(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-05, 11:16:00

It was certainly not unreasonable for the robins to show up this week; temperatures are supposed to be in the forties this time of year, and some nice patches of green grass normally ought to be showing. However, this year we have two feet of snow still on the ground, with temperatures predicted to be well below zero Friday night (thirty degrees below normal).
The robins' reaction to all of this seemed at first to be utter disbelief, turning into a complete, dejected sulk. They perch about in the trees, hunched up and shivering, glowering at everything and everybody. Now, you'd think they could just fly back south a few miles, where the snow ends, but I guess their navigation systems don't allow for two migrations in a year. The alternative explanation of course is that robins are rather dim bulbs; an opinion which I've held for years. Robins are colorful, an icon of spring, and normally the cheeriest of birds... however they are not the Einsteins of the bird world.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-05, 11:16:00

It was certainly not unreasonable for the robins to show up this week; temperatures are supposed to be in the forties this time of year, and some nice patches of green grass normally ought to be showing. However, this year we have two feet of snow still on the ground, with temperatures predicted to be well below zero Friday night (thirty degrees below normal).
The robins' reaction to all of this seemed at first to be utter disbelief, turning into a complete, dejected sulk. They perch about in the trees, hunched up and shivering, glowering at everything and everybody. Now, you'd think they could just fly back south a few miles, where the snow ends, but I guess their navigation systems don't allow for two migrations in a year. The alternative explanation of course is that robins are rather dim bulbs; an opinion which I've held for years. Robins are colorful, an icon of spring, and normally the cheeriest of birds... however they are not the Einsteins of the bird world.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-05, 10:53:37

A great garden can be described as a work of art. The gardener is the artist, and that piece of land with nothing on it the canvas. After many hours of toil by the gardener and a few seasons of growth that blank canvas should turn into a beautiful picture changing season by season.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-05, 10:31:55

Starting a vegetable garden is not something you want to start planning in the spring. Start your planning during the winter. Start thinking about what you want to grow in your garden, the location, size, etc. Plan now so you will be ready to implement your plan when planting season arrives.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-05, 09:36:44

Growing herbs in your garden can be a great way to get fresh herbs for cooking or medicinal purposes. In many cases you can grow them right in with your other flowers, or keep them in containers so that you can bring them inside in the winter months for a bountiful indoor herb garden. Herbs can be perennials or biennials so you need to plant them with this in mind.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-05, 09:02:57

The addition of flowering house plants can make colorful compliment to the indoor landscape. Some of these flowering beauties will require you to live in a warmer climate where they can grow outdoors as a part of the outdoor landscape, but not all. Color Rules for Flowering Plants Before you select any plant for use indoors - this goes for flowering and foliage plants you need to take some time to look at where the plant will be growing.

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Irrigation, Landscaping on 2008-03-05, 09:00:38

No matter how “Green” we may think we are a survey conducted by TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence found that Americans have little taste for conservation - that’s the conservation of water.

The survey looked at the attitudes and the activities of 105 million US consumer households. The finding showed that one out of three households had ZERO plans to conserve water in their gardens or yards for the upcoming season.

One in four or approximately 21 million plan on using the least efficient way to water plants or irrigate! They plan to water by hand. Here’s 10 Tips to Improve your Irrigation

Anytime the economy turns people may not have the same money to travel but look to stay home and make improvements around the house. The survey showed the same thing.

Plans for major landscape upgrades to not only improve the look but landscaping can also improve the property values of a home. Tops on the landscape upgrade include renovating the patio landscaping or deck, installing water gardens and building sheds. Don’t forget improving the watering system with installing irrigation.

Almost half plan to grow some garden vegetables but 1/3 did not think very much about fertilizer needs. One in five plan on going the natural or organic route.

This speaks volumes to me. Plants are a way of life for many of us, but as consumers we have a long way to go in the basics - that being watering plants indoors and out along with using safe natural controls for pest to make our environment safer.

What are your plant plans for the summer. Is an updated patio in your future or even a garden?

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to animals, friends, hiking, roses, seeds, walk, work on 2008-03-05, 07:38:00

28*, 83% humidity, calm wind, mostly cloudy, FLOOD WARNING I've been pleasantly worn out the past couple of days. Not the kind of worn out that comes from sitting at a desk for 16 hour stretches at work, brain dead, wishing to be anywhere but there and then not being able to sleep. But the kind of worn feeling you get after a good day of hiking, where your body is moving, that makes you sleep

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to community garden, crocus, my birthday on 2008-03-05, 03:40:00

Its my Birthday today. I have been out to meet the Lady about the two thirds of the allotment. The weeds are as tall as me.I have walked from my house to the Allotment in ten minutes. The key is for the Allotment gate which is padlocked. It was cold and I never saw anyone else up there besides Jenny. She said I could borrow some black Tarpaulin to cover some of the plot.It is maybe twenty feet long and about ten feet wide.There was no visible soil at all!
At least I can surmise it is a fertile clay soil.There is a water tap behind a pile of Manure. They had also constructed a Community garden near the main entrance. A raised bed, with a circular path, benches, and an Arbour. She said this was for the Elderly in the community. I'll be interested to see if they come to sit and enjoy the Daffodils that were flowering.
I am sharing the plot with a man called Mr Saddiq. I get the impression he is not in the best of health as the plot was overrun with weeds, or that a full sized plot is a physical challenge to maintain.
I have come back to the house now, opened my cards and few presents. A cup with a Teddy bear holding an enormous heart from Cat. Some seeds, Bulbs, Chocolate, and a Magic Bean from Fran with my name written on the Bean. It came in a pot with the soil and instructions! Chocolate mini eggs from Cats parents....
The Crocuses in the top photo are nearly flowering now.The ones that were open last night were closed after a night temperature of minus four. The Hellebores droop, as do the Primulas when its freezing. The Crocuses close their flowers when its cold. The sun is shining now so the air should warm up slightly.
I am off shopping soon.I want to buy some stuff for the allotment.I wont be planting for a while though as I need to clear the soil and work out my plan!
I love a challenge. This garden was buried under weeds and brambles, the forgotten plot is too. I will have to split my time between the Community garden and the House garden.
Allotment is an old word too. I think community garden is a nicer description used in America.
I will call it the Forgotten plot untill I can come up with a nicer name. What a lovely Birthday present two hundred square foot of Yorkshire soil to grow Vegetables and Flowers.I am buzzing with idea's already. Will post later!