05 February 2009 - Snow and snowdrops

Since we are covered with snow and its freezing cold I think this is a good time to sit in the warm and write this! We spent a lovely and productive time in France. We have solved a plumber problem and have two new bathrooms to show for it and we learnt more or less to build a garden wall in the local style.

Suddenly we are able to see a shape to parts of the garden. We are clearing an area for vegetables that will be protected from the local boar by a picket fence on three sides and our new wall on the other. In the absence of any significant topsoil we are going to make raised beds with beams from the house and barn. We hope to persuade a local farmer to keep us topped up with manure and once I have found the french for topsoil we will try to buy some in.

Anything that can be composted will be added over time. Tree planting is high on the priority list and this will involve digging huge holes with a pickaxe that we fill with compost before planting. Everything we do will have to be backed up by watering hoses that our wells can hopefully supply. Most exciting was the appearance of our snowdrops. They were just showing patches as we left.

Not to worry as we returned to even greater patches of snowdrops here at Cerney Gardens. Galanthus ‘Three Ships’ came into flower before Christmas and looks vibrant, even now. Many of my specials are showing but have a couple of weeks before they are fully out. Although Limetree, Lynn and Colossus are looking lovely, even in the snow. There are signs of spring all over the garden – A few daffodils, heads of Hellebores and swelling buds.

But for now it is the snowdrop that rules. I used to dread this time of year until I discovered these white bells. Now it truly is as exciting as it gets as I wait to see old friends and hopefully to discover more. We have decided to sell some of the plants this year. That is if I can bear to let them go.

We have been working on our woodland walk and feel rather pleased with the results.
It is now possible to walk right through the back woods and we have planted more snowdrops and hellebores on the way. In time we will clear the areas of unwanted saplings, ivy and nettles and build up displays of woodland plantings.

For the moment we have a least one appreciative visitor – Skippy, our neighbours llama. He adores the ivy and brambles and has helped to tidy up difficult corners. We just hope he does not discover our roses.

On a final and rather sad note our wonderful peacock, Oscar, died recently. He had so much character and added enormously to our garden. He will be missed by many.

posted by B Johnson @ Thursday, February 05, 2009   0 comments (Post a Comment)