Things to do list (finally)

[reetnproper]

Finally, for the first time since November, I can get out into my veg patch and do some constructive jobs.

Last weekend I managed to clear some of the beans, empty the spent compost from the large plastic 'builders' buckets we use and to trim back the awful 'mum's bushes that his Nibbs loves but which virtually swamp my only flower bed. However the ground was still so fozen, that serious digging was not an option.

Today, after several days of above freezing temps, I have real expectations of being able to do some serious preparation work. So here is my highly ambitious list for jobs to do this weekend :

1) Dig over 2 large and 1 small raised beds, dig in chicken manure pellets into the raised bed that wont be home to parsnips and carrots this year; tick

2) Cover newly preapred raised beds with thick cardboard to warm and, hopefully, prevent weed germination; tick

3) Clear the remnants of plants out of the greenhouses and scrub small greenhouse ready for first propagators; Small greenhouse cleared - so quarter a tick for that one

4) Clear last of the bean plants from the back fence; tick

5) Raise brick surround on one of the veg beds to allow for a deeper compost/soil bed; tick

6) Sow first chillis for germinating in the house; tick

7) Sow lobelias and sweet peas, in propagator for early flowering. tick

I can't believe how far behind I am on some of these jobs. I still have 30 leeks and a dozen parsnips in the ground which should have graced my Christmas dinner tables but we couldn't get them out of the ground.

I have to say that the picture of OH trying to get parsnips out of the teflon coated ground, by use of a pick axe ("I will have parsnips with my dinner") , is a sight which shall long make me chuckle

Now, back to the list, I wonder how much of it I'll manage to complete by end of play tomorrow?

Reet
x

[leicestershirelass]

Wow .. you are organised! We cleared remaining leeks from outside and carrots from our polytunnel yesterday - they went into a very thick vegetable soup together with home-grown potatoes. We also cleared and dug some of the ground ready - will have to try and find some cardboard or old carpets to warm the ground up etc .. as that seems to be a good idea that we hadn't thought of. (thanks for that)

We've planned what is going where but need to make a start with the January sowings.

Also need to dig in 'home-made' compost and a wheelbarrow of sheep poo that we collected from nearby field.

That's our aim for this weekend!

Good luck with your endeavours.

[coreopsis]

I still have to clear the greenhouse of weed and last year's tomato plants-wasn't able to do that in the autumn.Washed most of the pots in the autumn so not much cleaning to do in the spring.
Reet,the anecdote about your husband made me laugh-I wasn't so determined to get my Christmast veg out although I found it annoying that brussel sprouts I planted especially for Christmas dinner were hidden under knee deep snow when the time came

[reetnproper]

will have to try and find some cardboard or old carpets to warm the ground up etc .. as that seems to be a good idea that we hadn't thought of. (thanks for that)

I have to give the credit to GYO for that one. Was in one of this months articles .

I've coloured the completed jobs, as of tonight, in purple but, as is always the case, managed to find a few other jobs to do as well:

8) Dug and chicken manured the bed along the back fence after clearing the beans; tick

9) Popped the empty chicken manure tub over the newly emerging ruhbarb crown (another idea borrowed from this months GYO which I know is actually March but I figured it couldn't harm anything as the crown is already growing ); tick

10) Filled one half of the kids plastic sand pit cum paddling pool with a mild disinfectant solution: Then rinsed and washed several windowsill propagators, inserts and various pots which were in the small greenhouse and then put them in the disinfectant solution, put the other half over and have left them to soak overnight; tick

A bit achy now - hopefully muscles and not the result of overdoing it, to soon, after 2 bouts of flu

Reet
x

[Snadger]

Finally, for the first time since November, I can get out into my veg patch and do some constructive jobs.

Last weekend I managed to clear some of the beans, empty the spent compost from the large plastic 'builders' buckets we use and to trim back the awful 'mum's bushes that his Nibbs loves but which virtually swamp my only flower bed. However the ground was still so fozen, that serious digging was not an option.

Today, after several days of above freezing temps, I have real expectations of being able to do some serious preparation work. So here is my highly ambitious list for jobs to do this weekend :

1) Dig over 2 large and 1 small raised beds, dig in chicken manure pellets into the raised bed that wont be home to parsnips and carrots this year; tick

2) Cover newly preapred raised beds with thick cardboard to warm and, hopefully, prevent weed germination; tick

3) Clear the remnants of plants out of the greenhouses and scrub small greenhouse ready for first propagators; Small greenhouse cleared - so quarter a tick for that one

4) Clear last of the bean plants from the back fence; tick

5) Raise brick surround on one of the veg beds to allow for a deeper compost/soil bed;

6) Sow first chillis for germinating in the house;

7) Sow lobelias and sweet peas, in propagator for early flowering.

I can't believe how far behind I am on some of these jobs. I still have 30 leeks and a dozen parsnips in the ground which should have graced my Christmas dinner tables but we couldn't get them out of the ground.

I have to say that the picture of OH trying to get parsnips out of the teflon coated ground, by use of a pick axe ("I will have parsnips with my dinner") , is a sight which shall long make me chuckle

Now, back to the list, I wonder how much of it I'll manage to complete by end of play tomorrow?

Reet
x

And what have you got planned for AFTER brekkie?

[reetnproper]

And what have you got planned for AFTER brekkie?

Lol, I was thinking about building an extension on the house

Reet
x

[gojiberry]

I really must get a list made as well. I find I manage to get a lot more done if I have a list. With having 1.5 allotments and trying to increase the fruit yield I have an awful lot to do before the growing season is fully upon us.

Ian

[Glutton4...]

I have a permanent 'To Do' list on my Computer. Periodically, I look at it and realise that I've done loads of jobs that weren't on the list, but none that actually were! Last year I deleted it, but it is time to start again. Trouble is, it will take me all day to compile the list!

Finish Raised beds
Buy Plastic for Polytunnel
Buy Timber for Polytinnel
Buy Timber for Shed repairs

Trouble is, as I'm not earning at the moment, most of these big jobs aren't likely to get done in the near future. I shall have to stick with the 'tidy up and clean' jobs that don't cost any money, for a little longer!

[reetnproper]

<sigh>

Looks like I wont be getting anything done today, except rinsing the pots I set soaking yesterday and maybe a little bit of sowing (please, please, please) tonight, in fornt of the raeburn.

Our elderly neighbour is coming for her dinner, so I've had to do some housework this morning, as OH is incredibly houseproud and, even though she often pops around for a coffee when he isn't here and the house has its' normal "a whirlwind passed through strewing playmobil from corner to corner" look (that's kids for you ), he insists that I make an effort.

Then we are supposed to be going to pick up some essential supplies such as FOOD! Unfortunately OH is feeling a little the worse for wear this morning and has decided to do some jobs on the Landy engine for 'half an hour" before we go shopping. That was 2 hours ago and I just know that the minute I change into my tatty old gardening clothes, he'll come in and announce it's time to go!!!!

So I'm twiddling my thumbs! Happily HE is cooking dinner and that may just give me some time to do somethng (rinse the pots) before I collect the neighbour at 3 o'clock!

<sigh>
a frustrated
Reet
x

[Glutton4...]

I sympathise, Reet, Mr. G is threatening to go and play with his Landy today, too. I managed to get him to muck-out and help with the Chooks first!

[Suky]

I have a permanent 'To Do' list on my Computer. Periodically, I look at it and realise that I've done loads of jobs that weren't on the list, but none that actually were! Last year I deleted it, but it is time to start again. Trouble is, it will take me all day to compile the list!

Why not add the things you have done to the list and then tick them off. List will then look really good

[taff]

I have a permanent 'To Do' list on my Computer. Periodically, I look at it and realise that I've done loads of jobs that weren't on the list, but none that actually were! Last year I deleted it, but it is time to start again. Trouble is, it will take me all day to compile the list!

Finish Raised beds
Buy Plastic for Polytunnel
Buy Timber for Polytinnel
Buy Timber for Shed repairs

Trouble is, as I'm not earning at the moment, most of these big jobs aren't likely to get done in the near future. I shall have to stick with the 'tidy up and clean' jobs that don't cost any money, for a little longer!

I have to do lists as well, but mine are divided into at least 2 lsts depending on garden location, and there's a separate 'to buy' list so at least I cross stuff off other lists when I don't buy things

[Glutton4...]

Why not add the things you have done to the list and then tick them off. List will then look really good

I used to do that! It took longer to update the list than some of the job on it would have taken to do!

[Sylvan]

I have a permanent 'To Do' list on my Computer. Periodically, I look at it and realise that I've done loads of jobs that weren't on the list, but none that actually were! Last year I deleted it, but it is time to start again. Trouble is, it will take me all day to compile the list!

Finish Raised beds
Buy Plastic for Polytunnel
Buy Timber for Polytinnel
Buy Timber for Shed repairs

Yak shaving syndrome strikes again.

I'm pleased I'm not the only one.

[Dottie]

Finish Raised beds
Buy Plastic for Polytunnel
Buy Timber for Polytinnel
Buy Timber for Shed repairs

Trouble is, as I'm not earning at the moment, most of these big jobs aren't likely to get done in the near future. I shall have to stick with the 'tidy up and clean' jobs that don't cost any money, for a little longer!

Get on freecycle for getting all the wood you need, just think in terms of adapting beds, doors etc, if no offers of old rafters etc.

Also last year when I was on a short walk close to home, I stopped and asked a builder for all the rafters and stuff in his skip. He was more than happy for me to help myself, so I quickly went back home and was back within minutes with my car.