Sunday, 9 March 2014

Smug yet humble (pt 2) plus autumn raspberry tips

Reflecting on Friday....looking towards the future.... as the clocks spring forward this evening! (*edit - sugar that's only in America)

Wow, this is part 2 of my 'smug yet humble too' post. What a huge moment is was for me, yet as I commented in that post, it doesn't look like much to everyday people who don't have my particular problems (physical and mental). Never mind. I still feel good about it. And thank you for the encouraging comments, they make me feel like a champ. This was first of many walks to that sign and back and I can build on that - oh check me and my positivity out!!

I couldn't go today so the Hubby has gone off to cut back the Autumn Raspberries* alone whilst I rest here and try to gather myself up for a trip to Belfast and maybe a visit to a nursery. We need a little pop-up greenhouse and I need to get started on my cut flower bed - oh yes! buying tubers and bulbs :)

Later there is going to be some seeds sown and a clear out of the home shed...spring has arrived and we need to get into gear! 

* Those 10 celeriac seedlings from Friday have become...65!
* The 3 little daffs are in flower and ohhh yellow is such a happy colour!

teeny tiny daffs in the garden - 'growourown.blogspot.com' ~ an allotment blog

For now let me leave me with this, one of the best poems in the world and one that sums up how I have been feeling under the reign of winter - well *blows raspberry in winter's face*...I made it and spring is here - hurrah!!

Invictus print by growourown.blogspot.com - An Allotment Blog

* Pruning your autumn raspberries * 
 - Be brutal, you want loads of fruit this year too so cut those old canes right down to ground level!
- You should have your canes arranged and growing with supports. We have ours in a straight line with supporting wire tied across them at regular intervals. Tie any new stems to these wires as your plants grow; do it lightly with twine so as they grow they have freedom to move a little in the wind and not snap = disaster!
- Cover the ground with fertiliser of your choice and use loads of our dear friend - well rotted manure as a mulch.
- Never let the soil dry out! Raspberries are very thirsty and need water to make them extra juicy ;) Ummm raspberries eaten from the cane in the warm Autumn sun....heavenly


Hugs

20 comments:

  1. Your blooms there are gorgeous!!! And I too have to make my list of tubers and the remainder of my seeds need to be ordered. And your poem that you shared....such a touching and raw piece of writing...I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. You take care friend...wishing you a fresh spring full of blooms just like those pretties up there! Nicole xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Nicole! Buying flower tubers is so exciting - it truly does give one something to look forward too on top of all the veg - oh the colours and all the bees etc :) 'Invictus' is one of my all time favourite poems, so glad you enjoyed it too. Hugs and best wishes xxxx

      Delete
  2. Done as commanded!
    Sue Garrett

    ReplyDelete
  3. i long to have daffs in my garden... enjoyed your post esp the poem.. :)
    Cecile

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh that happy burst of yellow in the garden from daffs - it's worth waiting for :) I am so glad you too enjoyed the poem, it means a lot to me xxx

      Delete
  4. Hello Sweetie ! from the great white frozen north in Canada ... thank you for stopping by : ) I appreciate it .. it has been one long winter here and we are still in it's clutches ... more snow fell last night and the snow ploughs have been by .. dark and dreary even with the time jump this weekend.
    But I am hanging in here .. if I had raspberries to cut back I would most certainly follow your "lead" LOL
    Love the raspberry you threw at winter's face girl !!
    Joy ... shivering in the shimmering WHITE ! haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh how sad it is to know my Joy is still in the midst of winter's grip. I hope the weather begins to change soon and everything in your gorgeous garden catches up. Too right - I throw a raspberry at winter's face, hahaha xxxx

      Delete
  5. That's a job on my to do list - pruning autumn raspberries.

    Glad you are still fairly upbeat - although I don;t suffer myself my sister does so I do know how much effort it takes to go out alone.

    Sue Garrett

    ReplyDelete
  6. Spring is really on it's way we had a 60 degree (15C) day today with sun, daffs in sunny areas and the beginning of pink blossoms on the flowering cherry. I had an Irish cupcake today (or so the bakery said) chocolate cake made with stout, a filling flavored with Jameson's whiskey and topped with a Irish cream buttercream frosting. Yum!

    Kath

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes to the spring weather and cherry blossoms - I have a cherry blossom tattoo; such a sign of hope and new beginnings. I have never heard of an Irish Cupcake - sounds dangerous :) Hope you enjoyed the (alcoholic) gifts we provide!

      Delete
  7. I pruned my autumn raspberries the other day too. I find my summer fruiting ones usually do better, but we shall see this year. Glad you've managed a few walks, I hope you have a good week. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We moved our summer ones and they did not take kindly to it as all = they died :( Walk number 2 is completed but I think I'll leave a while before I venture out again. Hope you are enjoying some sunshine! xx

      Delete
  8. So many baby celeriacs? ooOOOOOooooo

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do love me some celeriac, what can I say? ;)

      Delete
  9. Daffodils, a poem and the mention of raspberries are a perfect combination. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loving the sunshine today! Totally agree, yellow is the happiest colour ever :)

    Lauran

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even the dandelions are making me smile - as long as they aren't in my plot! haha More sunshine today - what?? this is too good.

      Delete
  11. I have just sat in the garden after spending the morning sowing seeds in the greenhouse. Just a little rest and then some pruning! It's just so lovely to be out in the sunshine again x

    Chel @ Sweetbriar Dreams

    ReplyDelete

Please leave a little nugget of happiness in the form of a comment - don't forget to put your name at the end if using 'anonymous' setting x