Hard at it again...

I used to set fire to the first one I ever had, it was behind the bottom pond, I'm talking 40yrs back mind, no shed or trees close by in those days, wouldn't dare try that now, not against the rules in our town but people don't like it and always complain on social media if people dare Julia, thanks for reminding me about the Pieris.....

I think I am going to do what you have done! We have a number of plants in pots that are not doing very well and I feel sure they would do better in the ground. I think yours will be very happy and will thrive where they are now.

Only been a few days W'rose and already I can see them perking up, I'm pleased I've done it.....

it must be like taking off a tight corset and you can breathe easy again ;o)

lots of hard work there then Lincs.

Yes Lincs, the “hide things away” areas can be the most important part of the garden. In my case I have every tool, machine, supplies and containers needed to create, recreate, and maintain my garden. It is a blessing to have such a space available... many gardeners do not. Thank you for having the courage:)to show it.

I, too, have too much stuff in pots and had the same idea but no real rain here for weeks and I wouldn't have enough wrist strength to make planting holes with the ground being rock solid at the moment. Will be out today watering after a very busy couple of weeks, it all is parched! (Shame about the water bill!) You've made some good changes, Lincs. Glad to hear growth is improving after all your efforts.

Seaburn that's a good way of describing it, was well worth it, I can already see an improvement in the shrubs.....

Hiya L'strife, its good to see you, always need a work space if one is a serious gardener, there's a lot of goodness comes out of that area, has saved me a fortune over the years, you can't beat homemade and that does include the compost, if it was good enough for my grandad its good enough for me....

Anget I've had cracks appearing in the garden since end of January, usually the bottom is like a sponge in the winter, hard to believe that last year I joked about growing rice in my Paddy Field, we are desperate for proper rainfall, dread to think what its going to be like soon if we don't get any, I garden on clay so know what you mean, the beds and borders that I work are built up with my twice yearly spreading of compost, you must have heard me say before that I use the "No Dig Method." I cannot get into the ground more than a few inches without literally jumping on a spade after first soaking it where I need my hole, however I'm a stubborn beggar and won't allow my age and arthritis to stop me, if I've made up my mind to do something I'm going to do it, lol....

I hear you, Lincs. Since we came 7 years ago we have added so much home-made compost and mulch on these borders, twice a year, but it's barely made a perceptible difference to the soil composition. I would need a pick axe at the moment to plant anything. No rain promised for the next week, either. Things down here are getting desperate. (That probably means the summer will be one continuous deluge, no doubt.)

Well done everybody! Things are very behind aren't they - seeds have taken for ever to germinate too. We were promised rain today but so far it hasn't materialised...

Anget I've been out there today, cut back my hellebores and tugged the leaves off the spent bulbs in the area around the Photina, I daren't attempt trying to loosen even the top few inches, its dry as a bone and like yours its solid...Probably right about the summer..

Hiya Stera, it was hot and sunny earlier, however now very cloudy and turned chilly, according to our local weather, its going to rain in the next two hours, I won't hold my breath, two days ago we had what they call a mizzle, on and off all day, in case you're wondering that is less than a drizzle, it never even wet the patio table, lol....

Busy again, Sue! You’ve really been hard at it! We had rain last night and it was most welcomed! It’s cool today and dull, but better tomorrow they say..
OH is hard at it down the back end..building his wall..feels like Hadrian’s Wall 😊. Everything takes him ages as he’s such a perfectionist!!!
He still has the path and back patio to do!
I had to fork our little grassy front patch the other day - it was solid! Hopefully it’ll start to green up and thrive a bit after it’s feed and water.

Hiya Kate, lack of rain forced me into it, glad I did though as my shrubs have already perked up, thankfully at long last we had rain through the night also, everything looked so much fresher this morning, I've been out planting sunflowers around and would you believe it, I still had to puddle them in, it hadn't penetrated the surface but every little helps...My narrow borders up near the house need turning over, they are solid and cracks everywhere, I daren't even attempt to do it, number one its too hard and two I'd end up disturbing the perennial plants too much.....
Hubby is determined to keep your bund in place Kate, it will be worth it in the end....

Wow Sue, you have been busy! And well worth the effort!
I'm sure all of these plants will do much better and say " thank you!"
I have huge pots with trees and large shrubs , but unfortunately no space anywhere in the garden for them!

I am lucky in that respect Rose, be a long time before I run out of room, if neccessary I could even remove some of the lawn, lol...The way I see it the more shrubs and perennials I plant the less work I have to do, and its easier to care for, I love it but one has to be realistic ....

I'm almost worn out hearing of your gardening activities! 😂

Putting your shrubs in the ground is a good idea, at least they will be better able to fend for themselves now! 👍😂

That's what I figured Balcony, ... I don't get tired whilst I'm actually doing the jobs but I'm careful that I don't sit too long afterwards otherwise I ache, my late mum used to have a saying " If you ache after doing hard work, go out the next day and do it all over again" in other words work it off, she was so right.....

You did well, getting that lot done in one day. I hope they like their new spots & thrive for you. Also hope you didn’t have too many aches afterwards.

F'few they are looking so much better already..
I've suffered recently with bad knees but surprisingly they didn't hurt whilst doing all this work, its sitting about or walking long distances I have problems with.....

Sue, this is such an inspiring blog! When I feel more energised there are potted plants to put in the ground and like you, it's clay here, so I always add grit to the planting hole to help with drainage. Michael used to hanker for a Pampas grass, something I dislike and would never want .....

I do like Pampas, Shirley but they get so big and make a right mess when the leaves go dry and break of, quite nasty to work near or clear away, those leaves are lethal....
My shrubs have really improved since being in the ground Shirley, the leaves on my Skimmia are a lovely shade of green now...

Sue, I think that Pampas grasses are really good as a 'stand alone' feature plant ... on a grand estate maybe!