Re: Gardening Thread.

[Lamplighter]

I shouldn't have said anything. It's raining again. Your hostatriffids wouldn't like it, LL.

Oh they do like rain, they got a lot yesterday evening about 4 hours worth! Today has been about 24C and dry and there seem to be no clouds in view. LL

[Sabot]

Please God I can cut some grass tomorrow. It is fast getting out of hand. There is absolutely no point in cutting grass when it is wet because it just falls over, and then you have to cut it again.
My life in Summer revolves entirely around The Weather. It is almost all I ever think about.
And then some bloody owner comes along and decimates it by cutting it too short, just when it was beginning to look good. They do save themselves a couple of bob, but The Lawn is ruined. I am still trying to resurrect one lawn by allowing parts of it to grow, but I will fail because the moss has taken over. The Moss will have to be removed before it takes over the entire Lawn. But I can't see him paying for that.
I guess that it is nearly time for me to stop doing this because it is upsetting me too much.

[Sabot]

My beloved Baby peed on the floor three times today, and it is still only 7.30pm. And it isn't even bloody well raining. I do know that he is getting old, but he isn't incapacitate enough yet to have him put down. In fact, I often think he is more healthy than I am, except that I am not yet reduced to pissing on the floor.
I had words with him, like, "What is this, you rotten little swine?' At which point he hid under the table. And then peed again the minute my back was turned. But he jolly well knows because he barely pokes his head around the bannister when I arrive to clean it up yet again.
Thank God for tiled floors, is all I can say.
Nowadays I just hope that I will know when he has gotten beyond a reasonable life. Or better still, I hope that he will just fade away one dark night. This is always a problem with old dogs. His life is coming to an end. But not just yet, I hope.

[bb1]

Or he is trying it on, Sabot? Dogs do lie, you know.

[Sabot]

This is always possible, Bonny. He certainly knows that I am besotted. I have had him from the moment he was born, and such a dear baby he was. But Shar Peis don't generally live to be twelve years old. Although more than enough care and good feeding went into his young life. And now I cook up his food everyday because he is allergic to Commercial Dog Food, the horror of which you would not believe, until you start looking at it. But most people don't have the time or the patience.
The one thing I have learned is that all of those Vaccinations, repeatedly, every year, not only cause problems, but are actually not necessary. Two Rabies Jabs will protect a dog nearly for ever, if not actually forever. And the same applies to every other Jab.
In fact if you are sensible about Vaccinations and feed a dog with some care, then it will almost certainly live much longer, as this rotten little swine is proving. So, No, I don't really get frightfully upset about him pissing on the floor. Although I might if he was pissing on a carpet. But that isn't an issue here.

[Sabot]

I have just in passing, noticed my Clematis Seed Heads. They are quite startlingly beautiful. Gold metal swirls like fancy pot scourers. Such a bonus when I thought they had done their bit for this summer.

[Lamplighter]

Latest on the Hosta Triffid scene:

[bb1]

Wow! The pigeons have eaten a couple of my baby sunflowers. They don't seem to grasp that I am growing them for their benefit....

[Sabot]

That second Trifid photo made me laugh, LL. One lone flower, and so brave.

As for Sunflowers, Bonny. That is what must have happened to the one of mine that vanished. I did actually search high and low for it, but not a sign. Silly birds. Time The French got going and shot a few around here. Absolutely delicious if you cook them properly. But then they are wild, you see. If only I could get hold of a few wild Rabbits.

[bb1]

We seem to have an enormous thunderstorm building up here; it's been damp and muggy all weekend, but it's most unpleasant this evening.

The sky is going an odd colour, so I am praying it finally breaks and we get some clear air and sun.

[Lamplighter]

That second Trifid photo made me laugh, LL. One lone flower, and so brave.

It's new to my flowerbed, Sabot, only arrived late last year as a gift from a neighbour, I am giving her a cut off the big one when I can get at the root. This is the small one's first time flowering; if it behaves like the big one it will be much larger next year! LL

[bb1]

I don't have hostas, LL, so have taken to hosta-spotting in nearby gardens. I can confirm that yours are most excellent specimens

[Lamplighter]

I don't have hostas, LL, so have taken to hosta-spotting in nearby gardens. I can confirm that yours are most excellent specimens

Thanks bonny! I may have to employ an armed guard if they go on growing like this. Iwould not be happy if me hostas were nicked! LL

[Lamplighter]

It's getting bigger and there are more and more flowers .... LL

[Sabot]

Finally got to cut some grass. Long and sopping wet as usual, but it was getting out of hand again. I must be insane if this is the best way I can find to earn a living.

But my Tomato and Bean Plants now have lots of flowers. This doesn't always mean lots of Tomatoes and Beans. But I live in hope. Except that I am now getting worried about Tomato Blight. In the past this has only happened to me with shop bought seedlings, and I have grown my own this last three years, but I do know that they don't like too much rain. But nothing to be done about it except to wait and see. That's Gardening for you.

[bb1]

Who What Why: Are British slugs under threat?

A "super breed" of slugs has arrived from Spain, but are they a threat to the UK's native slugs?

The wet weather has resulted in myriad problems for people around the country and now there is another - it has helped a "super breed" of slug from Spain flourish in the UK.

Numbers of the creature commonly known as the Spanish stealth slug, Arion flagellu, are growing fast in the UK - helped by the wet weather - and threatening native molluscs, say experts in the field.

Another Spanish slug, Arion vulgaris, has already become a huge problem in Norway, attacking farms and gardens. Researchers fear the same could eventually happen in the UK.

Why the Spanish stealth slug poses such a problem is its aggressive breeding cycle. It produces hundreds more eggs than native slugs and so numbers multiply quickly. It also brings with it new diseases and parasites which can kill British slugs.

"It is a real concern," says Dr Les Noble, a slug expert from Aberdeen University. "I have been collecting and analysing data on slugs for 30 years and it is clear to me that this incoming species is getting a foothold in the UK and spreading."

More at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18672728

This is your fault, isn't it, Sabot! You aren't chucking them over the fence, you're chucking them into the Channel Tunnel.

[Sabot]

I was wondering why I haven't had many Slugs lately. They must be emigrating. Although I can't say that one breed of Slug killing off another is going to be of any great concern to me.

[bb1]

Personally, I couldn't tell a Spanish slug from a British slug....and don't really want to....

[bb1]

I am pleased to report that it hasn't rained today, so some gardening got done

[Sabot]

It hasn't stopped tipping down all day here. My washing on the line is sopping, and I haven't been able to do a single thing that needs doing. This means that I shall retire to bed feeling thoroughly guilty because I have been sitting on my backside all day enjoying myself.

[bb1]

There is, apparently, torrential rain heading in this direction, Sabot, though the weather was glorious first thing this morning.

[lily]

I read earlier that a month's worth of rain was expected to take place within a 24 hour period.

[Sabot]

At least I have managed to drag the dog out into the garden several times today. We both got wet, but that is better than rivers of pee. Mind you, I was awake at 4 o'clock this morning so we did get off to a good start.

[lily]

[bb1]

I wasn't quite as early as that, Sabot, but it was lovely and sunny at orange juice and yogurt time

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