| Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 12:05 pm: |   
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Mindless thuggery Galanthophile whatever the reason! :( It looks awful and now everything looks so open. It used to provide useful shelter not just for the birds but for me from the wind. |
| Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 12:15 pm: |
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Today was another warm, bright day. Looking at all the weeding and clearing there is to do on plot 1 it looks quite daunting, especially as my depression has flared up again and I struggle to find motivation. However, I know that steady won the race. MY allotment in places is riddled with doc leaf plants which I must get out whilst still young and the raspberry canes that I dug out last year have regrown in places so I must make an effort to get rid of them once and for all.
Today we also made a start at designing plot 3. The whole space is to be one huge bog garden. It has a twisting path and in order to make it look less derelict (and to stop people dumping rubbish on it) Richard laid an old red carpet down to mark where the path is going to be. It looks really funny! I am really looking forward to seeing it develop this year. Richard also made me a plaque for plot 1 and stuck it to the plot stake. It is bright yellow and sticks out like a sore thumb LOL I think it looks like a lollipop but I love it because he made it just for me!
Watched a sparrowhawk circling today and I could hear the mating calls of the Greattits and the alarm call of the Greater spotted woodpecker. |
| Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 01:17 pm: |
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Another warm day though the wind was colder. Spent the morning wrestling with some raspberry roots. Last year I dug out a large patch of raspberry canes and over the following year lots of small canes have regrown. I am adamant that I am going to get rid of them once and for all so I have been trying to get every last bit of root out. It was very warm work! I was amazed though at just how dry the soil was. The soil just shook off the roots making it much easier. My soil is heavy clay and is usually very hard going and wet this time of year.
This is good news because it means I can get on it that much earlier.
By the end of the morning I was tired but ever so satisfied with my work.
Today there were alot of long tailed tits around.
Here is what they look like. They are only the size of a chickadee.
The Nuthatches were very vocal too. |
| Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 04:02 pm: |
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What an adorable bird. How close do you get to them? |
| Posted on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 12:36 pm: |
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That particular bird Galanthophile was about 7 feet away. I use a 10X optical zoom lens with a digital zoom on top giving a 500mm zoom capacity. |
| Posted on Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 12:43 pm: |
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Went up to the allotment today for a look around. The sun was really warm on our backs and there was no wind. It was all very frustrating because the ground was still frozen, which meant I couldnt get on and do any work. The only thing I managed to do was to plant a clematis alongside the pink climbing rose that is to scramble up the new arbour. The Clematis was Wetsplatte. It is a deep purple/red clematis and should look lovely growing amongst the pale pink rose.
Clematis Westeplatte
I also filled up the nutfeeders and checked on my spring flowering Tulips. They will be flowering very soon! |
| Posted on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 12:28 pm: |
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Continued with my struggle with the invasive Raspberries and continued to dig them out. Also whilst digging up a particularly large dock leaf I nearly fell head over heels as my folk snapped in two.
Planted Epimedium Davidii in a semi shady spot below a laurel bush and moved some Geranium Pratense.
The frogs were very active today with many crammed into the small pond at the bottom of plot 1. I noticed that they had laid the first lot of spawn of the year. Put some surface oxygenating plants into the larger pond on plot 3 and when there is a bit more cover or the spawn has developed a bit more I will put some spawn in it. I dont want to put any in at the moment because there is nothing to give them any protection and they would be vulnerable. |
| Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 05:26 pm: |
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Today the postman came bearing gifts. Last autumn I ordered some aquatic plants for my pond and bog garden and they finally came this morning. I ordered:
Apicola
Scirpus Zebrinus
Sagittaria Sagittifolia
Myriophyllum 'Red Stem'
Iris Pseudacorus 'Roy Davidson'
Butomus Umbellatus
Acouros Calamus Variegatus
Gunnera Magellanica
Iris Ensata 'Rose Queen'
Iris Sibirica 'Butter and Sugar'
Iris Siberica 'Perry Blue
Iris SIberica 'Snow Quuen'
Oxygenators:
Fontinalis
Hottonia
Lagar. Major
The plants were excellent and the amounts were generous. Spent a very pleasureable hour potting them up. In the afternoon I took the oxygenators and some Iris and Myriophyllum 'Red Stem' and planted them straight into baskets in the pond. One side is very deep and I had to lower the pot with the oxygenaters in. It was very heavy and I had visions of me going in after them!!
I also got some frogspawn out of my small pond and put it in my big pond. However, the spawn disappeared out of sight. I hope it doesnt sink to the bottom which is quite cold and deep as I fear the spawn may not develop :( Will just have to wait and see I guess.
I also planted some pretty Wanda Primroses. I love their pastel colours against the dark leaves.
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| Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 06:41 pm: |
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Psilo wrote on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 08:04 am:whilst digging up a particularly large dock leaf
I've heard that dock leaves (Rumex) are very nice in salads. Has anyone tried them? I don't think I have (at least not that I'm aware of), but reckon they might add a bit of a spicy tang to it. Might be quite nice, actually.
I did once jot down a recipe of grated carrots, dock leaves and a spot of yoghurt.
Have I tickled your tastebuds?
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| Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 04:56 am: |
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yukkkk caracol I have to say that you havent. I cant say I have ever been tempted. I use my docs to rub on nettle stings (of which I have quite a few) they are a brilliant soother. |
| Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 11:38 am: |
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Even though the sun was shining warm this afternoon I didnt have a good time on the allotment. My depression has been very bad this last month and its as though I see the allotment through someone elses eyes :( Watched a pair of robins that are clearly nesting though I am not sure where yet. Lifted and transplanted a patch of celandines that look terrific, to beside the pond. Took a few photos of some of my miniature Tulips and wanda primroses. Most of the time though I just wandered around like a lost soul, not knowing what I am supposed to be doing :( That is depression for you. I sure hope it lifts soon!
Tulipa Turkestanika (plus dinner guests)
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| Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 10:02 am: |
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It just goes to show how I never know what will happen to my moods from one day to the next. Today the old psilo drive is back and it feels wonderful!! I know exactly what I am doing and can really enjoy the fact.
The weather is fantastic today. Really warm despite it being rather windy. Did quite a bit of planting out today including some rogersias, foxgloves, poppies and geraniums. I also laid some sand and ballast and heaved a paving slab edge to one side of my pond. Have been looking around for cobbles and stones too in order to line the sides of the pond to make it look more natural.
Saw the water vole today. It scuttled away under some old carpet as it saw me coming. |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 05:31 pm: |
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Annette tried to split Dad's Iris for you but as they are now pot pound had a bit of a hold and nearly broke the grape trying to dig them up only managed 4 some hold in the ground they had shall have to get a strong chap to lend a help.
Will send to you not forgetting. |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 06:15 pm: |
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LOL! Scotkat no worries!! did you get my email btw? I have a couple of spare siberian iris named varieites to swap in return if you are interested? |
| Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 03:38 am: |
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Yes I did Annette and thankyou shall do a swap no problem.This is exciting  |
