The rain doesn’t let up. When it isn’t actually raining and the sun makes an appearance there is little warmth, in fact, we have had some frosty mornings despite the lovely blue, sunny sky. Martyn’s blog gives more details about the weather.
The conditions are such that the sodden ground isn’t likely to become dry enough for gardening any time soon. Last February’s blog post shows Martyn was tilling the beds to get them ready for planting.
Martyn did some tidying up in the greenhouse and set the seed potatoes out to chit, He posted a video here
We spent an afternoon at the allotment. I thinned out more raspberries. I also dug out some clumps that had strayed from the main line of canes. These will be planted in another area of the plot where previously planted canes failed but, as we are not yet ready to plant them, they have been temporarily dug in elsewhere.
Martyn emptied a second composting bay and spread the compost on various beds and also mulched our early rhubarb.
We lifted a few parsnips before we left. The ones on the left were from our main parsnip bed but the deformed ones on the right came from our overspill bed where the ground was much rougher. Although deformed there is plenty of usable parsnip as they are enormous.
Our usual route at Nostell takes us along a path at the side of the main lake. The lake is on the left in the photo below but, if you look carefully, to the right you can see what could be mistaken for a second lake amongst the trees.
The area between the trees often floods during winter, but this year the water just isn’t draining away.
Some drainage pipes have been laid through which the water flows into the lake but, despite this, the amount of rain is outpacing the drainage.
Floodwater is even encroaching on the pathway which usually keeps fairly dry.
Ducks are spoiled for choice and wander across the path between the main lake and the temporary one.
Temporary lakes have also formed further away from the main lake where it isn’t possible to sort out any drainage. Ducks take advantage of this.
Last week, our walk was much shorter as many of the paths were either very muddy or flooded. Martyn posted a short video here.
It’s reaching the stage where the waterbirds won’t be the only ones with webbed feet.
Ruby was concerned that she may be going to miss out on her ball game but we managed to find a grassy area that wasn’t too soggy so she was happy despite the shorter walk.
We really needed to do some work in the garden so we had an afternoon doing some general tidying.
I trimmed the dead stems from perennial plants but now there is plenty of weeding to be done and parts of the lawn are in need of some remedial work.
Climbing roses have been cut back.
Despite the weather, flowers are continuing to add some much needed colour.
Soon the stored onions will start to shoot so, last week, I made a batch of cheese and onion tarts using a mixture of red and yellow onions.
More onion and garlic along with peas and broad beans from the freezer went into a chicken paella,
That’s all for this week – as always stay safe and well.
This week I am joining Dave on his Harvest Monday post on his Our Happy Acres blog
So enjoy your posts, especially as we anticipate to Rick Steves Tour to England in May. We’ve extended our trip for several days to see Sissinghurst and Great Dixter. Your colorful flowers must cheer you amidst the dreary rain. Your rhubarb looks about the same stage as ours. Wish I had a stand of raspberries!
Pity that you are not venturing further north as then you could pop in for a visit. The flowers are cheery
Goodness, water, water everywhere! It’s done nothing but rain here too, water is now sitting on all the lawns. Loving those parsnips and rhubarb. Such beautiful spring flowers, so cheering.xxx
We’ve certainly had more than our fair share of rain, Dina
A friend was using one of those bulb planter gizmos that pulls a plug of soil out. As quickly as they were working, the hole was filling up with water and planting had to be abandoned.
Spring flowers do seem the prettiest of all after the long, bleak Winter months.
I can imagine that< Debbie a bit like digging in the sand on the beach.
The rhubarb is looking good! And the daffodils and crocuses are always a welcome sight for me,
I love to see the daffodils too, Dave spring is my favourite month