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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faded Clothes and Crochet Hats

What a beautiful day. We made the most of it. The polytunnel was perfect for a scarecrow change-over day.

I went armed with two bulging carrier bags of old clothes from the loft. 

 

After stripping off the old faded clothes, I found the faces and hair were perfectly ok for another year.

 

The first scarecrow I ever made for the garden was called Mabel but she has had so many make-overs, she can`t possibly be the same one any more.

 

I proceeded to dress them both ...... a mixture of my own and Paula`s discarded clothes. I wished I had had my sister there because we would have had a good laugh doing it together.

It is worth taking a closer look at her colourful hat which I crocheted for myself, thinking I was being hip and trendy and going back to my 60`s roots. But when I tried it on, I felt like an old granny, only confirmed when my brother and sister dissolved into fits of giggles and were actually quite rude.

The trouble is I don`t have the long plaits any more!!

Well it looks alright on her anyway.

 

There are a few floral finishing touches I will be adding later.

 

I even had time to have a look at the poor old gnome. A sad sight, though I must admit he has worn well.

 

After taking off the faded outer layers I found the inside and the legs were fine. 

The head is intact but will need a new layer.

 

He just needs a new set of outer garments.

 

This afternoon I have been in my loft to find all that I need.

 

 

Steve spent his time pruning the crabapple and the quince.
 

Elsewhere around the garden the pussywillow looked fabulous against the blue blue sky.

 

And the very first flowers of the year.

Pulmonaria.
 

Now we are watching the original " Magnificent Seven."

The end of a perfect day.

 

 

Beachcombing with a Difference

 We found ourselves in a most bizarre situation today. During recent storms, several containers were lost from big ships in the Channel near the Isle of Wight. Since then all sorts of things are washing up on our southern shores ..... bananas, facemasks, packaging foam and onions!!!!

So we decided to take black sacks and disposable gloves on our beach walk.

This is what greeted us. Masses of onions.

A mother and daughter had already done a sweep but they told us that as the tide changed, more were washing up. So we retraced their steps but closer to the waves.

As well as onions there was garlic. 

We filled up the sacks and I was grateful when my brother elected to heave them up the beach, over the dyke and to the rubbish bins by the road.

The beach was glorious.

 

We had a welcome rest on the shingle. We could have had a picnic it was so mild.

All in all a rather unusual beach walk. It has been heartening to see how many people have rallied to the call for volunteers to clear the beaches. 

Onions and garlic would in fact degrade quite easily but they are toxic to dogs and possibly marine life.

I wonder what will wash up next.