Alexandra, I am one of your many fans, I truly never miss an episode. So many good applications on your “chunk-it-down”theme here. Let’s count a few: each dispatch from your shed + each subscriber + each plant that thrives + each happy moment in the garden + each delicious home-grown herb + many more to be sure! = a year of happiness and respite in the garden; it was ever thus. In our family we say, one thing done is one thing less - applies to weeds too! Thank you, keep up the good work!
I’ve had really good luck using newspaper to suppress weeds in hard to handle areas in my beds. It molds quickly to the soil as soon as it’s wet and breaks down on its’ own. Of course you will need to put mulch on it to hold it in place and hide it. I did use thin landscape fabric in my woodland garden to control wisteria, trumpet vine and poison oak, ivy and sumac (all growing wild in these parts 😅😩). It worked like a charm and it’s thin so I’m slowly tearing it away after a year. I will always have to keep a watchful eye as it pops up everywhere. Now when I’m digging I’m finding earthworms for the first time in this bed and the soil seems healthier as the plants are growing larger without all that vine competition. I know weed suppression can be a hot topic but fabrics really can work if seen as a short term strategy. Thank you for your wonderful videos!
Oh I’m in NJ, USA, zone 6b. We have lots of rain so many weeds, clover is a particularly difficult weed to control especially the type that is low to the ground, there’s just nothing to grab a hold of.
I very much agree. But I had to differentiate it from the 'Spring garden tour and tips'. Perhaps I should have called it 'Not the late spring garden tour and tips'.
Thanks, this helps! I am a lucky bastard, because I don’t mind weeding that much, but as a novice gardener I am anxious about sowing and raising plants. My garden has so much I don’t like and want to change, like pebbles and this black plastic underneath showing through anyway. And fast growing evergreen hedges, too many shrubs, overgrown trees in a smallish garden (it’s huge to me, haha and I do love it even though it is thoroughly un-me!). Could you may be make a video sometime about slowly changing an inherited garden? For beginners? I think in the beginning the process is so much more important than the results. As I have some veg garden experience, I’m trying to sow flowers with mixed results. Very very happy that I splurged on bulbs in the winter and ordered a shipment of compost early spring. I feel I need to work on my basic skills and the basics of the garden first and not run off to the garden center and buy a bunch of plants. But I keep feeling that I should do a lot more than I am. Just not sure what and when.
I do the fifteen minutes thing (or 30 mins. depending) for the house chores, hahah. Now after this break watching your lovely video, and lovely Lottie, I'll get back to what I was doing before.
I live in Hawaii so we are quite spoiled because we have lots of warmth and sun. Thank you for all your videos! You inspired me to do a cottage garden and I’m probably the only one in my city that has a cottage garden! ❤️
I love that you have a sprout of your Cotinus tree, that is such a beautiful tree in your garden. I also like the idea of having a definite border around your meadow - I have to do more of that in my yard.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Ha, ha, dread is what I felt when you talked about Nick Bailey digging down his whole flower bed and you said you did that also. You have more energy than I do, Alexandra!
My middle-sized garden is 3 years old (it was basically just grass and trees and weeds before that) and I've been developing a new section each year. This spring I'm having to excavate a long border that is 7' by roughly 28' which i have discovered is riddled with oriental bittersweet roots. The bittersweet unfortunately thrived in the rich compost i added last year for my newly planted shrubs, completely overtaking their root balls and bringing them to within an inch of death! So now I am having to dig out the whole bed to a depth of 1-2feet and pick out the bits of root fragments just like you described before I can plant the new shrubs and perennials i bought to plant there. It is an incredibly overwhelming task-- I heard a gardener describe double digging as soul destroying and that feels about right for this job. I've really had to practice the art of patience and slow perseverence... Thanks for the lovely video-- it's nice to know I'm not alone in feeling overwhelmed in the garden sometimes!
Thank you! A very experienced gardener told me that if you layer mulch on top of your newly weeded bed, then any remaining weeds will grow in that top layer, which will make them much easier to pull out without further digging.
I've been hooked to your channel for the useful information, inspiration, the short interviews from so many gardeners; experts in area of their individual interests and just for the pure joy of gardening. Looking forward to all your videos to come.
Oh i loved seeing how your meadow is growing! Sounds so encouraging to have regular help and advice with it! Thank you for sharring with us the process!!
This was fascinating learning about the meadow, I'm really inspired to try making one! I love your videos Alexandra because I always learn something new. And your spring garden is lovely!
I use "eat the frog" at my house for those jobs that I know I procrastinate on, and sometimes it helps, haha. I like your honesty in that sometimes after making a list it can be even more overwhelming than it was before!
This is such a helpful video. I needed it about two weeks ago actually. I think I'm on the end of the busy spring season & most of my garden is in order.
It's been so cold and so very dry that I think that, in my garden at least, it's around three weeks behind. I keep a photographic record of individual plants, plus major sections of the garden, every year. It's handy to compare year to year. Apparently here in the UK we're in for a cooler than average May, except possibly for the fourth week. My worst weed problems at the moment are dandelions everywhere throughout my "lawn" and bindweed snaking under the fences from non-gardening neighbours. All ideas welcome!
I agree bindweed is a nightmare, and we've been so cool that it hasn't appeared yet. We keep a 'daisy weeder' which may also be known as a dandelion weeder, by the back door and my husband rushes out in a fury about twice a week. For some reason, he is incensed by dandelions, although he doesn't notice any other weed. Regular pulling is the only answer to bindweed, but I doubt you will convince your neighbours.
I just wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. You are a huge reason as to why I was able to get my first Dahlia tubers into the ground yesterday. I have a lot more to learn (you can see in my profile if you're interested in a super amateur video), but I wanted you to know how much you inspire others. I have been saving up to buy my first home for 13 years, and one of the main reasons I wanted a home was for the garden. I finally purchased a home in December and have been frantically researching ever since. I would love to one day be able to sell a some flowers in my local community, you are truly an inspiration!!
Very good ideas, dear Alexandra. This late spring, however, is SO cold, that I still feel it's not even early spring, and I have to force myself to do any gardening. Seems to be same temperatures here in northern Germany like in Britain, allways around 0°- 10° C. ... shiver
I totally agree. Everything has slowed down, although here it is quite warm when the sun is out, the temperatures drop as soon as the sun goes down. Quite difficult as we are meeting people outside, too.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden that's it, Alexandra. Use to meet a girlfriend for morning coffee outside at the yacht habour, former fishing harbour. So cold 🤣😂
I love big garden's , but I'd never own one... I'll be happy with my court yard garden and pots...it gives me more time to visit national trust properties to enjoy someone else's effort around the country.❤️🇬🇧
Chunking it down, is how I have to approach all areas of life! :) . I also think your mini meadows may look more 'intentional' if you, as you say, define the rose borders, and let them be a separate element. What if you mowed a frame along the edges of each bit of lawn, and left a 'medallion' of meadow on each side? I think no one could mistake that for an unkempt front lawn. :) . I've planted in various spring bulbs around our old apple trees, and there we leave the grass alone (until it doesn't look good anymore). I also plan on sowing, or planting in, daisies, and other meadow flowers. Thinking of creating a low, basket weave, willow fence around each 'apple tree meadow'. . By the way, if your spring is late, then our Swedish one is even more so. Cherries and apples are yet to blossom. Only the earliest Narcissi, and Scilla Siberica are in colour...
Thank you. We're working on installing an edging around the meadow areas to separate off the roses, although as with everything it's proving more time-consuming than we had thought.
Tremendous advice this time, thank you!I Particularly appreciate the tips on time management and how to keep a meadow presentable. Jane's advice reminded me how I've nursed a tiny columbine for four years and it finally grew bigger and flowered this spring! Sometimes waiting instead of pulling out a slow performer is worth it! 😊🌷
Ooh, and maybe next year your tiny columbine will spread. It's quite a struggle to keep my nerve - at the moment the transition from lawn to meadow just looks messy, but I'm really hopeful that it will improve.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Good luck! As your climate seems to getting warmer and drier in summers, I predict that your wildflowers will increase through selfseeding and will flourish during the season. ☺️🌺🌼
Hi Alexandra - I got directed to your channel as someone said you might need help/advice with the meadow area. I have been creating wildflower meadows for over 16 years now, from small gardens right up to acre sites. Happy to offer advice so that you have a lasting meadow and one that needs the least maintenance :) Best wishes, Joel
I am working on my beds and meadow - I’m in coastal plain North Carolina, States, zone 8. I’m learning to plant what native plants grow locally to support butterfly and bee populations. It is a whole different thing than planting “general” native things, per states. Our native insects, etc. are in dire straits. Still, I grow lots of roses - none of them native. I’m interplanting them with natives - and putting a sign in my front lawn that has a bee on it and says, “Pollinator Work Zone.” I’m in a neighborhood with one inch high lawns, so this is my, “None of your business,” signal. It’s none of their bees wax what I grow. In fact, I think it’s a matter of aesthetic and consciousness. And aesthetic is a shifting thing.
You’re lucky you haven’t got complaints or fines from the city council. I have heard of quite a few such cases. Being mindful of the environment and preferring natives is great however one doesn’t need to be all that strict in an ornamental garden. As long as flowers produce pollen local insects don’t mind if they are native or not. I have a couple of hybrid hellebores (with big simple flowers) and I was surprised to see them visited by bumblebees in February, which is very early for pollinators in my area. An expert even advised (always talking about gardens) to prefer non native if they produce more pollen and cover a longer season. Providing alternative food sources at times of the year when there’s less availability in the wild can even be more beneficial than just planting natives.
I love your garden. I live in Michigan, USA and I try to do weeding in the morning when I take the dog out to run around. He gets his exercise and I pull a few weeds.
It is so hot and humid in Virginia in the summer that I get up and work in my garden until the sun comes up and then head for the air conditioning. Surprisingly, I really get a lot done that way!
Thanks for the tips. Time to check my seedlings and pot some up. I don't have space for a meadow in my tiny size garden, but I'm enjoying watching your and the Garden Ninja's meadows progress.
Your dog is so beautiful and transforms your garden into a magical place! And s/he was snacking in the video to help with the weeding! What a wonderful dog! :)
I love your 15 minute breakdown - this is how I think I naturally work, though sometimes I have to push through. You've inspired me on the meadow. Warmest regards Jennie
That’s great news that you tackled that shady corner! I tried my hand at a meadow garden by tossing a lot of red clover in my grass to give it a green carpet look and later a red when it flowers but only about ten sprouted. Well, what little did grow will help the grass grow greener and improve the soil when I mow it. Maybe it will take a few years before the red clover spreads into a carpet, like the cosmos did in their planter.
I’ve been doing this this spring. I am a list maker and that list is so long come spring that it’s discouraging. I’ve started planting plants in try beds and weeding around them at the same time. Previously, I’d spend days weeding and then amending and then needing to recover before planting. I’m much happier this year!🤣
"Chunking it up" really is the best advice. 15-20 minutes here & there is the only way I can get stuff done in my garden while raising kids & homeschooling. I love the idea of a mini meadow but we get far too many nasty & aggressive weeds around here so I'm working on faking it with carefully chosen perennial grasses & flowers that are easily distinguished from native weeds. USA hardiness zone 9 in Northern California means I can grow a lot of things mentioned in Middle-sized Garden videos but my season starts earlier (by quite a bit) so I am making plans for next year. I really appreciate this channel😊
Thank you for another lovely video. I always tell myself, “The most difficult dance starts with one step.” I just do one thing until something starts to feel stiff, then I switch activities! And before that I “procrastinate” by going around, deadheading, and doing some little things. Instead of landscape fiber I use 5 sheets of newspaper with a couple of inches of free mulch from our town on top.When this breaks down it enriches the soil and I add more on top.
Thanks. This video offered me to identify "knautia" wich growth in my meadow, brought by wind or birds. I love it, and wanted to multiply . It helps. Just like many of your tips. (Please pardon my english, I' m a french gardener)
I really appreciate your comments about getting overwhelmed, I’m just getting to that point. I’ve been spending 3 to 5 hours a day in my yard and it is looking good. This is my first year of actual gardening end it has been lovely. I’m hoping to set up irrigation over the next week or so. I grow a lot of annuals from seed and have purchased about 25 different perennials from some lovely well experience gardeners through Facebook. I’m looking forward to actually sitting in my garden with lots of blossoms around me.
I have done sections of my garden,but usually pick the easiest section first, then run out of desire to follow through. So last year I actually brought out a timer with me and gave myself one half hour./ or one hour no more. This worked better because I didn’t get overwhelmed all in one day. Thanks, always enjoy your videos. 👍❤️😊
I bought red campion plant two years ago , they self seeded all over and I'm digging up seedlings and distributing them all over . I shall later have to weed them out judiciously i expect, and sow some later as I absolutely love them . I'd like to find some more self seeders as they fill up the garden and save me work and money. We had lovely annual poppies but they've disappeared ! And have selfseeding aquilegias . Hollyhocks getting established and I hope they will self-seed. K
I did a blog post on this (it was before I was doing much on RU-vid so no matching video) with 25 self seeders, which may help: www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/the-25-best-self-seeding-plants-to-save-you-time-and-money/
Have you found a fire element for your yard? Maybe that dark corner in the back could host a firepit? I see brick firepit built up against the corner, utilizing the corner. Would be lovely.
I would like to do that, but I think we're probably just planting it up for the time being to see how it works. A fire element really is something I'd appreciate but just at the moment, we can't agree on what.
Thank you. I enjoy watching every video you put out. Really enjoyable to watch, and always so helpful. We’ve been working on a mixed cottage/wildflower rock garden in the back garden, and a loosely themed and mostly native sub-alpine rock garden in the front garden. Between all the preparations and hardscape being added in, it’s rather hard to keep up with simpler tasks like weeding and seed starting/potting up. But the 15 minutes a day method really helps, though I don’t have a specific thing I choose to do in that time. I just go outside almost every day for at least that amount of time, and do whatever I encounter (like weeding, transplanting, plant pruning, etc.)
Hello, Alexandra. Your garden is looking lovely especially the tulips with the euphorbias. I appreciate all the tips you give; however, if I were to limit my weeding to your15 minute suggestion, the garden would be overrun in no time at all. Have you noticed that weeds grow faster than cultivated plants? A week hence will be my 16th anniversary living here in this rather remote area. Over time I have learned to recognize the weeds which of course change over the seasons but never ever stop so I end up weeding in January weather permitting. I will however adopt making a list because procrastination is all too easy. Thank you for another informative video.
Thank you - and I think it is very much a question of garden size - my main problem is that I can't make myself do even 15 minutes weeding a day sometimes and then it really does get out of control. But you're right, weeds are always with us, and maybe it's better not to worry about them.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Wasn't it Gertrude Jekyll who compared weeding to meditating? That is what I try to do so now I off to do some very serious meditating! Bye.
Really interested in the progress of your wildflower garden. I've started one this year but took up turf first. I've got a nice patch of mud so far but hundreds of seeds have started to germinate.
Thank-you that's helped me make some decisions, I'm having a lot more trouble with my back this year , so making some plans to minimise work , or raising it up into pots nd raised beds .
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank-you. I thought it was just gardening, then I got a new bed . When the old one was being taken away I saw it was completely broken down , all the slats were hanging off . I thought I just needed a new mattress ! I think the new bed and very firm mattress is putting my back right . I wonder the physiotherapist didn't suggest it ! K
I have cedar or some type of evergreen sapling sprouts that I just can’t “weed” out. I’m going to put it in a pot and see what happens. So, for me, waiting too long to weed does bring some surprises like you said, but also more responsibility haha
I don't know about needing to change the soil in potted plants. The reason I don't put perennials in pots is because the roots will freeze if not taken inside over winter. And "somehow" I've become to old for that. My only nemesis is dandelions. And it's been a very dry Spring here, too, especially since last year's 2nd wettest on record. My last frost date is May 8th although who can know anymore. Idaho, USA, 7a.
You must be colder than we are - we so rarely freeze, but thank you for pointing that out. Funnily enough our frost date is also 8th May....even though we're on the other side of the planet with quite a different climate.
I’m in zone 6b, NJ (colder). I use resin pots for my perennials and leave them out all winter. They look beautiful and won’t break if they freeze. My bonsai pots are another story ugh, 2 of them froze this year as they are ceramic (it did take 3 winters to break them though)
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I've been searching for the Yellow rattle seeds in the US. My goodness, the only UK company accepting $ says because the post is so sketchy now, they're not shipping except in the UK and Ireland. And the one US supplier only sells a packet of TWELVE HUNDRED seeds! I didn't need quite that many. 😁. And the only other option I've seen is to cardboard and topsoil over the lawn. I must say....that isn't going to happen. Any other suggestions for getting the wildflowers to survive the lawn situation?
@@planttasticcookinggardenin1561 Well, well, they certainly want blood for those resin pots. You'd stare in amazement if you knew how little I live on each month. You might even laugh thinking I'm joking. Thank heaven this 1910 bungalow is paid off or I'd probably be in my truck. 😆
I myself almost never change the soil, unless it’s for repotting in a bigger pot or pruning down an overgrown plant. I think (just an idea) the phormiums suffering may be caused by build up of salinity or something similar caused by fertilizer.
Helpful video; I especially liked hearing about wildflower meadows and the wax and wane of different species over the years. Can I ask what you do with old compost from pots when you replace it with new?
I just throw old compost either into the garden compost heap or into the back of a border, on the grounds that it will slowly assimilate with the other elements of the soil. I don't know if that's very scientific though.
If it is lawn grass then it is probably too vigorous and the seeds may not survive. This video should help: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-akVORa8BPG0.html
I watch and love all your videos. I just realized i do not understand your house! The front garden looks tiny and the back looks huge. I can’t work out the shape of your entire plot of land.
Thank you! I'll try and come up with a map in future videos - the front garden is the width of the house, but the back garden is L shaped so only the first 40ft is the width of the house and then it doubles after that. I think it's possibly that the front garden looks a bit smaller than it really is, but the back garden looks bigger?
Alexandra, I think you speak far too fast and the videos move along so quickly I don’t get a chance you look at the beautiful gardens. It’s all a bit fast and frantic. I was looking at your video of the different garden styles this eve and it was all way too fast paced and quick. Do you need to race along hardly catching your breath and taking a pause. It’s not relaxing or enjoyable speeding along at that pace
I think you have a very good point, and thank you for making it. I've slowed down a bit since the earlier videos, but will continue to keep an eye on this.
