The Wild Boar and Deer eat the crops in the field behind us - Find alot of cobs buried also _ not sure what animal would do this? A square of Corn is always left specifically to attract Boar and Deer so that they can be cornered and shot in the Hunting Season. Not safe to walk dogs between Sep-March as guns everywhere. Even a road sign outside one of the local forests marked 'Beware bullets'!! - Thank goodness fishing season starts soon, then all is well. - Only had rats when we kept chickens in the UK. Can't stand the bald tails. Boots the Bengal keen on catching the odd youngster.
I like growing sweetcorn, but seems alot of work for so few cobs. Joy of joys, 1st tomatoes sprouted today after sowing only a week ago. Is this a record for windowsills?
In Belgium they've changed the hunting season which now ends on December 31st. However, local gamekeepers reserve the right to shoot any dogs running around off their leads if they think they'll upset their pheasants and roe deer. We have several hunting grounds here so have to be careful.
Once the local sweetcorn gets above tail height on Rasta terrier we can lose her completely as she quarters back and forth looking for pheasants to chase - after the babies have hatched and grown and before the hunting season starts again. Bonzo Dog Labrador doesn't need anything to chase. He just likes to run.
No wild boar here yet but they have learned to swim the Meuse and are heading north out of the Ardennes where, it seems, the local hunters are not keeping down the numbers. Something to do with quotas and licenses.......
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
They have just introduced pheasants here this year. Only a few wild ones around before £18 each!! I only pay £10 a brace in UK. On last count we had 65,000Boar in France. They have 10-12 marcassins (babies) each - so it is a real problem.
Did you see the Moon last night with Jupiter shining brightly next door. Stunning!
Temperatures falling again. Nasty frost last night, but at least it is starting to get light earlier in the mornings, and joy of joy sunset twenty to seven in France, which means I'm twitching for the clocks to change already.
Game is expensive here too so I buy it at the end of December when they start to reduce the price in the shops to get rid and I stick some in the freezer for later on.
Saw the moon and Jupiter last night on our way home from Soul class in Gilly. Stunning but flipping cold and frosty. Been cold all day and we've had everything except gales - bright sun, black clouds, rain, hail, sleet and snow in turn. Blue skies again now but not for long as it's nearly sunset.
I'm sticking with patchwork and sewing projects for the next week or so apart from taking more twisted willow cuttings tomorrow and seeing if I can get some weeping willow cuttings from our neighbour's tree.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hi everyone - Welcome to March! - The Bio weather predictions are for a warm but very wet month, particularly towards the end of the month when we have 3 Water Trines to contend with, namely Neptune, Venus and Mercury. Pluto and Jupiter in Leo bring the warmth, so we should have good growing conditions if nothing else! I have an admission to make - My tomato seedlings were climbing out of their seed tray, so I transplanted all 13 of them (That's bad luck for a start!) on 28th Feb which was a Flower Day! I just could not wait for 3rd March. They will probably all drop dead now! - We shall see. At least it shows that I am not quite so strong willed as I thought and it will serve me right if feeling sorry for them is just not the way to garden! - Apart from that a Water Melon sprouted today (Free seeds from my French Gardening Magazine) - What on earth am I supposed to do now? Has anyone ever grown these??? It is leering at me hopefully - and 'yes' I feel sorry for it -Being landed with me as a 'carer' that is!!.
Having confessed the mortal sin of ignoring the Moon Calender re my toms, here is the Lunar Calender 1-15 March, which I promise I shall stick to!:-
1/2 March - Leaf Days Moon descending and in Last Quarter (waning) in the Water Sign Scorpio and Mars. Plant asparagus. Plant container grown Conifers and evergreen shrubs for hedges and borders.
3/4/5 March - Fruit Days Moon ascending in Fire Sign Sagittarius. 3rd and 4th joined by Pluto. Mercury in Aquarius until the 17th (remember wet weather forecast) Sow cucumbers and melons 20-25C Sow Aubergines/Peppers/Chilis and 'yes' Tomatoes (I shall pop some more in, in case my transplanted babies die!) Graft Fruit Trees.
6/7 March - Root Days Moon ascending with Venus in constellation of Capricorn.Sow radishes from now on every Root Day. Sow parsnips and try Parsley Roots (Bought some to eat last w/e - roasted like parsnips delicious) Not sure if it is in UK catalogues.
8 March - Flower Day Sow Buzy Lizzies and Petunias in heat without covering the seed. In Cucumber Frame, placed in full light sow Summer Cauliflowers and Broccoli.
9/10 March No gardening before 11.40am on 9th and before 12.10pm on 10th. Total Eclipse of the Sun at 1.54pm on 9th. New Moon in Pisces. Very perturbed weather predictions on these days but Leaf Days going into the 11th, so outside hours stressed Sow Cabbages and Brussel Sprouts in well exposed (light) and covered Frames and first Summer Lettuce under heat.
12 March - Fruit Day Moon in Fire Sign Aries. Sow in handfuls (as opposed to rows) round and wrinkled peas together (One will sprout before the other giving a continuous crop as the other comes in behind) Tried this last year and it worked well. Would never have thought of it before. Also sow Mangetout and Broad Beans.
13/14/15 March - Root Days Moon in constellation of Earth Sign Taurus, so be aware of colder weather likely. In a Nursery Bed sow Summer Leeks and Carrots side by side to help stop Carrot and Onion Fly respectively.
So there we are - 1st fortnight under our belt. All questions and comments welcome. Looking forward to Gardeners World on 4th March. Happy Gardening!
It's been perisihng today but my garden helper came so gardening it was. We managed an hour clearing newly energetic nettles and other weeds form one bi of border and cutting back old growth on perennials before being driven inside by rain and snow. Having found some forgotten bulbs in the garage we spent a happy hour or two cleaning them and planting them in troughs in the shed and then sorted through my seeds which are now organised under flowers - annual, biennial and perennial; veggies - leafy, roots, fruity such as beans, toms, chillies and cucs and then there's a box for climbers of any sort.
None of this was driven by lunar activity but more by a total absence of sun and an excess of wind and rain. Fingers crossed all those bulbs survive and thrive.
Next gardening job for me is a further sort of seeds into when to sow etc and then finding the best day to take weeping willow cuttings. Was going to do it on Saturday but the fridge door fell off and is dead so I was a bit distracted............
Had to go and buy a new fridge this morning - €350 for a new door or €600 for a whole new fridge. Ludicrous. Bought 3 huge bags of potting compost and some red onion sets while we were out - made me feel better.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Biofreak , can't help with water melon , best of luck with them
Did spend weekend at allotment tidying up ect . , lots done and yesterday afternoon triming an Ash tree , have saved wood for fire .
Oberlix have trimmed willow tree still one more to go on other side on stream bank
We have 2 holidays in March so have decided to sew seeds in April which doesn't really fit in with the calendar but friends either over or under water seeds
Posts
The Wild Boar and Deer eat the crops in the field behind us - Find alot of cobs buried also _ not sure what animal would do this? A square of Corn is always left specifically to attract Boar and Deer so that they can be cornered and shot in the Hunting Season. Not safe to walk dogs between Sep-March as guns everywhere. Even a road sign outside one of the local forests marked 'Beware bullets'!! - Thank goodness fishing season starts soon, then all is well. - Only had rats when we kept chickens in the UK. Can't stand the bald tails. Boots the Bengal keen on catching the odd youngster.
I like growing sweetcorn, but seems alot of work for so few cobs. Joy of joys, 1st tomatoes sprouted today after sowing only a week ago. Is this a record for windowsills?
In Belgium they've changed the hunting season which now ends on December 31st. However, local gamekeepers reserve the right to shoot any dogs running around off their leads if they think they'll upset their pheasants and roe deer. We have several hunting grounds here so have to be careful.
Once the local sweetcorn gets above tail height on Rasta terrier we can lose her completely as she quarters back and forth looking for pheasants to chase - after the babies have hatched and grown and before the hunting season starts again. Bonzo Dog Labrador doesn't need anything to chase. He just likes to run.
No wild boar here yet but they have learned to swim the Meuse and are heading north out of the Ardennes where, it seems, the local hunters are not keeping down the numbers. Something to do with quotas and licenses.......
The allotment I have is in the countryside , at times you can hear shooting , hares , pheasant and pigeon are popular in this part of Lincolnshire
Remmber a holiday in rural France once being waken up Sunday Morning thinking a war had broken out , shooters and dogs crossing the fields
They have just introduced pheasants here this year. Only a few wild ones around before £18 each!! I only pay £10 a brace in UK. On last count we had 65,000Boar in France. They have 10-12 marcassins (babies) each - so it is a real problem.
Did you see the Moon last night with Jupiter shining brightly next door. Stunning!
Temperatures falling again. Nasty frost last night, but at least it is starting to get light earlier in the mornings, and joy of joy sunset twenty to seven in France, which means I'm twitching for the clocks to change already.
Game is expensive here too so I buy it at the end of December when they start to reduce the price in the shops to get rid and I stick some in the freezer for later on.
Saw the moon and Jupiter last night on our way home from Soul class in Gilly. Stunning but flipping cold and frosty. Been cold all day and we've had everything except gales - bright sun, black clouds, rain, hail, sleet and snow in turn. Blue skies again now but not for long as it's nearly sunset.
I'm sticking with patchwork and sewing projects for the next week or so apart from taking more twisted willow cuttings tomorrow and seeing if I can get some weeping willow cuttings from our neighbour's tree.
Hello , yes did see the moon , very clear sky's .
Very cold again but nice and sunny with another good frost
Had a good day in the garden , hoping to spend weekend at allotment
Hi everyone - Welcome to March! - The Bio weather predictions are for a warm but very wet month, particularly towards the end of the month when we have 3 Water Trines to contend with, namely Neptune, Venus and Mercury. Pluto and Jupiter in Leo bring the warmth, so we should have good growing conditions if nothing else! I have an admission to make - My tomato seedlings were climbing out of their seed tray, so I transplanted all 13 of them (That's bad luck for a start!) on 28th Feb which was a Flower Day! I just could not wait for 3rd March. They will probably all drop dead now! - We shall see. At least it shows that I am not quite so strong willed as I thought and it will serve me right if feeling sorry for them is just not the way to garden! - Apart from that a Water Melon sprouted today (Free seeds from my French Gardening Magazine) - What on earth am I supposed to do now? Has anyone ever grown these??? It is leering at me hopefully - and 'yes' I feel sorry for it -Being landed with me as a 'carer' that is!!.
Having confessed the mortal sin of ignoring the Moon Calender re my toms, here is the Lunar Calender 1-15 March, which I promise I shall stick to!:-
1/2 March - Leaf Days Moon descending and in Last Quarter (waning) in the Water Sign Scorpio and Mars. Plant asparagus. Plant container grown Conifers and evergreen shrubs for hedges and borders.
3/4/5 March - Fruit Days Moon ascending in Fire Sign Sagittarius. 3rd and 4th joined by Pluto. Mercury in Aquarius until the 17th (remember wet weather forecast) Sow cucumbers and melons 20-25C Sow Aubergines/Peppers/Chilis and 'yes' Tomatoes (I shall pop some more in, in case my transplanted babies die!) Graft Fruit Trees.
6/7 March - Root Days Moon ascending with Venus in constellation of Capricorn.Sow radishes from now on every Root Day. Sow parsnips and try Parsley Roots (Bought some to eat last w/e - roasted like parsnips delicious) Not sure if it is in UK catalogues.
8 March - Flower Day Sow Buzy Lizzies and Petunias in heat without covering the seed. In Cucumber Frame, placed in full light sow Summer Cauliflowers and Broccoli.
9/10 March No gardening before 11.40am on 9th and before 12.10pm on 10th. Total Eclipse of the Sun at 1.54pm on 9th. New Moon in Pisces. Very perturbed weather predictions on these days but Leaf Days going into the 11th, so outside hours stressed Sow Cabbages and Brussel Sprouts in well exposed (light) and covered Frames and first Summer Lettuce under heat.
12 March - Fruit Day Moon in Fire Sign Aries. Sow in handfuls (as opposed to rows) round and wrinkled peas together (One will sprout before the other giving a continuous crop as the other comes in behind) Tried this last year and it worked well. Would never have thought of it before. Also sow Mangetout and Broad Beans.
13/14/15 March - Root Days Moon in constellation of Earth Sign Taurus, so be aware of colder weather likely. In a Nursery Bed sow Summer Leeks and Carrots side by side to help stop Carrot and Onion Fly respectively.
So there we are - 1st fortnight under our belt. All questions and comments welcome. Looking forward to Gardeners World on 4th March. Happy Gardening!
It's been perisihng today but my garden helper came so gardening it was. We managed an hour clearing newly energetic nettles and other weeds form one bi of border and cutting back old growth on perennials before being driven inside by rain and snow. Having found some forgotten bulbs in the garage we spent a happy hour or two cleaning them and planting them in troughs in the shed and then sorted through my seeds which are now organised under flowers - annual, biennial and perennial; veggies - leafy, roots, fruity such as beans, toms, chillies and cucs and then there's a box for climbers of any sort.
None of this was driven by lunar activity but more by a total absence of sun and an excess of wind and rain. Fingers crossed all those bulbs survive and thrive.
Next gardening job for me is a further sort of seeds into when to sow etc and then finding the best day to take weeping willow cuttings. Was going to do it on Saturday but the fridge door fell off and is dead so I was a bit distracted............
Had to go and buy a new fridge this morning - €350 for a new door or €600 for a whole new fridge. Ludicrous. Bought 3 huge bags of potting compost and some red onion sets while we were out - made me feel better.
Biofreak , can't help with water melon , best of luck with them
Did spend weekend at allotment tidying up ect . , lots done and yesterday afternoon triming an Ash tree , have saved wood for fire .
Oberlix have trimmed willow tree still one more to go on other side on stream bank
We have 2 holidays in March so have decided to sew seeds in April which doesn't really fit in with the calendar but friends either over or under water seeds
Thanks for the info , keep gardening