Spring Equinox

Today is the day we have been waiting for. Today is the Spring Equinox and the first day of Spring. Not that we really need an official day, many of us will already have been in the garden and started sowing for the new season, but it is nice when today comes along. A season of hope and amazement.

I'll be trying to educate my son later, telling him about today, heres the science bit :-)

  Equinox translates from Latin to English as 'equal night'. Supposedly today will have equal night and day, this isn't strictly true, but I'm not going to spoil the meaning of today. At 16.57 GMT the Sun will pass over the equator and the Earth's axis will neither tilt towards or away from the Sun. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, this our Spring Equinox.  Down in the Southern Hemisphere its their Autumnal Equinox.

But for us gardeners and our weird British weather, many of us will be forgiven for thinking Spring was already here. Spring bulbs are flowering,  theres Blossom on the trees and this last week or two has seen some beautiful weather.

But lets just stick with tradition and what today means. The day of rebirth and the start of a season :-)

Plant Black List and Japanese Knotweed

Last year I saw a news article about the EU banning plants that did not have botanical names, meaning that unless someone took time and money to invest in having hundreds, thousands and maybe more plants registered, then we could potentially lose some garden favourites.

Now, there has been another item in the news. The plant ‘Black List’. This is again from the EU. In essence, what the problem is here is that, quite rightly, certain plants should not be allowed to be owned, transported and basically spread around. Plants like the very invasive Japanese Knotweed. A plant like this that can grow up to 10cm a day and do damage to paths, drains and pretty much anything it touches, should obviously be heavily regulated. The Japanese Knotweed has been in the news over the last year or so because it is so invasive and so difficult to get rid of. Specialists have to be called in to try to dispose of it and once it is in your garden, house prices and insurance are directly affected.

So what is the problem with the Black List? The problem is, how far is too far! As with the legislation regarding botanical names, this list could mean that household favourites are also affected. I have seen reports that Rhododendrons, for example, could be included in this list. It’s well known that these shrubs can, if left, take over an area, but is really as much of a problem as the Knotweed? The RHS are obviously monitoring and being involved in this.

Here are the links to the articles that took my attention and that I have used for this post:

'Plant Black List' - The Telegraph

Plant Registration - The Telegraph

On a similar topic, going back to the Japanese Knotweed, I also saw this article (The Telegraph) which says that as much as 50% of gardeners cannot identify Japanese Knotweed. This is something that really needs to be out there. It can be so invasive and damaging both to the garden but also to your pocket as it can affect housing prices etc.

Please take a look at the article and maybe Google Japanese Knotweed so you are aware of it.

Japanese Knotweed - Environmental Agency

I have written this post, because items like this are very interesting, but how many people see them? If I can make someone else take note, then it has been worth me writing this.

That Monday thing

Well Monday is here again. Back to work after an enjoyable weekend off. The weekend is even more important now as work has become busier, not that being at home is quiet, with three kids running around. Just recently though, with the appearance of nicer weather, it has been the twins first opportunities at playing outside,and they are loving it :-)

Sunday was a prime example of the kids enjoying playing in the garden and me enjoying being able to get back out there doing what I love. The twins seem to like daddy doing gardening, as they like to try and help. Isabella trying to sweep, Taylor going after tools and Joseph wanting to help at whatever I'm doing.

This Sunday we washed and waxed the cars, which has needed doing for months, living in the country, means that it's pointless washing cars during winter. The next job was to get the mower out and clean it up. An arm needed replacing as it had rusted and snapped off. Then all the edges of the lawn were trimmed and grass cut. What a difference!!

Plants that have been in the cold frame are now out and planted, I can't wait to see the newly created beds in flower. The two beds either side of the arch have a Bay tree at one side and an Olive tree at the other. There are now delphiniums, lupins, penstemons, several different alliums as well as the beautiful daffodils. Up the arch we have a honeysuckle, clematis and hopefully if they haven't died, two grape vines. It should be interesting.

The twins helped to put the plants in as they tried to help dig the beds last autumn.

The future weekends look like they will be fun. Looking forward to show the kids the veg seeds going in and them seeing what grows. I just have to get through the Monday to Friday thing first. My wife is a SAHM (Stay At Home Mum), wish I could be a SAHG ( Stay At Home Gardener) :-)

Have a good week!

GBBD March 2014

Lupins starting to flower early.  This time last year these Lupins were just seeds in a pack. Now they are thriving!