Real spring bits and bobs

[vegpatchmum]

Dear VPM, i love the school gardening club updates, it always feels as it is something positive for the kids, so well done.

Thank you OH. Their enthusiasm is infectious and it brightened a dull, cold day

VPM
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[Parsons Jack]

Parsons Jack wrote

What a delightful colour DD

Thank you PJ, I think it makes my shed look a little like a beach hut, but
Instead of waves lapping gently against the patio slabs I've got creeping buttercups

If we get much more rain, you just might get the waves as well

[oldherbaceous]

Got up all excited to read the posts on the forum, and no new ones, never mind.

[alan refail]

Big orange sun rose due east this morning into a blue sky. Looks like another sunny day. Time to get tomatoes potted on and lettuce pricked out. Tomorrow looks set to be wet and windy Then temperatures staying low. I've never seen daffodils so late here, but they are just about putting on a show now nearly three weeks too late for Dewi Sant, but should look good for Easter.

[Colin Miles]

Alan - I admire your optimism. On our weekly wildlife walk at the National Botanic Garden of Wales we saw few signs of spring. Indeed some dogwood leaves that had appeared the previous week seemed to have decided to backtrack and become buds again. And the wild strawberries which had looked quite healthy back in mid-Jan are looking decided browned and dejected.

There is one positive side to all of this. I haven't had to worry about anything getting scorched in the greenhouse. Indeed, there the lettuce, peas, cabbage, calabrese and mangetout are all growing nicely, albeit very slowly. If this weather continues for a couple of weeks, which looks likely, and then turns, they could really take off outside.

[Geoff]

We had relatives visit from Windermere last weekend and they said all the Lake District tourists are going to be disappointed to find there are no Daffodils this Easter.
Another frost overnight here and a bright morning with a pretty cold wind. Finishing off the mower hoping it will be fit to work outside later.

[Parsons Jack]

Hazy sunshine this morning. Lots of lambs in the fields around here

If it wasn't for the fact that it was 5 deg and there was a keen wind, it would almost be spring like

Rocket potatoes just poking through in the polytunnel. Probably be ready just as I go on holiday

[Geoff]

When did you plant those PJ? No sign of mine from 22nd February.

[Parsons Jack]

When did you plant those PJ? No sign of mine from 22nd February.

A few days earlier than that, so yours should be through any time now

[Geoff]

Spot on - found one an hour ago!

[Parsons Jack]

Spot on - found one an hour ago!

Good news indeed

[Monika]

Got our long rose hedge (rosa rugosa) cut this morning. It's a job I dread every spring but it does look neat when it's done and makes such a difference when the flowers come out and later the large hips. Luckily, it stayed dry and sunny albeit with a sneaky easterly wind. I usually put on some rose fertiliser after the pruning, but I am holding off until it warms up a bit.

Leeks are now in the (very slightly) heated greenhouse but I am still covering up the chitting potatoes every night because the temperature can get quite close to freezing even with the heater on. Lots of other veggies still waiting on window sills in the house.

But the greenhouse does look and smell a treat with lots of primulas, scilla, small narcissus, crocus, dwarf iris, violas and anemones flowering!

[Westi]

Righto - got so much to do at lottie & work is taking all my time - BUT spotted weather being drier but colder on Sunday. I've enough fleece to cover & going to risk it! (Unless I get called in to work again!!)

My job is certainly not compatible with my hobby, but I have convinced everyone at work I've booked flights & not going to be in the country during my requested leave this year! Hope I will have enough tan to blag it when I return!

Westi

[PLUMPUDDING]

Just got the biggest gas and electricity bills ever - horrendous. Thinking about emigrating to somewhere warmer

[alan refail]

Looking at the appalling conditions in other parts of the country this morning makes me regret starting this thread