Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Farway

Sun’s out after misty start, perhaps today I’ll get out for a look around the garden?

Went hunting for my seeds to sow this week, some seem to be missing, probably put in a “safe place” so I’d know where to find them. Remembered not to chuck out the loo roll inners, needed for the bean sowing soon

twopenny

Yes, supposed to be all sun today.....

And dry most of the week.

Perhaps I will be able to walk on the grass and feed the plants by Wednesday. Still too sodden.

I could cut down the climbing Hydrangea as that's a gravel area, so to hopefully get the fence panel replaced. I'll give it to the charity stall as it's growing well but doesn't seem to produce more than leaf buds so just stems all year.

Someone will be thrilled. I'll go and marvel at those on the big houses that look spectacular in summer.

Here's one of the Helebores that I bought, Painted Lady I think. It's to go with the dark red I have Got beaten by the storms so glad I took the photo.

Got beaten by the storms so glad I took the photo.

Woolsery

Spotted two peacock butterflies today, so it feels as if we've turned a corner with the seasons. They overwinter, of course. I've been seeing bees for some weeks, but the first butterfly is always special.

in_my_wellies

Woolsery said:

Spotted two peacock butterflies today, so it feels as if we've turned a corner with the seasons. They overwinter, of course. I've been seeing bees for some weeks, but the first butterfly is always special.

A yellow brimstone was fluttering about my garden this morning, always lovely to see any butterfly.

A beautiful sunny day here. A bit last minute but I finally pruned my very old Bramley apple trees. When I stepped back I'd removed more than I thought. Several large branches rather than faffing with bits here and there but I'm hoping reducing the spread will be good for the trees and enable safer picking. 

My hens are temporarily located in my wooden greenhouse due to bird flu. I opened the top windows fully and the door as much as I could to prevent them overheating. I'm hoping the end of March really will be back to normal

Farway

Lovely sunny morning and the ornamental cherry blossom opposite is still on the tree, I’ll try for a photo soon now rain has stopped for a few days, so they say.

Seeing your nice hellebore photo 2p reminded me there’s a dark purple one in the volunteer car park border, time and cars permitting I’ll get a photo of it when I’m there Friday

I found the safely stashed seeds, all being well I’ll make my first sowings in my heated propagator this afternoon. That propagator has served me well; it must be over forty years old by now, holds four half sized seed trays, thermostat control with ventilated lid. Bought it from Boots when they used to have a garden section.

I think one seed sowing will be castor oil plants; yep I had bought them, maybe some coleus and some toms?

Out mooching in the garden yesterday, the daffs are nice in the sun. Here are two, you can spot the wildlife they attract, and just sharpening their teeth while they hang about for my runner beans

Woolsery

in_my_wellies said:

Woolsery said:

Spotted two peacock butterflies today, so it feels as if we've turned a corner with the seasons. They overwinter, of course. I've been seeing bees for some weeks, but the first butterfly is always special.

A yellow brimstone was fluttering about my garden this morning, always lovely to see any butterfly.

I'm looking out for those. We have about 6 Alder buckthorns here and the WI in the village bought 50 to share around local gardens to encourage Brimstones and other insects.

I must start sowing a few more things. I have foxgloves and big primulas coming up in a cold frame so far. Eunice destroyed my usual place for growing under protection, but I always put  the propagator by an east-facing window where the heat of the afternoon doesn't reach, so I can still do that. Everything plant-wise will be much reduced this year while we sort out the chaos a 'bit of wind' caused.

Farway

Dull & drizzly start this morning, very orangey sky though with the Saharan dust being blown in, gives the place an End of the World look

Managed to get my seeds sorted & sown they're now all cosy in the propagator. Just five varieties of tomato, but I’ve found another packet which I’ll sow later today, six varieties. Some of the packs are F1 price marked nearly £4, of course I got them as clearance to try out, I'd never pay that much for tom seeds

The castor oil plants are massive bean sized seeds which I hope is reflected in the eventual plants

In contrast the coleus is just dust, I hope it’s on the surface of the pot, it just vanished & I sowed with crossed fingers. The dahlias & cosmos were at least large enough to handle.

Going a bit colour clash coordinated Bishops Children red leaved dahlias with white cosmos and hopefully huge hand sized  red leaved castor oil plants sticking up.

That’s in my mind; reality may be snail savaged stumps

I’m leaving bean & beetroot sowing until end of the month I think

twopenny

Well the Met office got it wrong. Supposed to be no rain this week but it's heavy mist and drizzle. Too wet to do anything out there.

Yesterday I did manage to do a bit of path cleaning. Guess this rain means it will all grow again - harrumph!

The climbing rose that needs pruning and supporting because the winds bought some trellis down - is throwing out leaves like mad.

But most flowers are just rotting if they haven't been nibbled by slugs.

It's heartily depressing.

On the up side the magnolias here are looking gorgeous. There are some big trees around here in many colours and the deep pink one are breathtaking. I must get a photo of those. Meanwhile.....

RAS

Been a busy few days and been barrowing well rotted woodchip (looks nicer than much shop-bought compost) to the plot. So my arms have had a work out. It's been fine here but cold either end of the day. Today it's raining however.

Yesterday morning, heard much honking and looked up to see a large skein of geese flying north; well over a hundred birds.
And at the end of the day a couple of local foxes were making out a few plots down. After which one with very dark ears hung around grooming to nearly half an hour.

wort

2p beautiful tree ,and garden by the looks of it.
Farway you do make me laugh, with your descriptions of the wildlife attacking your garden. I have visions of you with a tin hat and spray gun lurking behind a greenhouse ! 

I too saw a yellow brimstone in the park yesterday , and had a huge bumble bee trying to batter its way into my front room via the window. Two ladybirds 1 red and 1 black in the conservatory.

Ive had a lop at the shrubs at the back, and pushed back the mob trying to scale the back fence. I asked bil to go round and chop them back a bit which he has done whilst I was at work yesterday. I got some peat free compost from Lid1 to try, so have sown some chilli seeds.
It started to rain an hour ago , but showing sun for rest of week . So fingers crossed.