Bio , what’s a Whiskey Bath ? Do like a spot of Whiskey ?
Spent last few days in garden pruning/trimming trees ? and bushes now finished , got even more wood to burn once dried out , weather been cold but sunny & dry
Was hoping to consentrate on Allotment from next week but depends on the Siberia Blast we are going to get ❄️
Do use green manure , except clover which didn‘t dig in well and had to spray it as well , I found it a real problem
Used a summer Mix from Suffolk Herbs which was good .
Also used Grazing Rye on a bed over winter , needs to be dug in next month , will be interesting to see how it goes
Just a good whisky, swilled slowly around mouth, and not thrown away! Excellent for all ailments!!
Beautiful dry sunny day here but bitterly cold. Supposed to be -6 Tuesday with snow. Think of me at the Farmers Market! Think I shall make a hearty Bread Pudding with lashings of Brandy to warm the 'cockles of my clients hearts' -Only 3 Crates of Seville Oranges left to prepare. We have been told that there will be an electricity cut tomorrow morning to service lines. So damned cold , think we shall go out for a coffee and stock up freezer for cold spell. Thank goodness I cook with bottled gas so if we get power cuts no problem.
Look out for Lunar Calender plus March Weather Forecast tomorrow, (if the electrics come on again on time!)
Picking 2nd batch of Broccoli this afternoon to go with Roast Beef Supper. The Bargain Lorry is coming to our village at 3pm, going to buy some ground cover matting for greenhouse base. Plants coming into shops now -Temptation temptation!
Garden very very sad this morning, and common sense prevailed at 5am, when cats and dog refused to get up, so we stayed in bed too and did not go to Farmer's Market. Decided that there is a limit to how many hours I will stand around in the Winter waiting for clients to get up and visit us long suffering artisans and producers (Usually around 11am, and Market finishes at 12!!) We ate some of the Bread Pudding for lunch!.
As I say garden not happy -whilst we haven't had snow and no sign of frost, the icy winds during the night did the Fuschias in and the one hopeful leaf that the Gunnara had started to sprout has keeled over (My fault I should have fleeced the latter as was recommended on another Thread) -Anyway you will be pleased to know that things are going to get better (Well they couldn't get worse!) Up to 6th March snow, cold , rain and horrors continue but temperatures are going to rise particularly towards 16-17th.From 19th the weather will be very variable but warmer and towards the end of the month it will at last herald a period of dry springlike days, although nights will remain very chilly.
March is the last month when you can cut back shrubs, trees and hedges hard, as birds will soon be nesting and with the sap rising, many specimans will be damaged and probably will not flower if tackled later than this. If pruning choose a descending Moon and in preference the 1st-10th March or after the 25th but avoid 26th and 27th. Plant out Onion and Shallots (transplanting seedlings or sets) treat as 'Roots' and choose a descending Moon to avoid them bolting later.
We talked a little about Companion planting between rows of crops. Flax, Common Vescue and/or Fenugreek were recommended at my Garden Club Talk -Flax being particularly good for improving clay soils as deep roots break it up, also it is brilliant for early pollinisation (and very pretty) Common Vescue grows quickly and smothers weeds. As a fertiliser Fenugreek is great for dry and lime rich soils as it releases lots of nitrogen. White Clover was only recommended for lawns as it is highly invasive but a great bee attraction, so good next to borders and potagers incorporated with grass seed if you are renewing edges.
Here is the Lunar Calender for 27th -10th March
27th/28th Feb - Moon Descending in Cancer so Leaf Day 27th-Do not garden after 9.30am as Moon Perigee Fruit Day commences 10.32am on 28th but do not garden before 10.10am as Noeud ascending. In between times prepare the soil for your Asparagus Bed, plant out Conifers and evergreen shrubs and earth up Peas sown 25th January.
1/2nd March - Full Moon 12.51 (midnight) Moon descending in Leo so Fruit Days continue - Prune apples. pears and peaches, plus grapevines if you have one. Prick out aubergines, peppers and chilies sown 14-16th January.
3/4/5th March - Moon descending in Virgo so Root Days - Plant Early Potatoes/Jerusalem Artichokes and Horseradish.
6/7th March - Flower Days Moon in Libra - Prune Buddleas, Perovskias and other summer flowering shrubs. The lower to the ground you prune the hardier and bushier they will become. Prick out Impatiens (Busy Lizzies) sown 16-17th Feb. and pot on Begonias sown 20-21 January.
8/9th March - Leaf Days -Prune hedges. Blanche Dandelions. Plant and divide Chives/Tarragon/Sorrel and Rhubarb. Thin out Spinach/Lettuces and Dandelions sown 18-21st Feb. Plant Asparagus.
Well I hope that the weather changes to do this lot! I'm itching to get cracking but not for a few days!
I hope Update is correct too! Broad Beans a sorry sight this morning. I really must learn NOT to sow them in Oct/Nov -I have never been successful here. Peas however under fleece seem to like the weather!!!! and garlic has shot up. Dry and sunny -No snow yet, supposed to come 4am tomorrow.
Picking primroses to crystallise this afternoon, they don't seem to care about the weather at all. -6C at the moment. Birds chuffed with new Fat Balls/Apples and sunflower seeds. They look like puffballs sitting up in the Silver Birch waiting for 'Room Service'!!
Pushkin stayed out all night -Stupid cat, - came in for 'ham and eggs' and felt like a block of ice, just gone out again with kitten who has fully recovered and is playing with tatty mouse caught God knows how many days ago!
Bengal and Norman Cat tucked up in bed -More sense!
Greenhouse building on hold -Too cold, but we have rain forecast this w/e and higher temps next week so will ask O/H to brave elements then.
Hello , woke up to a heavy covering of snow ❄️ and it is still snowing , must be at least 10 years since we had this much and temperature forecast to be minus for a few days
Lots of things cancelled
Will go for a walk later and take pictures
Just being nosey , Norman the Cats ? Have you a fourth ?
Hi - Are you in Scotland? hear it is really bad there.
Our Norman cat Boysie is our original stray aged 19 this year. He is the love of my life - Tempted into the house as a kitten by a piece of Pork Pie on our return from trip to UK. Found his Mother shot dead in the wood next to our outbuildings. He is a rich ginger, and built like a brick, terrified of all humans except us which is a great honour. When the vet asked me what breed he was I said 'Norman' without thinking and now it has become a standard nickname for all stray cats visiting the Surgery! -I don't normally mention him here because he just bumbles around, likes sniffing roses and sleeps now.
So we have Boots the Bengal whom I bred myself. Pushkin. Chips and Boysie plus an Italien Greyhound who is bossed around by all of them.
Posts
Bio , what’s a Whiskey Bath ? Do like a spot of Whiskey ?
Spent last few days in garden pruning/trimming trees ? and bushes now finished , got even more wood to burn once dried out , weather been cold but sunny & dry
Was hoping to consentrate on Allotment from next week but depends on the Siberia Blast we are going to get ❄️
Do use green manure , except clover which didn‘t dig in well and had to spray it as well , I found it a real problem
Used a summer Mix from Suffolk Herbs which was good .
Also used Grazing Rye on a bed over winter , needs to be dug in next month , will be interesting to see how it goes
Big gates
Hope kitty is ok
Just a good whisky, swilled slowly around mouth, and not thrown away! Excellent for all ailments!!
Beautiful dry sunny day here but bitterly cold. Supposed to be -6 Tuesday with snow. Think of me at the Farmers Market! Think I shall make a hearty Bread Pudding with lashings of Brandy to warm the 'cockles of my clients hearts' -Only 3 Crates of Seville Oranges left to prepare. We have been told that there will be an electricity cut tomorrow morning to service lines. So damned cold , think we shall go out for a coffee and stock up freezer for cold spell. Thank goodness I cook with bottled gas so if we get power cuts no problem.
Look out for Lunar Calender plus March Weather Forecast tomorrow, (if the electrics come on again on time!)
Picking 2nd batch of Broccoli this afternoon to go with Roast Beef Supper. The Bargain Lorry is coming to our village at 3pm, going to buy some ground cover matting for greenhouse base. Plants coming into shops now -Temptation temptation!
Happy Gardening.
Hello , agree Whiskey ? is good for ailments , great for colds with honey ? , lemon ? and hot water
Very cold hear and due to get colder this week , might even have some snow ❄️ which would be nice . Need some extra protection in g/h
Bread & butter pudding sounds fabulous
Somebody gave o/h some Seville oranges ? so marmalade made
Amazing how much we rely on Electricity , hope you don’t have problems
Garden very very sad this morning, and common sense prevailed at 5am, when cats and dog refused to get up, so we stayed in bed too and did not go to Farmer's Market. Decided that there is a limit to how many hours I will stand around in the Winter waiting for clients to get up and visit us long suffering artisans and producers (Usually around 11am, and Market finishes at 12!!) We ate some of the Bread Pudding for lunch!.
As I say garden not happy -whilst we haven't had snow and no sign of frost, the icy winds during the night did the Fuschias in and the one hopeful leaf that the Gunnara had started to sprout has keeled over (My fault I should have fleeced the latter as was recommended on another Thread) -Anyway you will be pleased to know that things are going to get better (Well they couldn't get worse!) Up to 6th March snow, cold , rain and horrors continue but temperatures are going to rise particularly towards 16-17th.From 19th the weather will be very variable but warmer and towards the end of the month it will at last herald a period of dry springlike days, although nights will remain very chilly.
March is the last month when you can cut back shrubs, trees and hedges hard, as birds will soon be nesting and with the sap rising, many specimans will be damaged and probably will not flower if tackled later than this. If pruning choose a descending Moon and in preference the 1st-10th March or after the 25th but avoid 26th and 27th. Plant out Onion and Shallots (transplanting seedlings or sets) treat as 'Roots' and choose a descending Moon to avoid them bolting later.
We talked a little about Companion planting between rows of crops. Flax, Common Vescue and/or Fenugreek were recommended at my Garden Club Talk -Flax being particularly good for improving clay soils as deep roots break it up, also it is brilliant for early pollinisation (and very pretty) Common Vescue grows quickly and smothers weeds. As a fertiliser Fenugreek is great for dry and lime rich soils as it releases lots of nitrogen. White Clover was only recommended for lawns as it is highly invasive but a great bee attraction, so good next to borders and potagers incorporated with grass seed if you are renewing edges.
Here is the Lunar Calender for 27th -10th March
27th/28th Feb - Moon Descending in Cancer so Leaf Day 27th-Do not garden after 9.30am as Moon Perigee Fruit Day commences 10.32am on 28th but do not garden before 10.10am as Noeud ascending. In between times prepare the soil for your Asparagus Bed, plant out Conifers and evergreen shrubs and earth up Peas sown 25th January.
1/2nd March - Full Moon 12.51 (midnight) Moon descending in Leo so Fruit Days continue - Prune apples. pears and peaches, plus grapevines if you have one. Prick out aubergines, peppers and chilies sown 14-16th January.
3/4/5th March - Moon descending in Virgo so Root Days - Plant Early Potatoes/Jerusalem Artichokes and Horseradish.
6/7th March - Flower Days Moon in Libra - Prune Buddleas, Perovskias and other summer flowering shrubs. The lower to the ground you prune the hardier and bushier they will become. Prick out Impatiens (Busy Lizzies) sown 16-17th Feb. and pot on Begonias sown 20-21 January.
8/9th March - Leaf Days -Prune hedges. Blanche Dandelions. Plant and divide Chives/Tarragon/Sorrel and Rhubarb. Thin out Spinach/Lettuces and Dandelions sown 18-21st Feb. Plant Asparagus.
Well I hope that the weather changes to do this lot! I'm itching to get cracking but not for a few days!
Happy Gardening and Keep Warm!
Last edited: 27 February 2018 13:41:39
Hello , a another Hard frost this morning with a light dusting of frost , then 9-00 , 4 inches of snow ❄️ was dropped , fields & garden looking good
wanted to do lots at allotment this week but the weather forecast is not good
May have said before about using clover as green manure and yes invasive and will not use again
Many thanks for update , hope it’s correct
No gardening planned here for a day or so at least. It's so cold the pond has frozen!
I hope Update is correct too! Broad Beans a sorry sight this morning. I really must learn NOT to sow them in Oct/Nov -I have never been successful here. Peas however under fleece seem to like the weather!!!! and garlic has shot up. Dry and sunny -No snow yet, supposed to come 4am tomorrow.
Picking primroses to crystallise this afternoon, they don't seem to care about the weather at all. -6C at the moment. Birds chuffed with new Fat Balls/Apples and sunflower seeds. They look like puffballs sitting up in the Silver Birch waiting for 'Room Service'!!
Pushkin stayed out all night -Stupid cat, - came in for 'ham and eggs' and felt like a block of ice, just gone out again with kitten who has fully recovered and is playing with tatty mouse caught God knows how many days ago!
Bengal and Norman Cat tucked up in bed -More sense!
Greenhouse building on hold -Too cold, but we have rain forecast this w/e and higher temps next week so will ask O/H to brave elements then.
Happy Gardening -Keep warm.
Hello , woke up to a heavy covering of snow ❄️ and it is still snowing , must be at least 10 years since we had this much and temperature forecast to be minus for a few days
Lots of things cancelled
Will go for a walk later and take pictures
Just being nosey , Norman the Cats ? Have you a fourth ?
Hi - Are you in Scotland? hear it is really bad there.
Our Norman cat Boysie is our original stray aged 19 this year. He is the love of my life - Tempted into the house as a kitten by a piece of Pork Pie on our return from trip to UK. Found his Mother shot dead in the wood next to our outbuildings. He is a rich ginger, and built like a brick, terrified of all humans except us which is a great honour. When the vet asked me what breed he was I said 'Norman' without thinking and now it has become a standard nickname for all stray cats visiting the Surgery! -I don't normally mention him here because he just bumbles around, likes sniffing roses and sleeps now.
So we have Boots the Bengal whom I bred myself. Pushkin. Chips and Boysie plus an Italien Greyhound who is bossed around by all of them.
Looking forward to seeing your pictures.
Last edited: 28 February 2018 11:29:33
Hello , in Lincolnshire, the East Coast
Been for walk in places a foot deep , sun now out
Picture of feilds at side of house
Norman , that’s a good age for a cat , grew up with lots of cats ?, they all have there own personality