Bits

Day three without any internet and it’s all very quiet and strange. Except I have French radio so it’s not all bad. And in fact it’s very salutory. But I do prefer to be connected to the word. Mind you, from far away you can’t hear me sneeze.

But enough of hayfever on with the notes.   I started the day with my favourite activity: watering.   It’s such an extravagance, but right now it’s a necessity. Not really because the plants need it, but because our spring is overflowing. We store 12 cubic metres of the stuff, but as it hasn’t stopped raining since March, water is everywhere.   We have two overflow pipes from the tank and I hate seeing the water just seeping away.

Ane when I water, I get to do a bit of random weeding and inspecting at the same time.   This one quadrant is quite peaceful and clear. Just lots of carrots and parsnips, and swiss chard under the cloche.And random cat.   He was very engaged again today; but it’s all a question of timing.   Before 9am and he is all go.

He didn’t follow me down to the lower terraces after watering. I found the little hand made tree guards which were in the cellar.   So now at least the oaks are protected from all but the longest necks in the animal kingdom.   Deer could eat the oaks; but why bother? There are much tastier treats all around them right now.   I only had enough guards to cover five seedlings, but it will do for now.

Artur did take an active part in weeding the soft fruit orchard (I must say it is hard to weed with one hand and pat Artur with the other, but I never complain.)  The area is now weed free. And ready for cropping when the fruit ripens.

I am amazed the blackcurrant looks so healthy. It was decidedly moribund over the winter.   But I must do a bit of remedial pruning after it has fruited. And take lots more cuttings.

The one slow thing in this part of the garden are the crocosmias. So few have come up. Too cold for them? Even underground? I do hope I have more than the half dozen that have poked their heads up so far.   It’s one of my favourite plants – both for the flowers and the foliage.

The rest of the afternoon seemed to have felt a bit aimless (I was aching from too much strimming the day before).   I decided to do a spot of watering of the new hedge extension.

And it gave me a chance to admire the wonderful carpinus betulus (hornbeam) each time I passed on my way up the steps.   I have decided. I want to plant a whole lot more of the bare root hornbeams this winter. They have proved they can cope with the extreme cold.   And the drought. Which we don’t have. Gorgeous leaves.   I never knew I would be such an admirer of shrubs.

Now I really must attend to the asparagus which I have left to leap up. There might be a few to eat. It is only a 70 day season, but my forgetfulness has turned it into 60.