How long has it been? Over three months surely. I've survived my second term of lecturing (barely!), and am being rewarded with a nice long Easter holiday. It has been glorious weather, and Jurassic Park is really taking off. I swear I can almost see the Ginkgo biloba growing.
There were a few casualties over the winter - Banksia ericifolia and Protea cynaroides carked it, as did most of the succulents. I gambled with the weather by leaving José the Agave in the greenhouse, and - well, let's say it didn't really pay off:
I've been dosing it with anti-fungal spray, but there's a faint whiff of cheap tequila every time I walk past, and the fruit flies are out in force. I've been advised to get hold of some hydrogen peroxide, but I was practically dispatched to Guantanamo Bay when I asked for some in Boots...
There have been a few purchases: Sciadopitys verticillata, Adiantum aleuticum, Euphorbia myrsinites (yes, I know it isn't Mesozoic but it looks awesome), Pinus wallichiana and Blechnum gibbum - I do a good line in killing blechnums, but there's the triumph of hope over experience.
The allotment (well, nearer a vegetable patch) is doing well too. First and second early potatoes, onions and leeks are in. There's not a lot of space for much more, but Hubster is sorting out a smaller bed for all his herbs and medicinal plants.
So here's a gratuitous photo of Hubster with a cheap hoe. Notice the fork completely bent out of shape to the right!
There were a few casualties over the winter - Banksia ericifolia and Protea cynaroides carked it, as did most of the succulents. I gambled with the weather by leaving José the Agave in the greenhouse, and - well, let's say it didn't really pay off:
I've been dosing it with anti-fungal spray, but there's a faint whiff of cheap tequila every time I walk past, and the fruit flies are out in force. I've been advised to get hold of some hydrogen peroxide, but I was practically dispatched to Guantanamo Bay when I asked for some in Boots...
There have been a few purchases: Sciadopitys verticillata, Adiantum aleuticum, Euphorbia myrsinites (yes, I know it isn't Mesozoic but it looks awesome), Pinus wallichiana and Blechnum gibbum - I do a good line in killing blechnums, but there's the triumph of hope over experience.
The allotment (well, nearer a vegetable patch) is doing well too. First and second early potatoes, onions and leeks are in. There's not a lot of space for much more, but Hubster is sorting out a smaller bed for all his herbs and medicinal plants.
So here's a gratuitous photo of Hubster with a cheap hoe. Notice the fork completely bent out of shape to the right!
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