So it’s official. Work has had no other option than to put me on the government backed scheme to pay 80% of my wages due to the COVID-19 crisis. It is what it is and hopefully as a nation we will get through it better at the other end. I suppose 80% of something is better than 80% of nothing as my friend says. Also O think it is our duty to be self isolated whilst the wonderful men an women on the NHS fights this virus.

So what should I do with all this spare time. Well of course the most important thing is to look after the family but of course with all this spare leisure time it would be madness not to spend most of it in the garden and go for a walk every day…only one walk of course! To keep a record of these unusual times I have decided to write an extra mini six on Saturday blog about the garden. I mean it is Spring and there is so many new flowers to feature. This extra blog will be shorter and festive pictures and a short description.

1. Sedum Confusum

This Sedum is a ground covering Sedum but if you grow it in a pot it can take on a shrubby appearance. This one was being grown in plastic pot and it was pot bound a bit so I repotted it today in a larger terracotta pot. It will be interesting to see if this will effect the colour of the leaves. At the moment the leaves have taken on a lovely orange and red colour.

2. Sempervivum Doeskin and Tesoro

Spring is such a busy time in the garden. As well as Spring Bulbs and Alpines flowering all succulents start to wake from dormancy including Sempervivums. As mentioned in previous posts during the winter Sempervivums will lose all the leaves on the outside of the plant, the plant will allow the leaves to rot on the outside so the centre of the plant remains intact. At the end of winter most of the big rosettes look a bit crusty with all the dry dead leaves so I spent an hour yesterday picking off the dead leaves. Featured above is 2 of the best looking ones at the moment Doeskin and Tesoro. Both plants have dark but vibrant colours which will change colour and shape throughout the year.

3. Beer for my Slug traps.

Another little errand I have done this week is to get together all the beers I have in the nooks and crannies around the house. Of course I have done this to see if I have enough beer for the beer traps for the slugs and snails over the the warmer months and the thought of cracking open the odd beer when doing the garden has never crossed my mind.

That’s all for the moment catch my six on Saturday next week. Please take it easy out there and remember we’ll come back stronger at the other end.