DVD - Definitely Very Dead

We thought long and hard but, after close examination,both Acacias were pronounced dead along with a Eucalyptus, a Ceanothus.  Cause of death: winter temperatures of -15.  No use dwelling on matters - even tho it was 20' tall and flowered for the very first time last spring AND I'd grown it from seed brought back from Oz 6 years ago.  Dead is dead! so, down it came and the sky looks a little emptier on the top lawn!  Despite ferocious squalls which sent us running for shelter, other jobs included emptying the compost heap (well nearly a third of it!)and spreading it on the lower (and already weeded) border, pruning the Moyessii and doing the bottom hedge.  All this meant a massive and very thorny clear up at the end of the day. Al was in charge of the bonfire as we were supplying the fuel.  Chris had the idea of putting the FMJ rose support (which, for may years supported a Lady Hillingdon) in place of the relic of a Pyracantha, moving the yellow shrub rose from the Studio Border and moving the Banana Bench behind the Berberis.  He came within a whisker of severing an electric cable when plating the shrub rose!  Another 'Chris Idea' is to lay a brick foundation for the bench which has views over the hedge and across to Woodbury - mmm, nice!  The ideas then just kept coming - as always!  Possibly a stepping stone footpath leading from the lower lawn to the bench.............anyway, darkness fell so those ideas will have to wait for another day!

FMJ Remembered

I just thought that we should have a couple of photos of my Daddy and gardening mentor.  These are glued in my Gardening Notebook 1993 - before the days of blogs or even Pear Tree Cottage!  His knowledge, expertise, patience and measured efficiency were truly amazing.  Nothing was ever too difficult or too much trouble.  Before starting a major project, he could always picture the outcome and result.  He knew about levels, soil types, vegetable varieties - the list is endless.  When I was little, he taught me how to recognise different seeds. He taught me how to differentiate between tiny weed and plant seedlings and he gave me my first garden plot aged about 5 years!  He taught me all my wild flowers and showed me where the best specimens grew.  He showed me how to recognise weeds by their root systems and identify pest damage.  In fact, he gave me my interest and inspiration.  Gardening with him was always fun and there were always pranks, tricks and jokes!  I still have specimens he gave me growing here.  I'm not sure what he would have thought of blogging but he liked the old notebook!


    






Top & Right:
Cutting canes and staking dahlias                                                           

Arran's are Chitting

Despite a week away (and it must have been pretty rainy cos the ground is absolutely sodden) things are moving in the greenhouse.  Arran Pilots are chitting nicely in an old egg tray (perfect for this!) just as my Daddy showed me (and he was the best in the whole world!).  The fuchsias are starting to bud up and and the pink cuttings are beginning to put on a bit of growth.  We've had a couple of dry days so I've managed some weeding and dead heading in the lower border.

The chickens tried their best to join me but the netting has prevented their kind of assistance - thank goodness.They have been finding their way along the jet-way today and accessing their food and water in the Hennery with out the need for physical persuasion at the far end - just bribery from the Hennery end with corn!

Every garden needs...........

... these two in flower at this time of year.   

Sarcococca and Snowdrops.  One for it's amazing fragrance from such tiny and insignificant flowers and the other to remind us that spring just has to be around the corner 

Lemon Grass

I was given these -  Bheemul called it Citronella and I explained that I associated that name Citronella with bugs and outdoor candles. I have a strong feeling it's Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)  I reckon the greenhouse is warm enough and it had quite a bit of root.  Served as in infusion with ginger - it tastes delicious so let's hope it thrives!  (I think I need to grow the ginger next)

Dare we think of spring?

How welcome are these on a cold grey February day?

Challenging Chicken Changes

       Above:  Newland Grange Egglu's

Right: Bluebelle in the jetway

As stated, the holidays are over and it's back to reality but - not just for us! The hens are back from their luxury Hen Hotel at Newland Grange.

http://www.newlandgrange.com/index.htm  They spent a week in an Egglu with Sarah caring for their every need!  It seems she must have spoilt them for they laid as many eggs as ever and all 4 girls have laid today.  However, they're back home and having to acquaint themselves with new arrangements in their own home too.  When let out into the Hennery, they soon found their way out onto the Strip via their new jetway but had a little difficulty retracing their journey!  I put them a temporary ladder and hung a feed bar as a bribe!  It was then a case of lifting each one in just to get them used to going in and out.  Sandy used the jetway to take off into the field and had to be retrieved but so far so good and all four made several journeys to and fro.  I suspect that, come dusk, more help will be needed!  Whilst I was getting the girls acclimatised, Al was busy making a door at the other end of the jetway inside the Hennery.  At night this will be kept closed in order to deter Monsieur Le Reynard.

Above: Al's new door

I know what you're thinking!  What a lot of trouble 4 chickens have caused.  The truth is that it's lots of fun! Now Al's working on an egg stall to hang on the gate! The present one sits on the grass verge in the lane and seems very popular with our neighbours.  Maybe a bespoke one hung on the gate would look smarter!