Day three of days off work and I’ve managed to plant a bit more. But it’s been in an area of the front garden with lots of valerian and golden rod and blimey is that stuff difficult to dig out! I have dug in lots of bulbs. Scilla, anenomes and white pom-pom alliums. But there was a big chunk of the valerian root and it’s given me an excuse for a seat.

The gardeners are in next door and it’s all I can do to not ask them to do an hour getting rid of my nemeses. I’ve also spent a while on the side wall which is covered with Ivy. Another of my least favourite plants.

Speaking to my neighbour a lot over the last few weeks I’ve spotted her using a squeeze bottle of something that kills the weeds dead. I suppose I could do this now that we haven’t got a dog but the lasting effects do worry me. s

She has definitely applied it to some of the mares tail and it turns it to silver almost feathery strands. I am still pulling it out and doing arm exercises and keeping myself nimble. I must keep telling myself that!

I’ve ordered a couple more peonies for the front (naughty!) as I know they do well in the shade. Although the red one there at the moment doesn’t look all that happy (is that because it’s nearly October?) and I don’t want the garden to be empty for the whole of winter.

Needing more plants… sorry not to include any flowers!