Border Terrier Bugbear

Gosh it's cold, Harlow Carr today has descended into a crystalline state of stasis, much too cold to tempt the class outside despite it's beauty. We shall continue to huddle within learning to identify pests  whilst dreaming of spring. I for one welcome the action of this hard frost on my poor soil, it will force cracks and air spaces into what has become saturated and compacted which will hopefully improve growing prospects later on. Something which I fear is beyond improvement now is my onion crop, the blame cannot be laid upon the weather or even my own ineptitude but must rest firmly on a certain Chumdog, who upon encountering the first snow fall of winter entered his customary state of craziness (which is referred to as zoomies in our house), and proceeded to race around the garden with no thought to raised beds and vegetable crops thus scattering onion sets asunder. I must remember to add pet border terriers to that RHS list of pests that I mentioned earlier!

"Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them"
Vincent A Simeone

A Snowy Morning

The snow didn't seem too bad first thing on Monday morning so I made the decision to go to Norton Conyers, I didn't want any accusations of townie softness! It's a good job I made the effort because Nikki was snowed in at Bagby, Wortek was on holiday in Tenerife (a smart move that) and Paul deserted at lunchtime in order to get back to the east coast before the worst of the snow set in, leaving just Giles, Alyson and myself working away down by the lake. It was a long wet dirty day and I was glad to squelch onto the bus at the end of it. I did get some good atmospheric pictures though and reckon I can call myself a proper outdoor lass if I can work seven hours in those weather conditions!

"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig is clad with radiance"
William Sharp

A Tempting Aroma

Another day working in the woods doesn't give much new material to talk about, other than it was just us three girls tidying the logs into piles ready for collection and generally trying to clear away the debris. We managed to build a decent fire first thing, so by lunchtime had a pan of sausages sizzling merrily over the embers, Alysons home made tomato chutney putting the finishing touch to another splendid outside meal. No sooner had we finished eating than the local shoot trooped past eyeing our camp with envious glances, I think the aroma must have lured the dogs from the fields, it's a good job Shandy or my own dear Chumdog were not present either or I don't think there would have been quite so much sausage to go round! We will be back down by the lake on Monday, weather permitting, but if there is too much snow I shall stay at home, it would be stupid to risk being stranded, although I would dearly love to be able to photograph the garden dressed in its winter finery.

"There is pleasure in the pathless woods"

Lord Byron

A Lightening Of Mood

The sun has finally reappeared in the sky and my mood has risen with it, I'm not sure if plants and flowers can look relieved but I swear the ones that reside in my garden do. All but the lonicera hedge that is, it had grown to a hulking six foot monster whilst my back was turned and as next door have thoughtfully erected a sturdy fence it knew its days were numbered. Dad and I cut it down yesterday and already the garden looks lighter and I have more space to play with. My plans at the moment consist of planting a climbing rose to cover the fence, and then to plant out every single thing currently lurking in a pot and if I can't find space for anything I will be ruthless and get rid of it, that should help solve the bitty appearance somewhat. My lightness of mood continued today when I managed to remember all fifteen Latin names for the weed identification test and then we spent the rest of the lesson walking around the gardens in the winter sunshine. Things seem to looking up.


"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know"
Ernest Hemingway

Lake Make-Over

Despite my feelings of glumness at returning to work yesterday, (which must be psychosomatic because I love my job!), I actually had a marvellous time, the injection of some much needed fresh air and exercise soon roused me from that post Christmas catatonic state and loosened muscles stiff from inactivity. It has reached that time of year at Norton Conyers when we retreat into the woods to continue clearing unwanted trees and build insect habitats out of dead branches, but this year we have moved down to the lakeside and must therefore remove rotting branches from the waters edge, hopefully opening up what will once again be a beautiful vista. Dirty, smelly, muscle wrenching work but great fun nonetheless especially when our campfire cooking skills are put to the test with potatoes baked in the embers, Giles even brought some grated cheese, delicious! So as you can see there is nothing like a meal taken in the great outdoors using cut logs for stools and hunger as the best sauce, we enjoyed it so much we've decided to cook sausages on Saturday!

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical exercise save it and preserve it"
Plato

Blue Monday

They sat that the first working Monday of January is the most depressing day of the year and I'm sure most of us would agree. I've been suffering from the blues for at least a week now and when I gaze upon my garden the only words I can muster up begin with D, lets start with dullness and dissatisfaction, quickly followed by disgust and doubt. Nothing appears to be thriving and I don't have the money to rip it all out and start from scratch. This is the moment in a gardeners yearly calender when we must call on that most noble of resources, Patience. I may not be the most accomplished plants-woman or original designer but with natures help and a good dollop of patience I know I will eventually transform my shabby back garden into a thing of beauty, if only in my own eyes! It may take another ten years, especially if I grow most of it from seed, but it will happen. So to all you fellow SAD sufferers out there hang on, spring will surely follow winter!

"All human wisdom is summed up in two words-wait and hope"
Alexander Dumas Pere

A Reverse Manicure

Happy New Year everyone, I thought it was about time I stuck my head above the parapet at last! I've been taking a long break and am not yet back at work, but due to the chronically wet conditions I don't think I've missed much action. My gardening activities over the past couple of weeks have consisted of flicking through the new seed catalogues, learning how to wield my new plant labelling machine and opening the lid of my cold frame on the pitifully few dry days we've been blessed with. However I detect a slight tingling in the old green digits again so it's definitely time to take off the Christmas nail polish and feel the earth collect under my fingernails once more.

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life"
Rachel Carson