Monday 20 April 2009

BLOSSOM, BRICKS AND BINDWEED


At last the long anticipated blossom on the Cherry tree is in flower isn't it delightful?

I have been busy trying to sort out how Blotanical works it is fairly simple if you bother to listen to the short tutorial but I joined and was so busy looking at all the lovely blogs that I didn't bother to find out the mechanics. So I apologise to anyone I overlooked replying to.

To any garden bloggers it is a very interesting site to use and there is a link from my side bar.

The other thing I have been busy with over the last few days is my brick path. On one of my posts it was clearly noticeable that I had not weeded the path amongst many other places. So I set to, to weed. This is quite a feat for me with my Lyme legs as I have not been able to kneel even on a soft bed for 4 years so even now I can only kneel on a kneeler for max of 5 mins and most of it I have to stand and bend not so good on backs or legs.

Right so that was the weeding. I have long since given up on the idea of help from Mike because he does not consider the path a problem. It was laid 30 years ago with bricks that were in the garden and found there and about. Some engineering and some house bricks. The house bricks have started to disintegrate from the weather as was to be expected and we could do with replacing but always on a budget that's another thing on the list to do.

After the weed I decided to scrape out the old soil and fill the gaps with sand, builders in the hope that the chemicals will stop the weeds even more so, but I had not realised how yellow builders sand is so the path now looks like the 'Yellow Brick Road' hopefully it will tone down in time and when I need to top dress after the rain has settled the sand I may find a kinder colour of sand to use.

For a change from bending down I decided to walk round the garden, of course you can't go far without finding another major challenge and this was the Bindweed. I always find the sight of it so depressing and although I have already pulled out lots there were arms full left to deal with and that was less than half of what I need to do. About 20 years ago I noticed and admired my first Columbine flowering in a peach tree that has long since died and a Viburnum Burkwoodii at the bottom of the garden in the opposite corner, little did I know what a menace they would become. Well they haven't quite met yet but the whole of one side has now got Bindweed along the whole length of the wall so not something that can be pulled out by the roots so as the head gardener at Lamorna in St Mawes Cornwall, does, I pull out what I can when I can and try to keep it out of the clematis which is a real battle.

I won't bore you with a photo of Bindweed but thought I'd show a far more interesting climber that is showing it's potential already.



12 comments:

  1. Good Morning Joanne
    Your cherry blossoms look incredible as does your yellow brick road!!
    Have you tried painting vegetation killer directly on to the unwanted plants? I use it on quack cgass that spreads everywhere and also on thistles and it does seem to work. I use a very long handled artists brush so I do not get it on myself!!
    Painting weeds is the only artistic talent I have . . . :

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  2. Joanne, lovely post, I enjoyed reading it. I use boiling water (often there is some left in the kettle) on the weeds in my gravel and it works a treat. My worst weed is celandine, lovely flowers but they spread so fast and smother other plants, they also come through weed suppressant fabric. I little and often is really the best way - good luck with the bindweed.

    Best wishes Sylvia

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  3. Hi Joanne

    Your garden looks lovely. I was looking at the path photo and just thought how 'brimful' your borders look. It's only mid April.

    I like your structures by the way. Teepees and the like.

    Rob

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  4. Oh your cherry blossoms are beautiful! I like your brick path, it looks perfect winding through your garden. Is that wisteria in the last picture? I can't wait to see it in bloom, I bet it's amazing!

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  5. Like Sylvia, I use boiling water on the weeds in the cracks of the sidewalk and patio. It works very well (with little bending). Best of all, it's no-toxic. Just be sure not to spill it.
    The cherry blooms are beautiful. They look like bouquets tied to the tree.

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  6. Alison I do occassionally paint leaves but There is too much and too many plants around to do this also was not particularly successful.

    Sylvia Yes that is a good suggestion. I will remember for another path.

    Rob Thanks the tepees are coutesay of Mike and they are useful for tying in the roses. I am toying with adding clematis to some of them but not sure yet as they get a lot of sun.

    Catherine Thank you yes it is Wisteria growing above a Banksiae rose a cutting from the one in the back.

    Northern shade thanks.

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  7. My dear Joanne. Thank you for visiting my blog yesterday and for your kind words. I am so sorry you have had to endure so many years of pain and misdiagnosis. I have chronic depression as you know and I can empathise with the feelings of hopelessness. I also have inoperable double vision so I understand frusration and drs just looking at you and passing you on.

    I'm so pleased things are better now and you can conquer the stairs, have more independence and enjoy that beautiful garden. I will watch with interest as you write about it.

    P.S I LOVE your cherry tree. I love the blossoms so much I have a tattoo on my wrist of one!! x

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  8. Dear Carrie I was touched by your response. Thank you.

    I have been so amazed by what I have learnt about Lyme Disease and experienced, that I find it difficult not to suspect many illnesses with unknown cause should be properly assessed for Lyme. I have learnt that infection left unchecked can cause many health problems, drepression and double vision both possible consequences. On Eurolyme I am in touch with many patients some who suffer both these symptoms but several other symptoms too.

    I have decided to add to my many Lyme links a link into symptoms and characteristics. I realise that it is often easy to read a list and believe that is your complaint, self diagnosis is not always a good thing but in the case of Lyme with the current political shinanikins it is esential to be your own advocate and find a specialist doctor to asses you.

    Sorry Carrie I am not directing this at you in particular just afraid I get carried away once I start on Lyme topic.

    I was lucky as with many other people when put on a dose of antibiotics I could notice a distinct improvement in my symptoms.

    Carrie I am pleased you enjoyed my blog and hope I haven't put you off coming back to enjoy my garden. I will be enjoying your blog and hope you find a way to manage your health problems.
    Joanne

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  9. Your cherry blossom looks a treat Joanne - would that they would hold on to their flowers a while longer :) I like the way your path wanders - what about planting a few thymes Highgrove style to thwart the weeds ? I thoroughly understand your battle against the bindweed. My allotment plot is cursed with the stuff plus marestail :( I do like a challenge !

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  10. Hi Anna

    I agree over the Cherry Blossom.

    Re Thyme I have tried before in paths unsuccessfully, I can't keep on top of the weeding and the heavy wear and tear from boots and wheelbarrows.

    I did grow thyme alongside the path and am considering doing this again.

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  11. You've done a great job with the path. I like the yellowish hue to the sand. It makes the path look like it leads someplace magical.

    Cindy

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  12. Cindy Thanks you made me smile. Actually it leads to the greenhouse which is always a magical place for me. But also compost, small pond, potting bench, cold frames and shed.

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