In October I planted 100 mixed crocus bulbs under the silver birch. I think about a dozen have come up. I think the digging animals didn’t help- or perhaps I am being impatient. My only hope is that they spread by themselves over the years. Or I could always plant some more. A carpet of crocuses in February would be lovely.

Even less inspiring in the photograph than in real life !!

The orchard has kept us in apples for 6 months! Staring with Katy apples in early September we have worked through Cox’s Orange Pippin, Spartan and Golden Delicious. The Spartan and Cox’s kept reasonably well for a few months in the fridge but were soft and woody by Christmas. However the Golden Delicious kept well and were still going strong until the last few got soft just a few days ago.

I’m so glad for the pruning of the Golden Delicious tree- it made all the difference. I shall continue to keep it with calcium and weed under it  and hope for a good harvest this year as well.

Well it could have been a lot worse. Apart from a liberal scattering of branches and twigs over a good deal of the garden, there was only some minor damage and none of it to any of my favourite trees. Most of what came down was dead wood, including the trunk of a tree that had long since died and was essentially holding up some honeysuckle. Oh, and a bird box came down too- luckily not inhabited so far as I can see.

Wild plum trees in the woods. These tend to have lots of dead branches and tend to see quite a lot of woodpecker action, making them hollow in places.

The previous owners had the fine idea of a wisteria walk, although sadly it became over grown and was more of a wisteria ‘crouch’ as even I couldn’t walk under it without bending, let alone my taller family members.  So, I have given it radical surgery to get back to a framework that can be extended later. We also need to lose some of the trees that over-shadow it but that is work for later this year. In the meantime I am quite proud of my efforts and I now have a huge potential bonfire.

The white wisteria sinesis at the front end by the greenhouse needed the most radical surgery, although my brother assures me that it will recover. I do hope so as the blooms were amazing in quantity and scent last year.

Before in January, it was so heavy it had pulled over and broken the framework. 

Before in January- the  jungle effect

Before in September

After- looking somewhat denuded.

After- note the horizontal branch to the right. I am planning more of a tunnel effect with branches at shoulder height, not just overhead.

I’m sure it will grow back and this time I’m in charge!

This year seems to be a record one for snowdrops in the garden. It seems that they are spreading naturally. I am so pleased- I do like gardening that helps itself.

This is in the woods, but there are many more throughout the garden especially nearer the house that I am not sure where there last year.