Sunday 11 April 2010

We've had a blast

After weeks and weeks sitting on my bum looking at the snow and wondering when I could get cracking with some serious gardening the weather has finally picked up and it's been all hell and no notion this last week. Suddenly the daffodils are out, buds are popping everywhere and the early flowering rhododendron that we bought last year to have a bit of colour in January has finally bloomed.
I knew it was getting serious when Mr FF got out his mighty power washer. First he hosed down the garden furniture, which looks lovely and is waiting for an application of oil.Then he started on the greenhouse. He had to take some of the roof glass out of the lean to structure so he could reach up to re-fix the gutters that came down early in the year - yes I know that was a long time ago but I find the more I ask him to do the less he does so I've been waiting patiently for the repair. He then decided to give the windows a good power wash, inside and out, which has made a huge difference to the light levels though I did think he should have done a frog risk assessment first. I was in there today and saw at least three so no harm done they have been neither deafened nor washed away. Then he decided he might as well put some preservative on the wood so this will be the second night that there has been glass missing from the greenhouse roof. Fortunately the weather is so good I'm not worried about my seedlings, though I did throw some horticultural fleece over them just in case.
I still need to plant my potatoes and the broad beans, both of which must be done this week because we are off to Italy next Sunday for 10 days. First visit this year and just at a time when the good weather finally gets to Scotland. So busy busy this week getting as much done outdoors as I can possibly manage, plus I'm knitting a little cardy to take with me. The Italian neighbours, who look after our house, have a new granddaughter, Lara, she was born in February and its beyond me why I've waited till now to start something for her. As I said all hell and no notion.

11 comments:

  1. A good spring clean then! Having had a few warm and sunny days, the cold north wind blew today and it has been raining this evening!

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  2. What is it with men & pressure washers? MrVV did the conservatory yesterday - then all the windows in the house & the northfacing, rendered walls too.

    Fortunately no frogs :)

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  3. Yes, lovely weather at the moment, making the most of it here too!

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  4. I did the very same thing yesterday - power-washed the decking! (Mr JK was preparing the veggie plot to plant his spuds, so I was allowed to use the powerwash!!!) It looks great, and so inviting. Even though it's quite chilly outside, I might just have to wrap up and venture outside with a cuppa and my knitting. Enjoy Italy.

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  5. The table looks wonderful... and so inviting, Jenny! Your conservatory/greenhouse is a wonderful addition. I wish we had space for one, to start seeds earlier. This past weekend was glorious here--first real warm day of spring--we sat out, went for a walk... it was heavenly! And all the snow it gone... at last! Happy Week, my friend ((HUGS))

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  6. Its been a real tonic this weekend. The garden suddenly looks lovely again!!

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  7. Sounds like you've been a very buy little bee. I think the sunshine always brings on a bit of 'busy-beeing'. I think we could do with a power wash by the sound of it. I spent ages scrubbing our garden furniture and still didn't manage to get all the greenery off it! Long may the sunshine continue. Ros

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  8. Ahh, that sounds so nice! I love spring cleaning. Your greenhouse also looks like a really nice one! Glad to hear the frogs are safe.. I once mowed one with my lawnmower and it took me weeks to get over the trauma.

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  9. Have a wonderful time in Italy - the cold weather will surely come back here! :(

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  10. Progress is a little slower here but I'm taking the view that every little helps. Don't you just love the instant results after using the Karcher?

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  11. Oh yes! When the furniture gets cleaned you know spring has sprung. I spent a pleasant hour in the week scrubbing one of our wood seats and giving it a coat of wood preservative. Then I realised most of the fencing needed doing as well. Hmmm....not the plan.

    Lovely to hear you're making your way to Italy soon. Hopefully you'll have some early sun and get those flip flops out!

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