There has been an explosion of blossom and new growth, a little later than usual, but so welcome. The apricot has finished flowering and fingers are crossed for fruit. Now the plum and damson are flowering and the cherry and apple are close behind.
It’s surprising the blossom has survived the sudden change in the weather, it’s been bright but bitterly cold, we’ve even had snow and sleet showers.
Butterflies and bees are everywhere now and the air is rich with birdsong. Talking of butterflies, do you remember the cabbage white laying eggs on the kale in the greenhouse last autumn? Well, the caterpillars hatched, devoured the kale and cocooned up. Imagine my surprise when I went into the greenhouse a few days ago only to find it full of pristine, snow white newly born butterflies fluttering in every corner. Rather magical it was, well worth the price of a little kale which grew back and fed us all winter.
Three out of four of the raised beds in the courtyard are now planted. The garlic and onions are up and the broad beans are in, along with the potatoes. I’ve had to put pots amongst the broad beans to stop Buddy sitting on them when it’s sunny.
Last year I started a herb station in the courtyard, sadly the herbs didn’t get enough sunlight there, so I’m slowly digging them up, potting them on and moving them into the back garden and stashing them on tables and in the wheelbarrows around the greenhouse for now, there’s far more light and heat there. Bay, yarrow, motherwort and parsley seem happy enough in the old herb station though, so I’ll leave them be.
The first lettuce and tomato seedlings have been potted on and the rocket is romping away. I recently treated myself to a lemon tree, this one will definitely stay in the greenhouse, I’ve finally learnt that lesson. Its two ripe lemons fell off during transit sadly, still, it has plenty of blossoms.
More potatoes have been chitted and are ready to be planted in the front garden veggie patch, and more herbs are being dried in the greenhouse, a gal can never have too many herbs.
It’s been very dry of late, my tiny pond is now only half full, the birds are now standing in it for a bath and a drink.
Buddy has been driving me crackers of late. Recently, while hubs and I were having lunch in the back garden, he sniffed out a mouse and slaughtered it. Hubs had to shake him to release it, otherwise he would have ate it and vomited all night…something I’m well used to!!!!
Worse though, he killed a little woodpigeon chick yesterday, I had the pleasure [not] of seeing the poor creature’s last gasps as I didn’t want to pick it up if it was going to die, no need to add to it’s misery. He’s such a sweet dog around people and dogs, anything else is prey. Sighs.
And Finally…
The pubs opened this week and we’re all allowed to eat and drink outdoors. We did the honours on a whim, and were absolutely frozen solid! Everyone outdoors who hadn’t booked were well wrapped up with blankets, hats, gloves etc. Still, we got that first drink in!
Until next time, stay safe guys. We seem to be on the other side of the plague, touch wood! xxx
Oh, I’ll go check it out.xxx
http://huttsnew3.home.blog
Great post and fantastic images.
Thanks Peter.xxx
Buddy is all and or part terrier yes ? … it is hard to quash such a strong instinct, I so don’t envy you those incidents though .. that is hard to take, but I have no idea for how to break him of it either.
Best to get on with lighter comments ? LOL … good grief you are a green grocer all on your own with so many veg and fruit plants ! You have to be on the go all the time .. I got tired just thinking of taking care of everything .. haha Wonderful to appreciate that white cabbage moth 😉
Our weather is headed in a very cold direction yet again .. after such a tease of nice conditions. I have to laugh at having some well deserved liquid refreshments in the cold like that .. you all have to have some Canadian blood in you some where ? haha
All of our treat places are shut down for the month because of the spike in cases yet again.
But thinking of a nice drink of something like that ? .. now, I do envy you ! LOL
Yes, Buddy is a full blown terrier. There is no undoing that instinct sadly. My Doberman is an absolute angel around anything that moves, as is my collie. Our weather is similar, up and down all the time, that’s climate change for you! Oh, I think we must have a dash of Canadian blood to sit out and freeze just to enjoy a pint out. Covid will create so many memories for sure. Thanks Joy.xxx
Isn’t spring wonderful? The birdsong is fabulous and blossom and new green leaves everywhere make the heart sing. Like Buddy, Hector kills and eats every creature that comes into the garden despite being a big softie with people and other dogs. Hunting is in their DNA. But maybe he is trying to help by taking your mouse problem into his own paws.
Isn’t it great having pub gardens open? At last our cycle rides have a purposel
Oh yes, spring is wonderful, especially this one! I could sit outside and listen to the birds all day, while trying to spot them. Oh, sorry to hear Hector is a killer too, it has your nerves on edge doesn’t it, I have to dash around the back garden rustling the shrubs etc before I let the dogs out. At least it gives the chicks a chance, as I can drive them over fences. How wonderful that you can finally hit a pub during your bike rides, long may that continue. Thanks Chloris.xxx
You have an amazing amount of veggies and fruit and flowers, all in one garden with dogs! We have taken to planting on the weeks when we don’t look after Charlie (our daughter’s dog)..much as we love him. I LOVE all the herbs, I am growing more this year, I was inspired watching Monty Don planting spearmint mint…and some I’ve never heard of.
Hope it warms up soon, so that you can get out and about now.
Thanks Gerrie, I totally get why you don’t plant when Charlie is visiting! Gardener’s World is brilliant isn’t it, I always surprised that Australia and America don’t have more gardening programmes.xxx
Our blossom is really exposed on the allotment so casualties are inevitable. Ruby imagines that she is a big game hunter but her prey are mini beasts. I just hope that she doesn’t swallow a bee or wasp.
You seem to be at a similar stage to us planting wise.
I do hope your blossom causalities are limited! I too hope Ruby doesn’t go after bees or wasps, Buddy did that once and ended up in the vets covered in hives. Thanks Sue.xxx
Good, finally over here as well we get a touch of liberty with restaurant terrasses open to public.
But still freezing cold… and you prefere stay indoors.
After a full week with around 5° Celsius, we got planted the tomatoes, cucumbers, red ribs and few herbs. I don’t know if these will keep, still we have many little seedling in the “plastic-cage” but for these, we must wait before getting them outside.
The weather is crazy. And last week in Basel and Zurich the snow arrived down to cover the cities streets, even if not for long. Many cherryblossms are ruined and the famous Basler’s cherries will be compromised.
But, as we keep hear now and then, the climat change is a hoax…
Hugs and kisses
:-)c
Good to know your numbers are low and that you can meet outdoors like us. Yes it’s still cold here too especially when that spring sun sinks. Climate change is really noticed by those who garden, I have no clue what each day will bring weather-wise now, each year is totally different, gardening is becoming a challenge worldwide. Thanks Claudine, love and hugs to you all.xxxx
Looks like you are having a cool but beautiful spring and can look forward to a bountiful harvest. So glad you are getting past the pandemic.
Thanks Jason, it’s getting warmer but oh so dry! Fingers crossed re the numbers staying low. xxx
The blossom is beautiful at the moment isn’t it, such a lovely time of year.
We have had some very nice days weather-wise, although not too warm and the nights have been very chilly. We actually managed a garden BBQ recently sitting out with blankets, it was chilly! All made bearable because with Covid restrictions being eased (a little) it enabled us to see two of our grandchildren and their mum and dad of course! It was just soooooooooo good 🙂
Enjoy your week.
All the best Jan
I think the blossom is outstanding this year, although it’s later than usual around here. Our weather seems similar to yours although it’s really dry of late, I had to fill the pond as it dried out completely, something that has never happened before. How lovely that you and family got together, despite it being chilly all those blankets sound cosy, something you will remember anyway. Thanks Jan. xxx
Buddy is doing I guess, what comes naturally to him. A bit of behavioural doggy hypnotism, if it exists, would be impossible, but interesting to try. I don’t suppose he would he let you get away with Pavlov’s techniques. Buddy has found a warm seat on the Broad Beans, who needs an external thermometer.
Oh ye of great endeavour, sitting out in the perishing cold to christen a pint. A whisky next time!
Were you able to use the lemon that came off in transit of the wee tree? Looking forward to seeing pictures of home grown lemons in due course. xxxx
Yes, Buddy is just following his instincts, he is a killer for sure. Annie is a herder and Sam a protector, all instinctive. I don’t think I’ll ever change him. I had a jack before him who was exactly the same, during chick season I had to tie him to a chair outdoors as he was far worse than Buddy re killing chicks. He just loves sunbathing and sits on every pot or container that is in the sun…sighs!
Yes, I’ll use the two lemons as they were mature and will certainly take your advise re having a whisky next time we’re perishing in a pub beer garden. Thank Menhir. xxxx
How does your garden grow? With beautiful things all in a row….absolutely wonderful….
Here’s to spring, sitting in pub gardens and enjoying the exquisite bird song which we are experiencing this year…..and the butterflies:).
ENJOY and tell Buddy to behave himself:) xxxx
Oh yes, here’s to spring and sitting in pubs and enjoying the birdsong! I’ve told Buddy to behave on your behalf, maybe he’ll listen to someone else. Thanks Janet. xxxx
You should start your own garden shop! With that kind of stock, you could keep yourself in pet food and new seeds with the profit gained by selling plants to others. I’d buy starts from you if I were there. I know you do a lot of drying, freezing, and so on, but I just can’t imagine how you make use of all that produce! It sure does look good, though — as long as you can keep all the critters out of the beds and pots!
Lots of my produce is shared with neighbours and friends, they turn it into all sorts of goodies that wing their way back to me. How lovely it would be to share with you too, sighs. I always cook the spinach and kale and freeze them in ice cube trays, you wouldn’t believe how much you get through in soups etc, a gal can never have enough. Keeping critters off the pots is another story, Buddy was sitting on my herb planted wheelbarrow today! That dog gets everywhere being so small and being a sun worshiper. Thanks Linda.xxx
Oh, Buddy!
Everything looks gorgeous, Ms. D.! I wish I had a lemon tree. Wow, how wonderful. The potatoes sound wonderful, and my, what a lot of fruit is coming! I hope all the relocated herbs do well for you.
We had such hot weather; next week, a few nights well below freezing, so we’ll have to cover what we can and pray for the rest…so it goes during climate change.
Thank you for immersing me in such joy and beauty!
Tell Buddy his Irish-American auntie expects more kindness from such a sweet fellow!
Love to all,
Xoxoxo,
Kitty
Oh Buddy indeed! I’ve whispered in his ear re his Irish American Aunts request, time will tell if that chat works! I do hope to keep this lemon tree alive, I’ve had some for years that suddenly pop off, so this one will never leave the greenhouse while there is a danger of frosts.
I do hope your plants survive the crazy temperature fluctuations, climate change is such an issue now, I no longer recognise the seasons. Love and hugs to you all.xxxx
There’s so much blossom around, absolutely beautiful to see. My little plum tree is laden so I’m hoping for a good plum harvest this year. My niece has a terrier and it’s inbred in them, she’s the sweetest little thing but like you say, she’ sees most things as prey. We haven’t ventured to a beer garden yet though Mick’s got a week off work now so perhaps we’ll find a quiet pub somewhere and have a drink.
Oh, I do hope you get some plums, they are so delicious straight from the tree. I agree about terriers, they are simply death on legs to all that moves that’s smaller than them. Buddy even takes out large spiders! Have a lovely time in the pub. Thanks Jo.xxx
So many yummy herbs and veg you have growing. You are well set up for the year! Our blossom was delayed too but is arriving now. I was glad to see some on our plum tree yesterday. I’m hoping to actually get some plums this year; last year they disappeared as soon as they were ripe. I blame the squirrels!
A greenhouse full of butterflies sounds delightful, Buddy’s antics with the local wildlife less so! ;O)
I have images of you having a G&T with a slice of your own homegrown lemon – bliss! We haven’t been to the pub yet but hope to soon. Have a great weekend. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. It’s always good having fresh and dried herbs to hand. I think the Mediterranean herbs always taste better when dried, the flavour is more intense so I use less and they go further. Here’s to you getting some plums this year, a curse on the squirrels! More cabbage whites have emerged in the greenhouse, it really is lovely seeing them fluttering about until I release them. Enjoy the pub! Have a drink on me.xxx