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Post by Cherry on Oct 10, 2011 7:42:21 GMT
I was asked by two people at WI if I have "put my garden to bed". I have heard this term before, but don't know what I am supposed to do for this. Gardening is even more intensive now that the summer visitors have gone and the weather is more clement.
If it means do I have pots of bulbs planted up for next spring, well, yes, daffodils are in, but not tulips yet. If it refers to bedding, well I don't grow bedding plants. I do have a few baskets in the dog kennel.
It must be a British term and I want to know if you have put your gardens to bed and what you think it means.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Oct 10, 2011 8:22:38 GMT
I've been thinking about this while I've been clearing my veg beds of french and runner beans and giving it a general tidy before winter.
I think it will be for those who don't garden through the winter. They will cut back all that needs to be cut back, do a bit of weeding and general tidying, perhaps a mulch of compost and then leave it alone until the following spring. Putting their garden to bed.
I could be wildly wrong but it made sense while I was doing my own bit of winter tidying.
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Post by Geranium on Oct 10, 2011 8:26:57 GMT
Yes, that's what I understand by the term. It's the people who don't want to do any gardening in the winter months. They're the most likely to cut everything back to ground level soon or already, don't collect any seeds, probably don't even have a greenhouse.
Their gardening year runs from Easter to October! (Poor things...think of what they're missing.)
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Post by esther on Oct 10, 2011 8:47:08 GMT
I use the term 'putting the garden to bed' - to me it means having a good tidy up,getting all the pots planted and the greenhouses sorted i.e putting away any plants that need protection I must admit the only gardening I do in Winter is to look after my greenhouses You could call me a fairweather gardener - I don't mind ;D
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Post by Geranium on Oct 10, 2011 8:49:01 GMT
But you have greenhouses to tend - so you're gardening!
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Post by peony on Oct 10, 2011 10:06:28 GMT
I agree with all that has been said. I put my garden, meaning my herbaceous perennials and dormant plants to bed for the winter, but I still do 'gardening' jobs - watering plants in the greenhouse, raking leaves, tidying and mulching whenever the weather is good enough. Its the plants that 'go to bed' not the gardener ;D
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Post by Geranium on Oct 10, 2011 11:53:25 GMT
What a good description, Peony. That's spot on. ;D
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Post by grindle on Oct 10, 2011 13:12:57 GMT
I don't cut back my plants until late winter/early spring, I just tidy up. If it's mild I like to be outside, if it's freezing like last winter, I clean the windows so I can see outside ;D
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Post by SueA on Oct 10, 2011 14:27:52 GMT
Me too Grindle! ;D
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Post by floydie on Oct 10, 2011 14:38:30 GMT
My garden is still wide awake so no i haven't . Once everything has finished i will be chopping back, mulching, planting bulbs etc but i still have young plants inside to look after plus lots of seeds to sow . Ive been out to play school with Elliot today, walking back Ive noticed alot of people have cleared away there pots and borders already! Why not leave it that bit longer?? .
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Post by merlin on Oct 10, 2011 15:46:32 GMT
Generally we all "put the garden to bed" for winter though us 'all weather' hardy perennial gardeners are daft enough to do it in the cold. I draw the line at frost n' snow so prefer to do what I can before Nov. I've spent all morning digging out clay soil and neat clay that would do for a 'potter' in preparation for two more roses as well as my St. Swithun. 'Golden Celebration' and Louise Odier or James Galway....... I think but I won't be collecting them for a couple of weeks so there's time to change my mind lol When I worked in newspapers the term 'Put it to bed' meant the last process was done and ready to print.
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Post by Tel on Oct 11, 2011 7:37:13 GMT
I used to put the dahlia beds and one or two veg beds to bed for the winter, by placing old carpet or anything else over them until required again. Getting lazy in my old age now and just leave the beds uncovered now.
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