What have you done today in the Garden?

Say Clay— how long does it take for those seeds to germinate where you live?

 

Too wet for gardening, but I did some related shopping. I bought some Hedgehog food, from Pets Are Us, which was reduced in price, don't know why, they're only just coming out of hibernation.

I also bought some, "Grass Gains," for £7.50 (less than half retail price) from the local Homebase, which is closing on Saturday and being replaced by B&Q.


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My search for brick setts goes on. To remake the ones around the smaller of our two acers.

The nearest I've found are these from a brickyard 20 miles away at 80p each.






Or these at £1.85 from B&Q. "Your local rip-off merchants."





"It's just lawn edging." I'll leave getting the cheaper ones for a couple of weeks.


I've linked another hedgehog video from last year, to my, "Build a Better Hedgehog Feeder" on my YouTube Channel
It's of the old feeder, but demonstrates how a 4" pipe entrance, is quite acceptable to those hedgehogs who used it.




I bought a replacement corded drill on eBay, (for the one which went U/S when drilling the hedgehog doorway) knowing it wouldn't come with a case, just in a cardboard box. But I thought it deserved a case rather than being stuck in a cupboard. So I looked on eBay and saw this and thought it had possibilities.





For what it was originally used, I had no idea, as it had two hard foam plastic inserts that completely filled both halves. It arrived this afternoon. So with a hacksaw blade and "a bit of fettling," I now have a case for my drill.





Maybe I've too much time on my hands?

 

You are very good with your hands!

 

I did a little in the garden. A little more smoothing and filling in of the final raised bed.

We went to the farm store. I asked yesterday, they said they would get a shipment of baby chickens to start selling at noon today. There was quite a line.



They had some varieties that are good egg producers. We bought two Americauna and two brown Leghorns.



They are warming up in a bin in the sunroom now.

If weather is good tomorrow, I want to start renovating the rose garden. Also a bit of puttering in the vegetable garden. And there are more onion sets to plant.

While at the farm store, I bought these.



and these



The farm store didn't have onion sets. I'm glad I bought them earlier.

This year I want to grow a more diverse kitchen garden, but less of most items.

 

@Sjoed too cold outside starting indoors 5-20 days depending on the flower. Today I did the cold stratification method in an old plastic gallon milk jug with milkweed.

 

Our neighbors grow organic produce & have free range chicken eggs. They deliver eggs to local restaurant's since the shortage. I am spoiled and appreciate all the work they do to keep the farm up and running with so much lovely produce to choose from every year. It’s a 24/7 job 12 months a year and so nice to get fresh produce every year without all the effort. I miss growing my own at a certain time in life it has been one thing I have had to let go .

Awww @Daniel W your new chicks are so cute and gonna keep you plenty buzzzy and outta trouble for awhile. Stay vigilant with keeping them safe. I know they are in good hands and lucky to be in your backyard chicken farm.
And a lot of good choices of bulbs and seeds too.

I wonder if space warranted maybe a couple of ducks or chicks for Easter gifts instead of eggs would do. Due to all the limited availability and price rise to make hard boiled chicken eggs it could be more economical to offer other prizes for the annual Easter egg hunts . Due to shortages and prices of eggs it will be hard not to have chicken eggs for decorating this season, I will miss that. It’s the little things I miss most. Even chicks are becoming more costly and less available. Of course I have been known to never turn down a chocolate Easter egg.

Every Easter season my friends get together and we make Easter baskets for the children at the abused women’s shelter in our local city. This year we will use plastic Easter eggs of different sizes to fill with goodies. Remember the pantyhose company that sold them in giant sized white plastic eggs? One of the gals found some of those eggs on ETSY and all marked as vintage by the brand ‘Leggs’ where pantyhose are tucked inside those huge white plastic eggs. Cost from $13 to $20 each. Well that’s out.. Uh and they were ALL labeled Vintage . WOW !!! That was an ego-bruzer. Vintage…? I recant my memory of any knowledge of ‘Leggs’ pantyhose sold inside plastic eggs.

I will have to put my seedlings in a plastic half egg shells instead of real egg shells. Usually I’ll add seedling starts in real half egg shells positioned in egg cartons where all the children have to do is just pluck the egg shell from the carton and plant the whole thing as is. We also add donated food , toys and clothing.

 

Hubby's been clearing the ivy that has grown through the hellebores and pulling up the stinging nettles, i had to wash my hair.

But it's very windy but mild.

 

Ooo that dreaded evil ivy… it is so hard to get rid of. It’s another battle here too.