Having declared Spring sprung last weekend, I donned my scruffy gardening getup (not worn since November and inexplicably snugger fitting than I remembered) and set about this and that. The mini greenhouse was cleaned, several packets of seed were sown, the still rather sodden circular lawn was given a quick trim and I tackled a bit of hard landscaping. And that leads me to my first Six on Saturday.
1. Annual mulching has resulted in borders that are higher than the paths. The recycled bricks that I used to edge the paths (thankfully not cemented down) had begun to disappear under the earth and gravel. Initially I just intended to clear the soil and gravel from the edging, the surface of which was flush with the level of the path. However, before I knew it I’d started raising the bricks a little.
By the time I got to the the blue shed I found myself wondering whether the path needed to be quite so wide and, somewhat inevitably, a little more border space was created. My wife has yet to attempt to retrieve her bike from the shed since this minor alteration, but surely more planting space is worth a little less bicycle manoeuvring space?
2. An increasing number of Daffodils/Narcissus are beginning to flower. I think this one is Jetfire, although the petals have yet to do their swept back ‘whooshy’ thing.
3. The pruned roses are sporting some nice new growth. Worryingly, a few aphids have already been spotted on the fresh red leaves.
4. Next up, Hyacinths. Those on the left are growing in the front garden and appear to be a double variety of some sort. The one on the right grows next to the tiny wildlife pond. Talking of which…
5. You might remember that, for the first time ever, the frogs had spawned in the pond. But by Sunday morning the frogspawn had vanished, presumed eaten by something or other. I feared that was that but on Thursday more appeared, and on Friday more still. Fingers crossed this lot survives.
6. And finally… Yes, it’s another Crocus.
They were my Six on Saturday. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, take a look at the site of the chap who started it all over at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
Good for you: if in doubt, extend the borders!
Nice to see a bit of frogspawn. My parents get frogspawn every year in an old tray behind the shed. It’s only slightly bigger than an A4 piece of paper and a couple of inches deep. They do say that any amount of water is good for the wildlife, I guess that illustrates the point. I hope your second batch survives!
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That’s amazing, quite an easy pond then! I suppose the frogs move on to more spacious premises later?
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I can only assume so! They keep coming back year after year.
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Thanks. I’m considering putting up some chicken wire over this end of end of the pond to help protect it – perhaps after another cup of coffee.
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Love the frog’s spawn. 😊
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It is a strangely pleasing sight
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I’m a little scared for the new rose shoots (mine) … maybe the next 3 cold nights will damage them .. And you? A few frozen nights are also planned?
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We’ve had a few frosts these past few nights. Fingers crossed your rose shoots (and mine) will be fine.
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Jetfire seems to be the daffodil of the week. Very pretty. I do like your brick border, it makes the flowerbeds look even tidier.
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It’s surprising what a difference edging a lawn or tidying up a path makes. One of those satisfying gardening tasks.
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When you mentioned the ever-so-slight narrowing of the path, it made me laugh – similar thing going on here, but we did actually do a bike demo run before fixing the edging! Don’t mention any such thing to your wife. You and the Prop have both got Jetfire, I like it. The frogspawn is cheering news, I would love some here, perhaps this is the year to squeeze in a tiny pond – how big is yours?
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The bike hasn’t been retrieved yet – hopefully all will be fine! The bike test was carried out when I first made the path a few years ago and there’s a washing line test that has to be carried out quite regularly when adding new plants
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Fingers crossed your wife doesn’t notice the narrower path! You need more space for those extra plants!! Is that a ‘snail’ on the edging? It’s cute! It’s very interesting to see the frog spawn in your pond. I do hope they survive! It’s lovely to see all the spring flowers and new growth appearing in northern hemisphere gardens. Spring is my favourite season! Have a great week!
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You too! Yes, it is a snail – purchased at the Taunton Flower Show a few years ago. He’s made from part of a bicycle chain and various nuts and bolts. He’s been named ‘Bolt.’
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Ha, ha! That’s an appropriate name!
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Hyacinths! Why have I not planted them in years? Yours are a lovely color.
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As the gardener and the bike rider, you should see how many little adjustments I make each time I take the bike out! I ride most days, but then I have to move the bike to get to everything else in the shed! Paths could end up as stepping stones through a lovely rockery, with all sorts growing in those stones.
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Bikes and the washing line govern quite a bit of the garden layout – they never mention such things on Gardeners World!
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I’m so happy you have frogspawn. I have none. I guess my pond isn’t designed well for wildlife but I did put in a froggy staircase for them. I’ll keep the faith – maybe one day I’ll have frogs. Meanwhile – excellent hyacinths. I’ve stopped growing them indoors as they just go floppy but outdoors they’re stocky and healthy.
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I cheated with my frogs. A colleague gave me some frogspawn a few years ago and this year the frogs from that first batch have finally reached breeding age.
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That’s cool. I have a friend offering newts. Maybe I should say yes!
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I said yes to newts too and then felt guilty when I discovered they ate tadpoles – thankfully not all of them!
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Sigh… my lawn border edging is made of wood and definitely past its sell by date now. I need to replace it but can’t quite decide what with. I’d like to be able to run the lawn mower over the edge so I don’t have to do that back aching edge cutting. I suppose I could do away with the lawn altogether which would solve the problem, but I can’t plant much there as, like you, I have a rotary washing line to consider!
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Washing lines have a lot to answer for! I sometimes imagine life without one and the planting opportunities it would create. I was also thinking how much bigger the garden would be without the conservatory the other day – knocking it down would be a little drastic though.
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Yes, a little more room for plants is cheap at any price! Thank goodness that the frogs have not given up. I am looking forwars to pictures of tadpoles soon!
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I can’t promise they’ll be very good photos but I will try!
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Exciting about the frogspawn. I hope they make it to tadpoles. The hyacinth are a beautiful blue.
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I think I have a yellow hyacinth somewhere if it has survived. I’ll have to check if it has come up.
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