This weekend was perfect for pottering and planting in the garden. It felt so good to be out there in a fleece and wellies. I ordered bulbs from here, here and here. Tulips, muscari, ranunculus for the garden and amaryllis and paperwhites for indoors.
They don't look very attractive at the moment on the windowsill, but hopefully will start producing some green leaves soon. My amaryllis last year were a great success and this year I went for something a little less obvious -- Lima.
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| Photo credit Parkers Wholesale |
Helping me out in the garden are my three pretty new hens. I bought them last weekend and for the last couple of days they have been slowly exploring the garden.
I lost my two new girls to a fox in the summer, which was a bit traumatic and I vowed not to get another white chicken for gory reasons that I won't elaborate on here. However, I was convinced otherwise by the very knowledgable chicken man at Thornes that I would love having a bowl of pinky white eggs laid by the Coral hen on the left there, who I have named Daphne. When they all start to lay, I should have eggs of different colours from each of them. Things like that make me very happy indeed!
Anyway, back to the bulb planting. Protective measures have been implemented to stop all my promise of a colourful spring being ruined. Again, not particularly attractive...
... but necessary because if it's not squirrels stashing acorns, it's the ever curious new girls on the block.
Still a couple of hundred bulbs still to plant in my raised beds that will purely be for cutting, along with the seedlings I have got from the course. Just a bit of leaf raking and a bonfire or two to put the garden to bed for the winter and I'm done for the year I reckon.
Oooh, hens and bulbs - a brave combination! I'm glad you bought chicken wire too. I love the idea of the garden being ready for the winter ahead - you have inspired me to put on wellies and fleece too.
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My bulbs are awaiting a free moment to go in the ground. Though my neighbour has been very rude about my new raised bed, I like it and he can eat humble pie when it is stuffed with beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of different colour eggs.
Already looking forward to spring bulb pictures. And a big welcome to the new girls in the garden! K x
ReplyDeleteooh new hens how lovely. we have a coral hen, she lays very pretty eggs, and it's great to know whose are whose. xxx
ReplyDeleteI love your new girls - and it is nice to have different coloured eggs. Your garden is going to look so beautiful next year - ours is a bit ragged at the moment.
ReplyDeletePomona x
Very pretty new hens... we got our girls from Thornes.
ReplyDeleteThat whole post has put a big smile on my face.
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That amyryllis looks stunning TRacy - I might have to follow your example and buy a couple.
ReplyDeleteLike Ali, I have bulbs waiting patiently to be planted.
I raise a wing to your new hen ladies.
There are bulbs (and a small tree) awaiting planting here so thanks for the reminder. I do envy you your multi coloured freshly laid eggs. We bought a dozen from a farm when we were out and about and every one was a double yolker.
ReplyDeleteoh you're so good.
ReplyDeleteI'm buying bulbs tomorrow... but I'm paying someone to plant them!!!
How bad is that?
Oh I do love your new ladies and Daphne is the most perfect name for your pretty white one. Good luck with the continuing bulb planting - looking forward to seeing your wonderful garden come springtime x
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