Full of Surprises...

This weekend has seen a mixture of weather which has influenced the jobs we have managed to complete. We have prepared two more of the raised beds and the potatoes and some of the root vegetables have gone in the ground. The last of the Jerusalem Artichokes have also been taken out of the ground. Needless to say, the digging continues.

So what was the surprise? Well a quick glance over the pots of bulbs Karen planted last year found a welcome if unexpected guest - Morels.
We placed several pots on the bark chippings under the cordons late last year. These have started to come up - as have our unexpected visitors. Needless to say, these are not unwelcome visitors. So off to the good old interwebby to see if we can get some advice on how to encourage them. Mind you, it may cost us a few tulips and alliums.
Mark

Spring Has Sprung

The start of the year has brought us some interesting weather but it looks like the first sign of spring is here to stay. Just as things were starting to dry out the snow at Easter flooded the bottom of the garden. As I write, the end of the garden still feels like you are walking on sponge.

Wildlife Pond
The end of the garden where this will be placed has seen some work even though the rain tried to defeat us. The hedge has finally been planted along with the holly. The early part of the week saw Karen and I moving a five foot laurel 150 feet down the garden. The place where it has been place was was a little wet. In fact I was in a foot of mud at one point. The laurel has needed moving for a while. It was originally behind the garage and has never seemed happy being there. The day we decided to move it found if to be a pale yellow. Now, five days later it appears to be a lot greener. With luck it will continue to improve.

Anyway, back to the pond. The liner for this is still in the loft. The main reason being that the hole has not been dug yet. I find it ironic that the past few weeks has seen the nights get longer and me with time to start digging this. The main reason I can't is because the area is flooded!

We have decide that we will put the pond under the ground level - just by a few inches. The intention is to give the land somewhere to drain into. We will see if this works out later.

Vegetables
The vegetables we have in the ground seem to be doing alright at the moment. The broad beans planted last years (November I think) are about 10 inches tall and have some flowers. The second crop are in the ground and so far there is no sign of them.

The first crop of peas went in about the same time as the second crop of broad beans. They have just started to make themselves known and have been put undercover today.

We have just put the onions (shallots, silverskins and onions) in the ground today. If we can get the spuds in then we may be on schedule this year.

Fruit
The currants which we put in last year all appear to be making a show this year. We were a little worried about the white currant but it looks like it is is about to bud. The rest are showing a fair amount of green already.

We had a disaster with one of the plums as it has a severe attack of rust last year. It is currently showing some green but we have had to drastically prune it. We do not expect any fruit this year. We are simply grateful it has not died as the fruit is delicious.

One of the cherries we planted looks to have given up any hope of living. The rest of the trees are making a show. we will just have to wait and see what the year brings us.
Mark