Peat Ballan

Small Wildlife pond

Then I suggest that you get an ipod and play Creedence Clearwater Revival at full volume, and see if that will assuage the terrors of the untersee geists !  Good music whatever the situation !

What's the weather like in your area?

Hmph !

Small Wildlife pond

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, but, you KNOW that they're there !!!  You have to hear the music from Jaws, and imagine the terror that goes on in the deep. Life and death struggles, day and night, creepy crawlies with jaws agape, exoskeletal monsters waiting under the pondweed, stinging, leeching and draining the life fluids out of their prey. Do you REALLY want to watch all that ?

Today I feel so happy....

Been oop t'lotty this afternoon, and planted out a row of reasonable broad beansies, then prepared the new strawberry bed that produced a record crop of 4 strawberries last year ! Sowed 4 doz wigwam beans into potties, fed the wild birds with meal worms, blackies getting very tame this year, chattered to the gang of spuggies in the hedge, drowning  out the Dunnocks , and had a generally nice relaxing time. 

This is what it's all about............ relaxing. Gardening ain't fun if yer 1/2 killing yerself over a mere plot of soil. 

What's the weather like in your area?

Cooled off a bit since last report. nearly 1/2 5 and it is still breezy, but not as cool. It's about 10c, but well withn working temperatures even in Northumber-lalaland.

Small Wildlife pond

I think, now correct me if I'm wrong, but regarding a pond and the water therein, it is not necessariloy a 'good' thing to have clear water in it. It might look good, clean and all that, but it could be just that the pond is devoid of life. I always allow a goodly dollop of mud, crud and wotnot to be in the pond, for a natural balance. Creepy crawlies have their place in the scheme of things, and who am I to commit insecticide genocide. I actully worry when the water is crystal clear !

What's the weather like in your area?

April 20, 1200hrs.  will go down in history as a day of starting off beautifully, peerless sky, slight breeze and warm enough to have brekky on the front bench ! 3 hours later, grey, overcast, cold , gathering breeze and looks like heavy weather coming in from the far west.

Viking, Forties Cromarty Forth Tyne Dogger, visiblity good, wind backing from west to south west. Gales imminent !   I'm off to the shed for a drink !

Moving Garlic On

It has been said that for a good hoodwink of the garlic into thinking it's winter, pop them into the freezer for a few days. THIS will let them know who's boos,  , and then , on a cold and miserable day, put them  to ground , and watch , and wonder  at the resiliance of this wonderful plant !  The Romans knew what they were doing !  

Moving Garlic On

I plant the garlic out as soon or as near to as soon as poss., after they're starting to sprout. I have some, in pots out in the green house right now, and as the weather is improving right now, I shall have to get them in the ground before it warms up too much. As for 'the right time',

It all depends on where you are in the country. I am up in Northumberland, and the growing season is much shorter that  down south. Perhaps about 6 to 8 weeks behind, and shorter season accordingly. As this year has been all 'roots up' with the 6 month winter we've had, I really do not expect too much from the lotty at all ! This year will be relegated to a learning curve, lost seeds, failed compost and good exercise !

Good luck with whatever you do, you'll need it !

Cold frames !  THAT'S the answer !!

Small Wildlife pond

That's ANOTHER fine mesh you've got me in to !!!

Now the soil is warm

bee hives

bonfires