Jobs to do as winter approaches and the garden quietens.
Rake up leaves on the lawn. Tie-in long whippy shoots of climbers and wall shrubs. Prune roses to prevent wind-rock. [Read more…] about November Gardening Tips by Wellie
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October Gardening Tips by Wellie
Wallflowers can be planted now, providing foliage ground cover all winter, and fragrance and colour next spring. Continue planting spring flowering bulbs.
Cut back herbaceous perennials that have died down. Split and divide older clumps of overgrown perennials. Prune climbing and rambling roses now and tie in stems to prevent damage in high winds. [Read more…] about October Gardening Tips by Wellie
September Gardening Tips by Wellie
Plant spring bulbs by the end of the month. As a quick rule for depth of planting, bulbs should be planted 3 times the height of the bulb. But leave planting tulips until November. [Read more…] about September Gardening Tips by Wellie
August Gardening Tips by Wellie
Summer is in full swing, and to keep your garden looking lovely there are a few things to do this month.
Dead head regularly to maintain flowering, cut back perennials that have collapsed. Continue to summer prune wisteria. Rambling roses can be pruned after flowering. Cut back lavender shrubs after they have flowered by removing flower stalks and about 2.5cm of the current year’s growth. [Read more…] about August Gardening Tips by Wellie
July Gardening Tips by Wellie
Prune early-summer flowering shrubs, such as Philadelphus, once they have finished flowering. Cut back flowered growth to a strong lower shoot and thin out up to a fifth of old, woody stems. [Read more…] about July Gardening Tips by Wellie
June Gardening Tips by Wellie
Now is the time to divide beared irises, replant sections that have two or more fans on them. Keep watering plants, especially newly planted ones, young vegetables, containers and hanging baskets.
Protect plants from slugs and snails. [Read more…] about June Gardening Tips by Wellie
May Gardening Tips by Wellie
Hoe weeds as they appear. Dead head spring flowering bulbs as they finish flowering. If daffodils have flowered poorly, lift and divide bulbs, replanting the larger bulbs. [Read more…] about May Gardening Tips by Wellie
Eastleigh parkrun 400
If you were near Fleming Park last Saturday morning (21st April) you might have seen a number of tutu-clad people – both male and female – heading to or from Dragonfly Park. What was going on? Was it a flash-mob performance of Swan Lake? A group of half-hearted entrants to a drag-queen competition? Take-your-ballet-dancer to work day?
The reason was far more exciting than those possibilities. It was the occasion of the 400th Eastleigh parkrun, and the event organisers thought that a tutu-wearing event would be a good way to celebrate. [Read more…] about Eastleigh parkrun 400
April Gardening Tips by Wellie
Feed rose bushes and check them for black spot. Remove infected leaves and treat plant with a fungicide. The tips of Marguerites, Pelargoniums and Fuchsias can be pinched out now to encourage bushy growth. [Read more…] about April Gardening Tips by Wellie
March Gardening Tips by Wellie
Dead head daffodils as they fade, but allow the foliage to die down naturally. Feed borders with a general purpose fertiliser. It is best to get supports into borders early, so that plants can grow up through them. [Read more…] about March Gardening Tips by Wellie
Newfoundlands in the Snow
I think it is correct to say that most dogs love snow, especially the thick coated dogs that are protected from the cold. My Newfoundlands, with double coats, will roll about in the snow, eat it, and will sleep undisturbed if allowed whilst the snow covers them. [Read more…] about Newfoundlands in the Snow
Places Leisure Community Celebration Day
Places Leisure (the new leisure centre at Fleming Park) held a Community Celebration Day yesterday (17 February). “You’re an active sporty type of person,” the editor told me. “Go down and see what is there.”
I tried to protest that a bit of running each week doesn’t necessarily define an active sports type of person, but actually was quite looking forward to the chance to go and have a look round the facilities. [Read more…] about Places Leisure Community Celebration Day
February Gardening Tips by Wellie
Prune late summer flowering shrubs that flower on current year’s growth such as Buddleia, Lavatera, Hydrangea and deciduous Ceanothus. Group Three clematis can be cut down to 30cm from ground level. Once winter flowering heathers have finished, they can be trimmed with shears. [Read more…] about February Gardening Tips by Wellie
Monty’s Acting Debut in Celebrity Showmance
Earlier this Summer we were invited by a ITV company to bring one of our Newfoundlands to appear in a programme which required a large dog, with sound temperament, who would work with strangers and be totally relaxed with people, crew and dogs. We chose our brown dog, Monty, who was then just over a year old and extremely friendly towards other dogs and people.
Although Monty’s father, Berkeley, has appeared in several TV shows this was Monty’s first appearance. [Read more…] about Monty’s Acting Debut in Celebrity Showmance
January Gardening Tips by Wellie
If the weather is cold and wet, why not sit inside with a cup of tea and a slice of Christmas cake and plan what you would like to do in the garden for the rest of the year. Look at seed catalogues for ideas of what to sow. [Read more…] about January Gardening Tips by Wellie
Carting Dogs in Chandler’s Ford – David Lamb
Introduction
Hello, I am fairly new to the blog, so I ought to introduce myself and explain my connection to Chandler’s Ford. I arrived here in 1973, as a student, having hitchhiked my way from Swansea, heading for Southampton University where I had been offered a place to read for my PhD.
In those days hitchhiking was a popular means of transport for young people, although it is rarely seen today. The kind person who gave me a lift for the final stretch from Newbury, dropped me off in Chandler’s Ford at the junction where Leigh Road meets Bournemouth Road and I was pointed towards the bus stop where I could make it by public transport for the next few miles. However, I had a look at Chandler’s Ford, took a walk up Fryern Hill and saw an advert for a bungalow to let. I must have made an impression on the agent who offered me the property, and several weeks later my wife and I moved into our new surroundings. Later we bought a house in Chandler’s Ford and remained here until this day. [Read more…] about Carting Dogs in Chandler’s Ford – David Lamb
Gardening Tips for December by Wellie
Clear paths of moss and lichen so that they are not a slip hazard (elf ‘n’ safety!). Check that there isn’t any fuel left in your garden machinery before storing over winter, as stale fuel is often the reason why a mower will not start at the beginning of the following season.
Keep raking up those leaves from the lawn and borders. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for December by Wellie
Gardening Tips for November by Wellie
Rake up leaves on the lawn. Tie-in long whippy shoots of climbers and wall shrubs. Prune roses to prevent wind-rock. Now is the time to prune most deciduous trees, a lot of deciduous ornamental grasses can be left until the spring. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for November by Wellie
Gardening Tips for September by Wellie
Start planting bulbs for spring display now. As a quick rule for depth of planting, bulbs should be planted 3 times the height of the bulb.
Prune late flowering shrubs and finish trimming evergreen hedges by mid September to make sure they are in shape for winter. Divide herbaceous perennials if they have outgrown their space or are looking tired. Doing this will improve their flowering and shape and invigorate them. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for September by Wellie
Gardening Tips for August by Wellie
Summer is in full swing, and to keep your garden looking lovely there are a few things to do this month.
Dead head regularly to maintain flowering, cut back perennials that have collapsed. Continue to summer prune wisteria. [Read more…] about Gardening Tips for August by Wellie