More snow

No gardening today!  Poor Chris is ill in bed and we have had a second fall of snow.  It really isn't very much here - less than an inch.  Time for lighting fires and wrapping presents!  What a good job Al & Chris placed the reed insulation jacket around the pump in good time this year.

Comments from the coop:

• Egg production still good.
• Hennery insulation means they have a snug and dry area out of the snow.
• Snow means no freedom, no grazing & also no raking up after all their scratching.  Bonus!

More Hoar

Even more winter magic


http://picasaweb.google.com/peartree.pam/JackFrostVisitsPearTreeCottage#

Jack Frost

J. Frost was out with his paintbrush again - taken at 7:35am!

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#

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!

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....

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.