Preparing for the daffodil season

1striming top terraceIt does seem a little early to be thinking of daffodils; but I have noticed that my Rinjveld’s Early Sensations are putting on growth over around the duck pond garden.

And that is a perfect reminder that I need to make sure all the areas where the narcissus will emerge in a few months time are cut and clear of pernicious weeds. (Sorry, but one does tire of writing the word brambles.)

It was warm and sunny yesterday – only about 9C – but when the sun is on your back and there is no wind; then all my thoughts turn to strimming.

Out came the machine and off I went. 1tidying first terrace

The main area where my Narcissus Thalias emerge are here along the long narrow but steep bank in the east garden. So off came the excess grass growth, wild mint and dead thyme flowers and brambles. There I said the word. It’s a bit like in Harry Potter when people preferred to call Lord Voldemort ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’. Brambles. Brambles. Brambles. Done. May I not have to say it again this month.

Actually there is a chance I won’t run into any of them now. I have cleared most of the mountain garden and terraces of all weeds now. This latest strim session started at the east garden and I tidied up where the fence came out on the first terrace. I’m still marvelling at how fantastic it looks now when you stand at the house and gaze down on the lower terraces without the fence.

But I’m digressing and day dreaming. I then took the machine up to the top potager so I could tidy the area around near the new little wall.

And it was very convivial as my neighbour Jean Daniel was doing the same thing. We were both strimming our plots. His plot of vegetables abuts ours. But he is not a gardener. I planted asparagus for him two years ago as a gift; but the plants all failed.

Has anyone else had that problem? It’s so frustrating to put all that work in (without mentioning the cost of the investment in asparagus crowns) and not have them thrive. I suspect I1east garden strmming planted them a bit late and a bit shallow. This soil here is incredibly free draining and the crowns don’t really need mounding. And of course it was incredibly dry. And he is not diligent about watering as he doesn’t have more than potatoes, strawberries and raspberries on his long skinny terrace. And weeds.

But I will try again. I want to order more asparagus for my plot as well. We have a fantastic crop each year. But why not be greedy? There are a lot of mouths to feed when asparagus season comes on.