RozDevon]

We've had some nice sunny days and its been lovely to get out there again without the wind and rain!
I've noticed this week that the burnt/salt damage to the leaves of evergreen things and others is now showing far worse than just after the last horrendous storm blew through.
I have a portuguese laurel and the leaves were lovely dark shiny green before the storms and a week afterwards as well.
Now they are all brown and crisp! Damage now showing on new euphorbia growth, cytisus, that tall scented heath (can't remember the name), bluebell flower (climber) all the leaves have just dropped off! Almost like delayed action! Neighbours privet totally defoliated. Very well clipped conifer hedge up the road browned.
Never seen such damage here before and we do get a lot of SW storms/gales as normal every winter.
However, the good news is the camellias have just burst into flower with a vengeance and are looking wonderful. As if they were just waiting for the storms to pass and then all opened up together. Wonderful!! Such a treat, they look tropical to me, just gorgeous for this time of year. They seem impervious to the weather, thank goodness.
Today I have mostly been planting lily bulbs, freesia bulbs, and trying some tuberose bulbs as I love that scent. They're not very big so may have to wait till next year for flowers. I'lll feed them up well and hope for a hot summer!

[cordyman]

I have no grass left in the lawn, the lawn needs removing.

why not go for a simba style layout with lots of contemporary chippings

[RozDevon]

We got rid of our front lawn and replaced it with a circle of membrane covered with mini chipped bark and it looks really good. Top it up every year with some bags and just have to scoop the edges up from the beds now and then and weed a bit, the roots dont go down at all, so thats easy.
Going to get a Butia to go in the centre soon so that should finish it off good.
Its nice seeing the neighbours spending time maintaining their lawns every summer!!
And not having to do it myself!!!!! Yay! More time to sit with a nice chilled glass of pinot and smell the flowers!!!!