Category Archives: Spring

Sod Removal 101 – Garden Evolution

Posted on May 21, 2012 by hortophile

This spring brings the fourth growing season in my new garden,  I guess it’s not so new anymore!  The garden is really beginning to settle in and look the way I pictured, for the most part.  The next step in … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Plan, New Garden, Shade Garden, Spring | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Lucky Me

Posted on May 9, 2012 by hortophile

To all those people who have to drag themselves in to a job they hate, or that is boring or otherwise unsatisfactory – I’m so sorry!  Especially at this time of year, when each day at the garden centre brings … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Free Range Chickens

Posted on May 3, 2012 by hortophile

When I embarked upon this chicken-keeping venture last year I fully intended to let them free-range in my yard.  It’s so much better for them to forage for food and have the freedom to run around and pursue their chicken … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Helleborus x ballardiae ‘Pink Frost’

Posted on April 20, 2012 by hortophile

Oh my!  I’ve developed a serious case of plant lust…I’m totally smitten with this new hellebore, she’s a beauty!  Helleborus x ballardiae ‘Pink Frost’ is one of the latest from Germany and the breeding program of Josef Heuger’s Helleborus Gold … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer resistant plants, Front Garden, Spring | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Chitting Potatoes

Posted on April 14, 2012 by hortophile

No, this isn’t a recipe post, nor is it a description of a painful-sounding bodily function!  Chitting potatoes simply means sprouting them prior to planting.  It’s a term best pronounced (I think) with a crisp British accent and is just … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Advice, Spring, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Baby Chicks – Moving Outside

Posted on April 7, 2012 by hortophile

Well my Buff Orpington Chicks have made the transition from garage-dwellers to coop-dwellers.  At 8 weeks old and fully feathered I figured it was time.  Last weekend, on a brilliantly sunny and warm day, I gave the chicken run a … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Vegetable Garden Plans for 2012

Posted on January 24, 2012 by hortophile

Here we go again; it’s time to make our vegetable garden plans for 2012.  Here’s hoping for a fantastic growing season that begins early and stretches far into the autumn.  Something along the lines of 2009, now that was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Plan, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Planting Bulbs for Spring Colour

Posted on October 23, 2011 by hortophile

Today we enjoyed a reasonably nice day and I was able to get outside and do a few chores.  Planting bulbs was on the top of my list, and I’ve managed to get most of them into the ground.  For … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Deer resistant plants, Front Garden, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Vegetable Garden Update June 2011

Posted on June 15, 2011 by hortophile

The cold spring is behind us, the bite is finally gone from the air, and my garden is growing at breakneck speed; it must be June! Most of my vegetables and fruit are lush and healthy, like my peas, Potatoes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruit, Spring, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Fresh Salad

Posted on June 10, 2011 by hortophile

I love this time of the year!  Salad from the garden without any store-bought added veggies is a luxury. I made this salad a few days ago, harvested in the late afternoon and ate it for supper – you can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments