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Gardening

Joys of Spring

(541 Posts)
bagitha Mon 09-Jan-12 16:52:36

Tramping up the hill
In the deep dusk
To shut the henhouse for the night,
I saw, even in the dim light,
Light buds on the apple tree
And, with the light of my torch,
A budding fresh greenness
At the ends of the flowering currant.
The bird cherry tree buds
Are swelling with new life
And the gorse looks sturdily leaved,
Ready to flower before too long.
If the bees have survived the winter in the chimney,
(the honey has stopped dripping),
They might come out for that.
smile

Butternut Fri 13-Apr-12 17:49:45

I just want to say I have never felt a fool for caring on this thread.

bagitha Fri 13-Apr-12 17:58:00

butty smile

SOOP Sat 14-Apr-12 13:05:31

Butter...flowers

nanachrissy Sat 14-Apr-12 17:35:00

Thank goodness for Gransnetters who care,I say. flowers sunshine

SOOP Sat 14-Apr-12 17:44:43

nanachrissy VERY TRUE! smile smile smile to you...

bagitha Tue 17-Apr-12 08:32:37

My barometer storm alert woke me at half past four this morning. When I got up at six, it was quite dark under the clouds. Now they have lifted sufficiently for me to see that there is new snow on the hills and the snow line is lower than last time. Meanwhile yet more primroses are visible in my garden. smile

dorsetpennt Tue 17-Apr-12 09:27:14

My garden is loving the rain we've had overnight and now I see a very large cross looking cloud approach - snow on the hills wherever do you live bagitha? I love Hostas and did worry as to whether this dry weather would affect them - we haven't had a hose pipe ban here in the Southwest yet but I'm not using my hose just watering cans. Luckily I don't have a huge garden . However, the Hostas are doing well and after last nights rain have shot up.

bagitha Tue 17-Apr-12 09:28:36

Western Scotland, dorset. Snow in April is common.

bagitha Tue 17-Apr-12 09:29:33

Perhaps I should say a common occurrence! I'm sure the snowflakes are as individual as ever!

dorsetpennt Tue 17-Apr-12 09:46:39

We hardly get snow here in the deep south - although 2010 and 2011 had two decent snowfalls. Having been brought up in Canada and also lived in the US I miss it . Have been to Western Scotland as far up as Skye - I loved it.

SOOP Tue 17-Apr-12 10:41:53

Awoke in the early hours to the whine of the wind and rain drumming against the window pane. Big boy, Rory, had found his way home after another fruitless quest for a willing wifelet. He was snuggled in his den. He never fails to make me smile

JessM Tue 17-Apr-12 10:49:42

Is there any rain in drought stricken england? My run of lovely weather here in NSW has ended. wet wet wet. ANd GD has the tummy bug I had last week.

Butternut Tue 17-Apr-12 12:34:29

Perhaps you should start a NZ thread on the Joys of Autumn, Jess. smile

JessM Tue 17-Apr-12 12:49:06

very funny butternut right now in NSW it is hammering down so hard I can't hear the tv. Everyone hoping the 4 yr old doesn't start vomiting. And outside, it is all evergreen shrubs, many of which are in bloom. The small camellias are particularly lovely. Autumn as we know it not in evidence.
3 busy days of child minding (hopefully vomit free...) and then - well - it will be NZ holiday - no television, limited internet, no kids, cup of tea in bed, walking the dog, getting back to exercise routine, afternoon naps, village life NZ style. Oh and lots of free chiropractic. Looking forward to the local autumn produce there.

Butternut Tue 17-Apr-12 13:18:51

I'm a wee bit confused Jess. Does that mean you'll be returning to MK soon, or going on to another wonderful outpost of NZ?

JessM Wed 18-Apr-12 08:11:37

Yes I am confused too. What month is it? Nearly May? How can that be?
I am in Sydney NSW Australia until this weekend. Then to see DS2 in NZ for bout 12 days. Once I am there i will not want to leave of course sad Unless the weather is like it is here - still torrential. 2 days and counting.

bagitha Wed 18-Apr-12 09:39:19

Two days and counting! Good grief! Sometimes it rains here for months! It might not be tipping it down all the time but during those times we don't see the sun because of thick cloud.

Two days! Tcha!

wink

Gally Wed 18-Apr-12 10:10:03

Bags sad. It's pretty wet over this side of the country too but the sun has just briefly appeared through the cloud sunshine. John's birthday magnolia has 6 flowers which are standing up to the elements - blowing about a bit crazily but holding in there!

Butternut Wed 18-Apr-12 10:15:04

What colour are they, gally? The shape of the tree and it's blossom is quite beautiful - is it a white one?

Butternut Wed 18-Apr-12 10:18:30

Jess - enjoy NZ and hopefully you won't notice if it rains!

I got drenched this morning in a cloud burst which came out of nowhere. I had started my walk in a bit of sunshine, but obviously this April downpourshower decided to get me! shock

bagitha Wed 18-Apr-12 12:25:14

gally, I'm glad to hear the magnolia is thriving. I'm afraid mine got nibbled a bit too enthusuastically by the roe deer. Hey ho! Another one to cross off the list. I could set up business in baby birch and holly trees though smile.

SOOP Wed 18-Apr-12 12:36:43

gally Magnolias are stunning - and now yours bears six blooms smile My parents always grew and cherished magnolias. I remember that in a park in Northants, there stood an ancient specimen...supported by what appeared to be several massive crutches. It was a joy to behold sunshine

JessM Wed 18-Apr-12 12:53:01

Ah bags rain when you are nana in charge of 2 active little creatures takes on a whole new meaning. it is also a bit of a shock after 2 weeks of sun. More due tomorrow - I have a plan to take the 4 year old on a prolonged bus trip to the mall and back while his sister is at her friend's. Buses are a huge treat and I am the ONE who takes him on these transports of delight.
Could just go round and round on the free bus come to think of it... about a half an hour round trip, 3 times, that might work...
Humidity is sky high indoors. Trying to dry clothes... Trying to dry out the thick sisal rug that GD spewed on... yes well.

bagitha Wed 18-Apr-12 12:54:39

Chuckle. I'm familiar with all that. Remember, I'm and "older mum" as well as a gran grin. Enjoy the bus.

bagitha Wed 18-Apr-12 12:55:00

And I live in a wet climate.