Well, where do I start.
Sheffield is a total disaster area after the floods of the last few days.
I'd say we got off fairly lightly, with rain water pouring down the path from another garden. It was a positive river, and the grids couldn't cope so we ended up with water lapping over the back step into what we call, with a touch of irony, the "Sun Porch".
The grids kept blocking with debris and so I had to literally wade out and unblock them. The first time was when I discovered that there was a crack in the top of my wellies. Three pairs of wet socks later, I decided that when the storms abate I would buy some Crocs Wellies. This I have now done. They are fuschia pink. I dare say I loook ridiculous in them, but what they hell, they keep my bone dry and are comfortable, although they did feel a bit odd at first as they are so light. I got a free bag with them too. Good oh.
We have been threatened with more flooding this weekend so have taken evasive action this time.
I spent yesterday afternoon digging trenches to help the standing water drain away. It worked well, but I am as stiff as a board today!.
I also cleared all the debris left behind last time off the paths and unblocked all the grids.
Am wondering if it is reasonable to ask the bloke whose garden is at right angles to the bottom of ours to do something about the pond which overflows into mine and causes the problems.
The poor hens got flooded at the lower ends of their runs, but they did have dry ground to stand and look at the rain from.
Might get some sandbags and try to stop it running into my garden (and house!)
Very public spiritedly I unblocked the drain on the road so that water will flow away apres le deluge.
Crops wise I have picked about a dozen strawberries, a carrot and an onion. The last 2 just to see how they were going on. The strawbs and carrot were delicious.
Oh my word....the rain!!!!
Unrelenting for 24 hours.....and raining stair rods!
The garden is awash, with lakes and puddles everywhere......and we can look forward to another 24 hours of it!
Went to the garden centre yesterday intending to buy a saw to get rid of a very old Cotoneaster (sp?) which is pushing a wall over and I hate the sight of it anyway, and an ancient rose bush which has gone back to root stock, is hideous and attacks anyone who ventures past it.
Came out with some loppers and two chilli pepper plants which they were selling off at a quid apiece.
Anyway the loppers are brilliant and am pleased I got them instead.
Keep looking at the wall and thinking I might have a go at rebuilding it myself, especially as I was watching the gardener at work rebuild a smallish one. She said it was like doing a jigsaw puzzle on a grander scale so I might have a bash. It can't look any worse than it does now.
Rang Green Thumb today for a quote. The lawns are desperate.......in fact they are best described as weed patches. My pal Angela uses Green Thumb and hers looks fab so I thought I'd see what they have to say.
There is so much I want to tackle out there.......but this rain is horendous.....and I left my wellies outside and they now have at least an inch of water in them. Drat.
My peas and potatoes are flowering!!
Well to be exact, there is one flower on a pea plant but quite a few on the spuds.
Wasted an hour of my day yesterday "rethreading" the strimmer, which does an adequate job but I have to stop literally every 7 mins to sort it out. Grrr. I have so much more tidying to do that I am going to get a new one. Life is to short to have to keep stopping to rethread a strimmer.
Miracle of miracles....the lawn mower started first time yesterday!. The severe talking to it received last week must have made an impression!
Have used the Mantis Tiller on one of the weed choked borders. It does a good job but I have to keep stopping as it rattles your bones a bit.
Don't want to crock myself up.
Fab weather today. Plan to spend it pottering in the garden.
It's a bit early to be disturbing the neighbours so I thought I'd upload a few pics
2nd left shows Grow Bag thingy with 3 different types of Tomato plants and 2 Marigolds as I thought I'd give the companion planting idea a try. Must remember to tie the structure to the fence as I don't want it to blow over.
Pics 3 & 4 left are to show my containers by the front door. They are very pretty and I am rather pleased with them.
The last 2 pics show 2 of my Link-a-bord raised beds which just have Peas and Dwarf French Beans so far.
I have 2 Butternut Squash plants to put in today.
Weather fab this weekend.
Got lots of tidying up type jobs done.
The peas and dwarf beans are coming on a treat. Have to protect them from those bloomin' collared doves though!
Spuds doing nicely too, with the earlies beginning to flower. Noticed some nibbled leaves and a tell tale silver trail in one of the bags. Knowing my luck the spuds will be eaten and holey when it comes to unveiling them!
Harvested my first crop on Sunday...half a dozen radishes. Forgot to take a picture though! They were lovely and peppery. Will plant some more.
