Natural time out in the garden

My post for Easter will focus on taking some time out in the garden. Something that can benefit us all for a boost to our wellbeing.

Whether this is simply watching the bees on our flowers or gazing into a wildlife pond.

I full intend to do plenty of both over Easter. Naturally, there will be some gardening too, of course.

Clearly, having thirty two varieties of cosmos and eight of zinnia in Favolosa, the greenhouse, means plenty of pricking out and potting on. However, I shall also potter about, with my chickens in tow and enjoy the sights and sounds in my garden. Remus Nautilus, my black cat will be pottering with me too.

Although, my pottering plans may go awry, depending on the weather.

And here is the latest from the met Office for the UK. Easter weekend is likely to be unsettled with rain or showers in most regions at times, but also some drier and brighter spells.

Fingers crossed for plenty of brighter spells for us all. Pretty please!

Pottering in the garden

My first photo shows a couple of my cheeky rescue hens fiddling about in a flower border earlier this week.

I suspect there will be plenty more of this going on over Easter. Pickle Pixie Pantaloon has been spotted, pottering into a border to do something.

Possibly some weeding or snoozing or maybe a dust bath with Rafaela who pottered over there first.

I might have to potter in there too and remove a few weeds. On the positive side, if there is some rain, the weeds will be easier to remove.

Ultimately, once thoroughly weeded, I could then sow some hardy annual seeds in the border. Now, that would be an Easter treat for me.

If you need some seeds, I have given links below for Thompson and Morgan and Sarah Raven, where I purchase most of mine.

Click here for Thompson and Morgan seed options.

And click here for Sarah Raven seed options

Watching the bees

My next photo shows a lovely bumble bee on my comfrey flowers, earlier this week.

I intend to spend plenty of time watching the bees, busily buzzing from flower to flower on all my comfrey plants.

Although comfrey can be a bit of a thug, the bees love it. I take out some self seeded plants every year, but still leave plenty to flower.

Once the flowers have finished, I try to remove most of the plants before they set seed with abandon!

Despite needing to control the plants, they provide nectar and pollen for bees, so are well worth growing in the garden.

In addition, the leaves can be used to make comfrey feed. However, be warned, the smell is pretty potent, so it is best to have a lid on the container you will use. 

For a step by step guide to making a comfrey feed, featuring Monty Don, see the link below.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-make-a-comfrey-feed/

Pond watching in the garden

My next photo is my largest wildlife pond which is currently home to some breeding newts.

I fully intend to spend time flopped on the ground, gazing into my ponds.

Especially, this top pond as it is teaming with life at the moment.

The smooth newts are breeding, which is fascinating to watch. During the breeding season, males develop a wavy crest along their backs. In order to attract the females, the wavy crest and tail is waved around in a fabulous courtship dance.

Naturally, the females are as impressed as I am, and a new generation of newts gets underway.

My title for this post comes from my lovely friend, The Chief Gardener. He was talking about wildlife ponds and said “You can sit there for ages just looking. Not a lot happens, but they give you that natural time out”

How true, and what a great phrase.

I have given a link below to one of my wildlife pond posts, which also features the Chief Gardener’s new pond, if you would like to take a look.

The beautiful diversity of wildlife ponds

A little potting on

Time for another Easter treat. Almost all my cosmos has two sets of leaves and is therefore ready for some pricking out and potting on action.

Thankfully, I love potting on all my seedlings. However, I know that this is not a favourite task for everyone.

In particular, it can be rather fiddly, gently easing out a plant, holding by a leaf, and potting into small pots. But I enjoy this part of the great seed sowing extravaganza.

Clearly, I must, to have so many seedlings ready for pricking out and potting on.

Furthermore, the process ensures I will have strapping, healthy plants, to plant out in the garden after the last frosts.

In addition, all the cosmos and zinnia blooms will feed the pollinators, as well as giving me some fabulous colour in my garden.

Relaxing in the garden

Naturally, if there are bright spells over Easter, I might have to utilise my sun lounger.

Clearly, my beautiful black cat, Remus Nautilus, might have to budge up a bit.

Wish me luck, finding space not occupied by Remus Naught or the chickens!

Well, it looks like I have an action plan and an inaction plan for Easter.

I hope that you also enjoy Easter. Whether you are pottering about, gazing into a pond, watching the wildlife, or gardening, do have fun.

The photo at the top of this post shows Pickle Pixie Pantaloon checking out some of my gorgeous hyacinths, in between some vigorous weeding operations. Let’s all take some natural time out too, and hopefully see and smell some beautiful flowers.

Beautiful robins

I couldn’t resist adding this photo I took this morning. Looks like I will be spending plenty of time watching this beautiful pair over Easter and beyond.

Do let me know your plans for Easter, if you are happy to share.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and will join my next time, when I might well be talking new dahlias, or possibly tulips, with my dear friend, the Cosmos Queen.

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