The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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20 June 2011

Open Gardens looms closer!

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Chris has brought a few classical and elegant additions for the event.  Elsie has come to stay and she now looks down into the culvert. A further horological surprise awaits in the sofa border!




The weekend was spent tidying edges and hedges as well as dressing Phillipa's old table and chairs - tho' I down we'll be serving teas there!  Fantastic Mr. Fox looks well in the woodland border.








I'm trying not to panic as I can't find all the spare cups and saucers since the kitchen re-fit and I think Al must have taken them to the charity shop.  Whoops!

Must get back to those borders - still 2 to go and some furniture to move!
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09 June 2011

Zach's Book makes it over the pond to California

Zach seems to like his story about the chickens who live at Pear Tree Cottage!



I know this is really a garden blog but, after all, this book is a true story of our garden's inhabitants!

Other news .......we didn't win the shed of the year competition but we enjoyed the participation. Many thanks to all who voted for Pear Tree Cottage's garden studio!

We also decided on Chop not Flop! In the nick (ahem) of time it took 2 afternoons to give the perennials their Chelsea Chop. As usual, I hadn't got around to doing all the necessary supporting and, to be fair, the late delivery of pea sticks was a major contributory factor.  Let's hope they lose their somewhat shaven appearance in time for the Open Gardens!

Comments from Coopville:

We're all so settled that we've laid 5 eggs on 2 consecutive days! Of course 2 of the five eggs are quite a bit smaller and, as if to prove a point; Lulu left a small brown feather of identification on hers! I think the new egg sales point on the gate post is going to prove useful.  Let's hope there are enough customers.

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30 May 2011

All Quiet on the Western Front

Five settle down to a life together 

After all the running battles and skirmishes, it's a relief to find little Lulu sharing a perch with two of her attackers! The lives of Lulu & Priscilla were made an absolute misery - so much so, they had to be separated until things settled down.  Yesterday, we had the first egg from one of the new girls - Priscilla, we think.  What's more - there was another one today.  Looks like 'Zach's Story' really will come true after all.  You can also read his book on-line at http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/creation?creation_id=15652740  (It's worth reading full screen)
Napping

Amelia, Bluebelle, Lulu & Priscilla. 



Lulu


I don't think we're far away from the ending in Zach's book!!

In case you're wondering, Black Betty skulked around behind the Bamboos when these shots were taken.  My mission is to get a decent shot of all five but, it's a tall order.
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Rain at long last

Hurrah!  It rained all day!  The much needed rain arrived at last!  Only the 2nd day's rain we've had since March.  We have been filling the water butts from the well as well as watering the resat of the garden this way.  It really is a luxury to have well water on tap (ahem!)

No excuses for not repainting the house sign too!  The letters had all faded so, I retreated to the studio
The Studio - again!











(still time to cast your vote at http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=3515 ) and picked out all the letters in two coats of gold paint.  In the meantime, Al was busy sorting out the new electric fence to keep Monsieur Le Reynard out of the Hen Pen.  Of course, the rain meant that not all of the wood chip got raked out and instead, a batch of scrummy home made scones was popped in the Aga  and eaten with Jan's lemon curd and afternoon tea.


There's always tomorrow..............................!
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Peckingham Palais V Songbird Slum

Chris completed Bernadette's new bird table in solid English oak, and Welsh slate with a  (?) lead roof!  It's like an ornate avian activity centre!  It's such a shame she likes it as it looks so good in this garden!

Peckingham Palais

It's a bit of an improvement on the old one!!

Songbird Slum
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Moving Mountains!

We've been moving wood chip - a lot of wood chip - 3 tons in fact.  Whilst most of it was used as mulch around the garden, there was plenty left for the chickens and they LOVED it!  We had lots of help from Ian and Chris but it was all hands on deck all day - phew!  As always, it was fun but exhausting work!  The raking out starts tomorrow!


Chris gets ideas above his station!
Ian, Chris & 3 tons of wood chip

As usual; it looks as if I wasn't doing anything!  One of the drawbacks of always being behind the camera!  There were in fact 4 barrows on the go - Ian was filling them all faster than 3 of us could empty them.

Since writing this post , Priscilla has laid her first 2 eggs!


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29 May 2011

Shed of The Year Competition 2011

HELP!  The Studio needs your votes!!

You only have until noon on Sunday 5th June 2011.  Click on the link below and cast your vote





 A BIG thank you to all who have voted already


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