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Bertwhistle
17 January 2018 19:34:27

Snowdrops are beginning to bloom in our garden; mahonia spotted with yellow (but no bees to lap up that dizzy scent yet); a few primroses and the tops of the rhubarb showing pink. Our ornamental citrus fruits have all turned orange and my experimental will-they-overwinter chillies and peppers are surviving, with one small green pepper yellowing! 


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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bradders
25 January 2018 12:24:10

Snowdrops beginning to bloom in our garden as well. And we have a Crocus forcing it`s way up between two paving stones.



Eric. Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
29 January 2018 08:00:53

Over the past week I’ve managed to get to several places to try and get the perfect snowdrop image. Including Kingston Lacey near Wimborne which has some pretty good views and with the good weather lots of people even during the week enjoying the spectacle. Compton Valence further west was worth a trip as it is only a short drive. How they cope with lots of visitors I have no idea as the roads are quite narrow. Still a pretty good display along the verges and banks that someone must have established at some point. As it was a weekday I was the only person wandering around. Then last of all the churchyard at Turners Puddle near Bere Begis. Here a few bright yellow aconites were flowering. 


One thing common to all was how early the snowdrops are this year. For places in Dorset that are advertising special snowdrop days in mid February I would think they will be past their best by then. The ones I saw were probably at their best last week. However some in our north shaded garden are only just coming into flower whilst ones in sunnier places seem past their peak now. 


And lastly with the mild winter the slugs were having a feast in some places meaning the perfect image close up can be hard to find without the wee beasties appearing in the pictures.


One thing I think many people forget is how snowdrops are not native, being an introduced species and for the best displays need a little or lot of help to maintain the displays. The best time to do this is when they are just finishing and can be transplanted to new spots in the green so to speak Although they do seed as Four mentions and spread this way, splitting existing clumps is perhaps the fastest way to increase them.


Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
01 February 2018 10:38:38

Dwarf Iris (reticulata) in flower today's sunshine, in outdoor pots


War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
Bertwhistle
01 February 2018 14:01:47


Over the past week I’ve managed to get to several places to try and get the perfect snowdrop image. Including Kingston Lacey near Wimborne which has some pretty good views and with the good weather lots of people even during the week enjoying the spectacle. Compton Valence further west was worth a trip as it is only a short drive. How they cope with lots of visitors I have no idea as the roads are quite narrow. Still a pretty good display along the verges and banks that someone must have established at some point. As it was a weekday I was the only person wandering around. Then last of all the churchyard at Turners Puddle near Bere Begis. Here a few bright yellow aconites were flowering. 


One thing common to all was how early the snowdrops are this year. For places in Dorset that are advertising special snowdrop days in mid February I would think they will be past their best by then. The ones I saw were probably at their best last week. However some in our north shaded garden are only just coming into flower whilst ones in sunnier places seem past their peak now. 


And lastly with the mild winter the slugs were having a feast in some places meaning the perfect image close up can be hard to find without the wee beasties appearing in the pictures.


One thing I think many people forget is how snowdrops are not native, being an introduced species and for the best displays need a little or lot of help to maintain the displays. The best time to do this is when they are just finishing and can be transplanted to new spots in the green so to speak Although they do seed as Four mentions and spread this way, splitting existing clumps is perhaps the fastest way to increase them.


Originally Posted by: NMA 


It's lovely to hear all those place names I am so familiar with. The side-roads between Bridport and Beaminster, a bit further west, where my father lives, should by shiny with snowdrops now. We have plenty up- but our usually most prolific clump has just three pert blooms.


Crocuses flowering today in my lawns in that cold sunshine = 28.


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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Bertwhistle
05 February 2018 18:14:02

Two pepper plants, one with a ripening fruit, and a kaffir lime plant (killed one last winter or the winter before) have made it fine so far in the porch- but it looks like a -4 or -5 possible tonight/ tomorrow night so, despite the good lady's frowns, they're coming in!


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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Bertwhistle
05 February 2018 18:15:24


Dwarf Iris (reticulata) in flower today's sunshine, in outdoor pots


Originally Posted by: DEW 


I love those; we've planted them in several of the last 10 or so years but they only seem to last the season. What can I do- is it the soil (clay)?


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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Bertwhistle
11 February 2018 11:00:50

Sun is reaching across the lawns now; a beautiful display of crocuses showing.


One of the clematis has broken its way into my shed- looks quite nice though.


I need to cut back the budding blackcurrant today as it's bushed right out over one of the veg plots. 


I've just repaired the netting on one side- I spotted an intruder with whiskers checking out the fine till; got to it just before it adopted the squatting position! Hah!


 


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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Bertwhistle
15 February 2018 15:44:59

Just sowed lots of early peas- in the shed (March sowing outdoors). We will hopefully harvest these as pea shoots, with which the children continue to be enamoured.


Caught in a blustery shower- just about to sow turnips.


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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Saint Snow
19 February 2018 10:46:28

We grew some chantennay carrots last summer. Only sowed them late, in a couple of rectangular planters, and never bothered to thin them out. When we came to pick some last autumn, the vast majority were too tiny and we had a meagre crop. I just left them in and forgot about them, only remembering at the weekend when I was doing a little tidying up. Harvested the rest and, although most could be accurately described as 'baby', there were well over 100 little carrots. Very tasty they were with Sunday dinner, too. Just shows how mild and easy the winter's been.



Martin
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Bertwhistle
27 February 2018 21:11:03


We grew some chantennay carrots last summer. Only sowed them late, in a couple of rectangular planters, and never bothered to thin them out. When we came to pick some last autumn, the vast majority were too tiny and we had a meagre crop. I just left them in and forgot about them, only remembering at the weekend when I was doing a little tidying up. Harvested the rest and, although most could be accurately described as 'baby', there were well over 100 little carrots. Very tasty they were with Sunday dinner, too. Just shows how mild and easy the winter's been.


Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 


With so many of them, Saint, I would imagine they made an exciting tasty addition to the dish.


Indoor pepper is failing fast, but the two chillies are pumping out shrouds of bright white flowers. Fingers crossed.


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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Bertwhistle
18 March 2018 13:15:32

Such is the nature of this snow, that the spring bulb flowers are quite unperturbed; the crocuses are buried but the daffs are upright, seemingly not forced to bend as they would under wetter snow; one clump is shining egg-yolk yellow through the little cavelet they've made for themselves. Elsewhere, humps and tussocks of fine powder betray the location of my flowers!


Bertie, Itchen Valley.
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ARTzeman
18 March 2018 23:02:28

My TETE a Tete daffs are all knocked over due to the snow. They put on a good show of color. 






Some people walk in the rain.
Others just get wet.
I Just Blow my horn or trumpet
tevo
  • tevo
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22 March 2018 17:48:37

First cutting of lawns today and a general helping of chicken manure pellets applied ..Need some rain now to wash the poo in 

speckledjim
22 March 2018 18:03:00


First cutting of lawns today and a general helping of chicken manure pellets applied ..Need some rain now to wash the poo in 


Originally Posted by: tevo 


 


I fed my lawn a couple of weeks ago when we had some mild weather. Reckon I might cut tomorrow weather permitting


Thorner, West Yorkshire


Journalism is organised gossip
Caz
  • Caz
  • Advanced Member
22 March 2018 20:32:42

I’ve pruned my climbing roses today and tidied up the borders.  The lawns will have to wait but they’re not too bad yet.  My bro in law has a gardening business and they've been extremely busy with lawn services this week.  A sure sign that Spring hasn’t been cancelled. 


Market Warsop, North Nottinghamshire.
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Lionel Hutz
23 March 2018 10:23:52
I managed to get my lawn cut over the Christmas holidays as a little grass had grown since the previous cut in early November. I'm delighted I did because it takes the pressure off me now - I reckon that it'll be well into April before I have to wheel out the mower now as we've had so little growth in recent weeks.
Lionel Hutz
Nr.Waterford , S E Ireland
68m ASL



Roger Parsons
23 March 2018 10:59:12

I managed to get my lawn cut over the Christmas holidays as a little grass had grown since the previous cut in early November. I'm delighted I did because it takes the pressure off me now - I reckon that it'll be well into April before I have to wheel out the mower now as we've had so little growth in recent weeks.

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 


Cut our lawn for the first time this morning, Lionel. I put it off as long as possible to avoid stimulating growth too early - set the  cut high as I want to suppress the moss a bit. Very pleased to have done it, but not as pleased as the local cock blackbird, who treated me to a display of dominance, followed by careful inspection of my work and collection of a few snacks.


A great bird - he watches me through the kitchen window if I am slow to put out food in the morning - and threatens me with an aggressive stance!


Roger


RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Lionel Hutz
23 March 2018 11:38:43


 


Cut our lawn for the first time this morning, Lionel. I put it off as long as possible to avoid stimulating growth too early - set the  cut high as I want to suppress the moss a bit. Very pleased to have done it, but not as pleased as the local cock blackbird, who treated me to a display of dominance, followed by careful inspection of my work and collection of a few snacks.


A great bird - he watches me through the kitchen window if I am slow to put out food in the morning - and threatens me with an aggressive stance!


Roger


Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


I'm afraid that I'm not as kind to my lawn as you are - I tend to treat it as a kind of necessary evil. The lawn has to fit in with my schedule so mowing ties in with when I have a chance to do it as opposed to what is necessarily best for the lawn. My lawn is a bit moss infested in parts and quite clovery in others as a result. One benefit of the clover is that it can flower quite well in summer and the clover flowers are much appreciated by the bees. I'm sure that some gardeners would be horrified to see my lawn but my view is that if it's green, that's good enough for me and I'm not overly bothered as to which plants are causing the green. 


Plenty blackbirds on my lawn too, though none of mine seem to have quite the personality of yours!


Lionel Hutz
Nr.Waterford , S E Ireland
68m ASL



ARTzeman
23 March 2018 11:39:39

Been out in sunshine .Trimmed all the herbs. Need to refresh them now as getting woody. Strawberries plants are in the growing room. Cut mint in a pot of water has taken root.. Will plant them up soon. Basil is the next to be sown.   






Some people walk in the rain.
Others just get wet.
I Just Blow my horn or trumpet
Caz
  • Caz
  • Advanced Member
23 March 2018 20:35:19


 


I'm afraid that I'm not as kind to my lawn as you are - I tend to treat it as a kind of necessary evil. The lawn has to fit in with my schedule so mowing ties in with when I have a chance to do it as opposed to what is necessarily best for the lawn. My lawn is a bit moss infested in parts and quite clovery in others as a result. One benefit of the clover is that it can flower quite well in summer and the clover flowers are much appreciated by the bees. I'm sure that some gardeners would be horrified to see my lawn but my view is that if it's green, that's good enough for me and I'm not overly bothered as to which plants are causing the green. 


Plenty blackbirds on my lawn too, though none of mine seem to have quite the personality of yours!


Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

Yep!  That’s my thoughts on lawns too!  As long as it’s green, it’s fine for me. My bro in law is a bit of a lawn police force to reckon with though.  He cannot resist sending us some preparation or other, following a social visit, which always includes an inspection of our green patches!  


Our resident blackbirds are enjoying my occasional dig in the border!  They’re not daft are they?   As soon as they hear a spade or trowel scraping, they appear on the fence!  


Market Warsop, North Nottinghamshire.
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Roger Parsons
24 March 2018 06:36:11


Yep!  That’s my thoughts on lawns too!  As long as it’s green, it’s fine for me. My bro in law is a bit of a lawn police force to reckon with though.  He cannot resist sending us some preparation or other, following a social visit, which always includes an inspection of our green patches!  


Our resident blackbirds are enjoying my occasional dig in the border!  They’re not daft are they?   As soon as they hear a spade or trowel scraping, they appear on the fence!  


Originally Posted by: Caz 


 


Shine sun, seed grows, woman weeds, man mows.


R.


RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Caz
  • Caz
  • Advanced Member
24 March 2018 07:32:51


Shine sun, seed grows, woman weeds, man mows.


R.


Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


Market Warsop, North Nottinghamshire.
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DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
24 March 2018 09:06:21


 


 


Shine sun, seed grows, woman weeds, man mows.


R.


Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


ooh! a sexist stereotype


War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
speckledjim
24 March 2018 09:12:17
Mowed the lawn and planted 150 summer bulbs yesterday.....an extra hour of evening light from tomorrow too which I'm very pleased about
Thorner, West Yorkshire


Journalism is organised gossip

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