Greenforks » Weather

Blue sky, Hellebores and a Bumblebee

easygardener — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:02:04 +0000

Temperatures have fallen again so the pond is frozen over.

On the other hand we do have sun and a blue sky.

Blue sky

More flowers coming into bloom.

Helleborus x hybridus (Yellow and Green)

Helleborus x hybridus Ballard (Blue)

And more insects appearing. In the greenhouse I found a large Bumblebee. Admittedly it was a very annoyed Bumblebee as it had flown inside, found the surroundings distinctly lacking in flowers and had to spend 5 minutes angrily buzzing till it found the way out.

Bumblebee

Things are definitely getting better. Now I need a warm sunny day so that I can start real gardening instead of half hearted pottering.

My secateurs come out – then in again

easygardener — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:35:49 +0000

I finally got out into the garden to cut down the foliage on my Hellebores. It will be good to see this year’s new flowers rather than the scrappy old foliage from last year.

Last year's foliage on Hellebores

It looks very bare after the chop but once the flowers open and new leaves appear it will look much better. There are also some spring bulbs scattered about and they should flower fairly soon.

After the haircut

The Hellebore flowers finally see the light of day. Should I do a final tidy now or leave it until tomorrow? It is getting a little chilly and gloomy. Tomorrow it is.

Hellebore in bud

Tomorrow arrives. I made a bad decision. It is snowing again and I am falling out of love with the white stuff.

Snow again

Jack Frost – hanging around for far too long

easygardener — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:17:00 +0000

I think Jack Frost is reluctant to leave the garden. Just when I think he has gone for good, back he comes carrying snow flakes. This was what I found this morning.

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Compactus'

In the pond my poor dwarf Rush is no longer a bright ball of vivid green foliage. I’m also wondering if there are any frogs under the ice or whether they are still hibernating above ground. Jack is obviously not a frog lover.

Isolepsis setacea

Even when Jack vacates the garden he leaves traces. Not only the plants suffer damage.

Frost damaged pot

Frost proof terracotta pots…Hmmm!… I think they are only frost proof when they are empty of soil, and kept in the garage.

A crumbling alpine pan

Body and Mind – and the Weather

easygardener — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:13:11 +0000

Yesterday I was out in the garden checking for signs of spring flowers. There were flowers or buds on Hellebores, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Sarcoccoca, Cyclamen and Quince. The leaves of Crocus and Narcissi were showing too. Although it was cold the ground was no longer frozen and I walked down to the pond wondering when I would see the first frogspawn of 2010. I was accompanied by two close friends.

Body was well wrapped up but would have preferred to be indoors reading a book. Mind was rejoicing at the sight of said flowers and planning a few essential gardening jobs now that the weather was improving. Mind never feels the cold which gets Body very irritated.

~~~~~~~~24 hours pass~~~~~~~~~

This morning I went out to feed the birds. Mind was in turmoil and Body was deciding which book to read and wondering where she had left her furry slippers.

A scattering of snow

Pretty but not wanted!

No chance of frogspawn at the moment

All gardening plans are put on hold.

Blooming Friday: January, week 4 – Gold and Ice

easygardener — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:43:43 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday. I try to imagine this Narcissus flowering outside and it brings Spring a little nearer.

Narcissus

I have done with winter now and am longing for some signs of life in the garden.

Narcissus

I am not the only one wishing the weather would warm up. While out walking last Sunday I saw these grumpy Swans on a frozen lake .

Hey guys - I think I see water over there!

That bird is an idiot!

Thanks to Katarina at Roses and Stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Visit her to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Blooming Friday: January, week 2 – Snow returns

easygardener — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:43:45 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday – though there is very little blooming involved. We are snowed under….. again.

Falling snow

Many of you will think this amount of snow is trivial, but in my area we have not seen this much snow for almost 20 years.

More snow

This is the only flower in the garden.

Rose

Unless you count this one!

Fantasy flower

One snow covered fir tree

One very annoyed Cat

Thanks to Katarina at Roses and Stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Visit her to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Happy Christmas to all

easygardener — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:48:36 +0000

Outside we still have snow although it is slowly disappearing. A few brave plants are showing through the gaps.

The snow covered Rock Garden

Primula keeping its head above the snow

Inside the house all is warm and toasty. The Christmas tree is up and decorated with lights and all the bits and pieces we have collected over the years.

Fluffy Robin

: Santa Claus

I hope you enjoy the Christmas celebrations - and I look forward to seeing you all in 2010.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Beware what you wish for – it might come before the waterproof boots!

easygardener — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:15:29 +0000

I have been waiting for snow to arrive. This area does not get it very often and frankly, when it does come, it is a pathetic amount that disappears in a few hours. Rubbish stuff.

But not on Thursday evening.

Snow, snow, snow

Grass in a pot - with snow

Had I got round to buying some winter boots – Yes.

Are they waterproof …..Nooooo…..but they look nice.

White, white, white

Now proper waterproof boots have been ordered via the internet because I hate shopping. Better late than never (this is the lazy person’s favourite proverb).

Will they come before Christmas…..probably not. But at least I have made an effort to keep my feet dry.

Yellow and white

I still think snow makes everything look beautiful, even if I had to dry out my shoes after I took these pictures.

Icy pond

Hurry up boots!

Lights, Tweeting and Snowflakes

easygardener — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:37:26 +0000

It is that time of year again. Out come the Christmas decorations and my favourites – the lights. The more coloured lights we have to brighten the dark days of winter the better I like it.

Christmas decorations

In the centre of the picture is Tweety Bird – loved only by me. He whistles a selection of Christmas songs if someone bumps into him. He normally hangs at the bottom of the stairs so there is plenty of opportunity. Why do people keep switching him off – it’s a mystery to me.

Tweety Bird

And wonder of wonders…it snowed today. It melted after a few hours but I still have hopes of a white Christmas. Fingers crossed!

Snow

Winter arrives – oh no! – it’s a false alarm.

easygardener — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:22:05 +0000

Yesterday winter made a brief appearance. It was wonderful. There was a blue sky, frost, clean cold air and I felt invigorated.

On the surface of the pond there was a thin layer of ice. The delicate folds radiating out from the Waterlily leaves looked like cellophane.

Ice on the pond

Unfortunately the cold weather was a shock for this shrub that was recklessly putting out new leaves because it thought it was Spring. Ouch!

Magnolia stellata

While some plants shrugged off the chill and added frost as a fashion accessory. Very pretty they looked too.

Geranium renardii

Sadly Winter lasted only one day! It is raining heavily again today and temperatures have risen.

I want bright skies, frost and snow…… white, white snow. Is it too much to ask. It is nearly Christmas after all.

Come on Santa, go and have a word with those Snow Elves.