Saturday 21 April 2018

Gardens and all things weather.

I seem to have recaptured the gardening bug since the warmer weather came - within the bounds of my capability at any rate (I can't walk without a stick and my garden is on a slope with steps) - but parts of it are beginning to look quite presentable.  I am buying some plants each week and what I can plant I am putting in for myself - others are waiting for my gardener to plant.

My front lawn seems to be a haven for dandelions.   But as my neighbour H says - we do back on to a grass field and dandelions host thousands of seeds so the result is inevitable really.  When I took Tess for her early morning walk today I picked the heads off ten dandelions as I crossed the lawn (yes, I know they are pretty when they are in flower, but think of the seeds I am preventing from floating about in a couple of weeks).   An hour later I went out to drive into town and was able to pick another fourteen heads on my way to the car.   Now, looking out of the sitting room window there are at least as many again shouting to be picked, so out I shall go when I have finished here.

I think I speak for us all here in the UK when I say we feel better for a few days of warm and sunny weather.   In fact I think I shall take my lunch out on to the patio to eat - and if this weather carries on I shall shortly be out and about looking for a bench to sit on out there.

24 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

Shame on you Pat, dandelions are a valuable food source for bees, especially early in the season when flowers are at a premium.

Tom Stephenson said...

Maybe Spring has finally arrived!

Pipistrello said...

One year's seeding is seven years' weeding! Always pops into my head when I see a weed in flower.

Sue in Suffolk said...

When life gives you dandelions - eat the small leaves and make wine from the flowers!

Granny Sue said...

A lady I met this week told me how she prepares dandelion flowers for eating! I wrote about it on my blog--I'd never heard of eating the flowers although I have eaten the leaves in salads and they are quite good.

Lovely weather here in the US yesterday and today looks the same. We might go out for a drive.

Gwil W said...

You could specialize in dandelions. Start with dandelion and burdock. I used to drink gallons of the stuff. And also nettle beer which was always on sale in Heysham.

Rachel Phillips said...

The dandelion leaves make a good dandelion tea. I am drinking it as a tonic at the moment whilst the leaves are young and fresh.

Jill said...

Spring is lovely every year. I forget how wonderful it is sometimes and like a gift it returns. This winter has been brutal. I'm in MN in the states, and we had a blizzard with over a foot of snow last weekend. Now it is beautiful and we have survived to see another spring.

Carol said...

My father felt the same way about dandelions and paid my brother and me for each flower we picked. (I think it was 1 cent for each 5 or maybe 10 flowers--we did not become wealthy children from this enterprise, but there was a little penny candy involved.)

Anonymous said...

We saw a nice wooden two seater bench in House and Home on the market place this morning Pat.
I was looking round and remembering your blog about everyone wearing bright coloured rain clothes a few weeks ago.
This weather is amazing isn't it!
Sue

angryparsnip said...

So happy to hear your weather is nice, sun out and you were able to do a bit of gardening.

cheers, parsnip

the veg artist said...

I've sat out this week with a book, the cat curled up on the hot stones at my feet. It was wonderful! Today, I've pricked out tomato seedlings to grow on before planting into large pots in the greenhouse. Husband is out with a mower giving the first cut as I type. What a difference a bit of sun makes!

Joanne Noragon said...

This winter was tough on all of us. Spring owes us.

donna baker said...

Pick away Pat. I tried the root for tea and it tasted terrible. Makes me remember making wishes then blowing away. I am so glad it is warming there. Here too.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

All those commenters with recipes for dandelions could live like kings down my road as we have more than enough. Very satisfying though when you're able to pull out a good long root. We've just had a sharp shower though another warmish day promised for tomorrow. Then we're back to "normal" weather - whatever that means in this country!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Beachcomber - why didn't you let me know you were around? I would have loved to have met you for coffee. Are you here all week? If so try and find time to meet or to call in. Contact me via my blog.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

Seconded for the bees, the big buff tail and red tail queens love dandelions this time of year

Anonymous said...

I have emailed you Pat.
Hope that's what you meant.
Sue

diana said...

I have read the dandelions should be left in the spring because they feed the bees until more plants bloom. Might give you a reason to love them.

Heather said...

I loved having lunch in the garden when the weather was right. If you pick enough dandelion flowers you could make a very pleasant wine from them.

Sarah said...

Our new lawn (we moved house on Wednesday) is awash with dandelions and daisies which may be why we have so many bees buzzing around. I need a tonic after the stress of moving so I think tomorrow I will pick some young leaves for tea. We are experiencing a tremendous thunderstorm at the moment, hopefully giving all my plants in pots that I brought from the old house a good soaking. I’m missing my water butt and allotment asparagus but otherwise all is well.

Cro Magnon said...

We too have been eating outdoors, and the BBQ has been working overtime. I hope it lasts, although my veg' garden is looking very dry.

cocoya said...

So happy to hear your weather is nice, sun out and you were able to do a bit of gardening.
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SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Bees are, in fact, becoming so scarce that I'm even willing to ignore any weeds I find. But I claim the right to make one daisy chain every summer.