Brrr – there was a frost yesterday morning – Jack nearly caught me out! I acknowledge I’d taken a risk planting my sweet peas out, but I had looked at the night time temperature trend and it seemed safe. Then, for one day only, I discovered the temperature was going to plummet below zero. I …
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Seeing red (& blue & purple)
Yes I’m seeing red! Those pesky fungus gnats are back – buzzing round all my tiny seedlings. So, I ordered some more nematodes – they worked well last year. A week after they’d arrived I read the instruction packet and realised I’d forgotten something. If you aren’t going to use them straight away, you need …
Coming soon to a garden near you: Spring!
This year’s seed sowing has started – Lily’s been helping. I’ve only assembled one set of shelves in the conservatory so far, but I’ve run out of space already, so the other will follow imminently. I don’t think Grumbling Rose has noticed yet – he’s just back from his latest skiing holiday and his head …
Continue reading “Coming soon to a garden near you: Spring!”
Love is all around
When it gets to this time of year we’re bombarded from every angle by Valentine’s Day – cards, gifts, flowers, chocolates, meals – need I go on? That’s OK if you have someone in your life you want to spend Valentine’s Day with, but what if you can’t be with them, because they’re not nearby …
A Touch of Frost
We’ve certainly had some cold and frosty mornings recently haven’t we. Now we all know that frost is created by Jack while we’re asleep. Armed with a paintbrush and glitter he works quickly, covering everything he can, so that in the morning we’re greeted with a spectacular winter wonderland scene. He doesn’t miss a detail …
Fake Firs
I feel I’ve committed a sin. Three years ago I bought a fake Christmas Tree – it looks very much like a real one, I think you’ll agree. The thought process that led me to take this action was, I admit, the Scrooge coming out in me. The previous year, a beautiful real tree cost …
B is for ….
Bugs & Beasties: Victoria’s found the probable cause of what’s attracting the badgers to excavate her front lawn – Chafer Grubs. Apparently they’re a particular delicacy where badgers are concerned. Victoria’s now converting a further section of lawn to a flower bed. Taking up the turf proved to be relatively easy because the Chafer Grubs …
A Gardener’s Dream
Last week I had a dream of a night out with Monty Don – if only it had been just him and me. Unfortunately I was joined by 1,999 others. The venue was full to the rafters, which should be no surprise really. I, along with as many as 2.7 million others, look forward to …
Life is full of surprises
I was so excited yesterday – I know, I’m sad! My Café au Lait dahlia has flowered – the bloom doesn’t look as impressive as the one on the packet but I’m still chuffed. Earlier in the year I wrote about Mr & Mrs B-T nesting in our bird box. I never did see their …
Busy Bee
I can’t believe how busy I’ve been in the garden the last few weeks. It’s just as well I’ve been active really, considering how much food I’ve put away. Grumbling Rose is working away this week and I’ve eaten out with friends and family on 4 of the days – Italian on Monday, Greek on …
Rambling Rose 