|
|
Post by Sheep2 on Jan 19, 2021 11:33:16 GMT
That is not a criticism.
A garden full of weeds shopping trolleys and rubbish may take a while to seem more attractive.
|
|
|
|
Post by amipal on Jan 19, 2021 11:33:50 GMT
lazybonesPull those paving slabs up, remove any hardcore, replace with soil, churn it up good, scatter wildflower seeds. Boom! Wildflower meadow.
|
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:34:10 GMT
If you really want to rewild a policy of complete neglect is the way to go. Nature (Japanese knotweed) will find a way. It sounds like you really want something highly cultivated, but which appears to be wild. This is true. I tried complete neglect but felt waves of opprobrium coming from our neighbours. (possibly imaginary). I need to make some show of 'making an effort'. |
|
|
|
Post by amipal on Jan 19, 2021 11:34:24 GMT
The Road - Cormac McCarthy. As bleak as bleak gets. I wasn't so keen on The Road. I thought it was ok. I'm not looking for bleak as in disturbing really. Nothing grisly. More bleak as in 'browsing a supermarket and thinking of failure.' More Death of Grass than The Road... |
|
|
|
Post by Sheep2 on Jan 19, 2021 11:34:29 GMT
The Road - Cormac McCarthy. As bleak as bleak gets. I wasn't so keen on The Road. I thought it was ok. I'm not looking for bleak as in disturbing really. Nothing grisly. More bleak as in 'browsing a supermarket and thinking of failure.' J G Ballard bleak rather than real life tales of the Yorkshire Ripper bleak? |
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:35:09 GMT
lazybones Pull those paving slabs up, remove any hardcore, replace with soil, churn it up good, scatter wildflower seeds. Boom! Wildflower meadow. I've suggested this but, again ... significant other scepticism. |
|
|
|
Post by scamander on Jan 19, 2021 11:36:28 GMT
A small pond is a good thing, you don't need to go down the fishpond route. Plenty of animals will use it. A pile of logs of just broken bits of wood will give cover and create a olace for insects. You can also get wild seed bombs or just a packet of wild seeds. Think about levels, hanging plants on a wall or taller plants etc. Not everthing needs to be ground level. In terms of feeders for birds, different species feed differently. It's worth researching where birds like to feed (e.g. robins prefer to feed on the floor or flat surface). I've only got a balcony but several feeders, some in cover, some higher up etc and it does attract different types.
This is excellent content. Thank you!
Levels. Hmmm yes. I might set a trellice. Grow some runner beans. A wild wall of beans.
Clymatis and Jasmine are good options. Many plants will indicate if they are good for pollenators on the small card in the pot or on the seed packet. It's worth mixing it up with these so you cover butterflies as well. It's a good idea to work out where you are going to locate each plant so check to see what they like (full light, shade and even north/south facing etc). If you have a north facing wall or similar a batbox is a cheap addition. A trellice is also good for birds as it allows a perch point for them |
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:36:46 GMT
I wasn't so keen on The Road. I thought it was ok. I'm not looking for bleak as in disturbing really. Nothing grisly. More bleak as in 'browsing a supermarket and thinking of failure.' More Death of Grass than The Road... I liked that. Yes - more Death of Grass than The Road. I could accomodate more bleak. |
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:37:37 GMT
I wasn't so keen on The Road. I thought it was ok. I'm not looking for bleak as in disturbing really. Nothing grisly. More bleak as in 'browsing a supermarket and thinking of failure.' J G Ballard bleak rather than real life tales of the Yorkshire Ripper bleak? Exactly. Considered reading Concrete Island again, but maybe want something new .... |
|
|
|
Post by RollingEscargot on Jan 19, 2021 11:39:41 GMT
We got a small pond recently. The hole was dug by 2 other members of my household and a neighbour helped install the plastic lining. I've been out for a look, it's alright.
|
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:43:10 GMT
Clymatis and Jasmine are good options. Many plants will indicate if they are good for pollenators on the small card in the pot or on the seed packet. It's worth mixing it up with these so you cover butterflies as well. It's a good idea to work out where you are going to locate each plant so check to see what they like (full light, shade and even north/south facing etc). If you have a north facing wall or similar a batbox is a cheap addition. A trellice is also good for birds as it allows a perch point for them We have ... not much sunlight. The ferns do well so I am considering more ferns. Our one neighbour is a disciplined and regimented gardener. I cower from socal interaction so don't want to be out there too much, but I would like to show that the wilderness is intentional. |
|
|
|
Post by crankcaller on Jan 19, 2021 11:43:46 GMT
OK, my pictures show in the draft but then disappear once the post is submitted. You're being pre-franked. Just like the good old days over at the G. |
|
|
|
Post by scamander on Jan 19, 2021 11:44:22 GMT
Pondchat.
I dug one at my parents place several years ago. Important to have levels in it, so a shallow shelf and a deeper part. It's also good to have vegetation cover around it. Any newts will need this otherwise they will get picked off by birds. If you can use rainwater and if a friend has a pond some of the silt from it to help give the right bacteria. If not you can buy this at most garden centres.
Using tapwater is akin to using bleach, so avoid if possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:44:52 GMT
I don't want the garden to seem like it belongs to a pair of crack-heeds
|
|
|
|
Post by Faceless on Jan 19, 2021 11:46:11 GMT
I am told that making a small pond by sinking a washing up bowl into the ground, then bunging a load of pond stuff into it, is a 'thing' that people do nowadays.
It sounds like a lot of effort to me though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sheep2 on Jan 19, 2021 11:52:24 GMT
I don't want the garden to seem like it belongs to a pair of crack-heeds I thought your neighbour was a meth dealer. You'll be increasing the salubriousness of the area. |
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 11:54:54 GMT
I don't want the garden to seem like it belongs to a pair of crack-heeds I thought your neighbour was a meth dealer. You'll be increasing the salubriousness of the area.
Our one neighbour down the corridor had the meth lab. The police were here again last night. Or at least ... marching down the corridor to bang on her door. Lock her up. |
|
|
|
Post by RollingEscargot on Jan 19, 2021 11:58:21 GMT
My neighbour plays bagpipes. I can only dream of getting a meth dealer instead.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tuffers on Jan 19, 2021 12:01:46 GMT
Neighbour a few doors up has a pond. With fish.
Word of warning.
It attracts herons. Well, it might be the same heron rather than multiple herons. I'm not sure.
Big massive scary pterodactyl sized freaky herons that are not afraid of humans.
It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until all your fish are dead.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sheep2 on Jan 19, 2021 12:04:06 GMT
My parents had a pond.
It attracted hundreds of frogs every other year.
Amazing numbers. Just for a day or two, but everywhere.
Also it attracted Andy Townsend apparently. Not at the same time as the frogs.
|
|
|
|
Post by lazybones on Jan 19, 2021 12:04:13 GMT
Our meth lab neighbour has occasionally tried to break into other flats at night with a crow-bar. Occasionally there's a ruckus and you look out and see her stalking the corridor in a teddy-bear onesie.
She has issues ...
|
|
|
|
Post by sandybahookie on Jan 19, 2021 12:12:44 GMT
I logged in for some nonsense and to have a moan and Tenthens news is like a huge sobering slap in the face (with a wet fish).
Am going to spend the rest of the day being grateful for what I have.
So sorry to hear that news.
|
|
|
|
Post by sandybahookie on Jan 19, 2021 12:14:56 GMT
lazybones Dark is good, I watched the whole shebang. It gets a bit overcomplicated in parts, but they didnt wimp out and take plot shortcuts.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2021 12:17:58 GMT
Lazy.
Ivy - needs little direct sun, can be grown in a large container and cover walls and fences. Excellent pollen and will attract bees.
Go with the ferns and grasses, again use containers.
Same for a water feature - no need to dig up a small yard - get a water butt, or something a little more attractive.
|
|
|
|
Post by BabyfarkmcGeezak on Jan 19, 2021 13:00:06 GMT
The trick with ponds is to make them as huge as possible. I grew up with one that was around 8 metres long and 8 metres wide and 5 feet deep in the middle. It had an island too for the ducks. The ducks were great, but one night my Dad forgot to put them away in their shed and the fox ate them. More specifically ate their heads.
The newts and kingfishers were nice too.
|
|
