2015 Springing Bits and Summer Bobs

[Elaine]

Richard, your Buzzard shit story brought back some good memories! Fifteen years ago I belonged to a birdwatching group and we were all really good pals. Now most people are aware...or not...that birders are obsessed by lists.
Life list.....species seen during ones birding "career"
Tick list.....species to be seen
Trip list, venue list, holiday list,bogey bird list (the bird which remains wanted but elusive) etc etc

Well, we had a Shit list and a Dead list.

The dead list came about because we went to see a rarity on our way somewhere else but when we located it, it was sadly dead...probably hounded to death by bush shaking twitchers who wouldn't let it rest and feed, despite it being blown thousands of miles off course and being at the wrong side of the world.

The shit list...well, that started when yours truly walked under a tree at Studley Royal and got shat on by a Nuthatch. Kudos! I held the top place until our driver got shat on from a great height by a buzzard It made a right mess of his jacket but he was that chuffed, he didn't care, cos it was "Classy shit". That led to us all prancing around on South Stack in Anglesey, hoping to get shat on by a Chough. loonies

Happy times

[Motherwoman]

Buzzards hunt. They like a bit of rabbit; mice, beetles and soil grubs seem popular too. I've watched them fold back their wings and dive, very impressive. Like a big arrow hurtling out of the sky. And I've watched them stalking across a tilled field eating the insects. Quite a versatile feeder.

MW

[oldherbaceous]

A good white frost here this morning, but looking like a lovely bright day...

[Ricard with an H]

Buzzards hunt. They like a bit of rabbit; mice, beetles and soil grubs seem popular too.

That's very interesting, buzzards are part of our regular wildlife yet I have never seen a buzzard hunt, I have seen them feeding on body parts during lambing when the fox takes lambs.

We used to have a black car, never again. I'm still convinced that black cars are targets for not only buzzard evacuations but also the various guls we get who manage a dam busters style attack.

Back to kitchen gardening, I'm binning my crop of broccoli Arab. I don't like it, whilst I do like the peppery taste of watercress and rocket I don't like it in my broccoli. Also, even light steaming makes it collapse into a soggy mess.

[retropants]

Had a really productive day yesterday, lots of digging, dad cut all the grass, put some timber borders around the new rose garden, and planted the last few cloves of garlic (most planted last autumn). I shall hopefully be sowing some brassica seeds after work today too

[Ricard with an H]

I just found some Charlotte salad potatoes that have sprouted, can I just plant them ?

I have never grown spuds but I would like to grow specials like Anya, those nobbly pink ones and Charlotte.

[Motherwoman]

Charlotte are a lovely spud Richard. I think a second early? But a real nice salad spud, as good cold as hot. Mine are in the egg boxes sprouting and will go in in the next week or two. So if yours are sprouting go for it! I've not tried Anya but grow pink fir apple which is similar. They are a late and seem very resistant to blight. I like them steamed and again a firm textured potato.

MW

[retropants]

@ Richard....Yes! plant them

[oldherbaceous]

Richard, if you plant now, you might have to be prepared to cover the tops over if we have some late frosts....if you get late frosts there, that is...

But i must admit, i plant early and take a chance.

[Ricard with an H]

Fantastic, I'm overwhelmed by the encouragement.

So, do I need to do anything special with them. The sprouts are already two inches, do I put them into egg boxes to throw more sprouts and do I cut them in half if I get two sprouts ?

Thanks for warning also, yes I have fleece and might even get them started under a mini polytunnel.

I heard a local laid sea weed into the trenches, should I try that ? Apparently it rots very quickly and I have two beaches within 6 miles to pick masses.

[Westi]

On Jersey they lay seaweed on the land over the winter & believe dig it in to make the humble International Kidney a Jersey Royal! On Kew on a Plate last week they put old manure in the bottom of their trenches, which is what I'm trying with mine this year. Last year I tried the shredded newspaper but can't say I noted any difference & I think I've heard about seaweed in the trenches as well somewhere.

My secret supply of manure (which is no longer a secret & depleting rapidly), is not as lush & dark as Kew's but is well broken down so I'm sure will be of some benefit. I truly believe I may have compost envy! On the bright side I've also had seaweed envy, even though the sea is only a couple of blocks away there is never much & after the little crab fiasco I'm banned from putting it in the car! Honestly the fuss men make!

Westi

[peter]

Frosty white garden at 05:50.

[Ricard with an H]

Honestly the fuss men make!

Westi

I keep both our cars tidy, I like tidy and clean and I can collect seaweed without making a mess in the back of either our cars or our motorhome.

Get tidy madam, I'm with your man.

[retropants]

I did manage to get some broccoli, sprouts (a bit late, I know) black tusacan kale and cauli seeds in after work yesterday, it was getting dark and very chilly in the greenhouse!

[Elaine]

Westie, please do tell about the little crab fiasco.....