Found a plant!

[sessifet]

I've found a really pathetic and small holly in a plastic pot. It was hidden by the honeysuckles and some other plant I cannot identify (but considering it was obviously conspiring with the honeysuckles, it's being removed). Hopefully it will grow enough so I can give it a spot in the garden when there's space to plant things.

The raised bed is now more than half-cleared and I have started removing roots. I don't know what the hell else used to be in that bed, but the ground is now pretty much held together by various root systems. The soil appears to be clay and contains an astonishing amount of pebbles. It's a good thing I plan to use it as a base for a raised hugelkultur bed anyway, because there is no way on earth that I'd be able to turn that soil into something usable without hurting myself in interesting ways.

I've also been deconstructing the rock wall around the bed. This wasn't part of the original plan, but it made life easier grubbing up some of the more impressive roots. The removed rocks will probably be recycled as edging for the future bed.

Ahem. So. Yes. Garden. Sorry, I'm still getting used to this whole gardening urge. I'm sure I will eventually stop going on about it every chance I get.

I'm otherwise ludicrously happy. There's still a 'wait, you mean I don't have to leave? Ever again?' quality to living here and sharing a house with azekeil. We can go and visit people and then go home together. This is a wonderful novelty.

Comments

[rpdom.livejournal.com]

Holly. Nasty stuff. Once established it's almost impossible to get rid of and spreads like buggery.

I used to look after a friend's mums' garden for him (after she passed on), and there was a huge holly tree - about 5m across and 15m high. The berries kept seeding all over the place and, no matter how much I cut it back, it kept getting bigger.

We wanted to get rid of it completely, but one of the neighbours convinced the local council that it "enhanced the view for the many people that passed it each day" (at the end of a cul-de-sac?), and got a Tree Preservation Order slapped on it. Much to the astonishment of all the other neighbours, who wanted rid of the thing too.

There's lots of other plants that you can get cheaply that will look much better and be easier to control. Can I send you any seeds? (I have mostly veg though)

[sessifet25.livejournal.com]

Huh. I did not know this. The holly type I've always known was well-behaved and not likely to plot world domination. I shall keep it in the pot, then.

I'm still nowhere near ready for planting anything in beds, but once I have an established bed, I may have to hit you up for some veggie seeds.

Thanks (for both the warning and the offer). :)

[martinoh.livejournal.com]

World domination by hollies is rare, but if you find that your pot does in fact contain the Audrey II of ilex varieties, just prune the bugger back hard in the spring. Root system will rarely grow larger than the maximum spread you allow for the branches, so keep it under control and you'll be fine. Yes, they self-seed, but just treat the seedlings as you would any other unwanted plant and remove them.

As you might guess, I like them but then much of my garden is planted with evergreen shrubs and trees. Other people's mileage varies.

[arwen-lune.livejournal.com]

Sunflowers! You can definitely find a little corner for some sunflowers, right? They'll shoot out of the ground and get all pretty and shiny, and satisfy the growy urge a little.

[sessifet25.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Sunflowers pretty. I'm sure I can put them somewhere, even if it's in a big pot or grow bag. It'll require another trip to a gardening centre, though. Hmm. I think I'll reward myself once I've cleared the old bed.

[pakennedy.livejournal.com]

uk.rec.gardening

:)

[ev1ldonut.livejournal.com]

If you don't already know, you should get Alex to show you where ratchet was buried (well, his ashes in their little casket anyway).

Sounds like it's going well, looking forward to seeing what you've done! :D

[serena-lesley.livejournal.com]

There are about of my 3 rats in that general area too, definitely best not to disturb it. *Nods*

[sessifet25.livejournal.com]

Yeeees. That'd be a good idea. I'll ask him tonight. :)

[supermouse.livejournal.com]

I love gardening vicariously. Please keep posting!

[sarah-mum.livejournal.com]

That feeling of relief on a Sunday afternoon when you realise that you don't have to pack up and go home because you already are. I remember that. It's great isn't it?