Saturday 6 December 2008
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Saturday 29 November 2008
Saturday 22 November 2008
Wednesday 1 October 2008
Against all odds
Tuesday 2 September 2008
Fence - Phase 3, the view from next door
Not sure how long the Poundstretcher bamboo panel's gonna last but it's there and looking pretty tha noo. The wire holding the thing together is really thin, try hammering nails thro the bamboo and it splits, we'll see ...at least its given me some ideas for what to do next when it drops to bits (hopefully it'll last a year or two). Underneath the trellis near the shed I'll pin some green/black fine plastic mesh - natural looking brush-wood would look nice but no doubt go rotten in no time in contact with the soil. Lets see if its all still standing in 2wks, I hope so, I really hope so, the last section was a s*d to put up!
Sunday 31 August 2008
Fencing - Phase 2
After much cursing thumping posts in and taking them out again phase 2 of the fence is almost complete. I need two more metal spikes, which should arrive on Monday, for the remaining posts and theoretically it should then join up with Phase 1 (the tape measure indicates that there's a good chance it will). It may look as if the post nearest the shed is leaning at an alarming angle - I've used a wide angle lens which distorts things, take a look at the shed - that definitely doesnae lean in the real life. Ok there's a gap between the soil and the trellis - that's where the hedge is gonna go (probably Beech with the occasional Winter Honeysuckle). Best time to plant bare rooted hedge plants has always been November - phew, from Tuesday on I'll be able to take a rest a while then (in theory:-)!
Sunday 24 August 2008
Peacocks came a visiting
Saturday 23 August 2008
Butterflies, at last..
I was gonna take some photos of my butterfly bush before the flowers died and say - 'no butterflies despite leaving pruning till early May so as to produce late flowers'. Couldn't believe I actually scared butterfly away whilst doing just that - first of the year! Last year was very poor too, flowers were dead by the time the butterflies arrived. Two yrs ago it was butterflies all day long every day for weeks (no record of when exactly tho). From 3pm onwards only one butterfly remained and that preferred sunning itself on my white walls to the bush. Enjoy, I did!
Left: Small Tortoiseshell. Right: Red Admiral
L+R: Small Tortoiseshell
Left: Small Tortoiseshell. Right: Red Admiral
L+R: Small Tortoiseshell
Fence - Phase 1 complete!
Will the rest of the fence be made the same way? No chance, too much like hard work! Ok its not perfect, but given its approx. 3m between posts due to solid concrete everywhere in between where the old bomb shelter was, and the fact it was all made single handed (we'll with two hands, knees + elbows holding it up whilst hammering in nails), I'm pleased with it. Apart from one fence post it's all reclaimed timber given free by Laurie next door. Next section will use old floorboards again + bamboo screening, currently half price at Poundstretcher ...well that's the plan.
Sunday 17 August 2008
Last of the redcurrants...
Sunday 10 August 2008
Tomatoes n Chilli Peppers
Inside the wee conservatory - the sweetest tastiest tomatoes anywhere + chilli peppers and associated white fly, which get washed off every 2 wks or so and then are back in such numbers it's all gotta be done again. Biological control so far hasn't worked, washing 'em off is cheaper and it sorta works. A single ladybird did a great job the other year! The chillies are pretty hot and also make great decorations if hung up to dry just before Xmas!
Saturday 2 August 2008
Mint Tea - As good as you'll get anywhere...
Sunday 27 July 2008
Saturday 19 July 2008
Thursday 17 July 2008
The berry season begins
Blackcurrants started to ripen last wk in June, so far 4kg in the freezer, slowing down now but reckon should total 5kg (not bad from 2 bushes). Redcurrants ready to start picking anytime now. Whitecurrents perhaps a week later. Glad they don't all ripen at once! Strawberries started last week, raspberries starting to come good this week. Quantities? ...they never stay in the bowl long enough to be weighed! Gotta be measured in some quantity of enjoyment - any suggestions? Gooseberries about .45kg. Sawflies didn't seam to do much damage but perhaps they did after all.
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