Tuesday 29 January 2008

I like my trees!

As I write this article we are getting drowned on again!

I mean I know that we should be watering our gardens, and evergreen trees and shrubs until it freezes. But for goodness sake I'm wet through!!

Been looking at my trees today.

I've been pruning my elms and oaks and as my pines get older I think they are shedding more -a bit like yours truly to be honest!

With those strong winds last week, I had a load of damaged branches that needed to be cleaned up and removed. The problem is that breaks in the branches allows insect and disease to get into them. That's why the broken portions should be properly pruned to branch collars or other appropriate points.

Trees are important you know - and I don't think we take too much care of ours in this country. Certainly I seem to be surrounded by people who see a tree as an opportunity to take out their axes and chainsaws.

But look after your trees and they'll look after you!

Wednesday 23 January 2008

I haven't gone away - I've just been cold!!

Bunny problems are back!

Yep = those damned rabbits are back again. They might look pretty and cuddly but the pesky things are demolishing any new shoot as quickly as they appear.

It's the time of year when rabbits will have a go at almost anything, even plants they are not supposed to like.

Of course the only real cure is to fence and gate off the whole area but that means destroying the look of my dear old garden. I do put some small fences up to protect my special areas – they needn't be ugly but look OK if disguised in boundary hedges.

But I have found one solution to make the problem a little easier to bear.

Rabbit and sweet potato pie.

To paraphrase that turkey farmer - they're bootiful!

Monday 7 January 2008

A mulching I have been

I've been a mulching today!

I've mulched all my woody plants with around 3 inches of mulch - using the leaves and pine needles that fell in those strong winds last weekend.

Mulch, of course, helps to insulate the soil in case we get no snow and helps retain soil moisture.

I've also been bulb hunting and getting rid of the tender bulbs that I haven't already pulled. Most of them need to be dug once they’re hit by frost anyway.

I've also done a touch of planting - my garlic went in yesterday and I pulled out the frost-killed stuff and chucked that in the compost bin as well.

But it doesn't matter how busy I get in that garden - I can't wait for that sun on my back! Spring can't come fast enough for this kiddie!

Thursday 3 January 2008

Not my favourite time of year!

I don't mind admitting it!

The Long Suffering gets on her high horse and tells me I've tucked into too much turkey and pud - and she then sticks me on one of these diet things. The belssed woman doesn't understand though. A shed is not just for keeping my tools in - I've got a nice cool store of pork pies and hobnobs in there that help keep the cold away.

So I've had reason enough to go down the garden - but I look at my lawn and sometimes wonder will it ever be back to its beautiful best?

That's why I always put a bit of time into the lawn.

I mow it frequently - that used to be just in the summer but now, of course, it grows at a rate of knots, meaning the old mower is out of hibernation earlier than ever. And whilst it will benefit from regular cutting, helping the growth of shoots it also takes a fair bit of goodness out. So, I always follow a good cut with a good feed.

And that means me as well as the old grass!

Gnome sweet gnome

This flippin' awful weather is a real pain for somebody who likes to be out and about pottering.

So, I've taken the opportunity to do some gnome scrubbing this week. I've got a small collection of garden gnomes – not those horrid £4.99 plastic affairs but the proper article.

I also started reading a bit about them.

Did you know that the first appearance of a gnome in this country was in about 1840?

According to local myths gnomes are very lucky. It is documented in the 1870s that manufacture began on a large scale. Apparently they are meant to help around the house and garden, and in more isolated areas were meant to guard over produce and livestock.

Eventually, the European gnome creators became experts and masters of their work. During its most popular period a gnome factory in Griebel, Germany produced over 300 different characters.

The first gnomes were always characterised as gardeners carrying out daily country tasks, but this grew to fishermen, sportsmen, musicians and many more. Then they started to model ones from people still living out of clay or stoneware.

By the way, if you're thinking of selling your home, a study has concluded that a gnome in your front garden would lower the price of your house.

But who cares? They're happy. I'm happy - and she who must be obeyed is happy.