Pottering in Splendid Isolation

In school I remember learning about 'Splendid Isolation" The British international policy during the second half of the nineteenth century.

During our present international crisis, this is how I isolate splendidly.

Things done.

All the garden borders have been mulched with horse manure.

Here is my theory.

In general, I find that the annual and ephemeral (plants that have more than one life cycle in a year) weeds germinate before the garden annuals and perennials.

The mulch smothers or burns these tender seedlings, while the more robust established garden plants will grow through the covering.

Before mulching I apply an all purpose fertilizer to replenish any soil nutrient loss due to organic breakdown.

I moved a Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Fat Albert') from this site as it was being shaded by the two trees either side.

To this more open site.

Clipping the boxwood removed most of the leaves affected by the leaf miner.

Our asparagus production has diminished over the last couple of years. I think due to the annual mulch I apply every fall. They were simply too deep.

We started with 24, I dug up and divided 16, We replanted 38 a couple of inches below the surface.

I cut out the dead and old blackberry canes and tied in what will be this year's fruiting canes.

Likewise with the raspberry canes.

Three Asian pears that were temporarily transplanted along the edge of the currant section of the fruit garden (Redcurrant Blackcurrant and Gooseberry which is in the Ribes, currant Genus) but destined for the orchard, have been left in place and espaliered.

Joining the pruned espaliered apples that form the boundary

of the fruit garden.

 The small border to the north side of the pizza oven has been slightly expanded and Hellebores, Astilbe and Geranium machrorrhizum added to the Aquilegia.

 More things done, still to do and other potterings. Next time, the sun is shining.