J. Frost was out with his paintbrush again - taken at 7:35am!
07 December 2010
06 December 2010
Global warming continues.........
Temperatures today dropped to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6.7) so the hoar frost remained all day and looked really pretty.
Comments from the Coop:
- Water needs regularly defrosting
- Hennery very snug
- Production - eggsellent!
More frosty photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/peartree.pam/JackFrostVisitsPearTreeCottage#
29 November 2010
English winters as we remember......
First dusting of snow for the winter
Bluebelle's first view of frost and snow
Bluebelle wondering whether to go back to bed!
A Case for not dead heading Sedums too early!
Snow and heavy frosts in November just it used to be!! Where are all those Global Warming Gardeners promoting the planting of Mediterranean plants in our English climate? Just because we have a few years of milder winters! Hasn't our climate always enjoyed cyclical variations over the centuries?
Bluebelle certainly looked a little dubious upon seeing saw frost for the first time. Despite the cold, the girls are continuing to lay 4 eggs a day and somebody laid 2 yesterday - making the daily total: 5. Not bad for 4 young ladies.
Our heron was standing on the thick ice in the middle of the pond looking very forlorn. Wary enough to see me trying to photograph him - he was soon up and away!
23 November 2010
Important Date for your dairy!!
"WICHENFORD OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND"
25th & 26th June 2011
Come and visit the gardens of Wichenford - including Pear Tree Cottage.
More details to follow.....and even more work to be done!
The countdown starts now....
18 November 2010
War on Rats
The girls had their first experience of frost and were definitely hesitant to rush out! In the shadiest parts of the garden, the frost lingered all day long. As it thawed on the gate, steam was visible - but tricky to photograph! However, since all the rain and high winds, the poor chickens have looked so bedraggled. No one has the sense to shelter in a choice of very cosy and inviting hen houses and shelters!
As the weather has become more wintry, so are the rats back in evidence. No surprise there: but, frustrating that they have discovered the girls' plentiful supply of layers pellets quite so soon! As a consequence, war has been declared. All tips, ideas and suggestions are welcome. In the meantime, we have ensured that traps are baited and that 'Rodent Stations' are fully armed.
Dear old Shakenhurst
 |
| The Hall |
Am straying from gardening for a moment. As there has been so much in the press about the sale of this ancient and historic estate and the sad reasons for its sale. I had the privilege of growing up on Windhill Farm which was part of the estate . Lets hope the new buyer of this wonderful old estate does it proud. Thought I'd put up a couple of photos as I knew it so well as a child and they will probably be the last I ever take.
Who knows? It might have been wandering alone in the gardens at Shakenhurst aged 10 that gave me my interest in gardening!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1290586/12m-country-estate-goes-market-time-1-000-years.html
Windhill Farm
14 November 2010
Last remnants of autumn colour
What with a kitchen rebuild and Chris exploring ancient ruins of the the Yucatan Peninsular, there hasn't been much time for blogging. I did find time to pot up some Geranium cuttings and, having killed the aphid infestation on my Pinks, these cuttings are also demanding bigger pots. The veg. patch needs a good tidy up and digging over and I need to li`ft the rest of the beetroot and artichokes.
Is anyone else totally fed up with Gardeners' World presenters taking something out of a pot and showing the viewers how to put it in the ground every Friday without fail??? I don't know anyone else who even bothers to watch and only do so myself because it's so laughable. Do Toby and Alice think they're back at kindergarten? Why don't they call it Gardening for Dummy's and be done with?
Is anyone else totally fed up with Gardeners' World presenters taking something out of a pot and showing the viewers how to put it in the ground every Friday without fail??? I don't know anyone else who even bothers to watch and only do so myself because it's so laughable. Do Toby and Alice think they're back at kindergarten? Why don't they call it Gardening for Dummy's and be done with?
Most of the trees are now bare and only the Acers and Silver Birches are hanging on to their fading colours. The chickens are thoroughly enjoying all the extra leaf litter to scratch around in and the wood ash in which to dust bathe. The evenings are ever shorter and cosier at PTC and the scent of roasting chestnuts is wafting upwards so, no guesses as to what Al's up to!
Our explorer has just returned (see his photo above) and as the kitchen is all but finished, it only leaves the painting in the back hall to finish and then we can return to a much needed tidy up in the garden. Chris made a good start by blowing all the leaves to the backs of the borders where, chickens allowing, they will rot down naturally in our mostly woodland approach. The roof of the greenhouse needs another coat of preservative as does the skirting around the base of the newly levelled summerhouse. Am beginning to tire of all this painting! First the kitchen, then the utility, followed by the back hall now; the woodwork outside needs doing! A woman's work...............!
Meanwhile this is what's happening in the orchards that surround PTC. The cider apple harvest is in full swing.
However, right now; I'd better check out these chestnuts..............
Meanwhile this is what's happening in the orchards that surround PTC. The cider apple harvest is in full swing.
However, right now; I'd better check out these chestnuts..............
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