Thread by @sara_hjelm

I’ll not start a garden blog, but I like to keep track of what gets done & ev. get reactions and tips from others. As I’ve just finished one hashtag, (#midsummercountdown) what should be the next? To followers + #GardeningTwitter, please vote or suggest
Giving this a week…

Anyway, I did an attempt to clean roots & move these perennials, but was held up by thunder, rain and hale. I’d better go out and put them in pots before they drown. Just waiting for a bit better weather …

Putting this thread in Swedish from today here …
No hashtag yet, so vote⬆️

Male Wren is now very busy delivering larvae to the ivy. No sounds yet so probably only eggs so far

https://twitter.com/sara_hjelm/status/1541099492417617925

Today the open space on other side of the street was cleaned & I started to prune the ivy again, but now the wrens have moved in, so you have to be careful

Tomorrow I get guests & some help cutting another third of the lilacs. Weather will be fine. If you don’t look close, it looks awesome, but there are areas …
Time also to replace that garlic with something else, weed & move a few foxgloves
I’d better see to the guest room..

This is how far I got lawn mowing today. If it was hot yesterday, today was just as bad & tomorrow will be worse …

The nearest lilacs were properly pruned - this years third meant half of the remains … the amount of branches is staggering. That picture shows just the first heap.

Instead as evening approached & my family guests had had several in between baths we grilled a flap steak for late dinner (yesterday we only managed to eat gazpacho)

Time to call it a day … Down to 15° now.

Ever considered building a smoker to cold smoke, meat/fish, just any kind of food? I have. For many years… it’s been a dream. I’ve read multiple descriptions - getting a barrel, building a smoke canal, etc
This is sooo smart … very tiny as well

And here we go. Two pieces of curated salmon in there. We’ll see the results tomorrow
And there is colder weather and rain on its way …

Hashtag decided … #sarassummer22
Sunday, so curated my website, a typical inside day -
+15° & a full day of rain ahead
I’m cleaning the kitchen benches after my houseguests left yesterday, having coffee, listening to @dylanwiliam & @RogersHistory
Have to share these jasmines…

This week has been a havoc of Ed politics & not much gardening was done. I finally did some weeding yesterday, way overdue, but first of all I’d like to share this wonder outside my bedroom once again before all petals fall & it is pruned
#sarassummer22

There are options today. Not too hot, +20°, bit cloudy on & off + dry…:

More weeding of flower beds + spreading manure
Mowing grass
Cutting branches
Moving perennials

It’s too windy for grass seeds & spraying weed killer on things with deep roots
#sarassummer22

Along the fence it’s obvious where that cheaper soil came from, every single weed found in an open field sticks up. But when a farmer can use plow & harrow I’m stuck with manual work & a hoe, balancing along the fence to reach all
No wonder the clematis grow slowly
#sarassummer22

In the end I mowed the grass, or rather the part that has grown wild since beginning of April. I’ll take the front tomorrow & do some more weeding. Enough for today…
#sarassummer22

It’s a mild & still evening. Gardening right now is tedious as it’s mostly about weeding… it’s slow going and not so fun to get rid of things instead of adding, but at least first emptied pot of pansies got some lavender instead
#sarassummer22

I did manage to clean 2,5 flowerbeds.. ready for manure tomorrow and some wateringo
#sarassummer22

I also cleared the space around the berry bushes, but lots of weeds along the fence. Same for them tomorrow, manure and water.
#sarassummer22

This will fit nicely in the empty space in the background once the roots are cleaned and it’s divided up
#sarassummer22

Then comes pruning bushes. The smaller lilac, some space and boost for this Manchurian walnut that is now shadowed by both the azalea and the plum tree. It’s had 10 years since I I got the small plant from a friend. With fur trees gone at least it gets light
#sarassummer22

And this rose under the bean tree needs both light and some support
#sarassummer22

… tomorrow … at 9.30 pm after a webinar break, today’s gardening was over … now it’s almost dark. Twilight
#sarassummer22

That was late … lots of mistakes in the text 🥱

Never got as far as the bushes. It was hot midday spent inside. My neighbor who goes for a swim in the morning says the water is pretty cold. No wonder with 2 cold nights. This night will be warmer. It’s cloudy. Very still, feels like a thunderstorm on its way
#sarassummer22

So I’ve deadheaded day lilies and irises, really cleaned the flowerbed to receive it’s plants back. Found a considerable ant nest in the process. Watered all pots, weeded some more along the fence & finally dug up this last specimen.
I’ll take care of that tomorrow
#sarassummer22

The lake is like a mirror tonight. Very pretty.
still +17° now quarter to 10
If forecasts are correct, tomorrow will be cloudy & better for getting things done. We do need rain though
#sarassummer22

This took quite some time today
Untangeling roots from weeds without soaking them in water proved impossible. I’ll take on long rubber gloves tomorrow & give it another try
The space got cleared/raked though. Used to be a very mossy part, so in need of topdessing
#sarassummer22

Spent part of the day slow cooking … Pulled pork in the oven, in 3 layers of aluminum foil, so tacos in some form tomorrow
It was a try to empty some of my fridge in the basement + I might get guests for lunch. Smells fantastic. Leaving it to cool down overnight…
#sarassummer22

Except for eventual guests a mulching machine arrives. I’ve depended on my neighbors’ for years by now since mine broke down. Same model but hopefully improved. And I need one more than they do
Coming week will be colder- way below 20° daytime + some rain
+15° now

#sarassummer22

Most of my plans were accomplished yesterday, but I did not unpack this
On the other hand I managed to get rid of all cardboard accumulated in the garage. Very empty. Ready for cleaning up.
#sarassummer22

The pulled pork is repacked, ready for the freezer 👍🏻
#sarassummer22

These roots cleaned as far as I could manage. Ready for replanting.
I’m waiting for these clouds to reach me and give some shade before I tackle the remaining weeds along the fence & in the last flowerbed
No rain until Monday, so grass seeds will have to wait
#sarassummer22

Adding todays tread here
#sarassummer22

https://twitter.com/sara_hjelm/status/1549324580631764992

Today & tomorrow we get a bit of the European heatwave, not as severe, but still. Some machines washing is the plan… first started!
Gardening can wait or be in the shade
I could use a bit of tidying up though, tools everywhere right now…
+29° at 13.15 pm
#sarassummer22

The heat will peak at 3 this afternoon
I’ve hung the washing & I’ll do as little as possible before it cools down
The last flowers to be replanted are better off where they are for now. I might move the irises to the shade as well
#sarassummer22

This looks brilliant & is not as heavy as I thought. The diameter is perfect. You probably don’t need that stick in the middle to secure it which would include drilling a hole in the fundament
#sarassummer22

This was put in place 3 days ago. Today, Sunday we finally expect rain for the next 48 hrs
#sarassummer22

It looks like I did not accomplish anything today, but I dug up the bulbs of the dark purple and yellow tulips & put them in the dark garage to dry completely & wait for October. I then spread grass seeds everywhere needed. Only the robin has been interested so far
#sarassummer22

There is no way to avoid climbing into that flowerbed along the fence again - with a hoe and rubber boots on. Soil is stone hard. But the crocosmias stick up. Suppose they need a year before they flower
#sarassummer22

By the patio these need to be cut down. Right now they and the foxgloves cover where the last blue plants are supposed to go.

Under the window one of all the sunflowers that the birds spread during winter is doing really well and soon needs some support 👍🏻
#sarassummer22

I’ve ordered new nematodes to deal with ants. I keep finding ant nests on all possible and impossible places 😡

With all tools under roof it’s time to call it a day and go inside
It is now +17° and very still…
We really need that rain
#sarassummer22

Monday, +19°C & rain

What a blessing! So much easier to breath
There is nothing like summer rain, I open windows to the smell

All things growing wake up & quickly turn a brighter shade of green

It will be interesting to see how those very old grass seeds will do
#sarassummer22

Nemathodes will arrive today, picking up, putting in the fridge and fight ant nests …🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜
🪣🚿🚿🚿
(Or hopefully the last date for use before they die off can be adjusted to next rain…)
#sarassummer22

Looks promising👍🏻
#sarassummer22

For some reason producers are situated in Umeå up north & send parcels (sensitive live content) via postal mail & lorry to my pick up place (with no fridge)
Not even marking with “keep cold”
Journey started Tuesday 17.45 am, new lorry in Örebro yesterday
#sarassummer22

Early morning today it reached nearest mail central at the Gothenburg airport 10 min away & I suppose it’s loaded unto one of their lorries right now… this is the kind ordered nematodesdirect.co.uk/nemasys-fruit-…
#sarassummer22

Today is Saturday July 30
I’m doing a multitude of things
Cutting down hedges & jasmines
Realized I have to assemble my shredding machine before any further work
So much cardboard & so heavy
Reading instructions…
Lifting it in place is not an option for me
#sarassummer22

I also made room in the flower bed in front of me for the last perennials. Thinking of the bumble bees & bees I put some on my now orderly patio table. Immediately found
#sarassummer22

I’ve never seen as many foxgloves as this year. I have a full bucket that grew in the lawn up front - to be replanted somewhere better
Now a delivery to pick up, a tiny plastic stool to sit on.
I could use at least 1 more wheel barrow, all the stuff to move around
#sarassummer22

Plus a better back and stronger arms.
We’ll see how far I get today
Early tomorrow I’ll need to go and get a photo for a new driving license, preferably before any Sunday shoppers arrive at the mall with the photo box.
#sarassummer22

It got a bit hot for awhile. This is how far I got after a break inside. I must say these have improved a lot since the last one I had. Best thing is that you can put the container for mulch over the whole machine in case of a shower instead of moving it under roof
#sarassummer22

Then watered my chilies and harvested the first. And my ex (trained photographer way back) will come by and take a driving license photo tomorrow. I don’t have to drive some 30 km to a photo box at the mall👍🏻
Enough for today… tomorrow is another day
#sarassummer22

Early summer morning last day of July at 5 am, +15° out there, very pretty …
Dawn is now more than an hour later than it was when I started this thread

#sarassummer22

Almost a week has passed
Today it’s NOT supposed to rain
Time to start on the long gardening list!

I did get penicillin for my imp bite, finally started my mulching machine (almost returned it), got a photo & applied for new driving license

Now +17° & still wet
#sarassummer22

Among the few things achieved was starting to replant the last perennials. 3 to go, but the irises are in place
#sarassummer22

The matter with the mulching machine took quite some time and lots of effort. One tiny detail was overlooked- to secure the underneath box to start it

Booking a time to get penicillin prescribed was also mighty time consuming (feeling much better after 2 days) 👍🏻
#sarassummer22

I finally got in contact with the firm that sells same gravel that I already have. I had none left of what I bought 10 yrs back
Remains to order it
Two 1,5 m3 sacks (finer 0-0,18mm/top layer 8-16mm) need space, so a day for help spreading remaining soil is needed
#sarassummer22

Yesterday was just too cold and uninviting… nothing much was done outside
Today seems to be another cold day, +15° & tomorrow we get rain
Seems priority 1 is to keep the patio in order. I need to cut the ivy & get rid of those plants, a new lamp bulb by the door…
#sarassummer22

After all I spend most time on the patio
So far I’ve defrosted the tiny freezer in the kitchen & ordered additional groceries. Started a washing machine.

Time to get gloves, the high step ladder & get started as soon as the freezer is refilled. Down to -18° now
#sarassummer22

I’ll not get a date for clearing space for gravel until Sunday & there is no panic
It’s the huge project of coming months:
-a narrow path along the logs
-finishing the last part of retaining stone wall around the patio
-moving more bushes/plants (perhaps rhubarbs)
#sarassummer22

Pretty satisfied with myself…

*The lamp was changed👍🏻
*The ivy was pruned more or less. Remains the inside under roof, but the critical point was clearing the x and where I pass in & out. I can do the rest tomorrow, so leaving the step ladder in place👍🏻
#sarassummer22

*All plants are in the ground
Turns out it will only rain in the morning tomorrow, so time to cover around them with cardboard and top it with planting soil
Remains 2 pots to go elsewhere. 1 “maybe cherry”+1 small ailing holly hock
Patio suddenly looks very tidy
#sarassummer22

I should probably go shopping tomorrow at a garden center. Get new grass seeds. The ones I spread sure were too old
And I could use some additional bedding plants & a couple of pink/white/red perennials. Maybe…

Grabbing my tick off list🥳✔️
Time to call it a day.
#sarassummer22

Monday 8th of Aug
Ordering gravel…
By tomorrow this pile of soil will be gone, distributed into uneven spaces & giving room for two 1,5m3 sacks, + some 150 cobble stones
Weather forecasts look good for today. Time to go out.
#sarassummer22

Did some serious planning today. And read up on how to treat my new thorn free blackberries - something to hold onto, cutting tips. Only one branch is 2nd year. Rest on the 4 plants are new. Used the very last bit of my first fence purchase
It will need a frame …
#sarassummer22

The planning included drawing a sketch + places for soil from the heap. Always more fun than doing the actual work
Next would be to assemble cardboard, place it to keep out weeds & finish the front side pruning & branch shredding. Nowhere to put the mulch before.
#sarassummer22

#sarassummer22
That replanted flowerbed looks fantastic. Finally 2,5 years after being emptied. But there are still goat weed underneath, sticking up here and there, so one layer of cardboard around the perennials before new planting soil …

It’s 8.45 pm & +16°
Lots of midgets after the rains
Tonight will be cold, but the coming week looks really good. Perfect for crawfish parties. You can sit outside…

Time to grab a book for some reading. The news are not too uplifting these days, so no TV…
#sarassummer22

Tuesday evening and done … ready for sacks of gravel to be lifted over👍🏻
Most weeds behind the logs & all nearest to the fence are also gone, climbers got some manure as well
3 well spent hrs of hired help
#sarassummer22

Now I really need grass seeds for where all that soil that was spread … Plus hurry up with cardboard before new weeds.
#sarassummer22

And delivered! Awesome…
#sarassummer22

Monday & it’s not like I’ve been totally idle…
It has been hot
Spent time preparing mulching: assembled all cardboard in the house & garage (1 full sack) & cut stripes, 30-40cm, to go along the fence to suppress weeds
Cut up paper bags will cover rest of the area
#sarassummer22

Also put cardboard in my goat weed infested flowerbed before a layer of new soil. But it’s only been possible to be outside in mornings and evenings this weekend.
#sarassummer22

We are now expecting rain … the soil behind the logs is super hard. It’s almost impossible to remove the remaining weeds with their roots. So, I wait…
In the meantime I picked the first blueberries today. Enough for a tiny pie …
#sarassummer22

Cross my fingers the rain will come today, the first clouds just sailed in overhead …
The birches drop their first leaves and the bird cherry is slowly turning yellow. So far these are the only signs of drought. Grass is still green and it’s +28° in the shade
#sarassummer22

Tuesday & very pleased to have
- spread the grass seeds
- cleaned another 8m from weeds (only 5m middle section remains) & at the same time pruned rhododendrons and deadheaded roses

All this before thunder and rain
Tomorrow will be colder
I’ll finish then…
#sarassummer22

Wednesday has been another very warm day. Finally all the major weeds behind the logs are gone & the thicker cardboard strips placed along the fence & around the climbers.
Had to take a foot bath afterwards & soak my clogs. So dirty. You’d think I walked barefoot
#sarassummer22

That last meter was pure willpower on my part…
Got time to take the cat for a walk before the first rain drops. We are expecting more later. I hope a lot.

Time to go inside & find something to eat
#sarassummer22

And look how lost I am … it’s Thursday
Already😱
One day lost (& it sure was hot). Nothing was done outside yesterday
The above was accomplished today

It is now 7.30 pm & +21° as the sun sets
Still not any of the promised thunder. Only that brief shower…

#sarassummer22

Saturday and finally weather for shredding …
#sarassummer22

Friday was waiting for rain. Almost all my equipment is electric so not usable in sudden showers
First it was supposed to rain at noon, then 2 am, then 3, then 8
I planted lavenders while waiting, put paper & straw around blueberries & manure for the other berries
#sarassummer22

That promised rain started at midnight
Today is much better, reasonable temperature, +20°, not 26°
Thing with mulching is that 1st the soil needs to be wet, then the layer cardboard/paper needs to be watered. Last you put mulch on top
We’ll see how far I get today
#sarassummer22

1,5 sack of mulch so far and mostly leaves left of the gigantic pile … the rest of the Jasmine branches will require tiger saw. Ended by making room for the machine under roof beside the fire wood.
#sarassummer22

At 8.30 pm it is +15° … tomorrow we are promised more heavy rain in the afternoon/evening. There should be time to get more done before that. At least spread that mulch. And pick more blueberries. Time to call it a day …
I water my chilies and head inside!
#sarassummer22

It has been more than 6 weeks since I posted anything in this thread, but my gardening more or less came to a standstill due to several infections & in the end wide spectrum antibiotics. Takes a while to recover & by now autumn is on its way. Time to clean up…
#sarassummer22

The garden is by now a mess.
Before the first infection I ordered sets of roses, nepeta and pink lavender & today, first day I felt reasonably ok & it’s not raining all day, I have managed to get the last of them into the ground in various places
#sarassummer22 .

Up front the last Jasmine branches to be shredded are waiting for tomorrow & I,ve got a brand new electric hedge clipper, (still waiting for the battery, hopefully tomorrow)…
#sarassummer22

One thing I did manage to do is put up the bird feeder before winter + order more peanuts & new sturdy feeders. Remains to cement the pole into the hole. The tits are very happy and the woodpecker has found the way back as well.
One more feeder is on its way.
#sarassummer22

Seems tomorrow will be another dry day. Grass cutting is out of the question - it’s soaking wet - but I should be able to move the rhubarbs to behind the logs & dig up the Solomon’s seals to take their place by the hammock. Plant dug up small foxgloves up front
#sarassummer22

The thorn free blackberries that I worried about at the start have grown completely out of proportion and will need sturdy support to survive the winter …
#sarassummer22

Half past 5, it will soon be dark, time to call it a day and make some dinner.
Tomorrow …
#sarassummer22

Monday Oct 3:rd and perfect weather for shredding branches, maybe even cut some grass …
No sign of any batteries yet, but some screws arrived (for some reason they divided up my purchase into 3 deliveries, lots of unnecessary petrol to get those here…)
#sarassummer22

I’ve decided to avoid any news & stay more focused. Lol…
So far I’ve watched a YouTube posting of a wedding in NE Canada, realizing that I’m very happy to not have daughters getting married there (must have cost a fortune & very strange both setting & ‘must do’ arrangements💶😱)

Time to get going …first ☕️☕️☕️

It has been a couple of busy days …
The branches are shredded and the sacks moved to beside the logs
#sarassummer22

All the dug up foxgloves are now in the ground - some beside the bins by the garage.
#sarassummer22

I never got as far as moving the rhubarbs though, but cut down perennials from the flowerbed under the window are now in the compost. And look at these … I was so worried they would not have made it, and here they are - red clematis beginning of October ;)
#sarassummer22

I gave up at 4pm. Next 3 days we get rain. And warm weather. So time for reading etc inside. Perhaps start to take fuchsias, begonias and geraniums inside. Cut down the first chilies.
Tomorrow… Almost dark by now - this was at 4.30.
#sarassummer22

Yesterday was rain, VERY wet & windy, but I managed to spread nematodes along the logs, in all pots & in the sacks of shredded branches before dark
Today, Oct 7, is better: +13°
Battery for the hedge clipper is waiting to be picked up
With ☕️ finished, let’s go!
#sarassummer22

Got the batteries & charger. I could have gone with the system I already have, but that hedge clipper was too heavy
For some reason this kind was cheaper if you did not buy the whole kit from one place but divided up the buy 🤔…
#sarassummer22

Got batteries charged & tried it out cutting down some perennials & started on the hedge.
And it’s perfect❣️
Then rain so no option but go inside
I don’t know if you can see how far I got, not very far…

I have a tomato tart to bake for dinner
And a book to read
#sarassummer22

Now for that book …
#sarassummer22

Oct 18 & it’s time to do an update of this thread
My gardening is advancing with the speed of a snail, interrupted by rain & high winds. Today at 2 pm it’s +11° blowing again. And raining.
As can be seen I finally managed to cut the hedge last week.
#sarassummer22

These last weeks I’ve worked on cleaning the patio, emptying pots and taking things inside. Tonight will be cold, so these are ready to take inside temporarily. Seemed a pity to cut down the begonia. I’ll let it dry on the stairs before I store away the bulb
#sarassummer22

The geraniums, rest of begonias and November cactus are inside already. This lot in the guest room. I think I’ll get some more cuttings … I have nowhere really ideal to keep plants alive during the winter in severe frost. I envy people with a non heated attic or greenhouse

The chilies have also been cut down and moved inside. Plenty of room for all 16 here and the Piri piri/Birds eye one waits by the computer, for a few more fruits to mature before it’s moved downstairs to join them

Today I had planned to clean up this mess. So many leaves that it’s a challenge just to collect the pots and move them inside the garage
I salvaged 2 of the plastic barrels from the old jetties as my neighbors built 1 new substitute - for rainwater & whatever
#sarassummer22

I’m considering making green chilie paste from the last of this years harvest. Painting the wood for the frame to support the black berries along the fence is not possible today & I’ve seen quite enough of the news today.. Perhaps some reading …
#sarassummer22

Two really cold mornings with possible frost ahead. Wednesday and Thursday.
The space inside the entrance door is now full of flower pots and paint …
#sarassummer22

That’s better, and sure enough there was slight frost this morning at half past 7
Finishing my coffee and on the way out to deal with some of yesterday’s plans …
#sarassummer22

Very pleased with today’s accomplishments 😊
Pretty cold to start with but the afternoon was ok
Time to go inside…
#sarassummer22

All barrels except 2 very picked up today. I heard them, but did not check by whom. I suppose those left are the ones with holes. One more cold night but sun again tomorrow, so perhaps some painting
At 6 pm it is now below 5° and very calm.
#sarassummer22

Saving place in the freezer tonight … chiliepaste en masse
#sarassummer22

Today I have help, cutting branches, blowing leaves, watering nematodes where ever needed…
So many leaves😱

Vice progress alteady. In the rain. Front done already
#sarassummer22

Sorry .. ”Nice progress already…” of course
My fingers are numb from the cold. It’s +11° but feels much worse in the wind and rain. The forecast says better weather after noon🤞🏻
#sarassummer22

Half past 4 and outdoor progress indeed. Not time for everything, but most. Nematodes in every possible corner. All current leaves gone
Up front, my part of the street is impeccably clean. Cuttings from the pea shrub are stuck in the ground to fill out the hedge
#sarassummer22m

High branches in the corner are gone, providing neighbors with view of the lake again and resulted in a giant heap of branches to shred in dryer weather. Space behind the logs is cleaned of weeds & the sacks of already mulched branches emptied around the climbers
#sarassummer22

It all looks very tidy compared to this morning. But it was cold. And rained on and off all day. Even with woolen socks you had to go inside every now and then.
#sarassummer22

I cross my fingers that the fairly warm weather keeps until I get help again in a couple of weeks. Still no gravel spread on paths or bushes relocated.
Time to call it a day … something to eat and a rest
#sarassummer22