More lighting.

The continuing freezing cold weather didn't put off the electricians and Owen and Roy finished wiring the trellis lanterns and also put in some uplighting for Chris's wall as well as moving the electric sockets in the greenhouse enabling the tank to fit snugly in the corner.

Pugh's Precarious Pondwork!

Testing the equipment!

Lowering the pump

The weather was freezing and the wind biting.  What was Chris doing?  Re-siting the pond pump by in the icy depths in middle of the pond!!  He was the hero of the moment by lying outstretched on a ladder placed over the water - wishing it could have been rather wider!  He managed to keep his balance despite the weight of a heavy pump attached to an even heavier concrete slab in one hand!  Instead of lying on its side with pipes on view, the pump now sits upright out of sight and, hopefully secure.  Excess watercress was cleared, repairs to the frog's pipework were carried out and dogwoods were pruned.  Hopefully, the king cups and water lilies will bloom and further work will wait until the autumn.

Success!!

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Plantings & Stonework

New ramp & Fernery path

Well, it was another busy Saturday with both Chris's.  Despite early heavy rain, dark clouds lifted and things dried up a little although it was still bitterly cold and soggy underfoot.  Chris P slaved away, clearing the veg patch of the plants which had been laid in prior to their move and along with all the turf which was used to repair the verge on the lane.  Although later than ideal, he planted the healthier of the standard roses in front of the chicken feed bins (as a disguise) and the other (less vigorous specimen) by a gatepost.  A Lonicera Fragrantissima replaced a Daphne - now deceased.  The Gleditzia was planted in the summerhouse border and a dead/dying Spirea was partially removed in readiness for further planting on Monday.  Of course, all these jobs were done far later than planned solely due to the awful weather.

Meanwhile.........Chris G and I (after replacing a window pane) made a ramp from the terrace to the top lawn where there is a height difference of about 5 - 6".  We used pieces of stone on edge to ensure a non-slip surface.  Having done that, we began laying the stepping stones along the Fernery path.

The pressure is still on for, as well as 2 Open Garden weekends, 2 local gardening clubs have now expressed an interest in making evening visits and some fund raiser from the NHS has requested another opening for their charity - gulp!  It's only a little fun/hobby garden after all! 

Avian Arrival

Mr. Brown

PTC garden has a new resident.  Mr. Brown has come to live in the garden. Cleverly made out of chicken mesh, he perches on an old garden fork.  His sculptor comes from Weymouth - some people just have too much talent!

Micro Blizzards

Well, as predicted, winter came back with a vengeance and working on the trellis was freezing cold!  A single white Camellia braved the elements and opened all its petals only to have them all burnt brown by frost.  After a few days of gloom it was back to vicious frosts and snow!  Monday afternoon was spent moving plants in mini blizzards!  One minute the sun was shining and the snow melted away - the next minute, darkness almost fell, the wind got up and the sky was full of driven snow which was almost blinding.  We battled on half frozen  and looking like polar explorers and this was gardening!!!

Spring tried to muscle in....

Today may have had a frosty start but the warm sunshine and clear blue skies that followed meant that some parts of the garden thought that spring had arrived!  The Hellebores are springing up and Pulmonarias, Celandines and Narcissus are all stirring.  The furry Magnolia buds are swelling fast and Prunus blossom is opening.  Even the chickens enjoyed a spot of sunbathing after their dust baths.  We know it couldn't last and just made the best of it before the return of more grey skies and rain.

For more spring photos visit:

https://picasaweb.google.com/100788191989823327785/FirstSpringLikeDay532013

Trellis lighting

£38 saved!

Buying little copper lanterns for each trellis post at £53 each was prohibitively expensive.  Luckily for us, the company was selling these smaller lanterns without all the little holes for £15 and even luckier, Chris Genever very kindly agreed to drill all the holes just like the £53 versions!  Whilst we were travelling to London, DSM and gang were left slaving away and this is what we came back to.  Obviously, when the climbers put on some growth, the overall look will be much softer as the light filters through the leaves and flowers so, a little imagination is needed right now.  It does highlight Chris's clever use of some old land drains in the wall.  What a team!!

Hopefully, the bare look won't last long.