Companion Planting (Friendship Group)

[snohare]

Soon I hope to actually plant some!

I am so relieved I am not the only gardener who hasn't got all the tatties planted ! I've put some Sharpe's Express in buckets, they have shown some minor damage from what I presume is frost; my RDOY's, Lady Balfours, Orlas and Kestrels await some biochar before I can stick them in. (My cunning plan is a row of each, half of each row treated with biochar - but I need to send some money, the Oxford Biochar Experiment folk ran out of funding because demand was so great !)
Hailed and rained on again today, I was wishing for a warmer hat when I walked the dog, but by the time I was 30 miles down the glen and walking to Tesco's, it was so hot I found I didn't need a jacket, in fact my sweater was too warm.
Fresh bread made, new cheese to try on it as I read "Stars and Stripes Forever", cheap spectacles deal (2 for £25 incl delivery) from MSE, dog had meaty scraps for tea from my folks - happy household.

[ladylottie]

Been busy lately, no time to log on. Nothing exciting, my car went for his MOT on Monday and failed BIG TIME Lots of money spent. Groaaaaaaaaaan Still, can't grumble I suppose, the car is over 15 years old and I've hardly spent any money on it till now.

Car not ready for collection until yesterday so while waiting I went to the opticians to collect my new contact lenses only to be messed about - they weren't ready (or even ordered!). Wasn't very happy last night to say the least! Plus I'd had to get friends to give me a lift back and forth.

Went to lottie this morning for a couple of hours in glorious sunshine although a bit chilly - no frost though thankfully. And I felt much calmer - I love it at the lottie, things get into perspective when we're working the land don't they.
This afternoon I was at a meeting then there were lots of phone calls back and forth.

How is everyone else doing? Doesn't look as if many of you have been around either. Have I missed much?

[veggiechicken]

Hello Snohare & LadyL. Its very quiet here at the mo - I think everyone is in hiding!
Managed to get the Rocket and Maris something or other in the ground today and all the onion sets.
Just a few more spuds to go but I need to clear some more ground first. Lovely weather for it though.
Apart from walking the dogs I haven't left the house all week - so nothing to report on the social front!
I may head west again tomorrow as there is a Garden visit in the evening, a walking Treasure hunt on Friday and a Stained glass workshop on Saturday. That'll give me chance to catch up on all the chopsing I haven't done this week!

[lottie dolly]

good morning all,for the first time in many moons,have had a good sleep and up before DH,time aprox 1 hour ago,whoops,time for food,i have looked in,but not stoped,got my head in several camps at the mo,the top prioritys are the cake and finish sewing me new trousers,3 pairs more pairs to,just simple pull ups,so comfy for everyday wear,easy wash,none iron,
You all sound very ocupied,looks like lottie again to day,got lots to catch up on,oh for a younger body to go with the mind lol,love growing my own,popping of in a bit,and look in later,

[veggiechicken]

Have a good day LD. Catch up with you later!

[ladylottie]

Morning everyone! Have a safe trip today to West Wales today if you definitely decide to go!
Looks as if there are lots of interesting things down there to get involved with, a nice little community by the sounds of it.

I'm off to my Spinning Guild in a minute or two for most of the day so will look in later on.

LD if you have time I'd like a couple of pairs of those pull on trousers please - one black, one brown please Only joking - you're too busy!

[veggiechicken]

Evening All! Just wanted to share my day with you. I came west this afternoon and went for a walk in a wood. So what's so special about that? In my pocket I had a key, the key to the padlocked gate to the wood - because its MY wood I've just bought it and I'm so excited. Obviously I've been there several times before, but not as owner and it feels so different now. Just had to tell somebody and you're as good a group of friends as anyone

[ladylottie]

Evening All! Just wanted to share my day with you. I came west this afternoon and went for a walk in a wood. So what's so special about that? In my pocket I had a key, the key to the padlocked gate to the wood - because its MY wood I've just bought it and I'm so excited. Obviously I've been there several times before, but not as owner and it feels so different now. Just had to tell somebody and you're as good a group of friends as anyone

Brill! How wonderful - you must be thrilled to have your very own patch of woodland. Is it full of bluebells at the moment? Are you going to put a seat in there so that you can sit quietly and watch/listen to the wildlife. Or you could do what we used to do and sit on the ground leaning against a tree at dawn and dusk just to see how close animals and birds would come to us.
Wish I could afford my own woodland. Lucky old you

[snohare]

Veggiechicken The Laird...! Pleased to know you ma'am...got any spare firewood ?
So how big, where, what aspect, surrounded by, species of trees including, previous uses and remnants of...bagsy I come and do your coppicing if you have any !
(And by the way, Congratulations !)

[ladylottie]

Hey, yes, snohare - think of all those hazel poles for our Runner Beans. And our Lairdess (what IS a female Laird called anyway?) can run basket making courses or charcoal burning or......).
And just remember - I live nearest

[Florence Fennel]

Evening All! Just wanted to share my day with you. I came west this afternoon and went for a walk in a wood. So what's so special about that? In my pocket I had a key, the key to the padlocked gate to the wood - because its MY wood I've just bought it and I'm so excited. Obviously I've been there several times before, but not as owner and it feels so different now. Just had to tell somebody and you're as good a group of friends as anyone

Feel like a peeping Tom in here, sorry, but so glad I looked. How wonderful VC, would you post elsewhere so we can all share your lovely news? Tell me to get lost if you feel the need pal

[ladylottie]

Feel like a peeping Tom in here, sorry, but so glad I looked. How wonderful VC, would you post elsewhere so we can all share your lovely news? Tell me to get lost if you feel the need pal

Shortly she will be posting photos for us all to drool over. I know it!

[veggiechicken]

Its something I've always wanted and, yes, I am thrilled. Its ancient woodland, with oaks, beech, ash and sycamore with rowan, holly and hazel as the understorey. Last time I went there the trees hadn't leafed but now they have so its an identification test. There are bluebells, woodsorrel and wood anemones, streams and springs, a badger sett and, according to the plan a mine adit that I have failed to find so far - and its about 3 acres so not too big to manage. I am such a lucky girl!!

[veggiechicken]

Here are some photos to go on with Giggling in my Wood!

[snohare]

Where is the "pursed lips, whistling" emoticon when you need it ?!
Is that lesser celandine I see next to the wood anemone ?
Of course you may find the whole surface has been shaped by the subterranean collapse of that adit. In which case you could quite legitimately go around the wood, saying, "Mine, mine, all mine !" (If you catch the drift...)
Is it a SSSI ? NNR ? Do you have a management plan ? How did you come to buy it ? Your audience, if it is anything like me, is @ll e@rs - in fact, I am a gog !