We have been away enjoying some sunshine (it rained as we arrived back) (and is still raining) firstly in Herefordshire and then Oxford. The garden has been left to its own devices, and those of the grey squirrels.
In Oxford went to the Botanical Gardens where they are experimenting with meadows and prairie like planting. This looked interesting and great for wildlife.
There was also and aged Betula utilis var. jacquemontii. Now I know how big ours will get - but after we are gone.
Just as we were leaving a load of bulbs arrived - you know the cheap sack from the wholesalers - but they do well when naturalised. (It means that I cannot cut the grass there till July.)
This is a wonderful hideaway for frogs and toads and voles and mice. The voles and mice make tunnels at the soil level and have a network of highways where they can travel unseen by the kestrel.
Having been away and having had a little time to think - it was a little as we were staying with the grandchildren (and their parents) - big plans materialised. There will be a fence and gate here, steps there, part of the stream will be tamed, the lower pond will be let go and become bog (this frees me from of digging it out), divide and replant this and that, put Camassia bulbs in the woodland shade . . . .
Talking of septic tanks the experiment of planting buddleia to hide it has worked. We did one side first and now I have put rooted cuttings on the other side. It is serviced in early March so they will be cut back every year just before that. It does mean the plastic monstrosity will be on view for a few weeks before the new shoots come but the butterflies will love the flowers.
Going to the
Botanical Gardens did make me
It is also time to collect mint, chop it and store it - I do this in jars with vinegar. Then it can be used when needed with a little water and sugar for the mint sauce. You can put the leaves in a plastic bag and freeze them. Take the bag and crush the contents - they crumble in the hand. A plant can be dug up and kept through the winter on a kitchen windowsill or leaves can even be frozen in ice.
In fact freezing a small piece of lemon with a borage flower in a cube of ice is a great way to decorate you winter sloe gin and tonic.
The roses are heavy with hips. I suppose no one makes rose hip syrup now, just uses the insides as itching powder.
Time for a scratch.
There was also and aged Betula utilis var. jacquemontii. Now I know how big ours will get - but after we are gone.
Just as we were leaving a load of bulbs arrived - you know the cheap sack from the wholesalers - but they do well when naturalised. (It means that I cannot cut the grass there till July.)
This is a wonderful hideaway for frogs and toads and voles and mice. The voles and mice make tunnels at the soil level and have a network of highways where they can travel unseen by the kestrel.
Having been away and having had a little time to think - it was a little as we were staying with the grandchildren (and their parents) - big plans materialised. There will be a fence and gate here, steps there, part of the stream will be tamed, the lower pond will be let go and become bog (this frees me from of digging it out), divide and replant this and that, put Camassia bulbs in the woodland shade . . . .
Going to the
think about the uses of plants - not just medicinal ones. In the bed by the house where the soil is poor and dry (well, not so dry this year) grows Roseroot, an old favourite of my mother. The sap in the roots smells strongly of roses and can be used to make rosewater even if you do not have a rose in your garden.
Which brings me to horseradish, digging up some of the root, peeling it and grating it. You may think onions are tearful but you ain't cried nothing yet. It can be stored for the winter roast beef, to have with fish and so on.
Which brings me to horseradish, digging up some of the root, peeling it and grating it. You may think onions are tearful but you ain't cried nothing yet. It can be stored for the winter roast beef, to have with fish and so on.
It is also time to collect mint, chop it and store it - I do this in jars with vinegar. Then it can be used when needed with a little water and sugar for the mint sauce. You can put the leaves in a plastic bag and freeze them. Take the bag and crush the contents - they crumble in the hand. A plant can be dug up and kept through the winter on a kitchen windowsill or leaves can even be frozen in ice.
In fact freezing a small piece of lemon with a borage flower in a cube of ice is a great way to decorate you winter sloe gin and tonic.
The roses are heavy with hips. I suppose no one makes rose hip syrup now, just uses the insides as itching powder.
Time for a scratch.
An inspired and aspiring post. Good to have big plans afoot - puts one foot in the future. Roseroot is completely new to me - lovely looking plant
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