There seems to have been a shortage of butterflies so far this year (although the cabbage whites are keen to lay eggs on my broccoli). However I was pleased to see this in my garden the other day. Its interesting to see how the caterpillars can change into something so attractive.
Category: Garden
2024 – Preparing for a Glut of some vegetables
As I’ve said before, this year has been strange. The cool start to the season meant that many things didn’t germinate when I expected them to (in fact there’s been poor germination throughout). The result was that I sowed some things again and I ended up with more plants than I expected. The second issue…… Continue reading 2024 – Preparing for a Glut of some vegetables
Crows & Moss
I mentioned the other day that the crows are having a go at the moss in our “lawn”. Just to prove what they are doing here are a couple of photos and videos. Raked up Moss A wheelbarrow full One Crow working on their own Two crows working harder Now, I don’t know what they…… Continue reading Crows & Moss
2024 – More Flowers
As spring continues, we’re getting yet more flowers showing through. Fritillaria, epimedium, more hybridised primulas, hellebores. The crows are also having a go at our “lawn” again, pulling up the moss. It seems that they’re looking for things to eat underneath rather than nest building. Sowed some lettuces today, hopefully they’l start to produce in…… Continue reading 2024 – More Flowers
What to do about Moles
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that I’d got some molehills in my vegetable bed. Our garden backs on to some fields and, in the past, we’ve had moles at the border between our garden and the fields and (occasionally) coming down the hedge between us and our next door neighbour. However, this is…… Continue reading What to do about Moles
Apple Blossom Time 2023
This time of year I’m always pleased to see that the trees look like they’ll produce a reasonable harvest (the optimist in me, the weather always makes a difference). Anyway, the eater is showing a good helping of blossom. The cooker is always a couple of weeks later so that is yet to come. Surprisingly,…… Continue reading Apple Blossom Time 2023
The Role of Mushrooms in Gardening: Why Grow Your Own
Mushrooms and slime mold growing in the garden? Some might think this spells bad news for their plants, but this isn’t the case. In fact, fungi play …The Role of Mushrooms in Gardening: Why Grow Your Own
The Birds think spring is on the way
Despite the cold weather (heavy frosts for the last few days) the birds seem to think that spring isn’t that far away. The days are starting to get longer and the birds are starting to look for nesting sites with the blue tits and great tits taking a look inside the nestboxes. In the last…… Continue reading The Birds think spring is on the way
Tomatoes for 2023 and other things
I’ve been sorting through my tomato seeds and trying to work out what to grow in 2023. As ever, its a balancing act, trying to select a range of cultivars that meet the conflicting needs of an amateur grower with not a lot of space. I have seeds for around 200 different cultivars and (as…… Continue reading Tomatoes for 2023 and other things
First signs of Spring 2023
Although it’s been a mild winter with only a few days of frost and no snow (as yet), it’s still nice to see the first signs of spring. The evenings are light later, the birds are collecting around the feeders and the snowdrops and aconites are starting to show colour. We’ve managed to protect the…… Continue reading First signs of Spring 2023