Our weather continues to be unsettled so we are having to fit in visits to the allotment and walking with Ruby around whatever the weather throws at us. When it isn’t actually raining it is often bitterly cold making it seem more like winter than spring.
We managed a couple of trips to the allotment. Much time was spent weeding and tilling beds that had been too wet earlier. Really, some beds are still rather soggy, but we have to do the best we can as we need to get on with planting.
We sowed two rows of early peas. We sow these thickly into a shallow trench. It’s nothing like the recommended way but it works for us and provides us with a good crop. We buy a big bag of seeds so can afford to sow generously and this means there are plenty of seeds to share with any hungry mice. Enivromesh was laid over the bed to deter any animal disturbance. Once the seeds start to shoot this will be removed.
I also weeded the strawberry beds again. The strawberries are flowering but the recent frosty nights have put paid to any chance of early fruit.
We managed a cutting of salad leaves. They are being grown in the garden greenhouse where they are handy to pick fresh and also are kept clean and slug-free.
Seed sowing continues – the full list is here.
We spent time walking amongst bluebells last week. In the woods at Temple Newsam there is a mass of bluebells as far as the eye can see. It’s such a shame that the camera doesn’t do them justice. In real life, the colour is much more intense.
The display at Nostell isn’t quite as impressive by comparison but is still beautiful. There were some white flowers scattered among the blue. Should I call these white bluebells or white bells?
In the woods, at Temple Newsam, there are also huge patches of wild garlic. We have a large clump in our garden that arrived with some bluebells that we bought. It’s starting to take over so I’m going to move some to the allotment.
Also at Temple Newsam, the azaleas and rhododendrons are coming into flower.
Not to be left out some trees are also showing off their flowers.
The first flowers of the hawthorn are appearing but true to its other name – May blossom – the main display will come later.
At Nostell, the winter lakes are receding leaving behind large patches of mud.
The paths have dried up sufficiently for us to be able to walk our usual route. In the wooded area, the ground staff have been busy planting. At this stage it is difficult to determine whether the tubes are protecting young trees or shrubs.
Whatever the weather, Ruby enjoys our walks especially when there are new things to sniff out like the bluebells and dandelions.
Once home she is ready for a snooze.
Finally, what was on the menu last week?
A red onion along with squash and leeks from the freezer were used in a pasta bake.
One of our onions and some red chilli from the freezer were some of the ingredients in a chicken pad Thai
Another onion and some of our parsley went into a turkey stroganoff
As always until next time stay safe and well.
This week I am cheekily joining Dave’s Harvest Monday post, on his Our Happy Acres blog, courtesy if a few salad leaves
It’s lovely to see the bluebells putting on such a show. It’s a while since we’ve been to Temple Newsam, we must make an effort to see the rhododendrons.
They are beautiful Jo
Oh my! You’re getting me ready for our trip to England! The bluebells, the forest paths, the birds! Lovely.
I’m afraid that you may miss the bluebells. Which oarts of the UK do you intend to vosot as all my photos are taken in Yorkshire?
The bluebell photos are lovely, and I can only imagine how much prettier they are in person. They are not something we see around here.
They have a lovely perfume too Dave
Bluebells. The unmistakable scent of spring on the air. Lovely to see the wild garlic growing too. It makes such a delicious addition to the springtime diet.
We have a clump of wild garlic in the garden too, Debbie