The BIG Clean-Up

After all the building work that's been going on around this garden, we thought it was about time for a major clean-up.  In the absence of Chris or, more to the point, his cement mixer; piles of left over sand and cobbles were removed, off cuts of timber stacked away and all rubble, cement bags, plastic  etc etc disposed of in order for our Chris to blast on to the scene with a really meaty power washer.  Even the greenhouse shivered in the sunshine!

The results were pretty rewarding and lovely new Creosote Yard was unveiled along with a new terrace.  Of course the cobbles have yet to be transported down to the pond edge but, that can wait for another day!

Barn Building

Have been having a go at more carpentry this week - under the ever watchful eye of Chris.  Whilst he of course has done the lion's share of building; I seem to have acquired a little confidence at using a router and so edged and sanded the shelves for the inside of my.......................wait for it!  Barn!!  Well!  It's the nearest I'm ever going top get to owning a real one and it does look wonderfully rustic!  The fence and gable end have been made out of planked Alder, Willow and Oak from the other Chris's wood.  Note Chris's disguised door - only the sawn edge at its top gives it away.

The through path provides the only step-free and level route from one end of the garden to the other so the far north gable end will probably remain open meaning that it's actually more like a verandah beneath the shingled roof.  However it does mean that Al has more storage space adjacent to the oil tank and the oil tank itself will benefit from more shelter from the elements.

The trellis is made from concrete reinforcing mesh.  Chris cut out the curves and welded the top curve on afterwards.  The shelf helps stabilise the panels and provides a perfect pot spot.  

When the Ivy (Hedera Paddy's Pride) get's going, we should have a wall of green surrounding the Androlia stained glass.  Inside, the sun streams through both the stained glass and the multi coloured ivy leaves as well as the gaps in the planking creating quite a pleasing and colourful dappled/shadow effect.

More spring photos in the garden:

https://picasaweb.google.com/100788191989823327785/PamSBarn1832012 

Wheels within wheels

I think I may just have had an idea to finish off the gate quadrants between the wall and the gate posts.  If we could fix 3 pairs of lovely old cast iron wheels - courtesy of Chris and Maureen in matched pairs, it would be the perfect solution.  Better see what our esteemed builder has to say on the subject!!

Pond Work

New home to the 7 Dogwoods

Spring weather means doing much needed tidying up around and in the pond.  Dead heading, weeding, pump maintenance and margin reshaping and planting.  The remaining 7 Dogwoods (Cornus Sanguinea) from the old greenhouse path - that didn't make the Aspen Grove have moved to the foot of the pond and the steep grassy bank has been reduced - it always was tricky to mow!  All that remains is some re-building of the stone work at the head of the pond and to re-site the pump, tubing and cables and to try to scoop out some of the leaf debris at the bottom.  Hopefully we won't disturb the King Cups which are ready to bloom and looking at their very best.

It's looking a lot like spring!!

It really is!  The snowdrops have all faded and the spring flowers are popping up all over the place.  In the woodland border the Hellebores and Pulmonarias are looking really colourful as are the Primulas and Croci.   Even the Symphytums are budding up and the day glow acid green of the Euphorbia's adds another dimension to spring colour.  Today was a plant acquisition day and we came home with Celandines ( Brazen Hussy) more Pulmonarias and Wood Anemones - both wild and hybrids.  I know Celandines can be a nuisance and that. once planted, I'll never be rid of them but I love 'em! 

Lawn mowing has commenced which has meant miles of edging and mowing until the end of next autumn which seems a very long way away right now.  I wonder how many miles I'll have walked behind a lawn mower by then!

In the greenhouse we've had good germination rate with purple sprouting, leeks, Greyhound cabbages and various herbs. The exception is the Alyssum Saxatile.  Out of an entire pack of Sutton's seeds only about 4 germinated.  For the very first time, I've also lost some chitting Arran Pilots to rot.  Never ever been known before.  Why exactly do rotting potatoes smell quite so AWFUL?

Hardly Thomas Chippendale!

Recycled oak throne 

The odd rainy Saturday in the garden at PTC never means idle hands!  This particular rainy Saturday meant the production of a very rustic chair made from recycled oak fence posts and rails.  Not quite the driftwood effect but, not a millions miles away. Meanwhile; Pugh's Pew has moved down to the Aspen Grove to make room for Thompson's Throne?

Comments from the the Coop

Lulu - too cold for 2 feet!

Despite the recent cold snap and the loss of Amelia a couple of weeks ago; egg production has been eggsellent (sorry!) all winter long and sales have boomed - well relatively speaking!  The flock is now reduced to 4 and only Black Betty remains as one of our original girls.  Even so, frequently we are finding 4 eggs daily.  Given the short days and low light levels, we reckon that's pretty good.

Of course our girls are very spoilt. On the breakfast menu is warm mash with a sprinkling of mealworms and generous handfuls of mixed corn.  They also have a block of mixed grain and molasses suspended above their outdoor perch to peck at all day as well as layers pellets in their hopper.  Surplus greenery from local farm shops and bruised apples are always demolished with great relish.  Grit and oyster shell along with fresh water are always on hand and each morning their day old Daily Telegraph is delivered and spread on the floor of their house.  All droppings are wrapped up and composted.

Funny how very satisfying it is to find a pile of perfectly aimed fresh hen's droppings on the smug face of some idiot politician/celeb!  A good start to any day.

All round Poultry Paradise you might say.