Day 8 of the 100 day project
We were away overnight staying with some friends and got back home about five o' clock. Normally I would make a cup of tea, have half an hour with the newspaper and then get on with making a meal. Today as we were driving home from Derbyshire I was thinking about what I might do that would count for day 8 of the 100 day project. I decided on a little bit more cutting back. I am still coughing although I am sure I am getting better, slowly. Cutting back is quick and easy and the garden is full of tatty growth which has been blasted by the cold weather or is the dead growth from last year.
It is a quarter to six. The low evening sun is shining through the dead stems of last year's phlox. I cut that back and the euphorbia next to it. Small job and it does reveal the weed and the grot grown through the bed but that is fine. Today I am not weeding and today I am not despairing! Today I am cutting back the phlox. Tick.
Then I move on to the herb bed which we made for people in the holiday cottage and cut back the sage. I hope it will recover. At the moment it looks a bit scalped. And then with a small rush of blood to the head I do something quite other and add some fresh compost to the top of the terracotta pot with the agapanthus in it. I bought these two years ago and the first summer they flowered and were beautiful. Last year I think I had only one flower. I have no idea whether it will help but I thought I would try some fresh compost and perhaps some other feeding. Must check whether they like to be fed! If you know, please tell me and save me slogging through contradictory advice on the internet! Why would I trust you more? Because you probably won't tell me unless you are quite sure from personal experience!
And then I stop. Time taken, fifteen minutes. And I walk around the garden, trying not to see the big picture: the cutting garden that needs weeding, the grass growing through the violets under the amelanchier, don't get me started on the mint beds and fruit garden. Stop. I bring out some scissors and cut some daffodils for the kitchen, trying to see the pleasure in the garden, right now.
It is a quarter to six. The low evening sun is shining through the dead stems of last year's phlox. I cut that back and the euphorbia next to it. Small job and it does reveal the weed and the grot grown through the bed but that is fine. Today I am not weeding and today I am not despairing! Today I am cutting back the phlox. Tick.
Then I move on to the herb bed which we made for people in the holiday cottage and cut back the sage. I hope it will recover. At the moment it looks a bit scalped. And then with a small rush of blood to the head I do something quite other and add some fresh compost to the top of the terracotta pot with the agapanthus in it. I bought these two years ago and the first summer they flowered and were beautiful. Last year I think I had only one flower. I have no idea whether it will help but I thought I would try some fresh compost and perhaps some other feeding. Must check whether they like to be fed! If you know, please tell me and save me slogging through contradictory advice on the internet! Why would I trust you more? Because you probably won't tell me unless you are quite sure from personal experience!
And then I stop. Time taken, fifteen minutes. And I walk around the garden, trying not to see the big picture: the cutting garden that needs weeding, the grass growing through the violets under the amelanchier, don't get me started on the mint beds and fruit garden. Stop. I bring out some scissors and cut some daffodils for the kitchen, trying to see the pleasure in the garden, right now.
Oh I enjoyed getting up to date with your project Elizabeth. I think I ought to embrace the concept and transfer it to my sadly neglected allotment plot. Hope that you are soon over your nasty cold. Enjoy your daffodils.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna. I always used to be a bit sniffy about daffodils but over the last ten years or so I have become beguiled by them. Such a shot of joy.
DeleteO, it's the time of year for trampling on dead foliage and stems - or even jumping on it when we're not poorly. Almost as good as autumn leaves - and NO BENDING!!! XXx
ReplyDeleteI don't do lots of cutting back. There would just be too much work! I am more inclined to bits like the sage and lavender where they have gone tatty. There are a couple of spots where I could do some trampling. Must have a look!
DeleteI feed my agapanthus with tomato food though slightly later in the season and have a decent flourish from them, if that helps.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing so well even though not at match-fitness so when you are recovered you are sure to make great progress. I keep telling myself it is the journey not the destination that matters ( plus every other inspirational phrase I can think of) and with gardening we have to believe it!
Sheena
Thank you about the tomato feed! I shall give them some in a few weeks. I agree with you about the journey. What I'm trying to do, almost as much as doing the work, is to fall back in love with it after three years or so of being somehow at odds.
DeleteKeep going Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand that longing to fall in love with your garden again. You have inspired me to try again too despite feeling lethargic and disconnected at the moment. And yes. I too am starting small and will head out there later to poke around and see what happens.
Mary
I am glad it strikes a chord with you Mary! There is something about such a little commitment which helps with the lethargy and disconnection! Good luck with yours.
Delete