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Happy Birthday for Kate & Dad

26/1/2021

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It's Kate's birthday today (26th) and she would have been celebrating her 49th.  
It's Dad's birthday tomorrow (27th).

As a family we have always had a penchant for  holding birthdays, celebrations, significant occasions, insignificant occasions, any-old-excuse-catch-ups at our favourite place - The River Avon Chinese Restaurant in Evesham (left).

I miss Kate terribly.  Lots of love. xx
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Feeling Harassed

18/1/2021

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Today, and the last week or so = feeling harassed. 
'Nuff said.
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Samuel Says...

14/1/2021

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" Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" said Dr Samuel Johnson, and I thought this was rather apt in light of the recent events over the Pond!

Dr Samuel Johnson (1709 – 84) was an English author, poet, moralist and literary critic.  He made a living writing for the Gentleman’s Magazine – a report on Parliament, and The Idler (103 essays) published in the London weekly the Universal Chronicle between 1758 and 1760.   
 
He was rather an influential journalist and ‘thinker’ - other significant publications included The Plays of William Shakespeare, Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779–81) and The Dictionary of the English Language (1747).

Food for thought.
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The Proof is in the Pudding

3/1/2021

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The Proof is in the Pudding.
This expression was first used in early 14th century, but over time it has been edited from the full phrase “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. Either which way, it means that the best way to find out if something is good or successful is to test it yourself.
​
Hence, today, I actually followed some of my own advice regarding Jobs to do in January.   I even washed down some of the greenhouse windows (in very cold water from the water butt) to rid them of a green sheen of mould or mildew that has appeared recently.  This in itself seems little odd as apparently the fungal spores become more prolific in humid conditions and well, it hasn’t been particularly warm in this neck of the woods recently!  However, a number of my plants do seem to exhibit signs of powdery mildew – particularly the geraniums – and by recollection has been apparent on other plants in the past growing season. 

So, I shall have to do some more research but initially cleaning the greenhouse is key, along with maintaining the moisture level, without raising the humidity around the plants too high and to allow ample air circulation around the plants.

Easy as….!?
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There seemed to be a theme to many of the gifts I received at Christmas, including bamboo plant markers, a personalised greenhouse sign, a Grow Your Own Mushrooms kit, a waxed gardening apron and, of course, the Posh Wellies (both modelled here!).
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Above & Right: GH2 cleaned and tidied with a fine array of homemade and recycled insulation options!
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Jobs for January

2/1/2021

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​In order to be a good citizen by following the rules of Tier 4 - that is, stay at home and avoid people - I have found it to be a perfect opportunity to don my new posh wellies and throw myself energetically into all of those specific gardening jobs for January...

​Well, "energetically" is a bit of a reach, but you get the general gist!
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image: www.julianaleewriter.com
Key tasks for January:
  • Recycle Christmas trees by shredding for mulch
  • Continue to feed and water birds
  • Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already, and disperse worm casts in lawns
  • Inspect stored tubers of Dahlia, Begonia and Canna for rot or drying out
  • Prune apple and pear trees, as well as currant and gooseberry bushes, make a polythene shelter for outdoor peaches and nectarines, to protect against peach leaf curl, and start forcing rhubarb.
  • Plant bare-root trees and bushes - as long as the soil isn't frozen.
  • Plan vegetable plot and crop rotations for the coming season; ensure the same crops are not grown in the same beds as this will help to prevent a build-up of disease,
and
  • To prevent fungal infection, ventilate the greenhouse on sunny days.
Sowing and planting:
  • Sow seeds of Begonia, Lobelia, Salvia and Pelargonium in a heated greenhouse or propagator
  • More Sweet Peas can be sown this month; those that were sown in the autumn can be potted on and should be placed so they receive plenty of light.
  • Sow seeds that need frost in order to germinate e.g. native tree and shrub seeds, and alpine plants.
  • Plant lily bulbs in pots and in borders during mild spells.
  • Summer bulbs, seed potatoes and onion sets will be available to buy from mid-January.
  • Onion seed can also be sown in a heated propagator.
  • Sow broad beans in pots in mild areas, placing them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.
  • The following seeds can be sown indoors for early crops:  lettuces, summer brassicas, such as cabbages and cauliflowers, spinach, salad onions and turnips.
Cleaning, Cutting and General Maintenance:
  • Cultivate and prepare seed beds by covering with clear polythene, cloches or fleece to warm up the soil before sowing
  • Cut back old brown grasses and the old leaves from Hellebores and thus reveal the flowers. Take root cuttings from perennial poppies (Papaver), Verbascum (mullein), Acanthus and Phlox.
  • Tidy up any containers and pots by cutting back plants, and layer mulch
  • Fuchsia and Pelargonium need a minimum temperature of 5°C (41°F) otherwise the cold and frost are likely to kill them.
  • Clean greenhouses ready for spring and check insulation - or at least add some!
  • Remove snow from greenhouse roof to prevent damage and to also allow good light penetration.
  • Clear leaves and twigs from guttering on greenhouses and sheds.
  • Clean and wash pots and seed trays in preparation for spring’s onslaught. Thorough cleaning reduces pest and disease problems, hence reducing the possibility of any propagation and sowing issues.

Come on - get moving!!
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2021

1/1/2021

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Happy New Year! 

I thought this was rather apt as most of us have segued into Tier 4 and are limited to what we can do, where we can go and who we can see!

​It might resonate with a few households!?


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