If you're anything like me you're not only fed up with the cold weather but itching to get going in the garden too. It's been relentless hasn't it.? I hear things are set to change from now on. If it doesn't I'll eat my socks.
Although things have been pretty much set back in the garden, there have been a few things of note. On those rare occasions when the day has felt blessed with a little sun and warmth, the odd bumble bee has visited, also water boatmen, whirligig beetles and those little water-skimming spiders have been seen in the pond. Thankfully, although some of the frog's spawn has indeed perished from the ravages of the cold, much has survived and has already changed into 'commas.'
Under the trees at the end of the garden, clumps of cow parsley and white comfrey are bushing out. We're beginning to add a few primroses here too and planning to add other shade-loving plants hoping that they will self-seed and naturalise to give this little area a woodland feel. Behind the trees there's an almighty bramble plant which we're going to train to form a screen. Bramble is a wonderful wild flower to have. As well as the rich supply of nectar and fruit, the arching tangle of stems creates a home for all sorts of small creatures.
A trip to the garden centre last weekend resulted in us purchasing a small, five-tier grow house; just perfect for the seed trays we'll be using.
Lastly, we've been preparing the ground for the native annual seed mix, hopefully ready for sowing this weekend. Towards the end of the year we plan for this to be cleared for sowing a native meadow.
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Although things have been pretty much set back in the garden, there have been a few things of note. On those rare occasions when the day has felt blessed with a little sun and warmth, the odd bumble bee has visited, also water boatmen, whirligig beetles and those little water-skimming spiders have been seen in the pond. Thankfully, although some of the frog's spawn has indeed perished from the ravages of the cold, much has survived and has already changed into 'commas.'
Under the trees at the end of the garden, clumps of cow parsley and white comfrey are bushing out. We're beginning to add a few primroses here too and planning to add other shade-loving plants hoping that they will self-seed and naturalise to give this little area a woodland feel. Behind the trees there's an almighty bramble plant which we're going to train to form a screen. Bramble is a wonderful wild flower to have. As well as the rich supply of nectar and fruit, the arching tangle of stems creates a home for all sorts of small creatures.
A trip to the garden centre last weekend resulted in us purchasing a small, five-tier grow house; just perfect for the seed trays we'll be using.
Lastly, we've been preparing the ground for the native annual seed mix, hopefully ready for sowing this weekend. Towards the end of the year we plan for this to be cleared for sowing a native meadow.
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