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Tuesday 1 March 2011

Signs of Life

This is both a sign that we are still alive as well as nature waking up to a new growing season.  Apologies for the long gap in posting, but I had to go to see my parents as they had some health problems and needed urgent help.  So I was out of the country for a bit, but luckily my cousin was still here to hold the fort together with Susan and Eddie, the Beagle.

During my absence they aparently didn't have the best of weather (I experienced snow and sub-zero temperatures while in Germany), but still managed to make some progress with supporting more damaged terraces.  Rains did cause some more minor damage on some terraces we hadn't secured yet, but all in all I came home to a general improvement.


They also planted the potatoes while I was away:


In other news the pak choi in the older coldframe is doing well:


and Al & Capone the almond trees are in flower:


Spring is on it's way!  We are expecting another helper this week who is particularly keen on wild foods, so soon we'll be gathering our wild asparagus and other spring greens.  It's still cold, but an end is in sight.  This year better be an improvement on last...

10 comments:

chaiselongue said...

Good to hear you're back and I hope your parents are better. Spring is definitely on its way, even if we seem to go back towards winter some days. The almond blossom is a good sign of spring - it's beautiful.

Jan said...

Where did that month go!!!! Plenty of signs of spring in your photos. We just want some rain.... although I'm sure that you don't!

Mr. H. said...

So glad you are back, it looks as though your wife and cousin did a good job of holding the fort down while you were gone...your pac choi looks amazing. I guess those cold frames are working out pretty good for you. I like how you named your almond trees.:) Hope your parents are doing OK.

Anonymous said...

Your Pak Choi looks fabulous. When did you plant them Heiko and what growing tips can you share?

LindyLouMac said...

It is good to realise that Spring is at last close by, but I hope it arrives to stay a little earlier than it did last year. Sorry to hear about your parents health problems.

Heiko said...

Thanks everyone. My parents are much better, my Mum in particular, who was in hospital for a bit and who cares for my Dad who hasn't been well for some time.

On the pak choi, I sowed it into the cold frame in October, spacing them out in November. Lat month I took the lids off as slugs found it cosy and warm inside too. Can't grow brassica in summer to save my life. Too many hungry insects around.

Laura said...

Glad to hear your parents are doing better.
And I'll chime in with the pak choi admirers! My poor little spinach and escarole and struggling along under plastic, but the Chinese cabbage didn't make it :(

Veggie PAK said...

Glad to see you're back. I hope your parents get along in improved health. They did a lot of work while you were gone!

Kate said...

I am about to pick my almonds but not sure how long I should wait.... the possums and cockatoos are starting to eat them, even though they are green and just beginning to crack.

WeekendFarmer said...

great to see you back. hope all is well with parents!!!!!

love the cold frame. i better make one as well for some early arugula.

Happy Spring!!!!