My previous news round-up was ‘Summary of a summer‘. I can summarise the intervening winter very quickly: it was very mild. We’ve had some very harsh winters recently — cold enough to freeze parts of the river Ouse in 2010. In those winters gardens round here, including mine, lost plants not tough enough to survive temperatures of -10.
By contrast, I barely noticed this winter as a proper winter, and tender plants I’d normally think of as bedding plants for one summer survived the whole thing without any special protection. There’s a borage plant out there which remained untouched by frost and is now in flower again. And I picked a rose in bloom on 3 January.
So, some photos of the garden as it drifted comfortably into springtime. These photos are from early April to early May.
View from the kitchen window, 4 April.
… and just over three weeks later, the same, with everything greening up and filling out.
Even more tulips than usual, hurrah.
Close up, looking up, tulips again. Not sure of variety as couldn’t find the label. But having a definite leaning towards lily-flowered shaped tulips in bright colours, as bright as possible. And these fit both requirements, whatever they are.
But nothing wrong with green and subtle things, especially the ferny unfurling things uncoiling. This too is a seasonal highlight, in the shadier parts of the garden.
And not far away from the fern, spotted on the fennel, tiny thing.
While quietly a dove waits. Perhaps a descendant of Colin Dove.
19 April 2014, two doves. One snoozing in the bird feeding tray. They’re more like pets, really, these days. They sit around lazily waiting while I feed the cat and then feed them.
So many generations of blackbirds, over the 17 years being here, tending this patch. So many fledglings fledged. Above: blackbirds in the nest, three days ago. This nest wasn’t particularly well hidden and I could see their beaks sticking out when standing by the back door. They’ve emerged now, sturdy and strong, already up in the tree branches.
Saturday 14 June 2014 - 15:29
All the bees is a busy,they are all in a tizzy,
To prepare the survival,of each brand new arrival
Birds are a twittering,while baby sittering,
Its SPRING SPRING SPRING,
(Apologies to Johnny Mercer)
Thursday 21 May 2015 - 07:52
Hello, I just wanted to say that I have loved looking at photos of your garden over the years and hope you will still give updates from time to time. Kind regards
Sunday 8 November 2015 - 15:25
Yes, agree with Carol! This site has inspired for so many years. Thank you for sharing your garden journey with us.
Friday 5 February 2016 - 23:56
Been a long time …
I really appreciated, still appreciate, the comments above, during the time I wasn’t able to add updates.
I’ve just recently got around to doing something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and updated the site again. The home page links should now take you to some 2016 pages.
Thank you to everyone who has commented above, and emailed me.
Lisa, www.turning-earth.co.uk