Green Camera

All Done In A Good Cause

2011-10-17T17:22:00.000+01:00

The destruction went on along the footpath, the Council sent in contractors with machinery.

This machine was sent into the part of the woodland we called 'The Primrose Wood' where Spring brought masses of Primroses throughout.

Rough stone was laid onto the torn surface.

This was laid all the way along up to the farm.

A couple of sleepers were laid over the stream and a fence put up alongside. The fence? To stop people from falling over the edge where the stream cut through down into the wood.

All this was done to make the walk safe and to tidy it up! This is absolutely true, there are people working on our Councils who believe the countryside is intrinsically unsafe and untidy for people. Therefore if there is money to waste, I mean available, then it should be put to good use in this way.

The track was then finished off with a layer of what is called dust and compacted down. Then they erected the fence all the way along. The owner of the farm was only too happy to allow them to do this. He has saved himself hundreds of pounds in fencing which suits him very well.

The legacy can be seen here.

Trees have been torn up.

The width of this small area of woodland has been devastated.

No Primroses have survived this. Horses now come into the area and have chopped the ground about until nothing exists.

The trees to the right are three Limes (Tilia × europaea) which were known locally as the Three Witches. Thankfully they have not been touched, but the area underneath them used to grow Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) or Ransoms. But no more, thankfully we have a wonderful stock in the garden that can be picked easily.

The whole exercise was done with good intension no doubt. But also done in complete ignorance. The Council waller was a nice enough chap to talk to, partly because we did stir things up and he was handling us with kid gloves. But it's this kind of ignorance that is destroying the planet, little by little a section at a time.

He believes he was following the area that the original track used to run, which was true. But it had fallen out of use as a trackway for around 80 years. The area had formed it's own environment with the gradual claiming back by nature. But he could not see this argument.

Anyway we did what we could, but this area was out of our control. We can only look on the positive side. The new area that has been laid with stone is at least from a local quarry. The stone is Pembrokeshire Carbonaceous limestone. Within a few years plants that love an alkaline environment will dominate this area. It will be interesting to see what comes along over the years.

Fuming

2011-07-05T17:19:00.000+01:00

We don't take holidays as such, basically living here at our home 365 days of the year. why go elsewhere when you love a place so much. But when the family come to visit, we take days off to go out to places in the locality.

One of the days we were missing for the day and when we found the damage done to the woodland, you would think a teenager was put in charge of the chainsaw.

But no, it was a contractor working for the Pembrokeshire County Council. Their remit was to make sure the footpath was kept open. Now we have 159 yards (145 metres) of footpath running through the bottom of our land, and we make sure that the footpath is always passable, nothing intrudes into the footpath space.

So when you find trees hacked back and chopped for no reason you want answers.

This laurel was slashed for no reason, the branch grew away from the footpath.

This hazel was cut down yet grew 4 feet from the path and the branch did not grow toward the footpath.

Trees 10 feet (3.4 metres) away from the path were cut back, yet others only 2 feet (60 cm) away were left. The mature Beech was even cut. A branch 9feet (2.74 metres) above the path and the end of the branch the same distance away was cut off. Nothing made sense.

The contractor was caught the next day and gave a feeble sorry.

Asking a response from the Council is like holding onto a wet eel. Wriggling and squirming with an answer, but they will not just admit a mistake, hold their hands up and say sorry. They are still trying to cover their backs. The latest is that trees fallen across the path had to be cleared away. That's true, but not on our section.

Any trees that fall over our section of the footpath are cleared away in just a few days. The other areas owned by other people, the trees have been laid over the path for 2 years and more. But that is nothing to do with us.

Well anyhow we have the local paper onto it. The reporter came to us and took a look and agreed with us. So the story could be in our local very soon.

To some it may seem nothing, but to us it's adding insult to injury. We have looked after and maintained this footpath since it was reopened 17 years ago trying to make it a natural walk of dappled sunlight and varied leaf patterns with contrasting viewpoints.

What we don't need is some idiot who has watched Texas Chainsaw Massacre reliving his pathetic fantasy in the countryside.

A peaceful sunlit woodland (before the contractors hit it)

The irony of it was we was visiting the Botanic Gardens of Wales at the time.

Free resources

2011-06-13T17:45:00.001+01:00

Trying to keep my computing as green as I can, I am always looking for ways to improve its use. Here are a couple of utilities that I would like to share with anyone interested. Both are free to use and will cut down on waste.

The first is an ink saver called Preton Saver Home. When you click the final print button, Preton pops up where you adjust the amount of ink used for the print job. It ranges from high quality print to draught print, with in between's so you can adjust to your own liking. It even tells you how much money you have saved in ink for each job. A great way to cut down on ink wastage.

The next helps save on paper and frustration. How many times have you wanted to print out information from the web and ended up with all the bits on the web page you don't, want printed out?

Copy and pasting into Word or Open Office from the web page is laborious, and the formatting of the page is always to cock. Get Print What You Like. It sits on the toolbar in the browser ready to click when you want to print out information from the web page. You then cut out anything you don't want until you get to the bare bones of the information you want printed. Click print and you have a good clean copy. No more coloured ads, web buttons or pictures that have no relevance to the information. A great ink saver along with Preton.

Another handy thing with Print What You Like, the information can be saved as a PDF file and not printed at all, 0% ink used!

Nothing to do with what I have written above, just thought you might like to see this lovely Rambler of ours, Leo's Eye.

Snake

2011-06-05T17:36:00.003+01:00

Walking up to the shed this morning I came across the most beautiful grass snake sunning itself on the warm concrete. A deep olive green with bright yellow V behind it's head. It was at least 2 1/2 foot (75cm) long. Slipping away as quiet as I could to get the camera, I got back as fast as was possible without too much noise, but alas it was gone.

Back to digging out compost from the heap, I found yet more evidence of grass snakes in the garden, egg shells from previously hatched youngsters.

Grass snake egg shells

All in all there were thirty two shells, so there should be a good few survive to adulthood.

Our garden certainly suits them with its wild and uncultivated areas, which Grass snakes love. Along with large slow compost heaps that make the ideal place to lay eggs with the gentle warmth from this type of heap.

Principle food are amphibians, which means the toads and the frogs have to watch out, but as we see quite a number of these around, the snake population are not making too many inroads into the numbers.

We feel proud though to have Britain's largest reptile living around us, marvellous.

Over Hybridisation

2011-05-09T18:00:00.001+01:00

We have had two deaths of late, one was old Ma goose. She was quite old around about 18 she had been going into decline for some time. We believe she had cancer in the end she would not eat or even drink.

The next was during the week we had to get one of our Cherry Valley ducks up to the vet as an emergency. She went from what seemed a healthy little thing swimming on the pond and eating, to completely collapsed creature whose legs had gone and eyes looked really strange.

Examination at the vets found that she was actually blind and she had no use to her legs. She was either suffering from poisoning or a possible embolism on the brain. But we had to make the decision to have put to sleep.

We went ahead with a post-mortem just to see if any clues came out of it and possibly avoid anything befalling the other three ducks. But nothing showed up so an embolism was the probable cause of her decline.

Sylvie, our one remaining Cherry Valley duck.

Was it anything to do with over hybridisation that pushed her body too far, she was underweight and had a tremendous appetite. Compared to the Khaki Campbell's, Cherry Valley duck eggs are considerably larger. Maybe they are a bit over hybridised and can push some individuals beyond what the body can sustain. Unfortunately as with all fowl, there is not much knowledge on this point; as stock they are pretty short lived. Individuals not shaping up are culled pretty quick.

Anyhow it's only a thought in this case about over hybridisation.

Over Hybridised Cattle

When it comes to cattle it definitely applies. Most people in Britain know of the proposed badger cull in Wales and the movement toward something similar in England. What many have no clue about is the weaknesses of the Holstein X Friesian breed of cattle. There is not a lot of information concerning this available to the public. Here though is some evidence showing up the over hybridisation in animals.

Holstein X Friesian have been bred as milking machines. So efficient are they at turning their food to milk, the animal itself in most cases become malnourished, not receiving enough food to maintain it's body systems to the degree it should.

Here is the interesting point that is never acknowledged. Tuberculosis is a disease of poverty; malnourishment is one of the prime causes of the contraction of TB, malnourishment of the body makes it less able to resist the disease.

Holstein X Friesian cattle are living lives of permanent malnourishment, irrespective of how much food they are given. They are extremely susceptible to many ailments and diseases, often with the average lifespan of only two years. It is little wonder that TB is rife amongst many herds of cattle.

Poor hybridisation can lead to weaknesses that cause disablement and suffering, but should be recognised for what it is. Unfortunately in the case of cattle the government departments are loath to admit this is one of the prime causes of herd breakdowns with TB, in fact they say there is no evidence to suggest this. Yet a study in Ireland points to the genetic weaknesses of the Holstein X Friesian breed. Another in Ethiopia is recommending farmers to return to the old Zebu breed of cattle who are so much less susceptible to bTB.

Pointing the finger at our badgers is lazy science, it is not getting to the real cause of the bTB in Britain, and one of the main causes is over hybridisation.

Organic Foods Really Healthy?

2011-04-13T17:45:00.000+01:00

There is what is called the halo effect where something is perceived as being good for you therefore more gets eaten or overeaten. One good example is where fast food chains label some of their food products as a healthier option, maybe because it contains salad of some kind. Even though the dressing may contain masses of fat or oils and spoonfuls of salt and sugar.

The perception though is because it is called a healthier option then more can be eaten without regard to the true ingredients that are involved.

For years we have always felt this about some organic foodstuffs. An easy example is the Organic White loaf, what a health contradiction! Now as far as we are concerned white flour products as part of the regular diet is crazy. Extracting the fibre particle of wheat along with much of the vitamin and mineral proponents from a food is a crazy thing to do. You are just asking for trouble in future years. We know of so many people who have died from bowel cancer, most of mature years who have spent many years eating low fibre diets.

A refined product be it organic or inorganic leads to the same conclusion, the probability of bowel cancer in the future or degenerative diseases due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Other convenience foods can be found that contain organic components. Still full of salt, sugar and fats or oils. Not exactly a healthy option to be eaten on a regular basis. Yet the Organic halo lead people to the wrong conclusion that it must be healthy therefore they can eat it with impunity.

Beware the Halo.

Here is a plant that definitely should wear a Halo. Erysimum cheirii 'Harpur Crewe' .

The double flowered form of the natural Wallflower. Cheery bright yellow flowers and what a lovely scent to it. Delicious old Wallflower scent that really raises the spirits.

It loves growing in really well drained places where the soil is not too rich. Poorer soil leads to a longer life of the plant. This plant is growing right on the edge of a tarmac drive where the edge is set on concrete, so the roots are in a very thin amount of soil, which it really thrives on.

Close up of the gorgeously scented double flowers.

Radioactive Poisoning

2011-04-01T15:07:00.001+01:00

Here in Britain we have already felt the effects of the radioactive poison spewing out of the reactor in Fukushima, Japan. The Health Protection Agency confirmed that tests in Oxford and Glasgow picked up Radioactive particles of Iodine from the stricken reactor. Although they hasten to add that it is in miniscule levels that are unlikely to harm anyone over here.

Then again this is not the first time that we have had another countries radioactive poisoning reach this far. The accident at Chernobyl spewed out so much that the plume drifted across Europe and onto Britain. We are still feeling the legacy here in Wales where the radioactive particles fell onto some of the North Wales hillside farms. Farmers there still have to have their lambs tested by the Ministry before they can send them to market.

People though are worried about the poisoning affecting them, and rightly so. In the US sales of Iodine supplements have outstripped supply and many are not to be had anywhere.

Here in the UK when Chernobyl went off, Iodine supplies where readied but never really made available. We though continued on with our own supplementation.

We have always eaten seaweed supplements as part of our diet, buying Wakame and Kombu, some of the stronger more richer seaweed foods along with others including of course the traditional Laver bread available here in Wales produced by Penclawdd Shellfish Processors.

Kombu, a relative of Kelp is available in dried strips.

Seaweed is the ideal solution to the cloud of Radioactive Iodine particles. It naturally supplements the thyroid with Iodine and stops the intake of the radioactive particles into the Thyroid where they would lodge there and create much harm in later years by causing cancer. Not only that but the seaweed enhances all body systems with fantastic doses of every trace element that are needed for healthy living.

There is only one problem now, Kombu and Wakame are grown around Japan, so future stocks could well be contaminated by the radioactive fall out running into the sea. Others believe this as stocks of the seaweed are running out in the shops, where people are stock piling for the future. So we have to find another source of seaweed.

We have found one, a company in the Shetland Isles who sell edible seaweeds and garden supplements.

Tub of edible seaweed.

I shall be placing an order in with them to try their product along with one for their granular seaweed plant food. What many people do not realise is that adding an Iodine rich supplement to the soil for vegetables to grow in means that the vegetables will uptake Iodine and supply it through that channel as well.

As many people are Iodine deficient even though they take Iodised cooking salt, it merely stops them from succumbing to Iodine deficiencies that would show up otherwise. To have sufficient Iodine in the diet purely through salt supplementation you would kill yourself with Sodium excess. With todays emphasis on salt free diets, and rightly so, this is not a supplement that should be relied upon.

Everyone therefore should aim to eat more sea vegetables for an all round improved diet.

The N Factor

2011-03-20T12:05:00.002Z

Most of us are aware by now of the impact of Carbon dioxide on the environment. We are also aware of how our life styles create Co2 to a more or lesser extent. But there is yet another important factor to consider and that is the Nitrogen emitted due to our life styles.

Nitrogen is an essential part of our lives, we are surrounded by it within the air and although we do not actually utilise the Nitrogen when we breath it is an important part of our atmosphere and environment.

Without Nitrogen plants simply would not grow, it is essential to their makeup and ours, it is where protein comes from.

But unfortunately we have been too proliferate with Nitrogen. Once we found the way to make artificial Nitrogen to add to fertilisers, we used it with careless abandon. Allowing the false principle, if a little is good a lot will be great. So too much has been added to soils for crops and much wasted as runoff to create problems elsewhere. This runoff ends up in rivers, lakes and the sea encouraging algal blooms that can poison waters. The Nitrogen itself can poison drinking water filling the water with Nitrates that can cause cancer and certainly causes Blue Baby syndrome where it decreases the haemoglobin in newly born babies that can lead to death.

Other factors that can add to the Nitrogen overload are from burning fossil fuels in engines such as vehicles and plane travel.

Our waste products are full of Nitrogen. The perversity of it is we use ever more expensive energy to extract the Nitrogen from the air while throwing Nitrogen down the toilet and use more energy to break it down to re release it back into the atmosphere.

Changing life styles can help reduce the burden of Nitrogen being released such as reducing meat consumption and cutting back on travel. Further things can be done to help. A helpful guide can be found here at N-Print where you can calculate your Nitrogen foot print and see what measures can be done to improve your life style. Lots of useful information to be found about Nitrogen and the impact on the environment.

Not only can you reduce the Nitrogen from what you use but also what you waste. One simple thing to do is to compost all your kitchen and garden waste. Compost properly and you lock Nitrogen up in useful material that can feed your plants and garden.

But what about the flushables? Whenever you go to the toilet you flush loads of Nitrogen down the pan! Okay the heavy parts can be a bit difficult to utilise unless you are set up properly with a good composting method that can deal with it, but the liquid factor is easy to use. Now it is Spring, well up here in the Northern regions it is. Plants are beginning to show life and are gasping for nutrients. So why not feed them freely with a liquid life giver.

These Violas were fed solely on urine once a week.

Urine is a great booster in the garden, virtually every plant will benefit from it. You can feed plants once a week with dilute urine and watch them thrive. Most plants can easily tolerate urine diluted at 10 parts water to one of urine. Some Nitrogen lovers can take it stronger. Cabbages can take it neat up to twice a week. Just water it onto the roots as with all plants.

A reasonable sized garden can take quite a bit of urine over the week. Larger gardens you may find you are tempted to drink more as you simply cannot produce enough to feed everything, especially when you see the results from feeding urine to the plants.

It's also a great additive to compost heaps, where you never seem to have enough to add. It helps break down the contents fantastically.

Smell? There is none as such with fresh urine. If it is kept hanging around for about three days it starts to smell a bit, but that is because it is losing the Nitrogen as it breaks down, not what you want. Once it hits the ground bacteria in the soil start breaking it down for plant use and you don't get smell while this is happening.

Got to go, where's that watering can?

Spawn To Be Wild

2011-03-06T12:00:00.001Z

In the shallower part leading to the smaller pond where the Ducks and Goose walk, a frog has been busy.

The trouble is with all these webbed feet the spawn does not stand much chance so it had to be moved.

We quickly transferred the spawn up into the wild pond higher up in the garden.

Here it can develop undisturbed and in peace in the wilder part of the garden. We ended up though having four more lots of spawn to transfer into the pond, the frog being very busy down by the ducks and goose.

Still here in this pond it will be quite safe to an extent. It will have to share space with the toad spawn that always ends up in there and also the Newts that live in there.

We don't have to worry too much though about competition for space as we always seem to have a great number of frogs in the garden and toads who get everywhere.

I'm pleased to say that Ma Goose is now enjoying her company. She seems to be actively seeking out the ducks to be alongside them at times. All five where floating on the pond together the other day. Though she does walk off on her own to graze on the grass further over and sometimes just to doze by herself.

New Additions

2011-02-23T17:34:00.001Z

We have some new additions to the family. We wanted some company for Old Ma Goose, but with her age thought that another goose may be too much for her. A young goose could soon become a bully, that is to an older goose who has become more placid over the years. Placid as in comparison to geese in general.

So something that looks similar but no threat to her. Ducks came to mind.

I have always fancied Kahki Campbells for their egg laying abilities. The conversion of slug to egg is very appealing. We tracked down some point of lay ducks from West Wales Poultry. Nigel the proprietor was really friendly and helpful, showing us all round his place to view the different varieties of chickens and ducks.

When we got there the pond out front had a lot of very gregarious white ducks moving all over the place. They turned out to be Cherry Valley ducks. They have been bred for the table but have turned out to be excellent eggers. So now we ended up coming away with two Kahki Campbells and two Cherry Valley ducks.

Waiting to go into the water.

The Khaki's make little wittering noises along with a quack when they are in the shed. Unlike the Cherry valleys who make a very definite quack all the time.

Time to get the new pond finished.

As you see it is being well inspected by Old ma Goose who has been doing a lot of supervising.

Completely Mad.

2011-02-17T17:59:00.000Z

The Postmen that deliver to us are completely mad, well they seem to be once they leave the road and enter our track.

The Postie said he thought something jumped out of the bank and he only twitched the steering wheel to avoid it and it was whipped out of his hands this is how he ended up. It is one of the longest straightest parts we have on the track!

But he managed to come a cropper. I had to walk down to the end to make sure he was okay and not lying at the bottom of the hedge around the corner. He was fine thankfully.

His boss came up with a 4X4 and hauled it out without much damage to the bank, sod the van.

After they had gone I found a chunk of trim from the van in the bank, I'll give it back to him tomorrow :-)

Critical Threshold Reached

2011-02-16T17:49:00.000Z

After recalculating the world use of Phosphorus, researchers think we have now reached the threshold where stocks will start declining.

Phosphate rock from which phosphorus is mined from, formed from long dead sea deposits. The deposits are actually many millions of dead sea creatures, mainly fish; laid down in huge numbers, then covered over by mud and finally over millions of years transformed into Phosphate rich rock.

Deposits of these rocks are found in very few places, the USA, China and Morocco being the main sources. But we have mined them voraciously, transforming the rock, in a particularly dirty manufacturing process, into fertilizer such as superphosphate and Sodium triphosphate that is used in many laundry powders.

The problem with these chemicals the Phosphate is in an unnatural soluble state. Phosphorus in soil is only normally unlocked for plant use by bacterial or fungal actions. But we have bypassed that process so that rain will dilute the Phosphorus into a liquid salt that plants will absorb.

The only trouble is much of the liquid Phosphate washes away before plants can touch it and in the case of the Sodium triphosphate added to washing powders as a form of softener, that too is just in liquid form flushed down the sewers. All this Phosphate ends up in rivers and lakes creating dangerous algal blooms.

This is a complete waste of a resource and it is running out. There are no more ancient seabeds around and non forming in the modern world. Phosphate rock is going to run out. Estimates predict shortages occurring in the next 20 years. This is no news to me, information was around over 35 years ago that this would happen and in about the time scale predicted.

What can we do?

Look for washing powders that do not contain Phosphates. Some manufacturers state this quite plainly on the box. Look for natural washing detergents and you can be more sure of this.

Buy organic foods and grow organically.

Organic practices are the only way to recycle Phosphorus back into the environment. Anything that is composted contains Phosphorus from the crops that the compost is made from. Organic methods also conserve Phosphorus that is released by natural breakdown in the soil at a pace that plants need it without wasting the Phosphate by making it too soluble and washing away.

Phosphate poor soils can be topped up with Phosphate rock. That is Phosphate rich rock simply ground up into a fine substance to enrich soil. It is not soluble and will not wash away. One application can last up to four years whereas an application of Superphosphate is only good for one season.

Bone meal is another slow release source of Phosphorus and you are doing a better job of recycling than using ground Phosphate rock.

Much of the Phosphates wasted in gardens are applied as fertilizers to lawns. Most gardeners apply in a heavy handed way thinking if a little does the lawn good a larger amount will be doubly good. It just simply washes away out of reach from the grass in the next heavy rain.

If you need to apply fertilizer to lawns then use an organic form such as chicken manure, dried cow manure or similar. Blood, fish, bone will also fertilize the lawn and all of them are slow release. Then recycle the lawn mowing's back onto the compost heap where the Phosphorus will end up elsewhere in the garden.

Rake out the moss from the lawn now to invigorate the grass meaning you will not have to add so much fertilizer to get a lovely green sward. Compost the moss of course, it makes a great additive to compost heaps.

Ecological Collapse

2011-02-09T17:52:00.001Z

Extremely troubling news broke the other day. A research paper in the Science Magazine found that the drought in the Amazon rainforest in 2010 was more severe than the drought there in 2005. The 2005 drought was supposed to one in a hundred year event, then it happened again in 2010.

The Amazon river and it's tributaries fell to the lowest levels on record. Tracts of the forest dried out and died. Some even suffered from forest fires, which is unknown in the area as it is tropical rainforest and usually too wet to burn.

The usual area to suffer from drought in the Amazon is the Northern part. This is linked to the natural El Nino effect occurring in the Pacific and is a natural cycle The latest area was much further South and it is believed it was possibly brought on by the warming of tropical Atlantic. At the moment it is still too early to know if it is anything to do with global warming itself, but it is heavily suspected.

The big problem is the release of Carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As the trees die and rot down or burn due to forest fires, the stored Co2 is released into the atmosphere instead of being locked up in the eco system. The 2005 drought was estimated to have released around 5 billion tons of Co2, just under the USA yearly total; 2010 has not been calculated as yet. The world cannot take this and the fear is that it could lead to a feedback loop where the extra Co2 brings more warming that leads to more drought and even more death of the forest leading to increased Co2, and so on.

So what can we do?

We can help in initiatives such as those promoted by organisations such as Conservation International, where forest is properly managed and replanted leaving virgin wood alone. Increasing the density of forest throughout the world takes up Co2 and locks it up into the eco system out of harms way.

Not Just Rainforests

Rain forests are not the only forests we need to keep in good health and replant. Northern forests such as the Boreal forest of Canada and Russia have just as exceptional Co2 lockup systems. It's all too easy to think that outside of the rain forest does not count.

So we can support big projects involving huge tracts, but it all seems very impersonal and sometimes hard to relate to. We need to do something as individuals.

One of the simplest ways is to plant a tree of some kind in your garden. There is still time to do this in the early months of Spring. just make sure you keep it watered in Summer.

Trees are a fantastic way of locking up Co2, as they grow and get bigger and thicker you can literally see it laying down the wood which is composed of Co2.

I have no room for a tree

I hear this all the time and it just is not the case. Trees are very flexible to grow and there are methods in which very large forest trees can be kept to a manageable size, yet still lock up Co2 in their wood.

Here is a good example.

This is Pat's tree, it is about 20 years old, an Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) or the European Ash. Pat has this tree trimmed every Winter to keep the shape. The trunk and branches are lovely and thick, making a quite marvelous architectural look, and there is loads of Co2 locked in that wood. If it was allowed to grow normally it could reach 20-35 metres tall, a very large tree.

Ok so she is not locking so much Co2 up in it as it would do growing normally, but as they say every little helps. A big plus is the benefits to wildlife in the area who can take advantage of the tree environment.

We have numerous trees in our garden, some are fully grown specimens but others are kept smaller through pollarding.

Pollarding

Pollarding is a method where a tree is harvested for wood by trimming the branches when they reach a certain size. The wood can be used for various things or simply as fire wood. A pollarded tree is cut at or above head height, that's assuming you are of fairly normal height.

An Ash pollard that is harvested for fire wood.

You may think now, aha, if you burn the wood the Co2 is released so you gain nothing. Not so. Each time you harvest the wood and burn it, the tree reabsorbs the Co2 released by burning to make new branches, ready to harvest in future years. Then comes the wonderful bit. The trunk keeps getting bigger and bigger over the years. The tree lays down more wood in the trunk taking in and locking up ever more Co2 and even more wonderful, a pollarded tree can outlive a natural tree by around 4 times the life span and sometimes more. Some of the very old Oaks in Britain that are centuries old were originally pollard trees used for building wooden ships in the Tudor period. Co2 locked up for centuries.

This is a pollarded Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) we grow for sticks.

Pollarding is a great way of growing trees and keeping them at a reasonable height, yet suck out Co2 from the atmosphere.

For more definition on pollarding have a look at Wikipedia .

Coppice Trees

Another method is to coppice trees. This does not lay down quite so much Co2 in the trunks but is still useful making plenty of branches for various uses and you do create a very long lived trunk of tree.

This is quite a nice young Willow coppice being started that I saw in a garden. These trunks will over a number of years get bigger and bigger and the poll where it shoots out of will become wonderfully gnarly.

More definition of Coppicing trees again at Wikipedia .

We can make a direct difference as individuals within our own immediate environment, just get planting.

Growing Good Health

2011-02-02T17:58:00.000Z

We are right at the beginning of the new year and new season. Latest research has come out to show that those that eat more fruit and vegetables per day have a lower risk of Ischaemic heart attacks and dying from them. This is one of the most common forms of heart attack suffered.

A European Prospective Investigation found those that ate 8 portions of fruit and vegetables a day compared to those that only ate 3 portions had a 22% lower risk of dying from IHD.

Now a portion in their eyes is only 80 grams, that's the equivalent to a small carrot, a medium apple or a small banana! Only eight portions in those quantities.

With the new season just starting now is the time to plan to grow some of your own fresh vegetables or fruit. The reason why? If you grow it yourself you are more likely to eat it because you will not want to waste the work growing and nurturing something you have produced yourself. Plus there is nothing fresher more vital and healthy than something you have picked straight from the garden and eaten in a short period of time. It beats any shop bought produce.

So boost the quantities you eat by growing more yourself, your health will grow because of it.

Hedge Trimming

We are trimming some of our hedges around the garden to reduce a bit of their height. We try to maintain them at around 8-10 feet which is the optimum height for maintaining healthy wildlife cover. It seems to work as the bird population in our garden is tremendous.

But we end up with loads of trimmings. The simplest answer is to shred them down. We cannot at the moment afford a large shredder but you would be surprised what we achieve with a small domestic form.

It is electric powered and chops stuff up with a cog mechanism that crushes and cuts. I have over the years used quite a number of shredders of varied types, and the one we have is pretty miniature to some I have used. But it does a pretty good job as long as you are not too short on patience.

The shreddings can be composted, the woody components take around two to two and a half years to break down really well, but makes a great soil building compost.

Wood chips and leaves, mostly holly make a good path cover.

We also use it as shreddings for our paths through the garden. The great part of doing this is the different kind of environment this creates. One that is rich in foods for masses of insects that then create a living larder for birds and other creatures. During the very cold months the soil under the shredding mulch stayed soft and was much appreciated by a mole that travelled throughout the garden along the pathways. Where it stopped it threw up piles of lovely sifted soil which I have collected for potting later in the year.

Moonlight Becomes You

2011-01-20T17:30:00.000Z

With perfectly clear skies and the time for a full moon, to be cliched, it's absolutely magical.

I cannot resist a walk out on a moonlit night, when everything is bathed in white moonlight, the goddess Selena gazing down upon the land.

Cold eye of Selena casts her white light.

Taking the camera with me and setting on available light allowed me to capture some of the feeling, although it only hints at how it looked and felt.

Deep shadows create a feeling of mystery on familiar walks.

Trees are silvered edged.

Next time the moon is out bright, try a walk under her, maybe you too will feel some of the mystical qualities it gives to the land.

Mystery Walk

2011-01-12T17:25:00.000Z

Breaking up a garden into different compartments can make a piece of land seem far larger than it is. This works on even small gardens. Simply designing it so that the whole garden cannot be seen with a single glance.

Okay our garden is that much larger than others. The top area is an acre in size. But still we have created areas that have to be walked to to find them, you have to take a mystery walk around paths. Much of the garden is simple in itself, large trees and shrubs, all to enrich the area and attract wildlife. What has now come on nicely is our Holly tunnel. Part of the hedge on one of the banks around the perimeter of the garden was Holly (Ilex aquifolium). This area of Holly is mostly male, so we don't get berries on the bush, but it is valuable for pollinating other female bushes in the garden so they burst with berries during the Winter. Well for as long as the birds leave them alone, but that is fine by us.

The tunnel creates a wonderful link from the bottom area of the garden into the centre part and is a cool dark walk on a hot Summer day.

Love Lichens

Living over the West of Britain means we have a damper atmosphere, and cleaner air! This is amply shown by the amount of lichen that grow on our trees.

It's a very good indicator that air pollution levels are very low if lichen grow in abundance. The greater numbers of varied lichens mean less pollution, the longer the lichen the cleaner the air.

Many people worry about lichen taking nutrients from the tree. But they are definitely not parasitic. They take nothing whatsoever from the tree and are completely harmless, in fact they give shelter to many insects over winter creating a well stocked larder for birds. We feel they add an air of maturity to a garden.

Last One?

Just a day back I released the 13th Vole caught in the cupboard under the sink. Hopefully the last, fingers crossed.

Cold Lovers

2011-01-08T13:03:00.000Z

Cold days and nights are no deterrent to some cold lovers around. During the evenings, attracted by light from the room small winter moths gather on the opposite side of the glass.

Winter moths (Operophtera brumata)

They are classed as pests by many, especially apple growers who spray their trees with regularity when the small looper caterpillars start munching holes in the foliage and sometimes small fruitlets. The caterpillars can it seems go so far as to defoliate trees, although the tree usually overcomes this to regrow new leaves.

We never see much damage to our Apple trees, and take little notice of what their is. Granted we are surrounded by other trees that the moths show a liking to such as Oak, Ash and Sycamore, so maybe it spreads the numbers over other trees. The caterpillars are in fact a very valuable source of food just at the right time for nesting birds to feed their young. So for us we are glad to see there are an abundance of these little moths around to feed our bird population. We turned the light off and within seconds there was not a moth to be seen.

Delicate Flower

Flowering in spite of all the cold weather, this small Helleborus is a welcome sight throughout winter.

Helleborus 'Silver Lace'

A small plant when I first bought it and now bulking up quite nicely in the garden, giving some lovely welcome flowers in the dark Winter days.

Fungi

It was quite surprising to find this small cluster of fungi growing on a stump in the hedge. Most have long disappeared, yet these appear after the really cold weather and deep freeze that we have just had.

The last of our visitors?

Two days back I had to release two more voles caught under the kitchen sink. This time I released them a good distance away, well over three times the minimum distance that is needed for small rodents, just in case we are getting revisits from previous releases.

This morning there was yet another captured, this means there have been twelve in total. So the traps will have to be reprimed and set once more.

They Are Still Here

2011-01-01T16:39:00.002Z

It's simply incredible, we are up to nine voles under the sink. The eighth was caught New Years Eve morning. Unfortunately as I took it in the trap out of the front gates and a little walk down the drive, I felt a wobble in the trap and looked to find it had escaped. No sign of it anywhere, it had just ran into the undergrowth as quick as anything.

So I re-primed the trap and put it back under the sink. checking up early on New Years Eve, there was nothing in the trap, but all the Peanut Butter had gone. So I took it out and found this to my surprise.

In a short period of the afternoon, one had chewed a hole in the trap to escape! This really took some doing. It had started with one of the drainage holes that can be seen in the bottom of the trap and just gnawed through the plastic. Bits were everywhere on the shelf. It's possible that this is a returning vole from the one that escaped, although it is difficult to see how they are getting in here other than the way we speculate on, by one of the cats bringing in a heavily pregnant female.

I have now made a repair with a mouldable filler and wait for it to really harden. Meanwhile I found another of my live mouse traps and have put that under the sink, although it is not one of the most successful kinds I have used. But it may do the trick.

Thankfully voles as well as mice are not as hard to catch as rats in a live trap. Rats are so intelligent and you have to use your wits against them. It's easy to make them suspicious of a trap and I have found you have to put some really delicious stuff in to tempt them. If you fail once with a rat and it gets out of the trap before it springs, it is a heck of a job to entice them again as they have learnt not to trust the trap.

Mice on the other hand don't seem to pick up that the trap is out to get them and will come back over and over again to the same trap to eventually get caught.

Minimum distances

If you do catch things in live traps, there are minimum distances to release the animals. Mice and small rodents should be released no less than 100 yards as the crow flies. A bit further away just to be safe. Any less and they will keep returning.

Rats on the other hand have to taken 1 mile away from where they are caught, otherwise you will be plagued by the same animal who is a lot more wily for the experience.

Caution

A word of caution. Here in Britain, rats are classed as vermin and as the law stands once caught cannot be released again even into the wild (this also includes Grey Squirrels). So it is left to your discretion if you are in this situation. Some people catch them live and then drown them. This too is illegal and anybody caught doing so can be prosecuted for unnecessary suffering of an animal.

Happy New Year

Unusual Visitors

2010-12-28T17:00:00.000Z

Over Christmas we found we had some uninvited yet unusual visitors in the house, well to be more precise in the cupboard under the sink. Tiny droppings and chewed cleaning clothes gave them away. The droppings were quite small for a mouse, but we thought it might just be a youngster.

So a trap was set. A live one I might add, baited with Crunchy Peanut Butter (Organic).

Overnight I caught the culprit, but no mouse. Our visitor was a Field Vole (Microtus agrestris) quite a surprise. So it was transported up the track to an area in the hedge free from the freeze and snow, deep in the middle where it could find shelter.

Just to be on the safe side, because the damage under the sink seemed a lot for one small animal. the trap was baited again and replaced.

To date I have caught six voles under the sink.

The latest visitor in the trap.

The vole makes a bid for freedom.

It poses for a little while before racing into the undergrowth under the hedge.

Hopefully the is the last of our visitors, but the trap is back under just in case. We can only think one of the cats brought a pregnant female in and let it go, the sort of tricks they like to play on you.

The snow has gone. It disappeared overnight a day back when the wind swung round and blew from the warm South. It was just amazing how it just went away. Heavy rain all through yesterday and overnight cleared away the compacted stuff and icy patches, so our track is completely clear. The weather is milder and feels so much warmer.

Everywhere is misty with a light drizzle falling at times, so welcome after the cold we have had.

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-22T17:14:00.000Z

Bright sun today makes the snowy scenes look enchanting.

The snow may not be that thick, but is laid over a slick surface. Impassable unless it's by a 4X4, which we don't have.

The woodland below us is a winter wonderland with the snow.

Looking across the valley.

More Snow

2010-12-21T17:42:00.000Z

With it so close to Christmas and not much can be done outside, we decided to go to Carmarthen for our last shopping before Christmas. It was cold but dry with no sign of any further snow until we came back home. It was a little late for us getting back at around 3.00 pm, but all was fine until we got to Red Roses and bits of snow started falling, the nearer we got home the larger the flakes.

The roads were covered in the village and the car had a bit of a slide without mishap. Then we entered our track. The first part has a bit of an incline, but it proved a difficult. The wheels span badly, even though we had two bags of heavy grit in the boot positioned over the wheels to improve traction. We thought it was going to be a shovel job, I had put one in the boot just in case. But as we were still moving, even though in tiny increments, I kept the car going.

It just managed to reach the top and we were on the move. If we kept the motion going we would be fine. Turning the sharp corner we have half way along, we met an old lady who regularly walks her dog along the track. Her dog who is a bit of a car chaser roared up to us and she is so slow moving I had to stop the car, on another bot of incline. We thought this is it!

After some minutes she got the dog on the lead and out of the way. The best we thought was I would have to reverse to the flat and then move forward, but first a try from the position we were in and could not believe it, we moved forward. So the car just powered on and kept going right though our gate, which is pretty steep.

The snow kept falling and within minutes had covered our tracks.

Looking down from the front gate, our incoming tracks only just visible.

Snow falling quite fast.

The day was getting dark fairly early because of the heavy snow clouds overhead. But Ma Goose still needs her bath before going to bed.

Cold Bath

2010-12-20T17:22:00.000Z

The freeze still bites and every morning the ice on the pond where Old Ma Goose has her dip, has to be broken and much of the ice removed for her to have a bathe.

One of us has to stand around while she does so because of the presence of a fox. It has been visiting up here very regularly because of the frozen ground. Mind you it would not have ventured up to us from out of the valley, but was driven by the shooting going on down in there as they hunt out the Pheasants living in the woodland. The Fox not being stupid, comes higher up to the top of the valley out of harms way, but ends up hunting around us and along the periphery of the wood.

Others also hang around the garden out of harms way. This pigeon is a regular visitor.

Gentle birds that have to keep out of the way while the guns are about, this Pigeon comes around every day. Strangely enough we have never had trouble with them eating our Winter greens.

This chap hangs around the garden out of harms way, walking around quite majestically, then slips away for a while through the hedge and into the field.

Scattering Of Snow

2010-12-18T17:40:00.000Z

Once again we are lucky to have only a slight amount of snow as others not too many miles away are suffering from the disruption of heavy snowfalls.

The iris foetidissima still holds it's berries into the cold weather.

Old dead flower heads take on new forms when covered in snow.

Snow capped Sedum heads.

A Dunnock visits regularly for seed in this cold weather.

Striking Skeletons

2010-12-11T17:26:00.000Z

Leaves have well and truly gone from all the trees leaving wonderful skeletal forms showing against the skyline. The Oak tree grows into spectacular shapes as it matures.

We are very fortunate to have many fine forms growing around us.

This is a silhouette of the one growing at the bottom of the garden.

Stinking Gladwyn

2010-12-04T17:13:00.000Z

Dry shaded areas are always difficult to fill with plants, but one that is very easy to grow in this situation is Iris foetidissima sometimes commonly known as Stinking Gladwyn or Stinking Gladwin. Spelling is different but the same plant.

It is pretty hardy, ours grow in the shade of conifers in soil that can get pretty dry. The stinking comes from the smell when the leaves are crushed emitting an unusual smell, some find it unpleasant, but we don't mind it.

The flowers are subtle, a greyish blue in colour. But the berries make up for the unprepossessing flowers with their striking colours.

They are worth having for that punch of colour in difficult places. Look out for the variegated leaved form.

Early Cold

2010-11-30T20:00:00.000Z

Early cold has swept across Britain. Okay those who live here don't need reminding of that. Some of us are deep in snow, but thankfully here in Pembrokeshire we have escaped that so far.

Frost though is everywhere and penetrating deeper with each day. Look on the bright side though, slugs will be less numerous for us next season as eggs laid too close to the surface will be frozen and killed by the cold.

Frosted leaves.

The Sedum gave us a lovely showing this year and still bring a touch of colour to the stark early winter months.

Saxifraga umbrosa is as tough as old boots and completely unaffected by cold.

The Sweet Chestnut leaves had just lost their crispness with the rain, then along came the frost making them snap and crack once more as they are walked over.

Tiny Tenant

2010-10-22T19:23:00.000+01:00

The time came to clearing out the greenhouse ready to put some of the tender plants in before the frosts come. Moving away a seed tray that had been left on the floor, I found that underneath had been home to a family.

A mouse and it's family must have been happily living under the tray. The nest warmly lined with fluffy fibres from sheep's wool from sheep who grazed in the field the other side of the hedge, along with soft moss.

There was no sign of life so the whole family have fled to pastures new.

Fungal Fun

2010-10-13T21:00:00.000+01:00

The woodland just by us has sprouted many of it's unusual denizens. The fungi are out in force now before the cold weather really strikes.

This one has a lovely metallic sheen to it.

Scattered amongst the woodland floor some seem to follow their own trail through the wood.

I had earmarked this dead tree for cutting for logs, but on seeing the mysterious habitants I now have to leave it.

Unfortunately these are not the only things I found while down in the wood. Youngsters, and it would only be kids going into the wood to drink, take cans of booze, drink them and just leave the tins scattered around.

Amongst this rubbish are also two throwaway barbeque bases and the wire tops to cook on, the base is at the front of the pile. So they had a really good time down there.

The plastic can holders, bottom right, are a dangerous nuisance as they have been found tangled around the legs of wild life. The strange thing is we never see anyone down there even though it is just at the bottom of our own land. We can only think they get down during the evenings when no one is likely about.

Slow Slowworm

2010-09-28T17:11:00.000+01:00

This morning I came across what I thought was a casualty, laying in the heavy dewed grass the body of a Slowworm (Anguis fragilis).

It's eyes were closed and it seemed fairly rigid when I picked it up. But I think the warmth from my hands made an immediate difference as a slight movement came from the wiry body. The tail was blunt at the end and looked as if it had lost it from an attack.

The wound seemed to be fairly fresh. So it would seem that something had tried to make a meal of it and ended with just the end of the tail. In Slowworms this is their one defensive action they can take, to shed the end of the tail, allowing escape from the attacker.

I think in this case somehow it had got itself in the cold dewy grass and had chilled. So I held it for some minutes hoping the heat from my hands would help it become more lively.

The cold rigidity slowly gave way until it felt like a bronze bracelet that had life. I love the feeling of them in my hands, they seem to emanate such intense life in a small body.

I took it over to the place where it would be at it's safest, the compost heap.

Quietly with a lovely grace to the movement it slid from my hand and pushed it's way into the heap and safety once more.

There is some kind of fragile beauty to these small legless lizards that makes me feel great affection for them. They do no harm but much good, eating many of the dreaded small white slugs that do so much damage in the garden.

Their favourite place is within compost heaps, so whenever you break a heap open don't use a spade to slice down that they cannot escape from, use a fork as there is very little chance of spearing the body of a Slowworm.

There's more info on Slowworms here at Wikipedia

Autumn Colours

2010-09-20T17:00:00.000+01:00

Around the garden we have quite a collection of Sedum's (Sedum spectabile), gradually the are coming out in flower and as they do they attract masses of insect life to them.

Bees of all types busily wander over the flowers, while Butterflies flit from head to head gently sipping the nectar.

Dahlia's are still blooming quite vigorously, giving loads of colour in the garden. Regularly dead heading is needed to keep them going right up into October or until the first frost touches them.

The taller dark leaved variety is one of the Bishops children and is fronted by a single flowered and double flowered dwarf dahlia. All are easily started from seed around March. They are terrific for Bumble bees giving them a really good source of food well into Autumn to keep them going over winter.

No garden should be without some kind of berry bearing shrub to supply birds with free food that will help them fatten up for Winter.

Pyracantha or Firethorn can be easily trained against a wall to make an eye catching display. Earlier in the year it is covered with masses of pure white flowers, then the berries create a marvelous display. Birds love the berries and will strip them in a few weeks as they ripen.

Another shrub to grow is Leycesteria formosa or Himalayan honeysuckle, Pheasant berry, flowering nutmeg. It grows to just over 6 feet in height and has lovely hanging purple racemes that end in small white flowers. Eventually the pollinated flower forms a purple-black berry.

The berry itself is loved by numerous birds especially the Blackbird and as the name suggests Pheasants. The berries are fairly sweet in themselves and taste a little bit like sickly toffee, some say like treacle. If you don't believe me try a taste, myself I'm not too keen on the flavour.

Leycesteria formosa

Soft succulent berries forming under the purple bracts.

Where are the Blackberries?

2010-09-06T17:38:00.000+01:00

Between our hedges the Blackberries are hopeless, they just seem to be shrivelling into dried mummies before they even form. Even at the top of the garden a large Blackberry we have growing has gone the same.

So we walked around the field and found much to our relief, blackberries growing in the hedge where the sun really hits it. So can only come to the conclusion that it is the poor weather we have had during August that has stopped many from developing properly.

Just out from the hedges a few Blackberries have ripened, but are outweighed by small undeveloped ones along with withered specimens. The smaller will ripen eventually, but much later and will not have the rich flavour.

The difference can be seen where they are growing in the sunny part of the hedge.

We was not alone while in the field.

We finally ended with a nice few succulent berries to have that evening.

A surprise has grown into the trees of the bottom hedge to the garden, we knew we had planted it some years ago, but it had never before flowered.

This is an old Hop variety (Humulus lupulus) that I found growing in a hedge between two gardens and I dug up a few roots to grow in our garden. The house below the garden I was in where the hop grew, was once an old inn. Traditionally before the advent of large breweries, Inn keepers grew their own Hops to flavour their own beers brewed on the premises. That is why very often hop plants can be found growing within hedgerows around Britain.

A Hop plant may travel quite a long way through a hedge over the years, far away from the original position that it first grew in. But if the hedge is followed either way, the site of an old inn or pub may be found where the hop was originally grown.

Another good giveaway that it was grown for brewing is if there is only a female plant present, only females produce the hop or cones. For brewing purposes male plants are not bothered with as they would fertilise the female and seeds would be produced which is not desirable in brewing.

The female hop will easily reproduce vegetatively, travelling in good soil for long distances underground by way of long white roots. They make lovely twining climbers that effectively cover fences, trellis or pergolas. Each year they will die right down to ground level, then in Spring shoot up at a fantastic rate to twine over whatever they are positioned by.

If the plain green varieties are too ordinary the golden form Aurea makes a gorgeous plant with bright gold leaves and golden hops!

End Of Summer Days?

2010-08-19T18:30:00.000+01:00

Over here in the West of Britain, the weather has become very uncertain. Although August is known as the wetter month of Summer, it seems to be living up to it's reputation here at least.

So each good day needs to be enjoyed for what it brings because September is rapidly coming and that will herald the onset of Autumn (Fall).

The later Summer plants are now at their best.

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are out fully, the heads perfect in shape and the colours pristine.

A little out of sync with the season, a dwarf Azalea flowers. Deep inside the flower I caught this wasp taking a drink of nectar.

Azalea and wasp

Soft As Down

2010-08-17T17:24:00.000+01:00

The large Thistle that came up at the side of the veg plot has now gone to seed. It was quite an impressive size and really sharp points to it. But the colourful purple flowers make it well worth while leaving to grow on. Not only that but it is an important insect food, attracting many insects to the nectar it produces.

Now the soft downy seeds have come, the Goldfinches will be visiting it for the carbohydrate rich seeds they need to build up their fat reserves for winter.

Thistle seed heads (Cirsium vulgare)

For a good number of years I have looked for a variegated Nettle and finally found one (see Trouble with Nettles) called Brightstone Bitch. It is a lovely yellow variegated Nettle, well worth a place in the garden.

Sods law though often has a laugh and a month or so after acquiring it I found a nettle with a tiny variegated patch on a shoot. So I carefully nurtured the shoot and have now produced my own variation of a yellow variegated Nettle.

Variegated Nettle (Urtica dioca)

It looks very much the same as Brightstone Bitch (Trouble with Nettles) but so far it seems to be a shorter form keeping it's shape even while flowering, whereas Brightstone Bitch grows quite tall. Anyhow we shall have to see how it performs over time.

Ever one not to be satisfied I would love a white variegated Nettle to come along :-)

Safer Environment

2010-08-11T18:21:00.001+01:00

After the last post I made a report came out in the journal of Toxicology. The evidence is even stronger that pesticides are responsible for the decline in insect populations.

Bees are particularly hard hit by the pesticides. The latest neonicotinoid group are particularly long lasting in their effect.

Two in particular are imidacloprid and thiacloprid. Both can be found in pesticides available to the public in garden centres and DIY stores.

We can only discourage anyone we know from using these pesticides around their garden. Most of the time they are completely unnecessary, in actual fact I find them totally unnecessary and never have to resort to any form of pesticide within our garden. We find that over the years a natural balance has occurred. Greenfly may come on the roses at some point in Spring, but are quickly cleared away by regular visits from the Blue Tits.

A Bumble visiting Stachys 'Saharan Pink' (Stachys monieri)

Planting the right plants in our gardens can stop the decline of the insect population and act as a safe haven for wildlife.

A Gentle Hum

2010-08-09T06:00:00.000+01:00

The epitome of Summer sounds in a garden is the gentle hum of insects visiting flowers. The buzz of tiny flies and the drone of Bees. These sounds are becoming rarer though. Insects are becoming scarcer throughout the countryside. Most of it is due to agricultural practices, the destruction of natural habitats, loss of wild flowers and use of insecticides.

Everyone can help in their own gardens by growing a few plants insects love. Unfortunately many of the bedding that is grown is not always insect friendly. But some of the old cottage garden plants are beloved by insects. They can become the backbone of many gardens creating a rich and diverse population.

Flies enjoying the Golden Rod (Solidago canadensis)

Golden Rod is easy to grow and beloved by virtually every insect in the garden. Bumblebees, Butterflies and numerous different specie of Flies. The older more natural form reaching nearly 5 feet in height.

Golden Rod forms a lovely bright Summery clump.

Another strong growing and easy plant is Inula Hookeri. Large flowers on strong stems growing up to 4 feet, attracts Bees of all kinds and Butterflies in abundance, who flit down to sip gently from the large open flowers.

Bee visiting Inula hookeri

Butterfly on the Inula

No garden should be without a Buddleia. It's the Butterfly magnet for gardens. Planting one ensures you will have masses of these colourful insects flitting around the garden.

Admiral Butterfly visiting the Buddleia (Buddleia davidii)

Now is the time to look for the insect attractors at Garden Centres, they will be on display in full flower. Some of the other plants may have to be sourced from old gardens, or more specialist nurseries. The taller Golden Rod for one has fallen out of favour for the shorter forms that can be found. The short forms do attract insects but not in the quantities of the taller Solidago. If you see a garden with a clump ask them in Winter for a small piece for the garden, better still offer a swap with something else.

Build up a collection of insect attractors and bring an even greater richness into the garden.

Toad In The?

2010-08-06T17:42:00.001+01:00

Thrusting my hands into a nearly finished bag of Organic Multipurpose compost, I came across a lump, which is not uncommon.

Rolling it around in my fingers, it was strangely reluctant to fall apart. Then I glanced down to find the reason.

It was none the worse for wear.

So I found it a nice niche in some roots very close to where the bag of compost was situated and made sure it got under cover.

Our Toads are the Common Toad (Bufo bufo) They all seem to be either this dark earthy colour or a deep dark brick red. Very often we get them coming into the outhouse underneath the door. Thankfully we always seem to see them before accidentally treading on them. Always welcome around as they love slug snacks and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, strange really.

Summer Scents

2010-08-04T17:23:00.000+01:00

Summer scents come in many varieties within the garden. Not only deliciously scented and good to look at, but also attractive to wildlife offering an abundance of pollen and nectar.

An old cottage garden favourite is the Phlox (Phlox paniculata). There is nothing like a Phlox to epitomise the scent of a Summer perennial border.

Phlox paniculata

A plant with a slightly strange scent is the Houttuynia. The leaves have an orangy slightly metallic scent to them when lightly crushed. Some don't like the scent but to most people it is just unusual.

Strangely enough the leaves are perfectly edible, best when picked younger in Spring or early Summer, they can be eaten raw in salads or lightly steamed. Eaten raw they have an orangey tang to them that lingers in the mouth for some time. Houttuynia is easy to grow if given the right conditions. Although it is really a pond side plant enjoying moist to wet conditions, any good soil will sustain it. In fact it can spread with abandon although not to be a pest.

This is Houttuynia cordata flora plena, plain leaved but with double flowers. Not quite so easy to find as Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' which has striking variegated leaves. Still edible so don't let the colours put you off trying it.

For sheer scent power the Jasmines are hard to beat. On still Summer air the scent drifts across the garden filling the air with perfume, a must have in any garden.

Jasmine Clotted Cream

Jasmine clotted cream has deliciously creamy flowers instead of the pure white of Jasmine officinalis. Both have the same scent power. Every garden should have one twining somewhere.

Summer Afternoons

2010-07-27T17:33:00.000+01:00

Each day around four-O-clock, Blackbirds congregate in the Hawthorn to sun themselves in the afternoon.

They stay for anything up to an hour just taking in the rays. Beaks agape with the heat, often having to hop into the darker area that can be seen behind the male. There is one in there in this photo cooling off, it can just be seen slightly to the right of the male as a little bit of brown. Sometimes they are joined by a few of the local Finches. They all seem to have a tactic agreement that everybody is to get on with each other as there is never any squabbling or disagreements.

Walking away from the tree after the photo, I nearly stumbled upon her sunning herself in the grass. You can see the surprise on her face.

Surprised female Blackbird

It took her a few moments to get over the shock before she swiftly disappeared into the undergrowth.

Soft and Shady

2010-07-17T13:00:00.001+01:00

Gradually the centre of the garden is becoming more as we want it. During hot periods it is cool and shady, often catching light breezes that makes it delicious in the midday heat.

Digitalis mertonesis flowers for the first time this year. A soft strawberry pink with flowers that are well over twice the size of Digitalis purpurea our common Foxglove.

Behind this the Heucheras catch early morning sunlight, their light filmy flowers gently moving in the breezes.

Heucheras are terrific plants to grow either in the garden border or as pot plants. Their is a terrific variety to choose from, up to 700. You will find them around many good garden centres with a vast choice of foliage colours to pick from. Some have very elegant showy flowers where as others are understated. Many take shade or light shade which means that hard to fill area that is mostly shady in the garden can easily enriched.

Astilbes are surprisingly tolerant of shade. These that we have planted in the centre garden are subjected to a little more than just partial shade as recommended. They get early morning sun but lose it just before midday. Plenty of organic matter dug into the soil before planting ensures they do not dry out in Summer. We are then rewarded with plumes of colour.

Hidden guests.

2010-07-14T17:30:00.000+01:00

We noticed the activity going on and hear the busy buzzing and thought it was coming from the bank of soil in that part of the garden. But tracking them down we were surprised to find them hiding in an unexpected place.

Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima'

Carefully pulling aside the foliage exposed the well formed nest.

Knowing how touchy wasps are having their photos taken, okay not really they just hate to be disturbed. I got a shot of the nest hanging inside the Variegated box bush.

It took me three goes to get this shot as they got a little agitated when the foliage was gently pulled away. Now they will be left alone to get on with their lives.

We never mind having wasps nesting in the garden and invariably we have one somewhere. But to us it feels like a privilege that they have chosen us to stay with. Not many people I know think this way.

But welcome guests they are as they are voracious predators of numerous garden pests such as flies and caterpillars and have even been known to take the odd small slug! Strange though the adults only hunt for meaty prey for the young developing wasp in the nest. The adults themselves are vegetarian depending on nectar, pollen and as any fruit grower knows, succulent ripe fruit.

Last year they had a few of our ripe gages and we had to watch out when we picked them for ourselves, but we did not worry over a loss of a few. We all need to share in this world.

Just wish they would show a little more appreciation sometimes in stead of giving a painful raised swelling. But then that's a Wasp isn't it.

Roses growing

2010-07-04T10:41:00.001+01:00

This is coming out to be a year for Roses. The weather absolutely perfect for blooming.

Rose 'Bantry Bay' a delicious red.

Rambling rose 'Rambling Rector' always gives a good show in the garden no matter what the weather. Dry weather though brings out the scent, a delicious fruity one that wafts over the garden. We have two 'Rambling Rectors', one is over the outhouse and this one which is supported by a tripod framework that spans over the path. Mingled in at the bottom Honey suckle 'Scentsation' flowers adding an even deeper layer to the scent in this area.

Another favourite Rambler in the garden is 'Leos Eye'. This is a rose that is very difficult for anyone to get as it is only available here in Pembrokeshire as far as I know. The rose itself was found at Picton Castle estate by the Head Gardener and sold only at the gardens themselves.

It's a delicious salmon pink that can be quite hard to capture by the camera unless the lighting is just right, but this photo is about right.

Salmon pink blooms of the rose 'Leos Eye'

'Leos Eye' growing in situ.

Hanging heavy

2010-06-26T18:12:00.000+01:00

For some reason this year the Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) growing to the side of the garden is hanging very heavy in developing seeds or keys as they are known.

It's a lovely tree that has got better and better since we moved here a good number of years ago. Then it seemed to be declining, the foliage was sparse and thin. But since creating the garden and cultivating it the Ash tree has obviously benefited with resplendent growth every year.

Some of it's roots do manage to grow halfway across the garden and end up in some of the vegetable beds. It means the first few beds have to be dug each year to chop through the fine roots invading them and to stop them swiping the nourishment added to the bed.

Important for Wildlife

The Ash tree is very important for wildlife. Many Butterfly's and Moths depend upon it for food using both the leaves and the fruits. As it gets old it forms many crevasses and cracks in the bark that harbour many forms of insect life, attracting all sorts of birds to visit.

Improving it even more so for wildlife, the tree supports a good growth of Ivy (Hedera helix) which creates another terrific environment.

Wild Summer Flavour.

2010-06-19T18:47:00.000+01:00

Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are now ripening along banks and walls. They may be small but they make up with the intense strawberry flavour once fully ripe.

It's strange but for some reason they are never stripped out by Blackbirds. Yet if garden Strawberries are left unprotected, Blackies will scoff the lot.

Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca)

Wild strawberries were widely cultivated in Europe until the larger fruited forms which came from America took over as dessert fruits. If you have a little space, and you don't need much. Make a little plot in the garden for a few Wild Strawberry plants. These in the photo are actually growing in a rock wall and do very well in there.

Suffolk Herbs are stockist for Wild Strawberry seeds. Once you have them they will spread like wildfire with their thin runners they throw out, though they are not difficult to control.

When it comes to intensity, once again an area of the garden is awash in scent. At the top of the garden by the shed, the Philadelphus coronaria or Mock Orange is in full flower.

Philadelphus coronaria flowering.

As we walk through the gate to this area of the garden, the sharp fruitiness hits us. The shrub has got massive and peeks over the top of the roof of the shed.

A flower of more delicate scent is the rose Madame Alfred Carrier. It's one of the reliable and hardy Noisette climbers. The flowers repeat all Summer long. We have it growing over the outhouse roof where we can catch the delightful perfume as we go into the house from the garden.

Madame Alfred Carrier.

Meltingly Delicious

2010-06-13T12:18:00.002+01:00

We have been cropping our Wild Sea Beet from out of the garden. A wonderful perennial crop that comes up each year without fail. It is quite frankly superior in taste and texture to the perennial beets or spinach beet that is offered in seed catalogues.

The texture when cooked is melting when eaten and the flavour light and delicious. Compared to the catalogue beets that are really quite coarse and the flavour a bit earthy. It is a case in point that sometimes selective breeding of a plant does not always produce something superior.

Wild Sea beet (Beta vulgaris ssp maritima ).

Sea beet can be found growing on many sea shores and can be easy to recognise from the clump forming habit and waxy leaves. Pick a few leaves for cooking or even eaten raw. They can be lightly steamed until soft.

Unfortunately the seeds are all but impossible to obtain. Ours came in with a load of seaweed we picked from the shore and just popped up in the garden as a fortuitous crop. Now it self seeds within the garden.

If you can find some plants on the shore, make a visit in late Summer and see if you can obtain a few seeds from the seed heads. They are easy to spot when brown and ripening over a lax clump of plants, the seed looks exactly like Beetroot seeds as the Sea beet is the ancestor of Perennial Spinach, Beetroot and Sugar Beet.

Take only a few seeds for your own use, but do not dig up the plant itself as you would be breaking the law under the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981.

Wonderful Wisteria

2010-06-09T08:24:00.001+01:00

I always wait with anticipation for the Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) to bloom. The scent for me is so evocative. It always takes me back to when I started out in Horticulture. The gardens there had a brick built wall and a wide brick arch over which Wisteria bloomed in early Summer. The racemes of flowers hung down in glorious clusters and the scent was overpowering. I used to make every excuse to have to pass under that arch.

Many people think that They are difficult to grow and maintain, but it is just not the case. Undemanding of soil, if it is too good it can stop it flowering. Top growth kept within bounds, if it thinks it has reached the ultimate height it encourages it to flower.

Being a relative of the pea family, bees are attracted to the flowers, numerous Bumble Bees enjoy buzzing amidst the massed clusters.

The gorgeous racemes of flowers hang in dense clusters.

I made this photo a little over large to try and get the feeling you get underneath the hanging flowers. Unfortunately to try and describe the scent while photographing this just would not do it justice.

Montana Madness

2010-06-05T07:35:00.001+01:00

The Clematis Montana 'Queen Elizabeth' has gone totally mad this year. Growing fast and vigorous, grabbing and coiling onto anything that it can find. It will have to be taken into hand this year. But for now we enjoy the delicious perfume that comes from it.

With a mass of flower that it has, the perfume intensity is compounded. I can only describe it as a sweet dusty scent. Reminding one of a favourite Aunt who gently powders herself with a talc found only in stores frequented by gentile ladies.

Clematis montana attracts many insects to it and is a valuable source of nectar.

Gradually the centre area of our top garden where the Clematis montana resides, is fleshing out more. The aim is to make it have a wooded feel with plenty of shelter from prevailing winds. Then hopefully we will gradually be able to establish a bat colony within it. Bats have been in decline over the years and are now heavily protected. They need as much help as they can get.

We have erected 11 bat boxes in just this area of the garden. The garden itself we have been planting to ensure many forms of insects are attracted to it as potential food source for bats.

Three bat boxes can be seen on three of the trees in this picture.

Paths within the garden are made from shredded woody cuttings to create forest floor conditions, once again to support invertebrates.

During Summer we have bats swooping and wheeling around the trees so hopefully they will be encouraged to investigate the setup.

Flowers For Free

2010-05-29T11:51:00.001+01:00

Very often gardeners are so intent on finding plants to flower for the garden that they overlook those that grow in the wild around them. To an extent there is a certain amount of snobbery concerning plants. If you don't buy it then it is not of any worth.

I have come across this many times throughout the years. Plants that are every bit as good for the garden are despised purely because they are wildflowers.

Yet if the same plant with the same flower came from another continent then it would be bought and cosseted within that persons garden.

Growing plants that are from ones own region not only adds to a garden diversity but encourages wildlife to thrive in the garden. True many garden plants that come from elsewhere do still have good ecological credentials. But ones that are natural to the area often support greater and more diversified wildlife colonies.

Here in this bed I encourage Red Campion (Silene dioca) to thrive. The blast of colour it gives for quite some weeks is so eye catching that passersby comment on the show. I hope some go away with new ideas for their own gardens.

Having said that,they just as likely think it is an expensive plant from a Garden Centre, what else would give such a show of colour!

London Pride

It's time now for the London Pride (Saxifraga umbrosa) to be at it's showiness in an understated way. We love this plant not only for the delicacy and airiness of the blooms when it is flower, or the florettes of leaves that fill in some difficult places. But also for the fact that all the plants of it that we have in the garden were completely free.

Just because it was free is not the true significance of it. But because how we obtained them.

When we first moved here there was not a garden as such and on the bottom part of the land where the old shed stood, once used to be the farm workers cottage.

The cottage had a low stone wall built in front of it. This had become overgrown with bushes and grass. But right on the end of the wall two London Pride plants maintained a hold in the rocks.

These plants and their ancestors must have been growing there for over 60 years. That was the last time that the cottage had been lived in before most of it was demolished and an old hooped shed built on the foundations.

From these two plants we established a colony within the garden that now consists of hundreds of plants.

Soft filmy flowers with all year green rosettes contrast wonderfully against stone and rock within the garden. The flowers attract numerous small flies and is alive with movement when the sun is warm.

Gathering Lilacs

2010-05-26T18:25:00.001+01:00

The Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is in full flower within the garden.

Once again the garden is filled with a delicious scent. This is plain ordinary Syringa vulgaris which quite frankly takes a beating for it's scent. Other varieties are still scented and bolder in colour, but the true Lilac is still the best for scent.

We are quite fond of our Lilacs, we have them spread throughout the garden. When we first moved here they existed on an earth and rock mound at the front of the house. Planted many years ago by one of the tenants who farmed here when it was an active farm.

We split the bunch of Lilac and positioned it around in varied places to ensure we always had a good stock, and have been rewarded since by the glorious displays we get each year without fail.

The name Syringa is derived from Syrinx meaning a hollow pipe or tube. Traditionally the Lilac used to be used for making reed pipes and flutes. A few years back this caused some confusion when an old lady asked me if she still had her Syringa in the garden. The chap before who had maintained her garden had pruned everything in Winter, the so called traditional time for doing so.

I searched for the Lilac but found nothing. Several shrubs though I pruned back into shape at the right time to encourage flowering. One of which was a Philadelphus. When it flowered a year later, I took a large bunch to her and she really did cry out for joy, "You found my Syringa".

This was confusing especially as she told me she had always called it Syringa and lots of people she knew always called the Philadelphus, Syringa. I did some research and found that Philadelphus was often referred to by country folk as Syringa as it too used to be used for making pipes.

Bluebells abloom

2010-05-16T12:33:00.001+01:00

On banks and in the woodland the Bluebells are now coming out in full. A wonderful sight and if the temperature is just right the air is filled with their delicate scent.

Here in Britain we it's estimated that we have between 25-50% of the world population of Bluebells. Unfortunately some of our true stock Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are under threat. Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) have been introduced into gardens and have found to be crossing with our native forms forming Hyacinthoides x massartiana a hybrid Bluebell.

The hybrid may be classed as pretty by many people, but is courser in it's looks to our native form. Thankfully we are out of the way and so our Bluebells are strictly native forms.

Bluebells growing in the bank.

Every year I am caught unawares by the Pittesporum (Pittesporum tenuifolium). A sweet delicate scent drifts over to me, then I realise the Pittesporum in flower once again.

Against the dark green foliage the small dark flowers are very indistinct, and you have to wonder how so much perfume comes from such a tiny flower. But there is strength in numbers.

A large bush of Pittesporum approximately 10 feet tall.

Small dark flowers of the Pittesporum, all but insignificant.

While we are on scent (again), another of my favourites is in bloom. Erysimum cheiri 'Harpur Crewe' This is a lovely double flowered form of wallflower. It forms a dense plant of around 16" tall and about 12" wide. Completely unfussy in it's soil needs and tolerates well drained fairly poor conditions. But rewards with masses of very sweetly scented flowers at this time of year.

Harpur Crewe is not very common and will need to be searched out, but it is well worth it.

Erysimum 'Harpur Crewe' happily growing right on the edge of a wall.

The border in Spring.

Seriously Scented

2010-05-09T10:33:00.001+01:00

Two of my most favourite scented plants have now come out in flower, one is Rhododendron luteum. This has a deliciously light slightly fruity perfume that will gently drift on breezes. The first time I came across this was at a visit to Colby Lodge many years ago. Walking up the ride to the obelisk the air was filled with delicate perfume. Walking higher up we came across one Rhododendron luteum bush in full flower. Coming up close to the bush the air was awash with glorious scent and I knew then I had to get one.

If you want to grow the Rhododendron luteum then you need at least a light acid soil, or grow it in a pot of ericacious compost.

The next I love is Viburnum burkwoodii, this has a rich deep intense scent that makes you come back over and over again just to continuously draw in its headiness. This is really a must in any garden.

Viburnums are easy to please and any good garden soil will support them.

Shrubs with a completely different kind of scent are the Ribes family. In this case Ribes sanguineum, the main scent of which comes from the leaves when they are brushed or crushed, although the flowers do have a lighter fragrance to them. Some say the smell is similar to that of cats pee. But that doesn't really do it justice, it's a strange tart kind of scent that is unforgettable once you have smelt it. The beauty comes in the racemes of flowers that abound on the bush this time of year.

The colour ranges from white through pinks to deep reds, hardy and easy to grow on most soils, they're really good spring flowering shrub to have in a garden.

I have just made a new acquisition Ribes sanguineum 'Olympic double'. The flowers are unbelievable looking much like deep red miniature rose flowers, this is going to look fantastic once it is a fully grown shrub bearing flowers such as these all over it.

Seasonal Scents

2010-05-01T10:41:00.001+01:00

Delicious scents drift in breezes across the garden. Whole new dimensions open up when scent becomes an integral part of the environment.

The first to infuse the air with a rich floweriness is Osmanthus burkwoodii. A dark evergreen shrub that can reach upwards to 10 feet (3 1/2 metres). Now is the time for it to flower and although it lasts for around a month it's well worth having in any garden. Don't let the size put you off, with gentle pruning just after it flowers, it can be kept to a more reasonable size.

Strong growing and deliciously scented.

A shrub that is not often known for it's scent is Berberis thunbergii atropupurea or the Japanese barberry. Small yellow flowers cover the shrub at this time of the year that give off a musky scent with a crushed green leaf undertones to it.

Berberis thunbergii atropupurea can grow to 10 feet (3 1/2 metres) if left alone. But judicious trimming at the end of Summer can keep it to size. The nana form is more compact in size.

Still days or ones with only a very light breeze allows the light scent to hang in the garden.

Berberis thunbergii atropupurea

Our Honey Spurge or Euphorbia mellifera survived with no problems over the harder winter we had than was usual. Coming from the Canary Islands it needs a sheltered spot to grow and rewards you with delicious honey scented flowers that flower on an architectural plant. It forms a strong large mound with narrow leaves that have a central stripe running down them.

A plant to take visitors around to show.

Deliciously honey scented Euphorbia mellifera.

Trouble with Nettles

2010-04-25T10:46:00.000+01:00

Some areas of the countryside are having trouble wit Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioca). It's all down to over application of Nitrogen on farmlands.

Nettles love Nitrogen rich soils and are good indicators that a soil has plenty available. Unfortunately over application encourages a super abundance of Nettles at the expense of other specie of wild flowers. Having said that many wild flowers cannot themselves take high Nitrogen within the soil, many needing more poorer soils to thrive properly.

Anyhow the Nettle thrives where ever Nitrogen is in abundance. This can sometimes be seen within old woodlands. A patch of Nettles healthy and abundant. The conditions for this having been brought about sometime ago when woodlands were utilised by being coppiced and worked by woodsmen and bodgers.

These men would often set up temporary shelters within the wood and stay for several weeks as they worked the patch. Of course they had to use an area as a latrine. Hence the abundance of Nettles in patches within older woodlands. The Nitrogen from times past forever recycled by the plants.

We had our first meal of Nettle greens, a treat we always look forward to in Spring. Nettles as a Spring green have for possibly thousands of years been utilised for their restorative health boost after a Winter of lack. Rich in Vitamin C, Beta Carotene (Vitamin A), Iron, Magnesium and a host of other trace elements, they are something that should not be missed.

A patch of Nettles perfect for picking.

Nettles are an easy Spring green, though picking them you are advised to wear gloves. Pick the new shoots, or cut them of with scissors. Pick plenty as they are like spinach and reduce in size on cooking.

Pack them into a saucepan with a lid after washing them off in a colander. Add enough water to adequately cover the bottom of the pan, but not too much as Nettles are better steamed.

Cook over a fast heat until they are tender and soft. Not one sting will have survived the heat.

Our favourite recipe is simple, sprinkle with soy sauce and drizzle a drop of Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil on to them.

In the garden Nettle are valuable to wildlife acting as food to many animals and insects. Here in Britain up to 40 different Butterflies depend on the Nettle and many birds eat the seeds at the end of Summer.

We have numerous patches of Nettles around the garden and intend to have more. One way is to grow some of the rarer garden forms, yes there is such a thing. I managed to find myself a supplier last year and bought three plants off her.

Good As Gold forms a neat clump of lovely golden foliage.

The Nettle Danae Johnston will form a plant with foliage mottled and flecked cream.

Brightstone Bitch has white variegated foliage. Something I have wanted for a long time. The plant is small and needs nurturing.

All these plants I got from Rosemary Castle at Alternative Plants. Have a look at nettles.org for more information on Nettles.

Bee foods

2010-04-17T10:26:00.000+01:00

This time of year the garden can be a valuable source of Bee foods. April can still have cold snaps that bees can find hard to overcome. Especially the Bumblebee that is having an especially hard time.

Environmental issues within the countryside especially with modern farming practices have taken away both nesting sites and food plants. More and more gardens are becoming a repository of early food plants that the humble Bumble is dependant upon.

One of my favourites is the Pieris. A striking shrub that can reach up to 7 feet high in the larger forms and is suitable for full sun positions or in semi shade of woodland gardens.

At this time of year it is in full flower, bearing quite deliciously scented flowers with a sweet muskiness and very attractive to bees.

A fully grown Pieris (Pieris forrestii) 'Forest Flame'

Other forms are available, some are neat compact plants, some variegated leaves and others with varied coloured flowers. One to suit any garden.

Pieris 'Valley Rose' (Pieris japonica)

Pieris 'Valley Valentine' (Pieris japonica)

This Blackbird obviously has a nest of youngsters, he is continuously on the move collecting food to take back.

Warming Sun

2010-04-11T11:09:00.000+01:00

Gradually the sun has been exerting it's warmth on everything. Spring flowers are now out and blooming.

Pulmonaria angustifolia Blue Ensign.

Some of the first Tulips have come out fully in the latest sunny days.

The Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) is a little early this year. But the yellow spathes and strangely even the skunky smell is welcome. Maybe it's me in this respect!

As I drove through Manorbier the other day I had to just stop and take a shot of Springfields bulb fields. This local company has the largest cultivated stock of the Tenby daffodil.

They have helped in reversing the decline of the Tenby daffodil that had been going on in the recent past, making it now one of the must have forms within the garden. Thankfully many have been replanted around much of Wales.

An Easter flower

2010-04-04T08:54:00.000+01:00

Just in time for Easter the delicate white Hellebore with a light pink stripe, flowers alongside the Arum leaves (Arum italicum pictum).

Times Past

2010-03-28T11:31:00.000+01:00

At one time most of the houses, farms, mines and woodland around the local area and beyond belonged to a large estate called the Picton Estate.

During the beginning of the 20th Century, large estates such as this broke up and where sold off into smaller pieces. The old legacy of Picton estate can be seen with the remnants of the old mines around this area.

Across the valley from us once stood a large house in extensive lands much of which was surrounded by high built rock walls. Within these walls was The Deer Park, which is self explanatory in it's name.

Within the walls also stood a large house, but it has long since been demolished. Above the original house position now stands a modest old welsh farmhouse.

Much of the extensive wall has either fallen down or been removed over the years, but some areas still remain for us to wonder at the incredible wealth these estates must have had to build on such a grand scale.

Nature takes over after a few decades.

This Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) followed the top of the wall as it grew, then the wall beneath it fell away leaving this wonderful tree span.

Trees rooted into the old lime mortar grew through the rocks of the wall then pushed the wall apart by natural hydraulic pressure.

An Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) leans over the wall like a huge green backed beast.

An old access into the walled area of the estate from the woodland.

The wall spanned the river Ludd that runs through the valley. Only the keystones of the arch prevent the arch from collapsing into the river. At one time metal railings must have existed to stop the deer from escaping the park when the river drops to low levels.

Snowdrops bloom.

2010-03-23T08:34:00.000Z

Our Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are now out fully. They are a bit later than normal for this year due to the colder weather hanging on longer. Though ours are always behind other people's as they are growing in the cool shade of trees on a bit of a Northerly slope.

One of the first Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) to come out is the rich purple flowered form.

They are quite exotic to look at yet very hardy and given the right conditions, easy to grow. They love quite deep soils full of humus and thrive in partial shade of trees.

Another late comer this year is the Welsh Daffodil (Narcissus obvallaris).

Small and delicate looking yet hardy as they come. This clump has been growing in this position for decades. It originally was part of the garden to the farm workers cottage, which was abandoned 70-80 years ago. It was demolished before WW2 and replaced with a shed. But the Daffodils continue to grow and bloom in the same area regardless.

The Trackway

2010-03-17T17:11:00.000Z

Leading from the mineshaft and also servicing the other mines in the area was the trackway. This was an area of track that carried the anthracite dug out of the mines down to the final destination of Saundersfoot harbour.

The anthracite was drawn along the track by horses until quite late in the period of the mines.

Now the trackway is a quiet and peaceful place to what it must have been over 100 years ago with all the mining activity going on.

When we first came here this area of the trackway ran through mature trees of Western Hemlock (Tsuga hetrophylla) and Larch (Larix laricina). But most of this was cleared felled a number of years ago. Now the woodland area is regenerating with Silver Birch (Betula alba), Oak (Quercus petraea) and Beech (Fagus sylvatica).

It is wonderful to walk along the Trackway as many birds abound in this kind of woodland and their presence is heard along the length.

If you would like to read a little more about the Mines in this area of Pembrokeshire, then visit Pembrokeshire Virtual Museum.

Old Industries

2010-03-13T11:59:00.000Z

All around us are the signs of Old Industry in the past. The most obvious are the mines that abound around here. Many are known by only a few people, which is the best thing. If some of the old shafts were to become too well known then the Coal Board would come along and fill them in.

This would be a crime. Fine the Coal Board are legally responsible for safety of the shafts, but many do not truly pose much of a safety issue. Instead they are wonderful to see, with nature softening the old scars that they once were.

This old air shaft is quite a way from us and is situated at the top of the woodland. The whole thing is surrounded by old earth embankment that must have been made when the shaft was dug.

A number of years back one of our dogs fell down this shaft, which is now only about 10 feet deep. I had to run back for a ladder to get her out.

Bottom of the air shaft.

Here we are looking down the hill in the woodland to the bottom where the actual Mine shaft is situated.

This is the Mineshaft itself. Completely filled with water. The mine goes back into the hill about 15 feet, but at the back is the square opening of the shaft itself in the floor, completely under water.

The water seepage runs even in the driest Summers and is full of Iron Oxide.

The old mineshaft is fairly well hidden, only now when leaves are not on the trees can anything be seen. The black area just under the centre branch of the tree in the photo is the shaft.

This whole area is quite waterlogged and Willow trees grow lush around it, a quiet and beautiful spot that once must have been noisy and dirty.

The mines in this area closed in the early 20th century. A hundred years of nature at work gradually heals the scars.

Pure and Clean Air

2010-03-10T17:18:00.000Z

Living here in Pembrokeshire, we are guaranteed pure clean air. Which means a super abundance of Lichen growing on trees around us.

It is a sign of very pure air, the more frondy the Lichen the purer the air is.

Pembrokeshire is well known for the diversity of Lichen that grow here, many of the Churches around the Stackpole area are recognised as being important for the communities of Lichen that grow on the old rock of the Church buildings.

Last night we had a visitor into the garden that made more impact than usual. A Badger came in and grubbed up a Jerusalem Artichoke tuber. It was one I missed when digging them out, but the Badger with its keen smell found it.

Badgers love Artichokes and if you want to give them a winter feed treat, then grow some, they are very easy and trouble free. Plus they make great soup.

A feeling of Spring

2010-03-06T17:11:00.001Z

The days are beginning to feel more Spring like. Weather has warmed up and bright sun during the days really feels good.

Primroses (Primula vulgaris) are showing more and more with the warmer days.

The Pieries (Pieries japonica) is about ready to flower. It is something to look forward to having a delicious sweet musky scent to the flowers. They are beloved by Bumblebees who find it a valuable source of food in the early part of the season.

A friend in the garden.

2010-03-03T17:43:00.000Z

A small friend came round to help in the garden, staying with me all the time while I was at work there.

Tenby Daffodils ( Narcissus obvallaris) are now in bloom. These are delicate sized yet strong Daffodils that quickly naturalize in the garden.

Tenby Daffiodils

28th February 2010

2010-02-28T08:59:00.000Z

Today I have reached my 2 year period following the seasons on the one area of our track. So this is the last photo of what you might call the series.

I have been taking a photograph of our track for the past 930 days in all weathers. Strangely enough it has been quite a pleasurable experience, and to a certain extent one of self discipline to continue with it each day. Although I have to say it in fact came very easy to do and in no way onerous.

So to all of you who have followed me, many thanks. I hope to bring you more photos in the future that you will find interesting enough to continue to revisit Green Camera.

28th February 2010

28th February 2009

27th February 2010

2010-02-27T08:59:00.000Z

27th February 2010

27th February 2009

26th February 2010

2010-02-26T08:55:00.000Z

26th February 2010

26th February 2009

25th February 2010

2010-02-25T08:51:00.000Z

A still quiet day, the rain overnight has passed leaving a clearing sky of washy grey clouds.

25th February 2010

25th February 2009

24th February 2010

2010-02-24T08:46:00.002Z

The Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) have started to pop into view around the garden. Plump fat buds promise a nice show of flowers to come.

The first flowers of the delicate Primrose (Primula vulgaris) have come out.

A friendly Pheasant wanders around the garden.

24th February 2010

24th February 2009

23rd February 2010

2010-02-23T08:40:00.000Z

Overcast and dull day. A really keen wind blows down betwen the hedges making it feel very chilly.

23rd February 2010

23rd February 2009

22nd February 2010

2010-02-22T08:44:00.000Z

22nd February 2010

22nd February 2009

21st February 2010

2010-02-21T08:55:00.000Z

In contrast to yesterday the sky was bright blue and wispy white clouds moved serenely overhead.

21st February 2010

21st February 2009

20th February 2010

2010-02-20T08:44:00.000Z

Skies such as this have a wonderful drama about them. Taken later in the day after a clear bright start with frost on the ground.

20th February 2010

20th February 2009

19th February 2010

2010-02-19T08:50:00.000Z

Blue sky with only an edge of cloud on the horizon. Frost dusts the grass in the centre of the track and the fields around us.

19th February 2010

19th February 2009

18th February 2010

2010-02-18T08:42:00.000Z

An overcast day with a really keen cold wind blowing.

18th February 2010

18th February 2009

17th February 2010

2010-02-17T08:50:00.000Z

17th February 2010

17th February 2009

16th February 2010

2010-02-16T08:43:00.001Z

The sky is deliciously bright blue with only some light cloud scattered around possibly portending showers that are promised for today.

The Giant Snowdrop is one of the earliest to flower in the garden. Quite possibly the variety Galanthus atkinsii .

16th February 2010

16th February 2009

15th February 2010

2010-02-15T08:45:00.000Z

15th February 2010

15th February 2009

14th February 2010

2010-02-14T08:44:00.000Z

14th February 2010

14th February 2009

13th February 2010

2010-02-13T08:40:00.000Z

13th February 2010

13th February 2009

12th February 2010

2010-02-12T08:50:00.000Z

12th February 2010

12th February 2009

11th February 2010

2010-02-11T08:45:00.000Z

Frost stiffens the ground once again after the temperature dropped quite low last night.

11th February 2010

11th February 2009

10th February 2010

2010-02-10T08:44:00.000Z

10th February 2010

10th February 2009

9th February 2010

2010-02-09T08:45:00.001Z

A Blackbird scuffs around in the undergrowth.

9th February 2010

9th February 2009

8th February 2010

2010-02-08T08:58:00.000Z

8th February 2010

8th February 2009

7th February 2010

2010-02-07T08:53:00.000Z

7th February 2010

7th February 2009

6th February 2010

2010-02-06T08:45:00.000Z

6th February 2010

6th February 2

5th February 2010

2010-02-05T08:41:00.000Z

5th February 2010

5th February 2009

4th February 2010

2010-02-04T08:40:00.000Z

The sky is overcast with dark cloud and a light rain falls.

4th February 2010

4th February 2009

3rd February 2010

2010-02-03T08:45:00.000Z

For the moment the rain has stopped. It's mild without any bitter cold that we have had. The sky is dull and leaden boding more rain to come later today and as the forecasters have promised.

3rd February 2010

3rd February 2009

2nd February 2010

2010-02-02T08:40:00.001Z

Rain has been falling through the night and continues lightly as I take the photo. All the snow has cleared away from yesterday. We are back to normal Pembrokeshire winter weather, mild and light rain. It's a treat to have it once again!

1st February 2010

2nd February 2009

1st February 2010

2010-02-01T08:40:00.000Z

Yesterday there was something of a thaw that took place reducing much of the snow around. But the last night the temperature once again dropped and left the remainder hard and crisp from the freeze.

1st February 2010

1st February 2009

31t January 2010

2010-01-31T08:52:00.000Z

The snow still lays around helped by the cold frosty night last night that froze the puddles in the track.

31st January 2010

31st January 2009

30th January 2010

2010-01-30T08:41:00.000Z

Once more the snow clouds have gathered over us and deposited a white layer over the Pembrokeshire landscape. this is very unusual for us. The past fall that we had laid around a lot longer than normal for this part of the country. The last time we had such a fall was over 20 years ago. Most other falls last a mere two days and then disappear.

This morning the snow had just started to fall as I prepared to go out to take the photo. It came on thicker and faster in a matter of minutes and the effect can be seen in this photo of the field.

30th January 2010

30th January 2009

29th January 2010

2010-01-29T08:40:00.000Z

29th January 2010

29th January 2009

28th January 2010

2010-01-28T08:44:00.000Z

28th January 2010

28th January 2009

27th January 2010

2010-01-27T08:40:00.000Z

27th January 2010

27th January 2009

26th January 2010

2010-01-26T08:57:00.000Z

26th January 2010

26th January 2009

25th January 2010

2010-01-25T08:50:00.000Z

25th January 2010

25th January 2009

24th January 2010

2010-01-24T08:42:00.000Z

24th January 2010

24th January 2009

23rd January 2010

2010-01-23T08:44:00.000Z

23rd January 2010

23rd January 2009

22nd January 2010

2010-01-22T08:45:00.000Z

22nd January 2010

22nd January 2009