Is it Spring yet?

Its a beautiful day today, the grey clouds of this morning have blown away leaving us with blue sky. We have yet to see the cold winter weather which seems to have confused a number of plants. A clematis in my garden has new growth and have seem daffodils and crocus in flower, All a bit topsy turvy really! It seems to be that winter comes a bit later and am finding February and March can be incredibly cold - though I doubt anything near what the US have had in recent weeks. Those freezing temperatures  - caused by the polar vortex (check out wikipedia for more info!) - have had effect on us here in Blighty, causing storms and very strong winds, a number of areas suffered flooding, some parts still under water. There has been some local flooding too, luckily we have not been affected. I wonder what the next 2 months will bring?

I am now starting to plan the veggie garden, deciding what to grow. My beetroot did really well last year so will have another go. I grew 'Bolthardy', a reliable variety. Tempted to try some yellow varietes as well. For the first time last year I grew pea beans, havent come across them before, but the seeds looked so pretty I couldnt resist. A versatile crop, use the pods when young, or leave until the beans inside are swollen and use them fresh or dry them for later on. We did this and they are a lovely textured and flavoursome bean.

Pea Bean Pods

Dried Pea Beans

Not sure what else I will grow, though will include squash, spuds and salad crops. Hmm think its time to dig out the seed catalogue. Best put the kettle on then!

A few handmade bits and pieces

All available to purchase, just let me know. Any helpful comments are welcome :)

Jam Jar Covers! Great Recycling,  Use As Vases Too

Soft, Colourful Scarf

Handy (!) Fingerless Mitts

Pretty Rose Hairgrip

Sweet Brooch

Hanging Star

Felt Individuowls!

Take a look ...

I have just set up a facebook page to show off my crochet, as well as other crafts, just in case you are interested! If you like it, please like it!!

https://www.facebook.com/Loopylou72

Enjoy

Whats In store for 2014?

Anyone made a new years resolution? Mines always the same and I forget it within days!! Get fit, lose weight, same as many other people I guess. Theres always next year!

I do have many things to do in the garden this year, with help from himself of course.

A number of fence panels have blown done in the gales we have had in recent weeks so will need replacing. I would prefer to take out all fencing and replace with hedging but thats a big job and I know we won't have the time so fencing it is! So glad we had the 40ft or more high Eucalyptus felled before the storms, it had already given our neighbours one large branch, thankfully missing their greenhouse!

I want to overhall our lawned area, its a small round lawn surrounded with various plants, done in a bit of a rush - time is always a problem here, we have to put our customers first of course. Unfortunately our garden is rather neglected. I keep getting promises of manpower to help but it never happens, something else always takes priority.

So, maybe this year I will get help. The lawn needs to be relaid, the first time we did it the weather was against us and the turves were frozen. There was nothing we could do except lay it and hope for the best, but it did not work well so we need to relay. I will place stepping stones where we walk across the lawn to get to the rest of the garden. My husband has some leftover limestone slabs which will be ideal. I'm also going to rearrange the planting so I can squeeze even more herbaceous plants in!

The raised veg beds need topping up with manure and compost which is no easy task. Our garden is on a steep slope, thankfully terraced but theres a number of steps to tackle to reach it. Well, good luck with that Husband!!! Hmmm, this could be a job for one of my subcontractors!!

Not only is the garden in need of work, so is our basement office. We have spent the last few days moving everything out and up two flights of stairs to the temporary office in our spare room so we can plaster the office ceiling which has a lot of holes after our electrician fitted spotlights. We are also laying wood flooring to replace the disgusting carpet which was here when we moved in. This could take some time as the glue holding down the carpet needs removing before we can lay the floor. Thats 25 square metres of scraping!!

Well thats the next two months dealt with, oh yes, we need to fit in paid work too!!!
Lets get busy :)

Happy New Year!!

Well, I did mean to say happy Christmas last week but forgot to publish the post! So hope you all have a fab party tonight. Myself and himself will be at home avoiding the parties and having a quiet one.

I do intend to get back into regular postings so keep checking in - to make it easier, just sign up!

Heres to a fantastic 2014 :)

2000 Hit Challenge

Well, at the moment I have had 1931 hits, can I get to 2000 for Christmas?? Wouldn't that be a nice pressie!

Hmmm, presents, that annual problem. Have to say am not very good at choosing gifts and am not one for enjoyng shopping trips, so its a difficult time!

Luckily I am able to make gifts, theres at least one crochet pressie being created at the mo (its ok, the recipient already knows!). Have a few other ideas up my sleeve, but I guess I better not share as family and friends may read this.

So, get on viewing, only 69 hits to go.....

Apologies for my lack of posts

Its been very busy here at the Dartmoor Gardeners HQ and I just haven't had the time to post. Have you missed me?? I have an alternative occupation that has filled a lot of my time heading up to Christmas - crochet!

I have been selling my crochet work (or trying to!) at a few flea markets recently. Not gone as well as I had hoped, but I will keep trying. It has taken over everything these last few weeks, including my blog. One more Xmas fair on Saturday then thats it til next year. Phew!

Here's some of my work

Wrist warmers, stars and a scarf

Mug cosies, great for gardeners, keeping tea warm!

And some felt owls that I'm really pleased with.

Its a start! I will be creating more crafts, having loads of ideas, just need the time! I am hoping to get a facebook page done over the weekend - will give you a link as soon as!