Orla Second Early new potatoes which were sown five to a bag in recycled bags on the 3rd April have appeared above the growing medium. They will still need protection from frost. Garlic was sown in modular trays outdoors in October. They were transplanted into a raised bed in early March and are now 60cm…
The barely noticeable cross shaped white flowers and nettle-shaped leaves of Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) or Hedge garlic on the road verge do not command the attention of most passers-by. Nonetheless, this is an extremely important plant for the caterpillars of the Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) butterfly. In May these eat the pods and seeds….
Mangetout peas started indoors in March are using their tendrils to climb up the strings around the wigwam made from four hazel posts. Strings are positioned with a 10cm gap between them. The hardy Meteor peas which were started indoors in March in a window box look healthy and strong. Soon these will need staking with multi-branched…
New life unfolds in April. Buds continue to open in woods, hedges, parks and gardens displaying the new, fresh growth within. The black, hard leaf buds of Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) are among the last to open. Nonetheless, buds do open on the ash, but these are the flower buds. In the picture the female, spiky,…
Murmur of bees in the garden. What a glorious sound! These days we read so much about their decline. On a walkabout of the garden noticed these plants were attracting the most. Lungwort (Pulmonaria), a shade-loving plant with its bluish-purplish flowers and blotched leaves is constantly visited by bumblebees. Another good one for the bees…
A dry, sunny spring day. Egg-shaped Sycamore buds beginning to open and unfold fresh, pinkish coloured leaves. The Coltsfoot which some people confuse with the dandelion in full splendour. (The leaves resemble a foal’s foot). Noticed the Greater stitchwort with its star-like petals weaving through the hedgerow for the first time this year. The hawthorn…
