Greenforks » Weather

Ready for action

easygardener — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:45 +0000

Cold weather has finally arrived. How can it be winter unless I see some frost – even if it is just for a few days? Surely that’s not too much to ask. Compared to the last two years which featured cold, frost, ice and snow this winter is proving a bit of a let down. Besides, if the weather stays mild I have wasted my time digging up my Dahlias to overwinter them and what about the hour I spent wrapping two climbers (damaged during the snow in 2011) in fleece and bubble wrap!

Of course it was too cold to work in the garden but I did tidy up the potting area in the garage so everything is ready for the beginning of the gardening season. I have also ordered my vegetable seeds so am feeling on top of things garden wise. This feeling never lasts once the season starts but I am savouring it for now.

Potting area

Later on, as the sun was shining, we went for a walk. We have some small lakes nearby that attract a great many birds.

Winter walk

The birds all appeared to be sprucing themselves up reading for the mating season. The birds in the far distance were actually standing on ice as part of the lake was frozen.

Canada Geese

Looking good! Canada Geese and two Swans

Looking at the birds in the freezing water I was glad I was wearing warm boots.

Wordless Wednesday – Fallen leaves

easygardener — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:22:57 +0000

Autumn leaves

For more Wordless Wednesday posts visit here.

Blooming Friday – Moonlit

easygardener — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:22:45 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday where the moon is casting its light across the clouds and onto the sea below.

These two night views were taken in Greece which we have visited many times over the years.

Kioni on the Greek island of Ithica

Loggos on the Greek island of Paxos

Visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Blooming Friday – Cold Feet

easygardener — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:14:49 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday. We are having a warm November at the moment and my garden has not yet had a frost.

I am wondering if we will have much snow this winter. Some winters can pass with no snow at all so it is still a novelty when it does arrive. The last two winters have been exceptional – we have had lots and lots of snow.

Here is my cat Georgie, out for a walk but very unhappy that her feet are getting cold and wet.

4 cold feet

You can see I was not prepared for the snow. Shortly after this picture was taken I bought some new boots!

My cold feet

Visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Blooming Friday – Winter

easygardener — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:14:27 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday. Winter can be very different across the world. Some countries hardly see a difference while others are covered with ice and snow for a long period. I live in the south of the UK, near London, and for many years our winters have been mild. However, over the last two years this has changed.

Frost on 'Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens'

For the last two winters we have had ice and lots of snow. I am reminded of the winters I experienced as a child when it snowed every year.

Because the snow lasts only a few weeks I can enjoy its beauty knowing it will not stay too long. In this I am lucky because I know several of you are snowbound for months. For me it is still a wonderful novelty.

The white garden

I love the silence that falls with the snow and the way everything is transformed as if by magic.

View from bedroom window

For more Blooming Friday posts visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff.

Have a good weekend.

Blooming Friday – Patterns

easygardener — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:50:02 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday. The theme this week is “Patterns”.

Pattern is not a word I usually use when talking about a flower but this Fritillaria is an exception.

Fritillaria meleagris

I think it looks very beautiful and the distinctive chequered pattern is part of its charm.

Fritillaria meleagris

Then we have the stripes of a rainbow in the sky.

Rainbow

The patterns on a Butterfly’s wings.

Red Admiral butterfly

And finally the pattern of my footprints in the snow.

Footprints in the snow

For more Blooming Friday posts visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff.

Have a good weekend.

Cat in shock discovery

easygardener — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:01:18 +0000

Georgie has her morning routine.

Saturday 10 am

Time for my morning stroll

This isn't looking good

Saturday 2pm

I think I will give my afternoon stroll a miss

Blooming Friday: Four Seasons

easygardener — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:46:42 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday. This week Katarina asks us to choose pictures which illustrate the four seasons.

I have chosen pictures from my flower garden and also the vegetable garden. The vegetable garden is on a plot of land rented from the local authority and is accessed from a gate at the bottom of my main garden. This kind of garden is known as an “allotment” in the UK and is very popular with gardeners who want more space to grow vegetables and fruit. I am fortunate to have the allotment so close to my house.

Spring in the vegetable garden

Summer in the flower garden

Autumn in the vegetable garden

Winter in the flower garden

For more Blooming Friday posts visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff.

Have a lovely weekend.

Wordless Wednesday – Cold

easygardener — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:52:02 +0000

Rock garden

Cold Water x 3

easygardener — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:59:02 +0000

Many parts of the country have had heavy falls of snow. Here, we have had over a week of below freezing temperatures but no actual snow. It is bitterly cold and the ground is frozen solid.

I regularly put warm water in the bird’s water dish but it does not last long.

Frozen water bowl

My pond is much the same.

Frozen pond

Yesterday we went for a walk around some local lakes that are a haven for over wintering birds. Their bowl of water was frozen too.

Frozen lake