Category: Gardening

A New Contest? – Creative uses for Corn Cobs

Well, even the natives looked a little askance at this item in our local paper today.
Corn Cobs

After a strenuous session of Corn Holeing (sp) on a hot spring day, I would say refreshments are certainly called for.

Well, what is it? A caption or two could help, or a creative description of the rules for the contest, in terms designed not to offend the delicate sensibilities of the Charioteers (or as suitable for mixed company, as my mother used to say).

No prizes for this, just the smug satisfaction of knowing what the country folks get up to on a Saturday afternoon.

No such thing as a free lunch?

“Two free tickets for Chelsea flower show, with two supplementary tickets – each for a free glass of champagne from the champagne tents. Friday. Anyone like them?” said NB (New Boy), “I can’t use them.”

This question was raised at the start of my Monday writing class. No one else put their hand up.

“I’d be interested,” I said, “but I’m working that day.”

A few phone calls later (after class) and I had swapped my usual Friday for Thursday, phoned NB and said ‘yes please’ to the tickets, and rung my friend to see if she could come with me.

My friend, Rose, a gardener, had to swap work commitments around, but by Monday evening our trip was arranged.

On Friday morning we set off a 6am: Rose drove her yellow peril car and I provided navigation with the help of Tom Tom. Thursday had been a day of sudden downpours amongst wind and grey cloud, but Friday was better… still a little windy, but no rain and only white cloud, with the occasional outbreak of temporary sunshine. Marvellous. Though a little chilly.

Continue reading “No such thing as a free lunch?”

Blustery day diversion

At this time of year I rarely go into the garden except to work on it. Even if I intend just to visit the veg plot to pull rhubarb or deposit vegetable peelings in the compost bin, I invariably end up passing a weed or two that needs easing out, or a plant that needs staking. Continue reading “Blustery day diversion”

North South Divide

‘Ne’er cast a clout til May be out’…I could explain the origin of this little phrase, but it is done so well here that I shall let you click on the link.

Needless to say I have been casting clouts on and off during March and April. On Saturday in our little piece of Oxfordshire the car thermometer read 27.5 c as we set off up North. Exceptionally warm for April. When packing the Easter Eggs  Bunnies I had to put them in a cool box to keep them intact on the journey.
On Friday night I had done that thing which usually induces the rain to fall shortly afterwards…. I had watered the garden. As we travelled I heard on the radio there had been some sudden heavy showers over the South of the UK.  Oxfordshire seems to fall into that part of the country which is sometimes the South and sometimes the Midlands. So,  had it rained on my garden….? I would have to wait and see. Continue reading “North South Divide”

Good Friday

Traditionally Good Friday has always been the day to plant your potatoes here in Blighty. Seems odd, really as the date of Good Friday varies as much as a month – jolly nearly.

In case you didn’t know, Easter is a movable feast tied in with the moon: Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This means the earliest possible date for Easter is March 22, which would put Good Friday on March 20. The last possible date for Easter is April 25, which would put Good Friday on April 23. So today marks a pretty late Good Friday. Continue reading “Good Friday”

Blandford Biter

‘The Blandford fly The Blandford fly (sometimes called blackfly) is found in east Anglia, Oxfordshire and Dorset.
Blandford fly bites are common during May and June, and are very painful, frequently occurring on the legs. They can produce a severe, localised reaction, with symptoms including oedema (itchy, pale pink, or red, swellings), blistering, fever, and joint pain.‘ Information here. The bites seem often to become infected. Continue reading “Blandford Biter”

Spring Fever for O Zangado

Spring Fever

I know where the ivy climbs
while lords and ladies
drop in from the fields
and rambling brambles
with nettles entangle.

I notice the goosegrass
clambering through
the Japanese Quince
and see the forget-me-nots
competing with peony shoots.

And I smile wearily
at the dandelions
(with their long tap roots)
as they grin at me knowingly
from their position of strength.

But from where I sit
with the scent of the Daphne drifting
over me I see tulips and cherry blossom
lit up in the Spring sunshine.
I pull on the gardening gloves.

This year I will win.
It has only just begun.
This year a little at a time
the battle between nature
and nurture will be mine.

PS this is not new, only lightly pruned, so it may not qualify for OZ poetry competition