Gardening Jobs for the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

The Easter Bank Holiday weekend approaches as I write and, like you dear reader no doubt, I have a long list of jobs to be getting on with over the coming four days out on the plot. There is though one problem looming large over the master plan, the good old British weather. 

Earlier this week I was lunching in the garden in beautiful sunshine, by Easter Monday, if the weather forecasters have it right, I will turning the heating back on as the prospects of zero temperatures are apparently all too real. You can only smile and carry on; at least it appears we aren't going to get the hail some were forecasting at one point! The Runner Beans and Tomato seedlings are all now down in the Greenhouse, a little job I mentioned I needed to get done on an earlier post. Just to emphasis the change in the weather I had to put some shading up in the Greenhouse Tuesday to stop the seedlings getting scorched - that aint going to be a problem this weekend. The sowing of Carrots and more Beans on the veg patch was top of the list for jobs to be done over Easter, looks like that will have to wait. 

It's not all doom and gloom though the mini heatwave this week allowing me to have a general potter on the plot and things are coming along; it's looking alright if  I do say so myself. 

So, what now is the plan in the garden for the Easter weekend? 

What I can do is busy myself in the tool shed. I would normally have got this job done over the winter but for one reason or another didn't so I will be cleaning and oiling the tools. My old Granddad and Dad were both sticklers for keeping their tools in pristine condition and drilled into me as a youngster just how a very important job to keep on top off it is. Truth be told, I really quite enjoy it. It' s a pretty basic task, give all the hand tools, trowels, forks and alike and the larger bits of kit such as spades and rakes etc a good going over with a stiff brush or a bit of a wash down in soapy water if particularly dirty. Give them a dry and apply some oil via an old rag or a towel; not as necessary today as once upon a time maybe with modern tools often stainless steel but it gives them a nice shine if nothing else and I like that. As for the cutting tools such as knives, secateurs and alike a good rub over with some wire wool never hurts and any grime really wedge in there can usually be dealt with by a spray of WD40 to loosen it up. A rub over with a nice clean cloth and they are ready for sharpening, I have a whetstone I like to use for sharpening but there are plenty of gadgets on the market - I am just a bit old school. A quick check on any moving parts on the tools such as the secateurs and sheers and a blob of oil on the pivot point to keep it working smoothly and you're good to go for a few months. 

So that is where you will find me Bank Holiday Monday, tucked away in the tool shed, and lets be honest, if us gardeners can't be in the garden, in the shed is the next best thing. 

Cheers 🍺