Here is my 6 on Saturday for this week. Unfortunately I was working last weekend so I have had a 2 week break. Weather has been fantastic today and with the weather forecast for next week point ring towards a cold snap from Siberia I have today made hay when the sun shines…..in February. I am on holiday next week and had planned a week of gardening but might need a blow torch and a pick add to work the ground. Doubt I will spend most of the week reading up on cultivating Dahlias, watching Gardner’s World on the net and planning on what size Dahlia bed to build in the middle of a gravel area, how to keep it moist, the impending moving of my 10ft by 8ft shed and building some beds for some climbers against a fence that will come into use after the shed move.  I even have a budget for the works to be carried out which is unlike me! Enjoy

1. My new rockery.

Ok I lie. I wish it wasn’t new rock garden. My head office is only 2 mins walk from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. So when I have to work at HO I spend my lunch time walking around the Rock Garden and popping across to the Alpines. If Heineken did lunch breaks.

2. Alpine pots

My Alpine pots and troughs are taking shape. Mostly filled with Sempevivum and Saxifrage. Have put them on the top of 3 sleepers and used 2 bits of wood to make a drainage gulley. Interested to see how these them out this year. My main problem with Alpines is that I never know whether I should grit up to the plant or leave a most of exposed gritty compost.

3. Clematis v Ivy

One of my perimeter fences is covered with Ivy. It’s good for shelter and wildlife but a tad boring.so have cleared a hole and planted 2 clematises. I inadvertently killed a Clematis last year that I had for 16 years, Contessa du Blanchford so I have bought another one. The variegated Ivy is not fast growing so it shouldn’t be to bad. Ended is east facing.

4. Cheap Heucheras

Bouught some cheaper Heucheras form a garden centre last week 6 for £3. Got to be a winner. Growing them on before I find a space for them.

5. Hanging baskets

Have bought a lot of trailing begonias so I am experimenting with the hanging baskets I have brought for them. Seeing if the hooks I have purchased are strong enough. Brought 8 hanging baskets in total and I am excited in seeing how they turn out.

6. No plant February

After failing with no plant January, I am sorry to say I have failed spectacularly with no plant February 😁😎. Not my fault that the Royal Botanical gardens have got a more exciting selection of plants for sale than a normal garden centre. Bought Saxifrage Pink Star, Primula black Jack, Begonia Winterglut and Erysium Bowles Mauve. Also brought 4 Dianthus at Dobbies and have now planted these is ceramic pots.

Thanks for reading more next week.