Firsts of the year ...all on the same day

1st strawberries:


1st rose


1st snappy Snap Dragon


1st almost black blackcurrent

Pests in the garden

No we're not talking about Pu3 and... it was much much worse!! (sorry Putz^^ it was just too tempting -IOU an icecream huh? ...dearest pal!!!)

Caterpillars on the white currants! A few leaves should be removed at this time of year to help the berries ripen, but not this many... Caterpillars have now found a new home.

For the full horror, see the moving pictures:

Troughs, bags n wigwams

Home-made sweat pea trough and bags o tatties


Home-made wigwam for French beans

Spring onions

Arghhh!! No onions in the cupboard - what's beneath the soil?

phew good!

The finished meal - crab fried rice, click to see spring onions!

recipe from Everyday Harumi

Spring flowers - Apr 2010

Heritage variety of Broadbean with red flowers

Redcurrant and Damsons flowers

Flowers in front garden - Pansy, Cellandine, Fratillary

27 March 2010 - out the back

Quicktime video showing what's been planted out and what's surviving (don't "full screen" it else it'll look really awful - it's been compressed for easy download). Since Sunday we've had very strong winds and now snow, it'll be a miracle if the French beans survive - most have got one of two leaves missing already... poly-tunnels next years, that's what's needed!

The Ice-Spider cometh...

Feb 23rd 2010, 8am: Outside temp -6C, inside conservatory ...didn't feel that much warmer inside :-)!

A spider who spins webs of ice has been on the conservatory window!!