Early spring bits & bobs.

[Geoff]

Monika : GwG didn't respond and I found they don't open until 10:30 so decided that would mess Saturday morning up too much. I've now hand weeded about ½ the patch and the soil is better than I thought, I originally dug all the rubble out of it last year so it has had a while to weather. Thinking about run off and the amount required to mulch I have decided to just improve each planting hole. I've read somewhere a 5" pot is 1¼ litres so 240 plants can get a pot full each from 300 litres - the Hayes offer (or double if I get away with it). I hope that will get them away.
Should finish preparation tomorrow if we have a fantastic day like today.

[alan refail]

Bright sunshine and a thick white frost this morning - a reminder that spring is not summer

[Shallot Man]

alan refail. Ditto in this part of Essex.

[snooky]

I don't know what is going on with Wickes this year in regard to their Multi-purpose Compost.Some of the lads on the allotment bought from the Wickes on the east side of town and were disappointed to find it full of coarse material and no mention of a change of formula but the amount in the bag was reduced to 70 litres. I can only think that they picked up the reduced peat MCP istead of the proper stuff which I bought last week in the same shop.Nutrient rich,produced for them in Ireland and four bags for £13.00 for 75 litre bags.

Called in my local Wickes on the west side of Cardiff this morning and they were selling Westlands peat rich compost there,same deal as above.When I asked about the differences I was told that "we only sell what is supplied to us."

For those of us who need to replace our Strawberries this year,LIDL have them on sale from this Thursday,£3-49 per six pack or two packs for £6-00.Four varieties and if they are as good as previous years very good quality and,in my opinion,good value for the money.

[Monika]

Good luck with your heathers, Geoff!

Hard frost here, too, this morning. The sun then warmed it up somewhat but what a sneeky, cold NW wind! At least it dried all the washing beautifully, including my OH's thick working jeans. Should be getting warmer towards the weekend.

First butterfly yesterday, in the shelter of the house - a small tortoiseshell.

[pongeroon]

Thanks for the heads-up about the strawberry plants Snooky, I have to go into town on Thursday so will stock up

[Clive.]

Young Sam says to me...what are you going to put in that trench.
Gladioli...I reply. Get the first row in a bit earlier this year I reckon...

...then I see the label in the tray, last years label..Gladioli Mixed 21-3-11...

So not getting on as early as I thought....

Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

Noticed the first of the Swift potatoes have popped through today, over the allotment.

[Clive.]

I had a look today for "my" Vales Emerald as I had seen the ground cracking, but nothing visible.

Things have moved apace in the sunshine of the last couple of days...trouble is I simply can't move at the same pace...........

...and at home we suddenly need to have Cauliflower for breakfast, dinner and tea....if so, might need to move fast then.....



Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

Although the trees are very slow at showing signs of their buds bursting open. Seems quite strange with everything else growing away so quickly.

[Clive.]

Fruit buds on Apples and Pears moving fast....but Rose, leaf buds, seem to have been slowed.

..but I am confused, as ever, to where we are in the year, perhaps more so by the sunny weather bringing out visitors in March that in previous years would have only appeared during April..

East wind not too warm this evening...

Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

Do you ever get that feeling you have forgot something!

[Jude]

Fantastic day here today. Up at six o'clock to go for a walk by the river (Dee) at dawn. Daughter really wanted to see otters so we didn't take Suzy the water-mad dog. Poor dog was totally confused at being given breakfast so early and then having to go back to bed. It's felt rather strange all day what with the clocks going forward as well.
Anyway, no otters (surprise surprise), but did see woodpecker, squirrel, rabbit, geese, swans and 2 people.
Home at 8.30, quick breakfast and off to plot via playing field for dog, home for lunch at 12.30 after a good morning's work.
22 degrees in the shade of our back garden at 3.30 , what is going on

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Jude, the early morning walk sounds just perfect.
I love early Sunday mornings, always so peaceful....

[oldherbaceous]

Gosh, a good job i was behaving myself just now, Captain Carrot was just online..... And i have heard told he can be a real ogre in the office.