Last month not a lot happened with regards to the list I mentioned in my last post. We do however have a fully functioning industrial style light in the soon-to-be bar area. And that’s about it. You may remember I mentioned we wanted to start laying a new patio here and you may also recall we discovered a low hidden wall too. Turns out a couple of chaffinches discovered the wall too and built their nest so now we have a little family cheeping away merrily. I’ve read they’ll be flying the nest in a couple of weeks but until then we’re avoiding any work in that area.
Finally my tulips, daffodils and bluebells burst through. The lupin foliage has appeared along with the greenery of my agapanthus and peony. Best off my much-trimmed-to-the-point-we-thought-we’d-killed-it wisteria is most definitely alive and is covered in huge buds. I ruddy love this time of year when there’s so much promise for the flowering season ahead.
We’ve taken five car loads to the recycling centre and have been exceptionally busy with a hoe clearing weeds and removing plants that didn’t make it over the winter. The whole courtyard is looking much smarter especially with the newly painted fence and wall. Removing the huge climbers back in January has left room for lots of new planting so over the weekend I headed to the garden centre to have a gander at suitable plants.
Obviously with any decor project there are a few bits and pieces to buy. I’m planning on heading down to ikea to pick up a storage bench and perhaps a few outdoor cushions too. I would love a slim outdoor rug too but haven’t had any luck tracking down a stylish runner. Please shout if you have!
A few bits to be getting on with in May
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast as there may still be frosts (seriously) so be sure to protect any tender plants
- Install a water butt if you haven’t already to do your bit for the environment recycling water
- Unveil the garden furniture and give it a coat of stain or paint to protect from the elements
- Think about planting up a hanging basket to hang in a sheltered spot
- Check for greenfly on any summer flowering plants. I usually keep a spray bottle handy to fill with washing up liquid and water to blitz them
- If it’s not too wet get into the routine of a weekly mow of the lawn
- If it’s relatively dry dahlia tubers can also be pushed into the soil this month. They’ve made a huge comeback over the last few years and make for a stunning summer display
- If you didn’t get round to it last month, broccoli, kale, peas, spinach and swede can all be sown outside or under cloches during early May. I’m thinking about growing my own kale as I’m eating it by the bucketload at the moment and my local supermarket never seems to have it.
If you don’t have a garden
- Consider planting indoors on the kitchen window sill. Nip to the garden centre to get yourself a chilli plant or a few seeds and you can can have a kitchen garden in no time.
- You could also think about adding a window box to your ledges. I love to see geraniums and box plants perched underneath a window.
I hope you have a smashing Bank Holiday Monday. Do let me know what you’re up to in your own garden and any progress you’ve been making.
Its been a gardening weekend for us too! Edd has been digging out a huge central flowerbed and turfing over it which has turned in to a mammoth job. He’s currently at the garden centre buying more top soil as after laying the turf it has all sunk so we have a big dip. Oops! I also roped in the parents who oiled all my garden furniture, cleaned and dewedded the patio, weeded the veggies, chopped wood and generally were a massive help whilst Edd did the hard work of the digging. Meanwhile I played with the kiddies! Joke. I actually painted the new shed, painted inside of the wendy house and gave it a general makeover with newly painted furniture, pics and a toy kitchen. Just got the curtains to make now. I get all the fun jobs! xx p.s. Homesense had some ace outdoor rugs when I was there yesterday.
Very productive Lottie!
Your Wendy house sounds incredible by the way!
Must check out Homesense again as the choice wasn’t marvellous when I last popped in x
I love the lamp – looks great! We really need to sort out the light in our garden. Unfortunately the weather has been very garden unfriendly so far – I’m hoping for a tad of sunshine, or at least not non-stop rain and wind next weekend!
We finally got some sun yesterday afternoon so hope you did too x
Hi Lauren,
this is a garden related request but slightly out of season…I’m moving house and would like to have fabulous window boxes (I have some at the moment but I haphazardly planted them) and have heard about the technique of layering bulbs…or lasagna planting. Could you do a wee piece on this because I need to know more and be given hints and tips etc! Ideally for year round colour with minimal fuss 🙂 I know you should plant in Autumn time…and that’s about it!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Annie, let me have a look into it. I might be mistaken but think you have to go fairly deep with a bulb lasagne. Leave it with me! x
well Lauren, I’ve gone window box mad!
Got some lovely plants to go in mine – some nice trailing white geraniums, some small pink dahlias and also some other “tall purple ball like flowers that apparently butterfly’s like” which I have forgotten the name of. I mainly shop by “pretty flower” status, rather than names!!! Most didn’t say suitable for pots but HEY, they’re sold in a bloody pot aren’t they!?
I also snagged some blue hydrangeas for by the door which I *LOVE*…
My white roses and purple clementis (I totes have a theme) are also looking very healthy!
DOWN WITH BEDDING PLANTS, I’m really enjoying having things come back to life after a winter off. 😀
Your colour scheme sounds beautiful Jo! And hydrangeas – lush!
I’m with you on the pretty flower front. Just bought some freesias and sweet peas yesterday and got my eye on some delphiniums too.
Mmmm I have recently planted my second attempt at sweet peas… I put them everywhere in the hope that some will grow… and have gorgeous freesias all over the house left from Niema’s first birthday party. They are just so pretty. (I didn’t grow those though… it was Mr Sainsburys)
Lauren I need to know more about the Ikea storage bench! I’ve had my eye on one there for a while and wondering if it would work to store outdoor cushions? Do you think they would last the rainy days and winter? I finally got around to converting our ikea day bed into a big garden seat and bought the most amazing squashy big furry cusions (actually dog beds from costco but very beautiful ones which haven’t been in touch with any actual dogs) but last years cushions didn’t manage to survive the play house for the winter and are horrid and moldy. I didn’t really think through my sizable purchase… a corner of the lounge is taken over with pet bed. Would love your virdict on the storage. Is it the wooden one with a zip up bag inside?
I really wanted the larger Ikea one but just don’t have room – I need to go for the smaller one. It sounds like it would be great for keeping cushions in though.
Loving the sound of your day bed and then furry cushions sound genius! You must let me know how they fair x