April showers? Yeah right. We need rain. I’ve resorted to sprinkling the lawn already, though the Textiliste has given it a provisional green light, what with the nuptials later this year. So I’m not having to sneak out undercover of darkness. The price is I have to fill watering cans with the cold water run off every time I run a hot tap, waiting for the hot water to emerge. She uses that on her many and various seedlings and tubs. Which is worth it given that the sunny and reasonably warmish days have been counterpointed by freakishly chilly nights. Cold April nights since frosty the snowman got a residency at the Ice Cafe or some such.
There are upsides to the chill, with the provision that the frosts -and there have been a few – are on the mild and short side, delaying rather than damaging the new season’s growth. We are a long way behind where we were last year, when April saw temperatures in the 20s. The corollary was that a lot of plants suffered from peaking too soon and our apple crop was nothing short of a disgrace. The magnolias are still blooming as are the camellias and the apple blossom has appeared in the last week, for which I’m grateful for the work done in early march in pruning the tree. Even some daffodils have made it this far which is very unusual.
We cleaned out the pond to create space for the existing irises and to give us room for a peace lily. Lots of spawn and a few hardy newts already showing.
The lawn has had its spring prep and looks pretty good, assuming that’s not a hostage to fortune.
And in other news the interview panel has been in sessions…
Vicky the tortoise is moving around…
and of course Dog is here, there and everywhere…
TanGental 
All.looking glorious!
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Dog and Vicky sure know how to live! Such lovely surroundings.
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They do seem quite happy with their lot…
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What now you have a bloody beach and sea in your garden….that’s it ! The panel are out they all look half cut anyway!
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Look at those flowers. Wow. It’s even too cold for weeds here….
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But when you do blossom, you explode…
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Whatever you’re doing, or why, it all looks disgustingly lovely and healthy.
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So far so good but I do fear the peak too soon conundrum
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This is not a proper garden…….I can’t see any weeds anywhere!
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It doubles as a park and we ask the weeds to go to the pub for an hour when taking the pictures…
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You must have Irish heritage!
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The garden is really blooming! And Dog has the best of it! What will you do after the wedding?
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Sleep… perchance to dream. Actually we do have pretty big plans to make a larger wildflower, insect friendly area plus finish my water capture plans…
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There are lots of butterfly-attracting bushes, but you also might think about bushes birds would like and put up some bird feeders for your entertainment – and it IS good entertainment!
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Looking fabulous! This will be an amazing wedding. I see some of the guests have arrived already to grab the good seats. Will dog be part of the wedding party?
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Sadly a request to let him stay calm and not exercise his greeting skills means he will be staying with some friends… probably wise, in truth…
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“Wot, Dad – you said the lawn needed rolling!” – Dog
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