I go and dig if I intend to on that day whatever the weather, I have even been known to potter on my allotment in the snow . You really do get "back to your roots"--literally
I go and dig if I intend to on that day whatever the weather, I have even been known to potter on my allotment in the snow . You really do get "back to your roots"--literally
PS- I see you've been out there now , bet it looks lovely ( don't look at the leaves )
Just attempted to look at your blog but the 'my blog' section wouldn't open for some reason?
On your what to plant for next year section I see you have a plant called 'Mexican Hat Ratibida' ?
I've not heard of this plant before and it looks very interesting. Can you tell me a bit more about it? Is it any good for pollinators? It's certainly accessible for them but I wondered if it is any good or one of the 'overbred' plants that are barren and have no use for pollinators?
I'll try and get on your blog again later to see if it will let me in or not.
Common Name: Mexican hat, Prairie coneflower, Long-head coneflower Synonyms: Lepachus columnifera, Rudbeckia columnifera Genus:Ratibida
This perennial coneflower, sometimes grown as an annual, has a long season of flowers on thin, branching stems. The flowers resemble small hats, with yellow reflexed ray florets and large greenish-brown columnar centers. Noteworthy characteristics: Sombrero-shaped yellow flowers with long central cones bloom for a long time. Care: Needs average, dry to medium, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils in full sun. Intolerant of moist heavy clays. This plant is drought resistant. Propagation: May be grown from seed, but will not flower until the second year. Sow seed in early spring in a cold frame. Divide perennials in spring when young, before they become too woody. Problems: Downy mildew, powdery mildew, leaf smut, and fungal spots occur occasionally.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun Only Moisture Dry to Medium Maintenance Moderate Tolerance Drought Tolerant Characteristics Attracts Butterflies; Native; Showy Flowers Bloom Time Fall; Summer Flower Color Brown Flower; Yellow Flower Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Suitable as Annual Style Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest Type Perennials
Not yet, I hope ginagibbs, unless you've got somewhere warm enough to keep the tomatoes as they grow too tall for the propagator. March would be better.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
What do people think of heated propagators - are they worth getting? Or do you find you then struggle protecting your early seedlings once they're too big to remain inside? I guess if you have a heated greenhouse this is less of a problem!!
Posts
Clueless, could you please explain the WD40 on boots?
Artjak the WD40 helps with the clay soil sticking to the bottom of my boots
Higgy I have a blog here http://cluelessgardner.weebly.com/
I'm off now to read your blog
Clueless
I go and dig if I intend to on that day whatever the weather, I have even been known to potter on my allotment in the snow . You really do get "back to your roots"--literally
I go and dig if I intend to on that day whatever the weather, I have even been known to potter on my allotment in the snow . You really do get "back to your roots"--literally
PS- I see you've been out there now , bet it looks lovely ( don't look at the leaves )
Hi again,
Just attempted to look at your blog but the 'my blog' section wouldn't open for some reason?
On your what to plant for next year section I see you have a plant called 'Mexican Hat Ratibida' ?
I've not heard of this plant before and it looks very interesting. Can you tell me a bit more about it? Is it any good for pollinators? It's certainly accessible for them but I wondered if it is any good or one of the 'overbred' plants that are barren and have no use for pollinators?
I'll try and get on your blog again later to see if it will let me in or not.
Best
Higgy
http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/
the Mexican hat I've not grown yet however it's one that flower in it's second year and yes it's very good for pollinators this is why i bought them.
I will pull up the spec sheet later
Clueless
Botanical Name: Ratibida columnifera rah-TIB-ih-dah kol-um-NIF-er-ah
Common Name: Mexican hat, Prairie coneflower, Long-head coneflower Synonyms: Lepachus columnifera, Rudbeckia columnifera Genus: Ratibida
This perennial coneflower, sometimes grown as an annual, has a long season of flowers on thin, branching stems. The flowers resemble small hats, with yellow reflexed ray florets and large greenish-brown columnar centers.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun Only Moisture Dry to Medium Maintenance Moderate Tolerance Drought Tolerant Characteristics Attracts Butterflies; Native; Showy Flowers Bloom Time Fall; Summer Flower Color Brown Flower; Yellow Flower Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Suitable as Annual Style Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest Type PerennialsNoteworthy characteristics: Sombrero-shaped yellow flowers with long central cones bloom for a long time.
Care: Needs average, dry to medium, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils in full sun. Intolerant of moist heavy clays. This plant is drought resistant.
Propagation: May be grown from seed, but will not flower until the second year. Sow seed in early spring in a cold frame. Divide perennials in spring when young, before they become too woody.
Problems: Downy mildew, powdery mildew, leaf smut, and fungal spots occur occasionally.
Not too bored. I was given a heated propagator for xmas to play with!! going to start my leeks and tomato seeds!!
Not yet, I hope ginagibbs, unless you've got somewhere warm enough to keep the tomatoes as they grow too tall for the propagator. March would be better.
What do people think of heated propagators - are they worth getting? Or do you find you then struggle protecting your early seedlings once they're too big to remain inside? I guess if you have a heated greenhouse this is less of a problem!!