That strange plant in a previous post is known as a ‘Shoofly’ .Thank you to a sharp eyed neighbour who spotted it at RHS Wisley a few weeks ago and remembered the name! Nicandra physalodes is apparently common on wasteland in Peru. My two specimens leaned over in the recent gales. Apparently hardy, lets see […]
Plant Quiz #2. Do you know this flower? Read More »
Following the completion of the Greenhouse Project (see earlier post) I contact my favourite seed supplier and ordered their lucky dip. If you survey the catalogue of Chiltern Seeds you can imagine that their lucky dip contains some unusual items. I bought a pack of ‘lottery mixture’ which contained lots of seed – maybe 700
Plant Quiz – what is it! Read More »
First thanks to Llendorin who corrected my assumption in ‘Blue Tit Ways’. Here’s more information. There are several differences between the blue tit and the great tit, but the most obvious even in black and white, is the white area above the eye in the blue tit. Great tits have a black head piece which
From here … … to here! If you google ‘moving a greenhouse’ you will find it a common theme. Practical advice suggests it is a straight forward task which can be accomplished in one long day – someone advises that with two people 12 hours is enough time to dismantle a greenhouse and reassemble it
Moving a greenhouse from there to here … Read More »
The bird boxes are busy. On camera – box #1 has been occupied for two weeks now. Mother Blue Tit is sitting in. Mum has been busy sitting, rearranging, housekeeping. It was some days before we managed to see what she was sitting on (when she was taking the rubbish out?) Seven nicely formed
Fine weather, all is growing like crazy. Much to catch-up on in the garden:- raking thatch from the lawn, cutting the grass, digging the soil, removing weeds, repairing paths, building work! And then the planting can start. Actually, the more you begin the more you have to do. It is impossible to finish, before it
Relief from garden induced backache … Read More »
The ladybirds in the previous post obviously know this was coming! But where are they now? I know my lupins will be eaten to a skeleton within a few days by this lot! Last weekend clouds of mozzy-like insects on the Thames path in Berkshire bodes ill for a midge-free Scotland in May.
Spring weather at the beginning of March brings lots of ladybirds. Where have they suddenly come from?