I Think It Is Spring!

The clocks spring forward next Saturday and I’m really looking forward to the lighter evenings, I’ll be able to come home from work and spend an hour in the garden. I always feel very unfit by this time of year due to lack of exercise, I do try to walk to the pub as often as possible, even on the coldest nights, as I think that is a very healthy thing to do!

It has been a sunny weekend with temperatures up to 12 degrees but frosty overnight. There is still that background chill brought about by the cold north-east breeze off the sea. That cold breeze has dogged us for weeks now, as it often does at this time of year.

This weekend I’ve continued to tidy up the garden, clearing the dead stems of perennials and grasses. I prefer not to tidy the garden until Spring as I believe the dead stems etc. help give roots and buds some protection against the cold.

It’s good to see the Hosta’s starting to come through. The next 2 photographs show these new shoots, the first is Hosta ‘Sum & Substance’, the second is Hosta ‘ Forgotten Its Name’:

 

 

Gave the lawns their first cut of the year this weekend. The grass was very wet and the ground quite boggy in places, the rear lawn has a lot of moss in it which makes it difficult to get the mower through. I might try using some moss killer this year? Thing is, I think parts of the ‘lawn’ are pure moss so I could be left with just mud. The photo below, taken through the black canes of Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) show the newly mown lawn – notice the stripes!!

 

I took a couple more photos of the Black Bamboo and thought I would include them in this post. That’s all for now!

 

The Ides of March

Well, the Ides of March is actually on the 15 March  . . . .  But . . . . I’m close enough. I believe it is the day that Julias Caesar was murdered and I remember from school studying Shakespeare's Julias Caesar when Caesar is warned:  “Beware the Ides of March”

Anyway, I think it is Spring!

Took the above photo today of daffodils with their back to me, it is a Spring-like photo.

I’ve spent much of the day in the garden clearing-up the debris of winter and taking the ivy off the garage wall. The garage is was covered with ivy and it even grew across the garage roof. I quite like the ivy as it covered an otherwise bland brick-built garage that is situated in the back-garden. However, I’ve been aware for some time that the ivy roots have totally clogged what should be a prime bit of flower border making it difficult to grow anything (anything other than ivy). But the real motivation to get rid of the ivy was that the garage roof needs replacing - we’ve been meaning to get it done for years. I haven't contracted anybody to undertake the task yet, but – one step at a time. The garage roof and re-paving the driveway should be the final part in what has been extensive improvements to the Musa Mansion over the past year. (It will have to be the final part as the Musa Money is running out!)

Garden – Spring – blog – plants . . . . . exotic plants. I’m not going to talk about the losses and suspected losses that the garden has incurred due to the cold winter. It is too painful for me to think about, let alone write about. I expect in time as the sun warms the heart that I will be able to confront reality and once again wax lyrical about bananas, tree ferns and the like. But for now it is traditional for this blog to post some images of the frogs in the pond. They have been noisily celebrating Spring with gay abandon (I’m not sure if frogs can be gay – perhaps they just haven't come out yet?).

Bring on the Frogs of Spring! . . . . .

So, that’s the frogs over with for another year. What next?

Coming Soon - More Great Musa Posts

Feb 7th - 5 O'clock Sunset!

Happy February7th!

Today the sun sets at 5:00pm! It is possible to leave work in relative daylight.

Yeah, this blog has been a bit quiet. I've been busy but it has also been that time of year to just endure.

But - the frogs are active in the pond, I saw a bee yesterday, bulbs are near flowering, I've booked flights for a holiday in April . . . . . All good stuff!

Time to think of Spring and writing a bit more on this blog!

Is It Spring?

 

It’s the 16th of January and it is 15 degrees outside and the sun is shining! It is also Sunday. To celebrate, the author of this great blog sat outside, in the sunshine, drinking coffee!

Below is a rare photograph of the author. Note that in his right-hand is the control for the wireless shutter release. He even takes photos of himself! Yeah, I know – how sad!

So, it looks like Spring, it feels like Spring . . . . .  But . . . . .

“One swallow does not make a spring, nor does one fine day”   -   Aristotle

Mid January Garden

Today (15th Jan) I took delivery of a new compact camera – a Panasonic Lumix FS30. This camera is destined for my daughter’s forthcoming trek over the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The camera joins a growing portfolio of Musa cameras which include a Canon DSLR, a Canon G9 and a Canon D10 (underwater), however,  it was decided that our existing cameras are too valuable to risk on the trek. Armed with this new camera I ventured out into the Musa acres to test it out.

It is a cloudy, windy day and the garden looks rather drab, however, it is quite mild for January at about 9 degrees. At least the evergreen bamboos, Magnolia grandiflora, Cordyline and palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) give some structure to the garden. The Olive Tree (Olea europaea) still retains a good number of its silvery, grey-green leaves, they do not show-up well in the above photo (centre-left) but sparkle at night when lit by the garden spotlights.

 

 

 

The Tree Ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) look very battered by the recent very cold and snowy weather. The one pictured right has a 6ft high trunk, its frost-blackened, broken, dead fronds hang sadly down the sides of the trunk. The crown is stuffed with horticultural fleece in an attempt to give the growing point some protection whilst still allowing air to circulate and thus prevent rot. I’m thinking that I will leave the dead fronds hanging where they are as they might give the trunk some protection against the cold.

 

I do hope it survives and wonder what else this winter will throw at it!

 

 

I’m amazed that most of the succulents seem to have survived, so far. The photo below shows a group of 3 different Echeverias, some Sempervivums and an Aloe, they all seem OK. I cover this group of succulents with just a plastic propagator cover, this keeps the rain off but does next to nothing to protect against the recent sub-zero temperatures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [There’s a gap here and I can’t get rid of it. Sorry!

Scroll down for more interesting mid-January Musa news]

The photo on the right (taken today) shows a Pachyphytum bracteosum looking quite healthy, I said in a post in early September that I doubted it would survive winter.. Again this plant has just been protected by a piece of plastic and you would think that the moisture in its very succulent leaves would have frozen and burst its skin. Perhaps it has anti-freeze properties waiting to be discovered! Most books give the advice that this Mexican succulent is only hardy down to freezing but one article I read recently did say that it could withstand temperatures down to –4. However, it has been down to –12 in my garden just before Christmas.

 

The Agave also looks to have survived well so far. I should have moved it closer to the warmth of the house but it is a viscous plant and I prefer to not get too close to it!

It just sits there, unprotected, bad-tempered and  threatening! In a beautiful sort of way!

 

 

 

 

The daffodils are continuing to grow in the current mild weather showing the promise of Spring.

Also showing that this camera takes quite good shots even in the low light condition of today.

 

 

 

 

So – The Panasonic FS30 is a great camera for the price (£115) and I think should take some great shots of Morocco and the Atlas Mountains.

I just hope that my daughter gets to go on her trek. I wonder what will be the wider effects of the overthrow of the Tunisian regime will be on Morocco. I applaud the over-throw of the corrupt government of Tunisia and welcome the possibilities that other similar governments in the region may also fall. However, the selfish side of me hopes that my daughter and her school will get their holiday.

Last photo showing this camera’s ability to adapt to changes in lighting. In this case, a photograph inside looking out:

New Year Thoughts

Not resolutions!

It’s been a good weekend weather-wise although I must admit to not doing much outside. The weekend mainly consisted of shopping for trekking gear as my daughter is soon to go trekking in the Atlas Mountains (Morocco) with her school. All the stuff she needs costs a fortune!

I’ve tested out my new Manfrotto tripod, which I got for Christmas, and a few minutes ago took this shot of part of the garden:

I know I’m always taking the same shots and must get out more! But I like taking long-exposure night shots and this was just to test the new tripod. This is the view from the dining room windows, I’m so pleased that I invested in some good quality outside spotlights about 10 years ago, otherwise the view from the dining table at this time of year would just be blackness. I’m about to enjoy this view as we eat dinner and drink red wine (probably too much red wine). I’m also going to engage the family on the subject of our Easter holiday, need to get dates fixed so that I can book flights. I’ve already been in touch with the Arikanda Hotel in Adrasan, Turkey to let them know we are coming. I’m really childish about holidays and am already excited at the thought of going there, even though we have been to the same place many times before.

Monday tomorrow and back to work (Yuk). I always have the same feelings on Sunday evenings – I should have made more of the weekend – and – dread at thought of work! There is nothing else for it . . . . I shall have to go to the pub later tonight to extend the weekend as much as possible!

New Year

 

Happy New Year Everybody!

The temperature outside is 11 degrees and the sun is shining!

I know it is only early January but my thoughts are turning towards Spring. Sunset is already 15 minutes later than in mid-December!

 

 

As I look out the window, I can see the sun shining on the palm - Trachycarpus fortunei – which appears to have coped very well with the recent cold weather. I must remember, come the summer, that this palm actually appreciates regular watering and feeding.

 

 

I also noticed that the daffodils are starting to poke their noses above ground. It’s a long way yet before flowering but, at least, it is a sign that we are heading in the right direction. . . . . . Spring!

The succulents such as Echeverias seem to have survived so far, covered by plastic cloches. I’m not sure how well the less-hardy stuff has survived in the ‘small, plastic, temporary greenhouse’ – some of the plants look on the dead side!  The fronds of the Tree Ferns have turned black and been broken by the weight of the snow, only time will tell if they have survived.

I’m not sure what 2011 will bring but I suspect that I might be made redundant or get early retirement due to government cut-backs. This could be good news and open up new possibilities / opportunities. I’m thinking of a major garden re-design including possibly growing vegetables (I was an allotment holder for many years during the time that growing veg was not fashionable).

The thoughts of Spring have also lead me to think of holidays! Today, I’ve emailed my friends at ‘The Arikanda River Garden Hotel’, Adrasan, Turkey,  to tentatively book a couple of rooms in April. I know it seems rather boring to keep going back to the same old place but I’m really looking forward to relaxing (probably with a beer) at the Arikanda amongst beautiful scenery, with a great bunch of people in hopefully warm weather. I can’t wait!

(If anyone wants more information on the Arikanda River Garden, Adrasan, then use the link in the right-hand column of this blog or I’m happy to answer any questions / supply more information. And no – I’m not on any commission!)

Christmas Nearly Over

I think its been a good Christmas! The Musa family have had 3 days of entertaining (and probably drinking far too much!) and today are relaxing and recovering before going back to work tomorrow.

The picture on the left is a rare photograph of me, taken yesterday whilst I was out surveying the acres. And yes! I can now get out in the garden because we have had the new back door / window fitted!

Today, the ice on the pond has started to thaw and I’m pleased to see that Wattle, my goldfish, looks well, as does the herd of minnows.

For Christmas I got a new weather station as my current one is beginning to lose its LED display. I also got a new Manfrotto tripod for my camera and it really looks professional (unlike my photos).

I employed a theme of environmental conscience and recycling for my presents to Mrs Musa. They included a necklace made from electrical resistors, a necklace made from recycled magazines, earrings cut from the backs of old tea-spoons and a bracelet made from a dinning fork. These may seem strange but, in fact, look fabulous. I could tell that Mrs Musa was impressed!

 

The cold weather has meant that we have been able to keep bottles chilled by putting them outside. This relieves the pressure on our over-stocked fridge. The photo on the right shows a bottle of bubbly being kept chilled on an outside table. I added some snow around its base to ensure coolness. (I also added a glass for effect!)

It is too early to know what damage the exceptionally low temperatures have caused to plants in the garden. I’m keeping positive though.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally . . . . Happy New Year to all the mad people who read this blog!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

Merry Christmas to all the readers of The Musa Blog!

Also . . . . . .  Merry Christmas to Wendy and Kevin - Hope you have a good one!

Rob

Festive Pineapple

As promised, here is a photo of my decorated pineapple, pictured as the centrepiece of a festive table decoration:

I’ve decorated the pineapple in traditional manner with baubles and lights – I’ve not used tinsel as this is perhaps a tad OTT. The pineapple is set within a discreet and tasteful tableau of 2 Father Christmases (is there a collective noun?),  2 festive clockwork gnomes, 2 festive clockwork snails and a festive glass reindeer candle holder. I think you will agree that this decoration will give a certain air of sophistication to any Christmas table without being too garish. If one’s guests prefer a livelier table decoration then both Father Christmases can, at a flick of their switches, dance and sing, one of them is even sound activated! Of course, the gnomes and snails could, once wound, roam about the table to the delight of all. But – it is the pineapple that really steals the festive show!

Give someone you love a pineapple this year

Christmas Gift Ideas

 

It’s getting very close to Christmas and for all Musa Blog readers here are the Top 2 Musa Gift Suggestions:

1) An Electronic Weather Station

I’ve owned one of these for the past 10 years and I look at it every single day of the year. These ‘Weather Stations’ show the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature and usually indicate if each measure is rising or falling. The really cool thing is that they have a wireless temperature sensor for outdoors, this means that you can check the outside temperature from the comfort of your kitchen (or wherever you place the main unit). A ‘Weather Station’ is a particularly good gift for anyone vaguely interested in gardening. They can be bought from most electrical retailers and prices typically range from £20 to £45.

2) A Pineapple

This is a great gift idea! A pineapple is cheap; available in all supermarkets; it’s weight makes it an impressive gift when wrapped.

Did you know? . . . . . Pineapple is the only edible bromeliad!

A pineapple is multi-functional and has 3 main uses:

• It makes a really good Christmas decoration and is a good substitute for a tree. (I’ll post a photo of my pineapple when I’ve decorated it!)
• You can eat it.
• And . . .  after eating the pineapple, it is possible to plant the topknot and grow a pineapple plant! Another great gift for the gardener! Of course, it needs to grow indoors but can be put outside in the warmest summer months. The following are details of how to grow a pineapple plant, I must admit that I got these details from the web and now can’t remember from which site, so apologies if I am breaching copyright. Also, I’ve never tried this myself.

 

1 Pick a pineapple with a healthy green topknot. Cut this off about 2cm from the top of the fruit.

2 Trim off all the fleshy fruit and cut around the base to leave the clean central core surrounded by leaves.

 
 3 Carefully peel away leaf after leaf to reveal a length of stem. This is where the roots will develop from.

 

4 Finally, trim the base of the stem neatly, just below the leaf scars, removing all the white stem tissue

5 Fill a pot with gritty compost, then position the topknot in the centre, firming more compost around it.

6 Place it in a warm, bright position to root. New leaves will soon form in the centre of the topknot.

Christmas is coming . . .

Temperatures have been down to –12 in my garden. I fear I may have lost my Tree Ferns, palms and lots of other stuff. Getting to work has been challenging in the snow. I’m on leave today as I had arranged for the patio doors to be replaced today and I’ve just learnt that the fitting company’s vans are stuck in the snow! So – I still can’t easily get out into the garden. I just hope that the plumber that is also due to come today will get here and fix our downstairs loo.

BUT . . . . .  Christmas is coming and I’m quite excited! I also love the snow! I went to the pub last night and on the way took a photo of the snowy scene in our town (below). I also took some photos on the way home from the pub when the snow was deeper but these turned out rather blurred?!