Summer is here

 Despite the unreliable weather, we can safely say Summer has arrived. The front garden has transformed to its blues and whites as the tulips gave way to the graceful Alliums and Johnston's Blue Geraniums. The Viburnum plicatum that was planted last year has survived.

 I'm pleased that the front door looks more welcoming now with its soft mass of flowers.










The back garden has also transformed itself. The purple flowers are on very tall stems. I think they may be purple loosestrife, but I'm not sure as I planted lots of seeds last year but they are taller than me.

 Other plants that have emerged are the red hot pokers


















The Smoke bush

 Foxgloves

Campanulas

Let me know if you can name these flowers...

Witch hazel 

Rhododendron?

The yellow one I've been told is Kerria japonica.

Meanwhile, other parts of the garden are also flourishing, the pond is mostly covered with Lily pads. The dog has found lots of black frogs in there (and eaten the reeds). The good thing is that there is now not such a problem with green water as the sun doesn't encourage the algae to grow.

The chickens are still happy. They have had their feathers clipped again (although one still does it's daily flight over the fence) and are still laying on average 2 eggs a day. 

They still love their spinach, even though you can see from this photo that it has bolted. 

The wildflower bed is looking colourful, even though the weeds and grasses are taking over.

So the garden has gone from nearly bare...

to green...

 ...to needing a good mow!










So this has been a very good month for the garden, despite not managing much gardening time. I hope July brings more sun.

Life is back in colour

Hooray! Spring has sprung and almost as immediately became Summer. Not sure how long it will last but it's been fabulous for the garden. The front garden has come to life and looks even brighter than last year. I love those red tulips but again an errant yellow one has appeared...

In the back garden, the tulips are also blooming. Along with a few daffodils

They look very bright and cheerful, especially next to the grape hycinths and bluebells. The white chairs beckon me for a lovely morning cup of coffee.

The Rhododendrons that I repotted last year are doing well, despite looking too big for the largest plastic pots I could find.

There are some other plants beginning to blossom. I'm not sure if this is 'Bride in Summer', but I was given this one from a lovely lady via Freecycle...

The Anemones St. Brigid have survived the worst of the dog's digging...

The Rosemary is doing well, despite being a hiding place for Rosie's toys

 The Amelanchii is really taking shape and this yellow shrub looks great. 

Occasionally, there is a sight that reminds me that it is very much an urban garden.

Sadly, time constraints have not allowed time for the vegetable garden.

 Thankfully, the apple trees are starting to come back to life.

 Meanwhile one of the hens keeps escaping (Big Bird) and the others want to be let out too.

So overall, things are full of life again and with lovely blue skies, the sun smiling at us, it looks another busy Summer ahead. Anyone like weeding?

Hens growing but not much else...

We had a couple of reasonable days somewhere amidst the March freeze. I didn't manage to weed the garden but I did a remedial chicken coop clean. 

I had a bit of help from my fluffy friend...the good thing is that the weather is so cold that there aren't any red mites around, yet.

 Meanwhile, the pond is still looking clear, not enough sunlight to generate algae. It's amazing that next to nothing is growing yet in the garden and its April.

I have had the odd escapee...the hens are checking that their flight feathers have grown back...I can't complain, though I'm getting on average 3 eggs a day!

It's a hens life...

 January continued to bite, only The Mother was able to brave the snow for corn. She was happy because she didn't have to share.

 The weeding was still on hold in the front garden.

The big thaw did eventually happen and perversely, the pond is looking relatively clear despite lots of debris.









 The Hellibores think its Spring











as does the Witch Hazel










and this plant that I repotted last year.










In the front garden the Magnolia Stellata is in bud again, marking another year.














I could not bring myself to prune the Cornus alba with its gorgeous red wood.

















Finally, the weeds are in remission in the front garden...

















and the tulips are growing.

but the chickens are the most happy that the snow has gone (for now) and are giving us an egg a day.