Gardening mistakes and some offers

The flower clusters are like a star-burst

It has been said: There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments. The epithet contains more than a grain of truth. But rather like love, the saying covers a multitude of sins. Scorching hot weather, such as we have experienced this past week, will certainly show up a few deficiencies but we can also get some pleasant surprises 

The flower in our first photo shows my Ligularia. It can hardly be a rare plant but I do not know anyone else who grows one. Mine is now 30 years old, perhaps a little more. Although it regularly puts on a great show, for the first few years it languished and was on life-support more than once - revived by a good soaking . This gave me a clue as to possible remedial action

The bog garden seen from the kitchen window

Later, when I created a bog garden next to the pond, I decided to relocate the ligularia there. Then, when winter came, I thought I had lost it. However, in the following Spring, the plant took on new lease of life with a display of large leaves. From these emerged long flower spikes with bursts of bright yellow flowers. Since then, without fail, it has got bigger and brighter, year on year. The flowering stalks are now two metres in length - they make that growth afresh every summer. It is one of those plants where you see the increase every day

The indoor tomato bed when first planted up

So, a failure was turned into success. Mind you you, we tend the remember those - the successes, that is - more than failures. So, let me even the score

[Perhaps, first, I should just say a word about the author of the saying quoted at the beginning. Universally, the attribution is to Janet Kilburn Phillips. However, I can discover nothing about the lady - she remains a mystery - can any reader enlighten us?]

Tomato experiment

Our Monty (Don, of course) advises the fairly close spacing of tomato plants. So, I have given this a try (look back a few issues to get the story). Result: the greenhouse has turned into a green jungle. But I should not blame the expert ...

First to fruit was Tumbler - in a hanging basket

As part of the experiment, I planted three rows. Having a few Cerise spare (my favoured bush tomato), I put them at the front. Well, the position was right - it is fairly easy to hack them back every time I squeeze into the greenhouse. But the location was wrong - they do far better outside

Cerise is a bit wild in its habits but, as many readers have found, it will crop prolifically outdoors. I won't be growing it in the greenhouse again - too much leaf, too little fruit. That apart, I'll see how the cordon tomatoes do and report back - several different varieties being tried. Sungold is currently leading the way

[Perhaps I should add a rider here - particularly having mentioned mistakes - I am not 100% confident about my labelling. I shall own up to errors! More on this next week]]

Intrepid no-digger sets off on assignment - a tool for every eventuality

The no-dig experiment

Continuing the experimental theme, Codger has two no-dig trials going on. One is just around the corner from our own garden whilst the other is in Birmingham. I'll focus on the Birmingham plot this week and the local one next week, mattock and all

You may remember that I set out the first no-dig step as buying a bike. That was a joke, of course - I might have well told those interested to buy a large-screen TV. The point being: for classic no-dig you need a large piece of cardboard. This is simply placed on the lawn where you want the growing bed to be - assuming that you wish to sacrifice part of the lawn for a veg plot

No-dig frame laid on top of the cardboard layer

If you look up 'no-dig' on the web, you'll soon get the picture. The cardboard is to suppress the grass and weeds by excluding light. But what next? The head honcho of this method, Charles Dowding, has moved away from hard edging in more recent videos (he believes they harbour slugs, I think) 

However, for what I thought to be good reason, I decided to construct a frame from decking. Why? Well, I was worried that the torrential downpours that we had a couple of weeks ago would wash the growing medium washed away. It is far too precious to waste! 

Mrs Codger watching over the stuff

This raises a key point: what material to use as the growing medium? Well, I happened to have a good supply of wonderfully well-rotted manure stored away. This, I supplemented with a few bags of bought multipurpose compost plus a bag or two of my own homebrew

At this stage of the story I should point out a salient fact: no-dig is NOT no-work! In all I used 20 bags of material - these were carried from the back of my garden to the car (60 paces) - and, after transportation, from the car to the bottom of the receiving garden (another 80 paces)

Hence the distance covered can be calculated as: 20 x (60 + 80) = 2,800 paces. Observers wondered if I was training to compete in the Special Forces Physical Fitness Entrance Test. So, with no-dig, you don't have the work of digging, but you certainly have the work of carting heavy material to the site

After only a week plants doing well - paths still to be sorted

Once in place, the contents of the 20 bags were spread to fill the frame and then trodden down. Now, one marked bonus of no-dig is that you can plant straight away - we did and the result is already looking good - as you can see in this photo

So, what's Codgers take on no-dig? Well, he is keeping his counsel until next week when he will furnish more details and compare the two trials. The Tipton trial allowed for an extra tweak - watch out for that mattock!

Bang on the speed limit!

Hot composting (1)

As we pass on, just a quick word about my favourite gardening activity - composting(!) 

I still find readers get frustrated by cold, dank piles that don't seem to do the business. So, over the next few weeks I'll be giving a few tips. My first is very simple: chop small. I use an old pair of shears. As I add the material I chop away with a slight mixing action. I know from experience how small to chop. Think of grass mowings - you need to aim roughly for that size

To prove my point look at the photo of the thermometer. The heap had gone cold, (about 20 degrees) to 70 degrees in 24 hours. Chopping small makes a definite difference - but it is, of course, far from being the only factor. To learn more, read again next week

Pot planted with zinnias and petunias

Four offers

Yes, old Codger has been doing a few things other than carrying heavy bags, constructing frames and chopping up weeds and kitchen waste. So, here is the four-fold lowdown:

(1) Hanging baskets. Some time ago, I mentioned that I was investigating different types of basket. I have yet to find one that does not need watering (!) - especially with the weather we have had this week. Be that as it may, I now have three or four baskets available on a first-come, first-served basis. They are variously planted up with geraniums and petunias - and looking good. The photo below will give you a feel (see also the tailpiece). As usual donations go via Codger go to BCM

Geraniums in a hanging basket

(2) Colourful containers. These are ready planted up and would look great on the patio. Several available - both pots and troughs. Mainly geraniums but also zinnias, French marigolds and petunias. See photo above

(3) Soft fruit. Once again a fair range is available: raspberries, strawberries, redcurrant, blackcurrant, rhubarb, blueberry and chuckleberry. Roll up, the choice is yours

(4) Border plants. Need to fill some gaps? Replacing slug damage? Come and see what we have got - a wide range of perennials are available - coneflowers, daises, stocks and so forth - too many to list

As I have explained elsewhere, because of health problems at home, I have less time than formerly so I am no longer able to produce long lists of plants which have to be constantly updated. But there's an easy solution: come and see! The photo below is a view of one part of the border to give you a feel for the range of perennials we have available

An experiment that worked

Readers will be aware that Codger is an inveterate recycler (the making of compost being the supreme form of recycling!). That apart, and being a war baby, nothing wittingly gets thrown away - and that includes plastic milk cartoons. We usually buy the 4 pint size. A quick rinse out and they are filled with clean water - destined to be stored in the greenhouse as you can see in this photo

A greenhouse or a dairy?

During the day they absorb heat - remember the temperature in a greenhouse can rise suddenly and rapidly. During the cooler night they give back some of that heat thus, to an extent, the thermal mass evens out the day/night temperature of the greenhouse

A further advantage is an immediate on-hand supply for emergency watering. A plant in containers can dry out in an hour so I've always got water available if I spot a plant in difficulty 

Potatoes to the left, French beans to the right

Buckshee potatoes

I don't actually know if there is a potato variety called Buckshee - but it would be a good name for those that appear by mistake or accident in one of my raised beds

Watching Monty on BBC 2 last night, I was reminded that it was time to have a poke around. You can see here was surfaced - a full trug of good quality potatoes - the sort that don't have much of a skin

The tubers being unearthed this morning

Believe me, I don't plant these - they just appear! My assumption is that I must, by accident, leave the odd tiny tuber which springs to life the following season. You can see in this photo that they were growing very close to the beans. Whether that reduces the quantity, I know not. The really surprising fact is the large yield: 6kg! That equates to 14 pounds or one stone, in old money. And the growing area is less than half a square metre

Where did they come from in the first place? One possibility is an early foray into potato growing. I had read that they were good for breaking up clay soil. I certainly found this to be the case and would recommend the practice to anyone. But this trial predated my raised beds. Could the seed tubers have survived all that upheaval? Perhaps, I should add that the original heavy clay has benefitted greatly over the years from the annual mulch of homebrew compost (more tips next week!)

Ripe figs (actually now devoured!)

Almost time

Well, I think we are almost out of time. I have not done as I said and identified the flowers in last week's tailpiece - but that can wait, I'm sure. In fact, I shall give you a few more to ponder - plus proof of the weight of the buckshee potatoes

Please consider the four offers. The plants are here and waiting. Why not call in and take a look? We had three young visitors this afternoon. A convenient number as the first figs were ready for picking - precisely three of them

Older visitors get the choice of tea or coffee - drinks that is, not plants! Thanks to those who have recently donated - I would love to creep a bit closer to that target. You can check the progress by clicking here

... with best wishes from your old friend, the Garden Codger

PS: This week's extras. First, the only flower I grow that might be considered exotic. Know what it is? Clue: think water, think Japanese

Do you know what this flower is?

Here are the hanging baskets, about halfway to full bloom. You have a choice

And every time I walk up to the greenhouse I get the wonderful scent of this flower

And, finally, proof of that potato yield!

A great day!

Old Codger is dying to let his readers know that today's charity plant sale was a great success. So, hot of the press we present this short report

The weather forecast was a bit iffy, but in the event the weather was perfect - warm, dry and the odd spot of sunshine to brighten the proceedings

Not at all surprising, really - folk were obviously pleased to be there - especially as the event had to be cancelled last year

Despite earlier fears, there were lots and lots of plants to choose from. In fact, there are a good number left so Angela will be pleased to see anyone who would like to browse during the week

A difference
Codger was on duty for the first hour-and-a-half and noticed a difference between this event and the previous one, two years ago. The customers were often looking perennials and displayed more gardening savvy. Evidence, perhaps, that lockdown has moved forward the interest in gardening

And there was I, working all week, coaxing annuals into bloom in the mistaken belief that that is what the customers were after. We now know for next year!

Great result

This photo shows Head Gardener, Angela Webb, with her assistant, Keith. He is good with the money and reports that they notched £1250 for BCM - a great result

Cakes, too

Perhaps we ought to mention the cakes. Yes,

we should definitely tell you about the cakes. Learning from experience, the cake table was our first port of call - and just as well. Old friends wanted to call back at Codger's Nursery afterwards so we had something to share - yes, the Victoria sponge was whole when we bought it

And, as you can see, we are set up for the week! All for a good cause, of course!

A perfect Saturday

Since the threatened rain held off, we got the lawns mowed today. I always find that job a bit like cleaning shoes - a bit of a chore but pleasing when done. Then off to the plant sale where we saw lots of folk and we able to catch up with a sense of normality in the air

Then, back here for the cake and a chat, and two hours real gardening doing the sort of things that Monty Don tells us to do. This included taking down the broad beans. Great fodder for the compost heap

Have you noticed? Codger has not said much about compost for a while - not wishing to bore his readers

However, you may be interested to see this shot. The fungi - a good sign - had sprung overnight. I followed my normal practice of turning over the top six inches before adding grass mowings, chopped up broad bean stalks and weeds plus shredded paper

I've just been outside to check the heap (the time is 9:35pm). In a couple of hours the temperature of the heap has risen by 12 degrees - that is certainly what we want

A climbing snail

Have you ever been told that abrasive surfaces are abhorrent to slugs and snails. Clearly, no-one had told this snail. She/he/it was over a metre up the wall. they are amazingly persistent critters

Despite the recent blandishments of celebrity gardeners I still deal firmly with gastropod invaders. Mind you, I do not use poisons - we fight fair

It is worth saying that keeping a pond helps. The frogs that breed there help keep down the slugs. We get some slug damage but, generally, not enough to worry about

Even so, I was horrified to find that I had passed on a strawberry plant its very own supply of embryonic
slugs. Just look at that clutch of eggs. (I'm no expert - they might be snail eggs - does anyone know?) 

Incidentally, on the subject of ponds and fish, I thought it worth including this shot (below) of one of my carp. You most probably know about parallax - the foreshortening effect of viewing an object through water

You see the fish and get the impression that they have the profile of a mackerel or a herring. Not a bit of it! Pond fish look more like the one I have captured here

So, if like me, you are no longer sleek and slim do not worry. They are plenty more fish in the pond with the same shape. You just have to look at them in the right way

Which reminds me ...

Whatever, whatever, whatever ...

I said that it was a perfect Saturday. Actually, I missed one thing out. Another little task was to do the reading for tomorrow's service at our church. We are still hybrid at the moment - in-person and on-line - so I needed to do a recording. The passage was from Philippians 4 and I found myself reading these words ...

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things

Who could argue with that? It is worth checking the whole passage - you can do so here. Did me a lot of good. And interesting to see that it goes on to deal with generous giving and gracious receiving

All for now - a few photos after the sign-off - a long day and it's getting late (I'll hunt down the typos tomorrow when I can look with fresh eyes)

... best wishes from the Garden Codger

PS - forgot to say - there's a downside to no-dig (see previous episode) - Mattock Man will tell you all about it next week

Now for those photos - see if you can identify the following blooms

Midlands Premier Gardening Event

Tess of the D'Urbervilles - has colour and scent

Yes, we are proud to remind our readers that the premier event in our gardening calendar happens next Saturday, 10th July 

We refer, of course, to the annual charity plant sale run by Angela Webb who, along with her husband Keith - and in common with Codger - is a keen support of BCM. The Mission will be the beneficiary of all the funds raised. For obvious reasons, the sale did not take place last year. So, if you live locally why not come along and get a bargain next Saturday? - and support BCM in the process

The same roses after this afternoon's storm

Key details

The address of plant sale is 3 Huntsman Close, Coseley WV14 8RU. Codger strongly recommends that you check this on Google maps. You'll see that it's one of those locations (in a cul-de-sac) that you spiral into. PLEASE try to park a few streets away, otherwise we could get in a proper tangle. And, we don't want to upset the neighbours who, actually, are very sympathetic to the venture

The event has been Covid-checked with the local council. No QR codes are needed but those who enter the garden will be asked for contact details which will be recorded. Please wear a mask and observe social distancing. Payment by cash only. The sale starts at 12 noon and ends at 3:00pm

The weather forecast looks good - temperature 22 degrees and a 'low chance of precipitation' as they say nowadays. Which reminds me ...

Today's downpour

Wow! That was heavy downpour this afternoon. Priority this week has been given to preparing plants for the charity sale. We had fears that there might be a smaller supply this year but that suddenly changed with news of an influx from tuther side of Brum where a horticultural society has just cancelled a sale. The result? A good number of surplus plants are being donated to the Webb's sale

Be that as it may, we were gathering our resources this afternoon when the heavens opened. Measuring the water collected in an empty bucket, I reckon we had one inch in half-an-hour. Codger never seems to have enough buckets and containers of various sorts. I rarely throw one away and always seem to have use for more

Just as well: catching, keeping and transporting the fish I mentioned has proved to be this week's big challenge. We had promised half-a-dozen fish to a loyal reader of this blog - no sacrifice as we are overstocked. Codger laboured for a week and only caught one tiddler, oh dear!

Time for new net but, even so, it proved to be slow work. The fish have an uncanny knack of sensing the slightest threatening movement. Anyway, the final result can be seen in the photo

[For those interested, the container is a 5-gallon plastic keg with the top removed and polyester rope handles fitted. Note the way the rope ends are sealed by burning the frayed strands. However, great care is needed when doing this as the melted plastic can give a nasty skin burn.]

A bit of help

The pond and the fish are great attraction to visiting children. The grandson of another reader bears witness to this

In addition to the pond we have an old-fashioned handpump; this draws water from our secret reservoir (more excitement for another time!). Children are invariably thrilled when they discover that the pump actually works. The photo demonstrates the level of enthusiasm engendered. (Looks like an impressive golf swing to me!)

Our first tomato

Please excuse a shorter episode this week - we are still getting ready for next Saturday. But I must show you our first ripen tomato. The variety is Tumbler. The blurb said it was extra early and this has proven to be correct. I have three plants in a hanging basket - a rather crowded hanging basket. We will be checking it for flavour in the next couple of days - I must say that it looks promising

Black Hamburg

"But what about Black Hamburg?" I hear you say. Well Black Hamburg is doing fine. Here's a photo taken today - a bit early for fruit, of course. But bearing in mind its three-week bubble-wrap journey from Holland, quite remarkable!

See you soon ...

For those living locally, it would be great to meet you face-to-face on Saturday. Perhaps that should be mask-to-mask - until then or our next episode ...

... best wishes from the old garden Codger

PS - just about time for one extra photograph