So as it is with the world, after Saturday came Sunday and we returned to the plots. See once I get started on a topic I get rather excited and there is so much to be done on 14b; work were I can feel useful and productive, even it is mainly clearing away at the moment.
But to start the afternoon off I did some proper gardening,
I learnt how to prune a shrub rose bush. Oh boy you can't possibly understand how great it felt to learn and then be left to do the pruning and mulching. Generally I'm too nervous to do things like that, terrified I'll mess it up, but I didn't and the bush looks happy and healthy again!! Eek!
Main points I remember:
* Make sure secateurs are sharp and cut at a slight diagonal
* Get rid of dead branches and tips
* Prune away all blackspot infected branches
* Prune to an outwards facing bud keeping the centre open (so air can circulate through bush)
* Remove branches that are crossing, as rubbing will lead to infections
* Cut back long spindly growth to encourage new growth from base.
* Lift up all dead leaves (they may harbour disease)
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| rose pruning |
I don't believe I have ever deceived anyone into thinking I'm a 'real gardener', Andrew is the head gardener, I'm the helper\ photographer\ the one who is there for therapy. Dare I say it though...I felt so proud of myself; I'm growing.
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We worked for 3 hrs straight and left exhausted! Andrew planted lots of blackthorn and whitethorn hedging plants and prepared for
edible forest area. More about that later... Plus he lifted all the dahlia tubers and put them trays to dry out in the shed.
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| half of the dahlia tubers lifted |
I wrestled with the clearing of the long raspberry bed (which shall become one of my flower beds. Aarggh the roots of those blasted devils are a nightmare to get out, if I hadn't been for the laboured panting I would have been cursing them so loudly!!
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| clearing the raspberry bed |
However, I received a reprieve as the sun went down and the temperature dramatically dropped; we packed up, lifted a sleepy Maggie and left for home.
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| fave sights - especially Maggie eating a biscuit |
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Sadly it has turned out I pushed myself too hard. I didn't know how bad until Monday when I couldn't think straight,walk or talk. I slept most of the day and yesterday was better but still poor. Today I think frustration is pushing me on but I certainly have limits. Luckily it's dark, snowing and cold and we got our new sofa delivered yesterday...it's embracing me...so comfy...it ought to be easy to drift off and sleep\ heal.
Hugs and love to you all
Carrie x
That looks like a happy rose. I hope that you manage to bounce back soon
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue xx
DeleteNice job on the rose, you have reminded me that I need to tackle mine. I hope you're feeling stronger soon. A new sofa sounds like a wonderful thing. I could do with one here if the truth be told, but I don't see one on the horizon at the moment. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week Carrie. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, I know I'll be nervous tackling one again but I'm so pleased I've started. New sofas are so comfy, I wish you could share mine xx
Deletehow nice to have your hard work rewarded with a comfy new sofa ZZZ
ReplyDeleteAhhh, precisely Diana :)
DeleteA good post with some useful advice on pruning. I'll be doing my blackberry, roses and vine soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to see that you overdid it a bit and hope that you feel better soon.
Happy sofa flying! Flighty xx
I'm glad I did a useful post for a change instead of my usual rambling...I shall try to do more in future! Hugs xx
DeleteWell done on the pruning, Carrie. It's a great feeling to achieve another skill. Interesting that you're digging up (relocating?) your raspberry bed; I'm thinking of doing the same with mine, as I too want to put flowers along that side of my patch. I just have to figure out where the raspberries might go. I could do with a lot more space!
ReplyDeleteCaro! You're back with your blog, hurrah! We are simply getting rid of our summer raspberries as we need the room. Plus when they are in reason, cheap in the shops, it seems an awful waste of time. The birds always win on our plot :( xx
DeleteGood for you! You challenged yourself to learn something new....always a great feeling!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a good feeling, it'll be a wee while before I do something that exciting again.
DeleteAfter all that work, you deserve some REST! The scrub rose bush pruning was helpful. I have several in my yard and always have to get someone else to do this, but I might give it a go with your helpful instructions:~)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara, I hope you can do your own pruning, it's a very satisfying feeling. A little empowering xx
DeleteBefore/after shots of roses are always challenging to see clearly -- yours look great! And I certainly agree that shrubby roses can be the most time-consuming ones to prune. I have several that don't fit the standard advice and it always takes extra thought to trim without harming.
ReplyDeleteThose are mighty healthy looking tubers! I have given up on them here, but shall admire yours in the months to come :-) Hope you are recovering from all that work!
Your roses always look stunning, you must be a master pruner! Then again everything is glorious in your garden xx
DeleteI planted my first shrub rose last year so I shall have to tackle the pruning too. I can see how much work you put in to that raspberry bed, those roots aren't the easiest things to remove. Hope you're feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteDon't let the rose frighten you! You hold the secateurs, get snipping :) These raspberries may well be the death of me! xx
DeleteDon't let the rose frighten you! You hold the secateurs, get snipping :) These raspberries may well be the death of me! xx
DeleteWell done YOU ! ... thank you for reminding me how to prune my roses !
ReplyDeleteGreat before and after pictures too ... but I do understand you pushed yourself too far .. I have done that so many times you think I would know better ? Nope ! once I am in the garden I want to work till I drop .. perhaps fear of "when will I get back to it" type of thing.
Add the major LONG winter/cabin fever of a Canadian gardener and it is like a bomb going off ... I just want to be in the garden and make it look as pretty as I pictured it all winter !
Hope you feel better SOON sweetie !
Enjoy that new sofa !!
Joy : )
PS ... I need new pruners again ...I abuse them .. lose them ... and the run away from home!LOL