The Harbills Are Away

Our cabin on the Edenhall Estate

As a slight divergence from our normal post, we cannot resist a mention of our rather blissful holiday in the Eden Valley. There were no vegetables and, contrary to our own garden, not a sparrow in sight.

There was however, a stunning log cabin set on the River Eamont.

The River Eamont

We saw: jays, an otter, a kingfisher, a sparrowhawk, a songthrush, a grey wagtail, oystercatchers, a 2lb brown trout (brilliantly caught by Billy)...

And, a red squirrel

Bi-no-diversity

Much as Muffin's demise was distressing, we have recently noticed a resurgence of birdlife in the garden; we've been having regular visits from songthrushes, bluetits, goldfinches and greenfinches, to name but a few.

When Springwatch announced their garden biodiversity survey (the Bioblitz), we felt that we were the ideal participants and so this Sunday, armed with camera, binoculars, clipboard and a plethora of reference books we set up camp in the garden.

It started well with a sighting of a sparrow.

Passer domesticus

And then there were two!

Passer domesticus

Later on we set up our camera aimed to capture the greenfinches that we had seen the previous day. And lo and behold, what was this we saw?

Passer domesticus

Another sparrow.

So, we decided to focus our attention on the bird feeder. Surely this would bring some variety...

Passer domesticus

The Harbills decided not to upload their results to the Bioblitz website.

Harbill's Garden: The Return. This Time it's Perennial

We're back.

This time last year, we were writing about our broad beans and potatoes which were flourishing. This year, all we have planted are broad beans and potatoes and they are scarcely showing.

But let's focus on the positives. There are a few more permanent things that are doing quite well in our garden:

The bulbs that we planted last autumn have been a success: We have tulips in red, white and pink/purple (the Harbills cannot agree on the colour of the one below).

And a multitude of daffodils

We also planted some daffodils in our new border that was created last year, which should look stunning when the oxe eye daisies come out.

And no, the little chap that you see in the bottom corner is not a garden gnome. It's Ferdy, another perennial we grew last year...

Born To Be Wild

Due to the adverse weather we haven't been spending much time in the garden but rest assured, our various seedlings are poised and ready to go out. The squash (7 types this year), courgettes, chilli, cucumbers, runners and dwarf beans are currently occupying all south facing window space in the house.

However, the veg plots aren't completely empty. Our potatoes have started coming up:

We think that these are our pink fir apples

And the broad beans (planted in the autumn) are flowering:

But, as per usual, the most prolific plants in our garden seem to be those that we have had nothing to do with, the wild flowers. We have never seen so many bluebells (apart from in Bluebell Wood):

The primroses and forget-me-nots, that seem to have come from nowhere, are, well... unforgettable:

We like primroses because the remind us of our favourite crisps: Skips

Most successful however, seems to be this little yellow flower that crops up everywhere, even when it is mowed over. Can anyone identify what it could be....???

On a sadder note, we are sorry to say that Muffin seems to have gone missing. We have had a very miserable week looking for her, to no avail. We like to think that she has completed her training and decided that domestic life is not for her; it was time for her to move on and try her luck in the wilds of the Midlands. Every good parent has to learn to let go...

Good luck Muffin, our door/cat flap will always be open!

Hocus Crocus

Spring phase one has come to Harbill's Garden.

Going Snowhere

Pictures of the garden this weekend:

The garden yesterday afternoon

The garden today

Leeks, Shoots and Leaves

A belated happy new year to all of our Blogciples!

For the Harbills, the new year brings fresh hopes for a bountiful harvest. We are already imagining baskets brimming with luscious red tomatoes, enormous, crisp runner beans and squash the size of footballs. But let's not get too carried away, first we have to grow them and the process began yesterday with our first batch of leek seeds.

As you might expect at this time of year, the garden looks devoid of all life:

But if you look a little closer...

..you can see Primula pushing through the dead leaves.

And the crocus and daffodil shoots (planted together in two layers) are coming up:

We mentioned our broad beans before Christmas. They seem to be still growing, the leaves in tact and unaffected by frost so far, so will hopefully give us an early crop.

Unlike the garden, Muffin, who has spent most of the winter asleep, is still asleep.