I can always rely on an enthusiastic George video to start getting me excited about my own garden again. Brilliant as always George. Won’t be long before we can enjoy it all coming back again.
Thanks a lot Stu, I was tired and had a bit of a headache when filming this on Saturday so I have no idea where the enthusiasm came from but it's hard not to be a little bit excited when the early signs of warmer times are appearing! Oh yes, isn't it amazing just seeing how much lighter it's now getting at 5 o'clock, it won't be long at all...
Lovely. I had my first full day working in the garden today, Feb 2nd. Sunny, warm, a pure joy. Inside now, planning away for the year ahead. Thanks George. ❤
So did I! Yesterday and today, super sunny and warm at 7C! I raked up all the fall leaves off my English garden... and planted some hellobores! Feels nice to be outside again after such cold weather the past month.. Even had my first 3 crocus flowers bloom! Enjoy
Oh, amazing Melanie, it was a glorious bit of sun wasn't it! We had more of a family day but I managed to have a potter about with my camera in the afternoon whilst our daughter was napping. Hopefully there's more beautiful sun to come!
Fantastic @Islandgirl4ever2 - you can forgive the 7C if it's sunny, starting to feel spring-like and the flowers are appearing. I hope we all get to enjoy more days like that very soon!
Always look forward to your videos George. I think some people do ignore soil improvement and just go for quickly grabbing the fertiliser instead. Another great informative video, thanks again 🙂👍🏼 (ThePalmDude)
Thanks a lot, I try my best! Yes, very true, it's so important with a lot our more borderline hardy exotics especially. Hopefully we'll have more weather for them to actually start growing in the soil very soon and not just be clinging onto life!
Thanks for the advice about not digging a hole then grit George. I did that in prep for my Washingtonia in spring, but I realise I need to build the area up generally. Very much appreciated!
Happy to help Keith. It's not a bad idea as such for all gardens but for areas which struggle with drainage, it obviously won't solve all problems and magically let you grow Mediterranean plants without issues. I think it's always worth putting the effort in for those special plants where something as simple as being raised up can make all the difference during a wet or cold (or wet and cold) winter. Hopefully more sun on the way very soon!
Spring is in the air!! Sunny days here for the past two days, and 3 yellow crocus flowers are blooming!! Thanks for your informative video, this is actually an important topic for me! After the end of two years of composting, I'm going to be using my own organic compost this spring.. So interesting about the raised beds.. I do this for my palms, but I didn't know that it wasn't a good idea to put sand and gravel at the bottom of the hole.. whoops! Thanks so much for your help with our gardens, much appreciated. The palms look so wonderful in the sunshine! Have a great day.
It's starting to feel that way and well done with your own composting, exciting stuff (genuinely!). In all honesty, most palms will be fine without raised beds and in most gardens, a bit of sand and gravel at the base of the holes will help with drainage without causing any issues. I just mention it as in gardens with really poor drainage, just adding either to the hole might not be enough. It's also the time of year when people start feeling experimental again and looking at more borderline palms etc. and I wouldn't want anyone with quite damp soil to plonk one in their garden without at least considering how wet the soil gets over winter. Thanks for watching and sharing your enthusiasm too, bring on spring!
So I was given some alpaca poo and spent this morning spreading it. Came in and found your video waiting for me what timing! Thanks for the informative video yet again.🌴🐦⬛💚
Excellent Daphne, that sounds like a fantastic boost to give your garden while we're all looking ahead towards the warmer & sunnier times! Sorry I didn't specifically name alpaca poo in my video haha!
Great video George.... I think a lot of people dont think about improving the soil they have, and go straight for the fertilizer, I deffo did... but I have a few times, put grit in the bottom of a hole.. then planted straight in.... lucky they have been fine, and longer do that 😅
Thanks Mark and don't worry about the grit in the bottom of the hole, chances are you'll be just fine - I more aimed that section at gardens which struggle with drainage where it isn't always the answer. It's all a journey of learning and experimenting isn't it, one that's completely worth the effort as soon as we get some spring sun!
Just thought id put on here that homebase have discounted compost down to 3.20 a bag. Ive just got 20 and going back for another load. And plant food is half price toooooooo
Oooh, interesting, thanks for the heads up! I miss having a Homebase just down the road, they used to be so good for garden stuff. Hopefully more of you can take advantage!
Evening George. Great video and my absolute favourite topic. Totally off topic however. I see your Gunnera are situated under your neighbour's native deciduous tree. My Gunnera is planted under a large sycamore and definitely competes for water in the summer. If it wasn't for my watering, I don't think it would survive. What's your secret?
Hi Gareth and thank you very much! Yes, it's definitely a worthwhile and interesting topic for me too. In this video I just wanted to address the basics for the different groups of plants in terms of drainage / nutrition but there's certainly a lot more to go into another day. As for the Gunnera, it's hard to say for definite! I've put the current issues that tree fern under there is experiencing down to a lack of moisture due to the tree but equally, the Gunnera didn't even brown last year and that area was rarely watered. During the hot and dry summer of 2022 it was definitely a different story and it required a lot of water but those were extreme conditions with 40 degrees and fires in fields locally. Personally I'd probably say that the position of the tree is the main factor. What it takes away in soil moisture, it provides in terms of shade from the sun most of the day. That jungle area and particularly the Gunnera are really shaded until late afternoon so I think that's a large factor. Even Gunnera planted next to a lake or pond wilt under a day of full summer sun so potentially that's the main reason. It is also a damper part of the garden too compared to the 'Fire Pit' end which has a layer of sand deeper down.
Hi George. Love the channel. Can I ask, re the agaves, what do you recommend? I plan on planting out Montana, ovatifolia, Americana and some opuntia. Are you saying no soil at all - just grit? I’m going to put in some raised circular planters like in Marks garden - what do you suggest I fill these with?? Thanks so much. James.
Hi James and thank you very much! It sounds like you've got a good selection of Agaves to experiment with and they'd look great in raised circular planters. Personally I'd go with pure grit for the top layer of a foot or so, they'll get their roots through it, maybe some sharp sand could be worked in too to make it a better growing medium if the grit is a larger size. You can always mix in some soil if you're growing a mix of plants around them. The side of my raised bed with the large Yucca linearifolia between the Dasylirion and Jubutia / Chamaerops cerifera palms is a mix of sharp sand and grit for the top 50cm with soil below and they're doing just fine. Good luck with them!
Hi George, what sort of soil would you recommend for Butia Odorata? When is a good time to plant it? I want to plant one I received as a gift over Christmas time. It is not a huge one...yet 😊
Hi, congratulations on your Butia present! Assuming it’s a half decent size (not a small seedling etc.), personally I’d wait until April or maybe May depending on how warm the spring is. I’d prioritise a well drained and raised up spot in a shelter and sunny area if possible. It’s also important to keep the area around the palm tree of competing grass etc. Good luck with it, they’re beautiful palms!
@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you. It's about a metre tall with a nice plump trunk. I have a good spot. Well drained soil in a raised bed it is!. Cheers, Neil.
Hi George. I have got a few small trachycarpus palm hybrids in pots at the moment. What is your recommendation for getting the soil prepared for planting these in the ground. I already added a good mulch of farmyard manure to the borders. Do I need to inc incorporate any grit or drainage into the soil
Hi Jimmy, as long as the drainage is relatively good and the soil isn't at either the sandy or claggy extreme ends of the scale, you'll be just fine with the organic matter mulch. As I briefly touched on in the video, most Trachycarpus are very adaptable and able to cope with a wide variety of soils once established. Good on you for getting ahead of the game and sorting your mulching out!
Hi question my garden level slopes down and is a total bog all winter we do have plants down there that seem to do ok .My friend has put a pond pump at the end of his garden and pumps out the water .I'm thinking of it as its a swimming pool down there . I'm in the Wirral on a water plain where to be honest everyone's garden becomes a bog in winter any ideas
Hi Janine, it can definitely be tricky to grow a wide variety of plants without a lot of soil preparation in areas like yours. Not impossible of course and your situation sounds similar to what Andrew and Annmarie described in my video at their Fifty Shades of Green garden where they basically raised everything up. Maybe a pond is a good use of the wet area? On the plus side, there's a lot of lush, green jungle type plants that would absolutely thrive in damper soil so maybe it's a case of creating special beds or areas nearer the house for the plants which appreciate or reply on better drainage then planting more appropriate or adaptable plants further down?
Hi, I feel your pain, there's no need to dig everything up right now and it has been a wet and testing winter in a lot of areas so you're not alone. A lot of plants will thrive in those conditions but it completely depends on what you want to grow. If you're preparing a bed or border for planting this spring, you won't go wrong with adding a lot of organic matter but if you're wanting to plant Mediterranean style plants then serious soil amendments or raised beds will be well worth the effort to help them thrive long term. The good news is that there's a lot of plants like Rodgersia, Ligularia, Hostas, Ferns etc. that can really bring a summer jungle look and thrive in your conditions. Maybe check out my video tour at Georgina's Jungle Garden last summer for some ideas?
@GeorgesJungleGarden I want to plant along a new made pebble and slabs path. It's half shaded along a wall and right outside kitchen window so I want it to be a lush big leaves jungle with banana ferns and aroids.... im considering albizia as they give the resort vibe also providing canopy. But heard they set leaves very late
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I can always rely on an enthusiastic George video to start getting me excited about my own garden again. Brilliant as always George. Won’t be long before we can enjoy it all coming back again.
Thanks a lot Stu, I was tired and had a bit of a headache when filming this on Saturday so I have no idea where the enthusiasm came from but it's hard not to be a little bit excited when the early signs of warmer times are appearing! Oh yes, isn't it amazing just seeing how much lighter it's now getting at 5 o'clock, it won't be long at all...
Good info thanks George
Thanks, I'm pleased it was helpful!
Lovely. I had my first full day working in the garden today, Feb 2nd. Sunny, warm, a pure joy. Inside now, planning away for the year ahead. Thanks George. ❤
So did I! Yesterday and today, super sunny and warm at 7C! I raked up all the fall leaves off my English garden... and planted some hellobores! Feels nice to be outside again after such cold weather the past month.. Even had my first 3 crocus flowers bloom! Enjoy
Oh, amazing Melanie, it was a glorious bit of sun wasn't it! We had more of a family day but I managed to have a potter about with my camera in the afternoon whilst our daughter was napping. Hopefully there's more beautiful sun to come!
Fantastic @Islandgirl4ever2 - you can forgive the 7C if it's sunny, starting to feel spring-like and the flowers are appearing. I hope we all get to enjoy more days like that very soon!
Always look forward to your videos George. I think some people do ignore soil improvement and just go for quickly grabbing the fertiliser instead.
Another great informative video, thanks again 🙂👍🏼
(ThePalmDude)
Thanks a lot, I try my best! Yes, very true, it's so important with a lot our more borderline hardy exotics especially. Hopefully we'll have more weather for them to actually start growing in the soil very soon and not just be clinging onto life!
Thanks for the advice about not digging a hole then grit George. I did that in prep for my Washingtonia in spring, but I realise I need to build the area up generally. Very much appreciated!
Happy to help Keith. It's not a bad idea as such for all gardens but for areas which struggle with drainage, it obviously won't solve all problems and magically let you grow Mediterranean plants without issues. I think it's always worth putting the effort in for those special plants where something as simple as being raised up can make all the difference during a wet or cold (or wet and cold) winter. Hopefully more sun on the way very soon!
Spring is in the air!! Sunny days here for the past two days, and 3 yellow crocus flowers are blooming!! Thanks for your informative video, this is actually an important topic for me! After the end of two years of composting, I'm going to be using my own organic compost this spring.. So interesting about the raised beds.. I do this for my palms, but I didn't know that it wasn't a good idea to put sand and gravel at the bottom of the hole.. whoops! Thanks so much for your help with our gardens, much appreciated. The palms look so wonderful in the sunshine! Have a great day.
It's starting to feel that way and well done with your own composting, exciting stuff (genuinely!). In all honesty, most palms will be fine without raised beds and in most gardens, a bit of sand and gravel at the base of the holes will help with drainage without causing any issues. I just mention it as in gardens with really poor drainage, just adding either to the hole might not be enough. It's also the time of year when people start feeling experimental again and looking at more borderline palms etc. and I wouldn't want anyone with quite damp soil to plonk one in their garden without at least considering how wet the soil gets over winter. Thanks for watching and sharing your enthusiasm too, bring on spring!
So I was given some alpaca poo and spent this morning spreading it. Came in and found your video waiting for me what timing! Thanks for the informative video yet again.🌴🐦⬛💚
❤
Excellent Daphne, that sounds like a fantastic boost to give your garden while we're all looking ahead towards the warmer & sunnier times! Sorry I didn't specifically name alpaca poo in my video haha!
It's great we're all starting to get outside again @melaniesheppard778
@@GeorgesJungleGarden well it’s not the most common poo available so all forgiven!!
Haha very true!
Excellent stuff, starting to think about doing some bits now!
Thanks! What, you mean you've been allowed to hibernate since November?!
@@GeorgesJungleGarden I cant complain, but this years plans are the biggest yet so I will have to start soon!
I hope you’re loading up on Weetabix in advance, it’s going to be a busy one!
Great video George.... I think a lot of people dont think about improving the soil they have, and go straight for the fertilizer, I deffo did... but I have a few times, put grit in the bottom of a hole.. then planted straight in.... lucky they have been fine, and longer do that 😅
Thanks Mark and don't worry about the grit in the bottom of the hole, chances are you'll be just fine - I more aimed that section at gardens which struggle with drainage where it isn't always the answer. It's all a journey of learning and experimenting isn't it, one that's completely worth the effort as soon as we get some spring sun!
Just thought id put on here that homebase have discounted compost down to 3.20 a bag. Ive just got 20 and going back for another load. And plant food is half price toooooooo
Oooh, interesting, thanks for the heads up! I miss having a Homebase just down the road, they used to be so good for garden stuff. Hopefully more of you can take advantage!
Love that first shot🥰🥰💩
Haha yes, I thought I’d keep the theme going from my first vid of the year 😂
Evening George. Great video and my absolute favourite topic. Totally off topic however. I see your Gunnera are situated under your neighbour's native deciduous tree. My Gunnera is planted under a large sycamore and definitely competes for water in the summer. If it wasn't for my watering, I don't think it would survive. What's your secret?
Hi Gareth and thank you very much! Yes, it's definitely a worthwhile and interesting topic for me too. In this video I just wanted to address the basics for the different groups of plants in terms of drainage / nutrition but there's certainly a lot more to go into another day.
As for the Gunnera, it's hard to say for definite! I've put the current issues that tree fern under there is experiencing down to a lack of moisture due to the tree but equally, the Gunnera didn't even brown last year and that area was rarely watered. During the hot and dry summer of 2022 it was definitely a different story and it required a lot of water but those were extreme conditions with 40 degrees and fires in fields locally. Personally I'd probably say that the position of the tree is the main factor. What it takes away in soil moisture, it provides in terms of shade from the sun most of the day. That jungle area and particularly the Gunnera are really shaded until late afternoon so I think that's a large factor. Even Gunnera planted next to a lake or pond wilt under a day of full summer sun so potentially that's the main reason. It is also a damper part of the garden too compared to the 'Fire Pit' end which has a layer of sand deeper down.
Hi George. Love the channel. Can I ask, re the agaves, what do you recommend? I plan on planting out Montana, ovatifolia, Americana and some opuntia. Are you saying no soil at all - just grit? I’m going to put in some raised circular planters like in Marks garden - what do you suggest I fill these with?? Thanks so much. James.
Hi James and thank you very much! It sounds like you've got a good selection of Agaves to experiment with and they'd look great in raised circular planters. Personally I'd go with pure grit for the top layer of a foot or so, they'll get their roots through it, maybe some sharp sand could be worked in too to make it a better growing medium if the grit is a larger size. You can always mix in some soil if you're growing a mix of plants around them. The side of my raised bed with the large Yucca linearifolia between the Dasylirion and Jubutia / Chamaerops cerifera palms is a mix of sharp sand and grit for the top 50cm with soil below and they're doing just fine. Good luck with them!
Hi George, what sort of soil would you recommend for Butia Odorata? When is a good time to plant it? I want to plant one I received as a gift over Christmas time.
It is not a huge one...yet 😊
Hi, congratulations on your Butia present! Assuming it’s a half decent size (not a small seedling etc.), personally I’d wait until April or maybe May depending on how warm the spring is. I’d prioritise a well drained and raised up spot in a shelter and sunny area if possible. It’s also important to keep the area around the palm tree of competing grass etc. Good luck with it, they’re beautiful palms!
@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you. It's about a metre tall with a nice plump trunk. I have a good spot. Well drained soil in a raised bed it is!. Cheers, Neil.
Hi George. I have got a few small trachycarpus palm hybrids in pots at the moment. What is your recommendation for getting the soil prepared for planting these in the ground. I already added a good mulch of farmyard manure to the borders. Do I need to inc
incorporate any grit or drainage into the soil
Hi Jimmy, as long as the drainage is relatively good and the soil isn't at either the sandy or claggy extreme ends of the scale, you'll be just fine with the organic matter mulch. As I briefly touched on in the video, most Trachycarpus are very adaptable and able to cope with a wide variety of soils once established. Good on you for getting ahead of the game and sorting your mulching out!
Hi question my garden level slopes down and is a total bog all winter we do have plants down there that seem to do ok .My friend has put a pond pump at the end of his garden and pumps out the water .I'm thinking of it as its a swimming pool down there . I'm in the Wirral on a water plain where to be honest everyone's garden becomes a bog in winter any ideas
Hi Janine, it can definitely be tricky to grow a wide variety of plants without a lot of soil preparation in areas like yours. Not impossible of course and your situation sounds similar to what Andrew and Annmarie described in my video at their Fifty Shades of Green garden where they basically raised everything up. Maybe a pond is a good use of the wet area? On the plus side, there's a lot of lush, green jungle type plants that would absolutely thrive in damper soil so maybe it's a case of creating special beds or areas nearer the house for the plants which appreciate or reply on better drainage then planting more appropriate or adaptable plants further down?
🫡👌👌👌👌
Thanks 😃
First? OMG OMG OMG😆
😂 You win today’s prize, as much of my claggy waste subsoil as you can carry, collection only!
@@GeorgesJungleGarden 🎉😂
should i dig up all clay soil i want to plant in the backyard and its all mud all the moment😓
Hi, I feel your pain, there's no need to dig everything up right now and it has been a wet and testing winter in a lot of areas so you're not alone. A lot of plants will thrive in those conditions but it completely depends on what you want to grow. If you're preparing a bed or border for planting this spring, you won't go wrong with adding a lot of organic matter but if you're wanting to plant Mediterranean style plants then serious soil amendments or raised beds will be well worth the effort to help them thrive long term. The good news is that there's a lot of plants like Rodgersia, Ligularia, Hostas, Ferns etc. that can really bring a summer jungle look and thrive in your conditions. Maybe check out my video tour at Georgina's Jungle Garden last summer for some ideas?
@GeorgesJungleGarden I want to plant along a new made pebble and slabs path. It's half shaded along a wall and right outside kitchen window so I want it to be a lush big leaves jungle with banana ferns and aroids.... im considering albizia as they give the resort vibe also providing canopy. But heard they set leaves very late