Vibrant Blues and Baby Agaves

When are these last dreary days of the winter going to end?!!

Such greyness, so much rain, it seems endless. Here we are, nearly at the end of February, where we should have had at least a couple of decent days.

As I stood in my greenhouse a few days ago with packets of seeds in my hand, I wondered why I was even trying. So I came indoors and lit a cosy fire!!

To save being indoors for yet another day, we decided to go to the garden ..... we didn`t stay long. 

So dismal, with light rain in the air.

I took a few photos and then we had a welcome cuppa in the polytunnel. At least it provides some colour and warmth.
 

Cornflowers are growing in the sacks of our own compost, along with chickweed.

The agaves will need repotting and they are producing babies. It might be a precarious job. 

 

A spot of vibrant blue, provided by "Blue Ensign" pulmonaria.

And then home earlier than usual to check on the greenhouse and I am happy to say the first sweetpeas are up in their seed snail packaging.

I moved pots of hyacinths to the patio to create a good view from our kitchen.
 

 

And I picked some camellias to cheer myself up.

 

And finally .... here is a sight for sore eyes.

 

Trying Seed Snails

 I have read a lot about this on-line and was determined to try it out. On the surface it looks like a great way to save space and at the same time give seedlings more root space. So here is the beginning of my trial.

I thought I would be better off using large seeds .... sweetpeas.

I had wondered if I would have enough space on a workbench to spread it all out. On youtube I found someone with some common sense who did it in a tray and rolled as she went along so I used this idea.
 

The roll is made up of old capilliary matting and packaging.

My mixture, which I made up myself, is bought soil, a bit of garden soil for micro-organisms, grit and vermicullite. Not in any particular quantities.

To begin with I put the seeds in and then rolled it up but as the roll got fatter some soil fell out including the large seeds. So I ended up making up the roll and putting the seeds in afterwards.

The roll is tied with string made from our old teeshirts. And a label of course.

I stood each roll in a large flowerpot mainly to keep it altogether.

Then I placed them in a tray of water to soak up, rather than watering on top. They have been in the propagator all night. And I have only just removed them. 

In actual fact I don`t think they need the propagator. Sweetpeas will germinate without extra heat.

Some seeds are in ordinary pots.

For the results watch this space.

One thing is for sure, the rolls do take up a lot less space but I reserve my judgement.

One more hint I got from youtube in the evening .... the soil could be a little damper so it doesn`t fall out when you place it upright.

But .... the first seeds are planted .... hooray.
 

 

 

 

 

A Few Rays of Sunshine

Searching for the bright spots today .....in a week of miserable weather .... a few rays of sunshine.

We were desperate to get outside so we did go to the garden.

We waded squelching and squishing through the main gate .... such a mess at the moment.

We are advised at this time of the year to keep off the grass but its impossible to get into the garden without doing so.

As I look around it feels such a long way from anything remotely spring-like but on closer inspection the signs are there. 

Behind the polytunnel a celandine nearly out .....

....... a violet ....... 

 

......and most astonishing of all, newts tussling like crocodiles over a slug in the pond.

 I fished them out with a net and did not expect to see four.

After taking the photos I popped them back in. What an amazing sight.

And another welcome splash of orange.

 

We hadn`t intended doing many jobs but we did spread some old carpet on cleared veggie beds.

 

We had a nice teabreak in the polytunnel with my sister Paula, Anne and Hollie with  Lila and baby Donald. Paula and I had our first cuddles with Donald.

And lastly here is a picture of the dead hedge which is filling up nicely at this time of the year.

 

 

Pastel Socks and Worry Monsters

The seasonal de-cluttering is going very well indeed. The loft looks a lot clearer. There are more empty boxes than ever. Bags of useful stuff have been sent to my nephew`s school for craft lessons and bags more are waiting to go to charity.

Apparently the synthetic fur I got rid of, was very welcome, as the children were making masks. 

In my scrappy box I found some very bright pieces and used them for these funny little furry creatures.

As I cleared and tidied I found several pairs of  new socks which I`ve had for ages so I used them all for squidgy sock toys. This is a project I have always enjoyed doing and not for some time.
 

They are all so cuddly and soft. And I love the pastel colours. Very restful.

My latest job is sorting my wool stash and this week I have been through every single box .... I do have rather a lot.  Rewinding where necessary and discarding if I couldn`t see myself using it. I managed to completely empty two boxes. I kept all the tiny balls in one box .... ideas coming thick and fast.

And another box I made up of pastels .... more ideas coming for Easter.

Talking of Easter I used up some oddments of different yellows for cute tiny chicks.

My next big project was a very colourful worry monster, again, for my nephew`s class. It has a deep pocket as a mouth. You can write your worries on a slip of paper and put it in the wide mouth. The monster will eat up the worries.

On Monday I had to say goodbye. Its going to the school on Friday.

 

And to go with him, I have made 12 individual worry worms for the children, using the same colours.
 

Following on from the tiny Xmas wreaths, I thought Easter ones would work well. Two worry worms entwined round a double twist of pipecleaner. They will make a pretty addition to an Easter display.

 

And there are always fairies ......
and more fairies.

 

The last two were inspired by an artificial rose.

Tomorrow is a wet day so I am planning to do more in the loft.