Friday 2 March 2012

Hello March


The year's at the Spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn:
God's in his Heaven -
All's right with the world!
Robert Browning
The sun shone its socks off in honour of my birthday - I was going to take it easy today - but just had to be outside - this small glimpse of spring couldn't be wasted.  Obviously the ladybirds had the same idea

Ladybird bonanza
They were literally everywhere I looked - doing naughty things - see 4th from the left (top row) all  enjoying a bit of sun on their backs.  Whereas, I, made myself useful and did some lawn edging.  I think it makes such a difference to the garden with a crisply edged lawn, my one concession to neatness.
All sorts of spring flowers decided to show themselves
Yesterday, it was a bit gloomier, but mild enough to work in - so I set to and pruned the buddleia


before and after
 I suspect I could have cut it back even further, but I ran out of steam - and space in the wheelie bin.


pear tree buds
 Even the pear tree decided to burst forth - I have never had a pear from this tree and it must be at least 10 years old - maybe this year will be the year.

The containers at the side of the greenhouse are now full to bursting with tulip leaves


Inside the greenhouse the broad beans are beginning to push through

as are the salad leaves that I sowed at the weekend

the tomato plants have been removed from the propagator and now live in the mini-greenhouse which is inside the greenhouse proper

and I have potted up my new dahlia tubers - sown some Hurst Greenshaft peas and planted the Lady Christl  potatoes in individual pots.

So, it has been a very successful 'lazy' day and I am pleased with what I have achieved this week.
And best of all the first sowing of sweet peas have germinated.  Spring has definitely 'sprung'.

march
via pinterest

11 comments:

  1. Your post celebrates spring so beautifully. Everything is beginning to come alive in the garden. The poem is very nice...perfect for the season. Happy birthday!

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  3. It must be a bit balmier where you are, Eliane. Our fruit buds have not burst and think you have all the ladybirds..... Hope you enjoyed your birthday!
    BTW Love the "Make Gardens, not war" can't see the Government adopting that as their slogan.. shame!

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  4. Keeping everything crossed for the pear!! Very envious of your ladybirds ... so many, and they look like they are - erm - having fun!

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  5. You've got a lot more ladybirds than I have. I've seen odd ones about the garden, just waking up, although I did see one yesterday that seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. Having seen your photos, I think I know what it was looking for now.
    And I love your 'Make gardens, not war' slogan. Brilliant.

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  6. Look look look at all that new stuff poking through! Your pansies are welcoming their tulip friends, I see. How nice that your ladybirds have been multiplying. I see just a few here and there in my garden -- rarely a group.

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  7. Yes, well I can see you've been terribly lazy. I'm running about like a wheezy Billy Whizz at the moment - there's so much to do. I love the optimism of gardeners (me included) - "perhaps this year" - is something I'm always muttering to myself. Dave

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  8. Looks like you're keeping very busy in the garden! I really like your collage of photos. How great to have so many ladybirds.

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  9. Oh Elaine, you have been very busy! I am getting there in the garden but still lots to do.I loved a glimpse of the ladybirds, I have noticed lots of them in our garden as I have been weeding.I have tried to not disturb them!
    Arent there some gorgeous flowers about at the moment too?

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  10. Belated birthday wishes to you. Hope you had a good day! Lovely to see so many Ladybirds in your garden. They will take care of any aphids for you.

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  11. Your collages are really nice, especially the ladybirds. I do like that graphic at the beginning of the post too. Love the design and color, sentiment too.

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