15th March

 

First sighting of frogspawn.  

We also have a couple of unfertilised clumps but this large clump looks healthy.

The bottom photo also shows 3 of the 6 frogs we've spotted this year.

The Garden Awakes

 

The first week in March felt like spring was certainly on its way with clematis Armandii smothered in sweetly scented flowers, perfectly positioned for early pollinators in full sun. 

Just as the brightly coloured bulbs and corms were getting into full swing, winter returned.

Initially the snow provided a pretty foil for the flowers.

But the snow continued...

Settled heavily, causing damage to one of our neighbour's acers...

The Man That Can was quick to shake the thick snow from our shrubs and trees to prevent any damage. 

There was a day's respite before yet more snow fell.

More than enough to build a 6 foot snowman!

Before clearing a path to allow access in case of further snowfall. 

As you can see, TMTC again diligently shook the snow from the trees and shrubs. Isn't he an angel? 

Finally the clouds parted and the sun shone. The sky truly was this blue, and the snow quickly melted from the trees next door.

But of course gardening on the edge of the peak district means the snow tends to linger and it took a warmer front with heavy rain to finally wash away the last of the white stuff.

Late winter 2023

 The bulbs and corms are beginning to make a colourful carpet beneath the deciduous trees and shrubs.  We added some sugar-pink cyclamen to the drifts of snowdrops and crocuses.

And the rhododendron Christmas Cheer gave a show stopping performance for most of February into March, curtailed only by the heavy snow in the second week of March.

Pond update

 

I realised I hadn't uploaded the photos of the finished pond!

It was completed in August 2022.  A couple of frogs remained in the area but the real test will be if we get any frogspawn. 

New Project

 

For once, this was the idea of The Man That Can.  He had been ruminating with it for some time and recently made the suggestion out loud...on purpose! 

To enlarge the pond.

Just before we went on holiday to visit our friends in The Netherlands, the pond pump packed in.  I'm advised that was not the reason for the suggestion.  TMTC waited until we had returned and then a week later we went to buy a new pump.

Then, he approached it.  The look on his face when he realised I was in agreement was priceless, especially because his idea would mean some very hard graft!

So 8 and a half years after the initial pond was created, we're at it again.

The pond plants were placed in the bowl we usually use in the Yen during the warmer months. 

All the water from the pond (and the silt) was distributed around the garden to water the plants.

Three frogs were temporarily rehomed in the bowl, that had rocks placed between the plants to enable easy access into and out of the water.

I had forgotten just how tiny the preformed pond was!

Next all the plants around the pond were lifted.  Those we wanted to keep were potted up and watered (from one of our 6 replenished water butts, following recent storms).

Some of the more unruly plants were destined for the compost heap. 

A few hours later and the space is revealed.  The only plant untouched is the fatsia Japonica.  He's very happy in that spot so we will develop that end as the shallow end with pebbles.

I've worked on a simple design with the waterfall at the opposite end (on the left of the above picture).

All the rocks have been moved to one side.  Next weekend, the riddling begins as there is a lot of slate mixed in with the soil.  This will need removing before we can create the new pond so it doesn't pierce the lining.

Wish us luck!