Little Green Space
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Little Green Space |
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May 2009 May 25, 2009 Night-time in the Garden For once we have had glorious Bank Holiday weekend weather, so last night we decided to camp in the garden. We pitched a couple of tents, lit the barbeque, and had toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate before climbing into our sleeping bags. Unfortunately I didn't sleep too well. Our garden is a very noisy place at night. Firstly there was the cat, mewling and trying to climb into the tent to be with us. Then there was a succession of loud screeches: Tawny Owls, swooping low over the tents. Next I heard a sound which I couldn't identify - a low, quiet whooping sound - which I had to climb out of my tent to investigate. I didn't manage to track down the source of the noise, but I'm pretty sure it was a Little Owl. I had just dropped off into a deep sleep when I was woken at first light by the birds - the dawn chorus here is exceptionally loud! Luckily, because the kids were up so late, they didn't wake us until past nine o'clock, so I did get some sleep. But next time we camp in the garden I'll be sure to wear ear plugs! May 22, 2009 Potato Progress I planted some of my first early potatoes ("Rocket") under cover on 7 March - so, as they take 13 weeks from planting to harvest, I should, theoretically, be picking my first potatoes in two weeks time. I have to say I'm not hopeful, though: there is plenty of foliage, but the spuds are showing no signs of flowering, and they don't look that different to potatoes I planted in the open ground a couple of weeks later. In fact, the best results so far seem to be from three tubers I planted in a half-full compost bag - also on 7 March - and left in the open on the patio. As the plants came up I covered them up with compost - and now the bag is full to the top. The plants are a good height, and flower buds are forming. I'm betting this bag will yield the first potatoes this year. May 17, 2009 Race For Life This morning I joined about 1200 women to run 5Km in Bakewell's Race For Life Event, in aid of Cancer Research UK. We were lucky with the weather: the forecast had been for heavy rain this morning, but the rain held off, and we actually saw the sun at times. It was pretty hard going under-foot, however - days of rain had left puddles of mud and marshy grass along the cross-country route. I managed to keep running all the way, though - which is a big achievement for me - and completed the course in 32 minutes. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me. I raised £250 for Cancer Research UK. Next challenge: the Dovedale Dash! |