In the garden – Page 2 – Well Blogger Me

Preparing for Spring

Jan 232014

With over 50 trees in the gardens of Bracken House, preparing them for the new growing season is a time-consuming task. The trees are a mixture of fruit trees and native trees. Each of these trees has now been pruned, had weeds cleared from their bases and had protectors placed around their trunks to prevent damage. 2013 was an excellent growing season, and the trees, which have been planted for almost four years, are beginning to fill out. The laurel hedge surrounding the car park is also thickening nicely and will need a light trim before the main growing season [Read more]

2013 – thanks for the memories

About the Rowley family, Computers, Holidays, In the garden, What I do 2 Responses »

Dec 312013

2013 was a year that will always by in my memory, thanks to the wedding of my eldest son Jamie, to his long-time partner Alice, and four amazing holidays. My trips this year took me to the Outer Hebrides, along the railways of North Wales and return visits to Tromsø and Herm. Jamie’s and Alice’s Wedding The wedding took place on June 8th and was a day to remember. The ceremony took place in the Booking Office of the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley and was followed by lunch on a steam train, which made several journeys along the line [Read more]

First real signs of Winter

In the garden, Weather 1 Response »

Nov 202013

The first half of November 2013 saw fairly typical weather patterns. Temperatures were around average and rainfall amounts were slightly below normal. There had been no air frosts, and few ground frosts recorded. Over the last few days, the first real signs that Winter is on the way were noticed when a Cold Front drifted south over the area, bringing with it much colder winds from the Arctic. As usual, the media were exaggerating the weather forecasts, promising us the worst weather since 1947, and three months of heavy snow. Needless to say, these wildly exaggerated stories show no signs of [Read more]

Autumn work on wildflower meadow completed

In the garden No Responses »

Nov 182013

Autumn work on wildflower meadow completed

Today (18th November), I finally completed the cutting of the wildflower meadow and the removal of the cuttings. The cuttings that wouldn’t burn because they were either too wet, or still green, were removed to the grazing fields where they were spread out to rot, or used to fill in boggy patches around a field gate. A small amount of cuttings were also placed in the corner of the meadows where the land is uneven in the hope that this will rot down and level off the area. Work in the meadow was completed just in time before a band [Read more]

Much work needed on wildflower meadow

In the garden No Responses »

Nov 162013

When I had the landscaping work done at Bracken House, one area I was keen to create was a wildflower meadow. I have always liked wildflower meadows of all types, especially buttercup meadows, poppy fields and fields of annuals creating different colours as each variety started to bloom. The area next to the paddocks, between the pond and the grazing fields, is the area I have set aside for wildflowers. It is now three years since the landscaping project was completed and the wildflower meadow is nowhere near to what I had in mind. The main problem I have met [Read more]

Rhubarb and asparagus make welcome return to table

In the garden 1 Response »

May 292013

Rhubarb and asparagus make welcome return to table

Despite the very cold Spring, the plants in the garden at Bracken House are finally starting to catch up. After five months of below average temperatures, plants have been very slow to burst into leaf and flower, but they are now showing signs of catching up. In the vegetable patch, everything is now sown and planted. Asparagus has already been harvested, and lettuce and radish will soon be ready. The peas have disappointed so far, but a few new plants and more seed sowing should have sorted that out. Some of the sweet corn has also been replaced. In the [Read more]

It’s been a while …

In the garden, What I do 1 Response »

Apr 252013

There are two important factors to consider when writing a blog – what will I write about and will I have the time. It is now 14 days since I last put fingertips to keyboard, mainly because I seem to be busy doing other things, and when I do get a few minutes to spare, I’ve had little inspiration to strike the keys. During my two-week absence from my blog, the cricket season has started. Until a couple of years ago, this was one of the highlights of the year. After seven months of dreary weather and cold nights, the [Read more]

Reed bunting becomes 37th visitor

In the garden 1 Response »

Mar 232013

The deep snow in the middle of March didn’t deter the birds from visiting the feeders at Bracken House. With food hard to find in the fields dozens of birds were noted grabbing a quick snack in the garden. One notable visitor was a male reed bunting. Predominantly a farmland and wetland bird, the reed bunting is typically found in wet vegetation but has recently spread into farmland and, in winter, into gardens. Sparrow-sized but slim and with a long, deeply notched tail, the male has a black head, white collar and a drooping moustache. This was the 37th different species of [Read more]

Signs of Spring

In the garden, Weather No Responses »

Mar 212013

Despite the Spring Equinox having passed, the country is still in the grip of a bitterly cold Continental air flow. Temperatures are well below the seasonal average, and snow still figures prominently in weather forecasts. There are, however, signs that Spring has arrived, if you look closely. In the gardens of Bracken House, blackbirds are gathering nest material, mallards are mating on the pond and Spring bulbs are flowering. The first of the bulbs to flower were the snowdrops, as always. They have been in flower since February, followed closely by some narcissi and tulips planted in a warm spot [Read more]

A busy and interesting day

In the garden, What I do No Responses »

Mar 192013

Today started with blue skies and Sun, although it was still cold, with a good frost. However, I decided that I would spend the day outside catching up on a few jobs I still have to do in the garden. Things didn’t go to plan as BBC Radio Derby wanted me to do an interview on what it’s like to win the lottery, as part of a piece about ‘The Syndicate’, a programme on BBC TV about a group of people who win the jackpot. Don’t ask me what it’s like as I haven’t seen it. I was interviewed by [Read more]

Surprise visitor to the patio

In the garden 1 Response »

Mar 132013

We are blessed with many varieties of birds at Bracken House, but today, we saw a rare event when a kestrel landed right in front of the kitchen patio doors. After spending a few minutes perched behind the gazebo, the bird swooped down to land literally a couple of feet from the house. We often see kestrels hovering above the land, but this was the first time I have seen one this close in many years. Fortunately, my camera was handy and I was able to take a few shots of the bird before it flew into the bushes beside [Read more]

Spring showing signs of return

In the garden No Responses »

Mar 062013

There are signs all over the gardens at Bracken House that Spring is here. In the front garden, clumps of snowdrops are brightening up the borders and daffodils have made a welcome return under the laurel hedge. The first cuttings of the lawn areas took place this week with the front and rear lawns both having an early trim. We use a Robomower to cut the lawns, so once the machine, affectionately called ‘Horace’, has been positioned on the lawn, he can be left to do his work. The wildflower meadows at the rear of the house have finally been [Read more]

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