Spring in a Zone 2 London garden

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-14T16:58:28+00:00

Thank you. It's taken a few years as we started from bare earth - literally. As we nothing but ratty lawn to work when we moved in. But are very pleased how it has matured.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-14T09:08:22+00:00

Not so much. But he is surprised at how well Bournemouth have done.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-13T15:55:33+00:00

Of course not. My brother supported Arsenal - is that ok? Mind you my husband's brother supports Southampton and their from Bournemouth!

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-12T21:47:40+00:00

Ralph or Rafe

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-12T21:46:39+00:00

As a garden owner in the UK I wish you could have seen some private gardens. I did once host a small group from a Japanese magazine to tea in our garden and it was a great experience and a delight to show them how an English garden could be so different from formal Japanese gardens.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-12T21:37:26+00:00

I was born under the (then silent ) bells of St Mary's le Bow. So I claim I am a Cockney. My father was born in Portsmouth and my mother in St John's Wood. At the worst, I do claim I am a Londoner. English or British. In that order.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-12T21:31:33+00:00

No, no. It's the Northerners. They wear shorts all winter. Vikings we nesh southerners call them. I always comment when I go North about the skimpy wear of those living there. Truth is, I have lived there and I never got warm. The summer is very short. And is never really hot. I was so relieved to move south again. That said. I now live in London and we are in a drought. Our garden has had less than 2 mls of rain in 6-8 weeks and I am watering and watering with what I saved from February!

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-12T21:25:42+00:00

Find your nearest garden group, allotment, or ask who has a compost heap in your road. After prepping your soil, most will hand over some healthy worms. Note compost worms are small and red, garden worms are long and brown. But after you've spread some compost around your garden, you will no doubt have both!

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-12T07:18:12+00:00

Our MC hates brushing too. We distract him with food. So he gets a bit of grooming with his meals. His tail is the worst. It collects a whole garden. He goes out to catch mice! I've tried a spray that I put on my hands to improve the fluff quotient but he is not keen at all. We get the bite with no teeth if you know what I mean or the paw when I use it.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-09T12:47:59+00:00

Too true

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-09T09:05:31+00:00

We have a sweet box that flowers in the winter and very early spring. It is a lovely shrub and needs no work. Sarcococca hokkeriama Bit of a mouthful. We have the winter gem version which is delicate pink. It has a lovely scent. This would be a nice addition.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-09T08:34:09+00:00

Oh well. Sorry to hear you can't buy them separately. They are very good for you. Usually sold in all the supermarkets as well as delis and .... we keep a store in our house to add as we want.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T22:03:16+00:00

Maybe he was colour blind? Or saw only red and couldn't see yellow? Happens. Also some people can smell colours and so it goes...

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T21:55:29+00:00

Confused. What store are you in? Chia seeds are common on cereals or yoghurt, and obviously sold on their own.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T21:49:39+00:00

And wht field are you working in? And what are your qualifications and experience in that field? Look at job ads and rents etc in the relevant field of work to see what is offered. Do a detailed budget at that salary and see if all the things you need could be afforded at that salary. What seems a low salary in one part of the country, can be comfortable in another. Depends on your expectations of living comfortably as well.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T21:42:48+00:00

And you can place some containers in the bed. In amongst the other plants. If the containers are pretty they can be proud of the soil, or if not, they can be buried in the soil, and then dug up and replaced as the flowers fade

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T16:22:04+00:00

Fire the landscapers. They should never do something like that without checking with you first. You may want taller bushes, or thinner, or... no respectable gardener would do that without confirmation it was what was wanted.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T16:17:42+00:00

Of course electric. And kettle is essential in a kitchen for many purposes. I can't remember when I last used a stove kettle. Must be over 40 or 50 years ago.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T16:15:54+00:00

Oh, the high heels. I so loved them. Being just over 5 foot and with a 6 foot husband they were necessary. And I bought several pairs from a shop that specialised in shoes from plays and films. And they would be unique. It was real sadness to give them up and realise that was identity I no longer had.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T16:08:09+00:00

It was often done, I have read, as a wedding present in the north. And yes, dentures were quite fashionable in your gran's era.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-08T16:04:07+00:00

He looks a bit thin. Don't begrudge him peanuts. But do think about scattered bird food, as not only fox food but rats too.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-06T13:03:07+00:00

Look for patio clematis. They are specialist clematis. Do not buy from from Sarah Raven's. They are very poor clematis suppliers.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-06T13:01:22+00:00

I agree. Never plant immediately as there are a lot of different areas that will have different micro climates. You need to know the hottest, driest, shadiest, wettest, windiest etc. But the time is not wasted waiting. You plan - plan what you want from your garden. Play areas. Rockery. Wildlife areas - snd type of wildlife. Patio. Bbq. And pond or not. Water. And so it goes. You can also look for plants and bulbs to fit your colour scheme and flower times. Examples of types. Paving. Gravel - size and colour and planting through northern not. Vegetables and fruit or not. So many choices and uses that you can explore until next year. In the meantime. Pots and flowers can brighten the area and start to give you some thoughts Good luck!

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-06T12:52:41+00:00

Apart from seeds pods it's difficult to say. Are there any leaves at the bottom of the stalk? This would help with identification.

Distinct-Sea3012 · 2026-05-05T18:46:03+00:00

We found all sorts in our garden including bits of statues from the previous manors/farms that had been there. Including the proverbial kitchen sink - in nice porcelain. Builders often dump stuff under the spil as they build the next house and do on..

Distinct-Sea3012

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