In the bleak Mid Winter, Bits and Bobs...

[oldherbaceous]

Since it doesn't look like we have seen the last of the Winter yet, i thought we better have a new topic.

Anyway, have just been down the woods, to cut a few Hazel beans poles for a customer of mine, and i have to say that wind has a bitter bite to it. It really did make my face and ears tingle.

[Clive.]

I'm staying in if its that biting cold.....waiting for the tooth fairy to pop round.

Clive.

[Clive.]

A bleak mid Winter view...

Clive.

[Pa Snip]

Just got back from 2 hours up the plot, went up to check for any wind damage.
Was lucky compared to some of my neighbouring plots. No damage on mine and nothing blown out of place, unlike some neighbours mini walk in tunnels. There are only 3 of those on the site and in each case they have been ripped apart and covers all blown off the framework.
All had purchased them within last 12 months, money wasted IMHO, might well be ok in a sheltered garden but on an open allotment site they don't stand a chance against the elements.

Ground was amazingly good for digging and managed to dig out some parsnips and swede.
Really pleased to have got some preparation done for this years onion bed.
Trying to grow Kelsae for the first time ever, just for the crack.

Plot thermometer was reading 4 degrees on plot when I arrived, 5 degrees when I left just before 1pm.

As OH says the wind was biting.

[PLUMPUDDING]

My garden is still under 4 inches of snow, despite it being sunny yesterday, so no gardening possible.

My new purple raspberry has arrived - one very healthy looking cane in a pot, so it will have to wait until the snow has gone. It might give me a bit more time to decide where I'm going to plant it following all the information about viruses and proximity to other related plants.

[Monika]

Still all snowed up in the garden and on the allotment altough the roads are clear after today's wall-to-wall sunshine. Went to allotment on Friday morning, leaving my footmarks in the newly fallen fairly deep snow but I was pleased not to find any rabbit tracks! Instead we are being visited by a magnificent male pheasant in the garden.
For tonight, everything in the unheated greenhouse is covered up with double bubble plastic and the chitting potatoes are in the warmer garage instead. Can't take any chances!

[robo]

I managed just under 5 hours today down the plot , set my targets for what i wanted to do and completed them all even though it was bloody freezing , seen a brass monkey asked me did i know any welders

[Geoff]

Actually managed some gardening today. Weeded two of my 25' x 10' beds; one will be dug later for potatoes, the other I lightly forked then heavily limed as it will be the main greens bed. It was only about 2 degrees but the sun was nice, best day for my solar panels since 5th November.

[Monika]

Wow, Geoff, did you have the ground covered overnight or what? Everything has been frozen hard here, even he pots in the greenhouse never thawed out in spite of the sun shining and warming up the air. It's been a great day for walking though!

[Geoff]

That was Sunday, today was impossible. Was going to dig some compost into the tunnel but the heap was frozen. Reverted to inside planning a bathroom refurbishment, once I order the bits the weather is sure to pick up.

[Monika]

Sorry, Geoff, I missed that you were writing on Sunday. The forecast is for the cold to continue, but at least it will kill off a few bugs. Good luck with the indoor work!

[oldherbaceous]

A bit of a surprise here on waking up, we had three inches of snow...not bad since they said we were going to miss it.

Now that's gone and messed all my plans up.

[peter]

Yesterday had some brain dead idiot spin his little Peugeot as he went through a roundabout from right to left in font of me. Seemed unconcerned, turned right way roundand drove off.

Too fast for conditions.

[Clive.]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... chair.html

My work colleague has sent me this link...it's actually a 2012 article.

Now, we have a 0.5km metal fence with rabbit wire dug in...can I weed the whole garden in one ZAP....

Clive.

[snooky]

Just overa year since moving from Cardiff to Farnborough and it couldn't be more different;from a small terraced house within walking distance of the city centre with a small garden to an extended house surrounded by a large garden mostly put to lawn infested with moss,creeping buttercup,ivy,dandlions and other weeds because the previous owner did not bother with it and I need advice please on how to tackle as I am not a "lawn" man.The garden and house is surrounded by trees and most of the have Tree Preservation Orders on them.There are Oak,Yew,Silver Birch,and Goat Willow in the mix.The soil,I am reliably informed by my neighbours,is a sandy loam mixed with flint pebbles and on the acid side hence the rather large rhododendrons,camelias, azalias and holly and hazel in evidence too.
I applied to the council for an alloment and was told that applicants from 2009 were being offered plots and that I would go on the list as No 439!!Fortunately I have accepted an offer to help a recently widowed lady work her late husbands plot which she wants to keep on,so I have half.
The half I have freeranged chickens,alas they are gone,and very compacted but a digging fork has sorted it out and when the weather improves will use my tiller on it incorporating as much compost/manure as I can get hold of as it is a light sandy loam.
I have made plans for this year and I hope that can fulfill them as far as the gardening is concerned.To a certain extent they depend upon my Wife's health and the alterations by the council to the house so that we can cope more easily with my Wife's disabilty,but ever the optimistist looking forward to a better year this year.