{"id":41849,"date":"2026-02-20T11:41:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T11:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/?p=41849"},"modified":"2026-02-23T10:09:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T10:09:57","slug":"a-steady-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ossettweather.com\/gardening2022\/susan\/a-steady-start\/","title":{"rendered":"A steady start"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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We need just two more stamps on Ruby\u2019s Pooch Passport to complete the challenge of visiting twelve National Trust properties before the end of February.<\/p>

It would be considerably easier if we had realised sooner that the National Trust was issuing passports for 2025\u20132026. They seemed to keep this very quiet until something surfaced on Facebook. By then, we were already a month behind, and playing catch-up.<\/p>

In hindsight, we may have made a tactical error by leaving the two properties that require a trip across the Pennines until last. Still, one of them \u2014 Dunham Massey \u2014 is well worth a winter visit, so perhaps it\u2019s not such a bad move after all, if only we make it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Planning trips hasn\u2019t been easy. The weather forecast seems to change by the minute. Rain and snow are predicted, so we cancel plans \u2014 only for neither to materialise. Then a dry day is promised and we wake to drizzle, steady rain, or generally miserable conditions.<\/p>

As a result, we\u2019ve been sticking to local walks in the drizzle, negotiating thick, slippery mud and lake-sized puddles. The thought of sitting in the car in wet clothes with a damp dog on the return journey from somewhere further afield isn\u2019t particularly appealing.<\/p>

Poodles were originally bred as water dogs, but Ruby clearly didn\u2019t get the memo. She avoids puddles wherever possible. We always wash her feet after a walk \u2014 you never know what she\u2019s trodden in \u2014 but recently we\u2019ve had to wash her legs and even the ends of her ears, which trail along the ground as she sniffs out interesting smells.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The paths at the allotment are currently squelchy underfoot, so we\u2019ve been avoiding any serious work there. However, last week, a WhatsApp message announced that another load of manure had been delivered, so we had no choice but to go and shift it. With piles already dotted around the plot, we\u2019ve now decided we have quite enough.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"While Martyn was barrowing manure, I tackled the last of the buddleias and roses, finishing off the pruning. It was cold work, so I was layered up to such an extent that I appeared to have gained several kilograms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"We also cut down the dead flower spikes from the cardoons. They seem entirely unfazed by the weather and will soon be reaching their usual gigantic proportions in an annual attempt to dominate the plot. It\u2019s hard to believe we grew them from tiny seeds a few years ago.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Martyn has decided to take a gamble this year with some early seed sowing. Normally, we wouldn\u2019t sow anything until March at the earliest, when light levels are friendlier and frost is less severe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We use a lighting unit surrounded by foil to reflect light back onto the seedlings and discourage them from becoming leggy. Germination itself isn\u2019t usually the problem. The challenge comes later. We don\u2019t heat the greenhouse, and once seedlings need potting on indoor light isn’t adequate, and conditions in the greenhouse can be harsh at this time of year, which is why early sowing hasn\u2019t worked well for us in the past.<\/p>

This year, though, we\u2019re experimenting with just a few seeds of chillies, sweet peppers, tomatoes, red onions, and cauliflowers.<\/p>

A video is posted here<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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After just a few days, the cauliflowers and tomatoes are already germinating. The onions and cauliflowers should cope once moved to the greenhouse, but the tomatoes and peppers will require rather more cosseting.<\/p>

Fortunately, there\u2019s plenty of seed left for later sowing if this early experiment ends in failure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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So \u2014 did we succeed in our quest to secure twelve stamps on Ruby\u2019s Pooch Passport?<\/p>

With two still missing and only a few days left before the end of February (and the passport\u2019s imminent expiry), we concluded there was only one sensible solution: visit two National Trust properties in one day.<\/p>

We generally avoid weekend visits. Crowds, queues, and crammed car parks are not our idea of fun. However, the weather forecast narrowed our options to Saturday or Sunday.<\/p>

Saturday looked promising on our side of the Pennines but wet on the western side, where we needed to be. Sunday\u00a0appeared to be more promising. So Sunday it was.<\/p>

Our ultimate goal was to visit the winter garden at Dunham Massey,\u00a0 so we decided on a detour, stopping off at Lyme Park.<\/p>

On arrival at Lyme Park, the place was heaving with cars being squeezed into the car park in a higgledy piggledy fashion,<\/p>

Still, needs must. We secured Ruby\u2019s eleventh stamp and took her for a short leg stretching walk before making a retreat back to the car.<\/p>

Just one more stamp needed, so it was looking good.<\/p>

Dunham Massey was equally busy but somehow the parking was less frenetic<\/p>

The first aim was to obtain the final stamp.\u00a0At this point, according to the rules, Ruby should have been presented with a well-earned National Trust collar tag \u2014 a small silver disc, admittedly, but a token of achievement and persistence during the worst months of the year when multiple layers of clothing and muddy paws are features of our visits.<\/span><\/p>

Except.<\/p>

They had run out.<\/p>

Apparently, the National Trust had underestimated how many determined dog owners would actually complete the challenge. We were invited to email upon returning home, at which point they would \u201csee what could be done.\u201d<\/p>

But honestly? Even though the prize is just a small silver disc, we felt robbed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Disappointment aside, we headed for the winter garden.<\/p>

The afternoon had turned mild and bright, sunlight made taking photos rather tricky but I’m not complaining. As we strolled, around the garden, as always happens when dogs are involved,strangers stop for a chat.\u00a0<\/p>

One woman we chatted to mentioned that Saturday had been an absolute washout.<\/p>

We had made the right call.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"<\/p>

So yes \u2014 we achieved our twelve stamps.<\/p>

Ruby completed her passport.<\/p>

Now we wait to discover whether the elusive silver tag will ever materialise.<\/p>

Watch this space.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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That’s all for this week so as always until next time stay well, stay safe, stay warm and stay dry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We need just two more stamps on Ruby\u2019s Pooch Passport to complete the challenge of visiting twelve National Trust properties before the end of February. It would be considerably easier if we had realised sooner that the National Trust was issuing passports for 2025\u20132026. They seemed to keep this very quiet until something surfaced on 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