Tag Archives: bees
Who Stole Summer…?
Apart from a few sunny days here and there, there’s really no evidence at all to suggest that summer actually arrived here this year. The majority of days have been gloomy and overcast, and my Small Suburban Garden has looked pretty much the same way. The floral extravaganza of wild flowers I was hoping for …
Could Do Better…
While my North-facing front garden, which has mostly been left to Mother Nature, is currently an extravaganza of wild flowers of all shapes, sizes and fabulous colour, my South-facing back garden remains a major disappointment. While there are some nice bright Californian poppies and a couple of apparently self-seeded lobelias, most other plants are not …
Stormy Weather…
After thunderstorms you usually get some nice, fresh air; however today we just have that clammy feeling. I don’t think that my Small Suburban Garden is enjoying the current climate either, as my aquilegia is now covered in greenfly, the cherry trees are laden with black-flies and the Miracle Gro Flower Magic seeds I lovingly …
Looking Good…
The sun is shining and all appears to be going according to plan in my Small Suburban Garden. The wildflower seeds I scattered in planters and borders a few weeks ago are beginning to grow (although they’d stand a better chance if the local cats would stop digging them up) and the polyanthus have decided …
Was That It?!…
We’re just a few hours away from September and I have to say I feel rather cheated out of a decent summer this year. Although there’s been several butterflies, numbers are down on previous years, and bees have been almost completely invisible. Apparently snails are thriving – or so it seems by the destruction of …
Hot, Hot, Hot…
It seems that today is scheduled to be the hottest day of the year so far, which is welcome news indeed after all the damp, grey days we’ve encountered so far. Disappointed with my planters, I threw the remains of the marigolds and Californian poppies into the compost bin and replaced them with dark …
Drink Up Me Hearties, Yo Ho…
This Bank Holiday weekend has so far seen a fair amount of the wet stuff, with more forecast for the coming days. Despite this, I’ve still had to water a few of my planters as the wind has a tendency to dry things out almost instantly. The lobelias appear to enjoy a good drink (don’t …
Make Your Mind Up…!
I thought that April was the month for showers, not May! One minute there’s blue sky and sunshine, the next the sky is black and either rain or hail (or both) fall out of the clouds. On a positive note, all this rain has done wonders for my Small Suburban Garden. The white jasmine looks …
Bee Babies…
It seems that the Bank Holiday weekend sunshine has encouraged the last of my baby bees out from their nests, which is a huge relief. I never know for certain how they’ve fared over the winter until I can see the holes appearing in the muddy entrances to the tubes. I have to say, I …
Easter Bank Holiday Monday…
After a damp and dismal Easter Sunday, the sun has come out and along with it are my baby bees! I’ve never actually seem them emerging from my bee hotel before so it was quite a thrill to watch them taking their first tentative steps outside my old baked bean tin this morning. Although …
No April Fool…
It really has been gorgeous weather today. The white jasmine looks like it’ll blossom within a week or so and the smallest of my two magnolia has finally flowered. The red jasmine remains stubbornly without buds. I hope it’s just a late starter this year as the bees go mad for it. The wild cherry …
Hello Spring…
I always look forward to seeing the cherry blossom on my tree, and now, despite the cloudy sky and forecast of wind and rain for later, it’s finally bloomed and I can say without fear of contradiction that spring has officially arrived in my small suburban garden. The buddleia are in leaf, the magnolia has …
Has Spring Sprung…?
Despite yesterday’s cold, wet, windy weather, today it’s positively spring-like, with blue skies and sunshine. The primulas are beginning to flower and the jasmine and magnolia are in bud. The parsley, chives, rosemary and thyme have all managed to survive the winter and are providing some greenery. Crocuses are beginning to show the promise of …
Here Comes Summer…
At long last the weather forecast is predicting a ‘sunny spell’ and it’s all hands on deck with the watering can. My ornamental poppies have begun to flower and the lobelias are finally standing their ground. The geraniums are in full leaf but I have yet to see any evidence of buds, but at least …
Busy Bees…
Well, we’ve finally got some decent sunshine and at last the red jasmine has begun to flower, along with the thyme. The bees have been so busy making homes in my old baked-bean tin house I decided to make another one (this time with a small cardboard container, covered in selotape to help with waterproofing). …
Blue Sky and Blossom…
After a winter lasting what seemed like an eternity, the sun is finally shining and the sky is all fabulous and blue. The crocuses never did flower but the 3 pink hyacinths are doing well, albeit propped up by sticks, and the yellow primulas are looking all splendidly traditional along the border. There’s no sign …
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow…
Despite all the fuss on the news and on social media sites, Colchester seems to have got off rather lightly in this recent snow event (at the moment….!) While other areas appear knee-deep in the white stuff there’s only a light dusting in my small suburban garden, and it’s not even managing to settle in …
Lazy Days…
In our increasingly hectic and stressful lives, it’s al the more important to take the opportunity, when it arises, to simply enjoy a lazy late-summer / early-autumn day. This is exactly how I spent today; not weeding or pruning, not sweeping the paving slabs or painting the fence, but just sitting on a camping chair …
Indian Summer…
It’s official – it’s the hottest October since 1985 and I’m loving it! We’ve had several gloriously hot days in a row and the weather’s currently making up for the somewhat meadiocre summer we’ve had this year, however, the plants seem flummoxed and while trees are dropping their leaves all around, certain shrubs and flowers …
The Very Hungry Caterpillar…
My poor forsythia seems to get it from all angles! Not only is it vandalised by the muppet next door whenever we go on holiday, it’s seemingly the favourite meal of leafcutter bees (which I really don’t mind about) and privet hawkmoth caterpillars. The rest of the garden is looking decidedly below par but I’m …
Busy bee…
While the bees are dileriously happy with the lavender, I remain perturbed that my lobelias and petunias have not been doing very well in their plastic planters. I’m not sure whether I’ve over-watered them (despite drilling large drainage holes) or whether I should have spent a few extra quid and bought a better quality compost; …
Pretty in pink…
The bees are really spoilt for choice now as the pink jasmine has begun to flower. It’s the one plant which has done rather well, despite the near-drought conditions we’re currently experiencing. The vast selection of petunias and lobelias I planted are in constant need of watering, and with a water meter installed (in an …
Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly…
Yes! I feel like singing – well, not out loud obviously (the neighbours will think their cat was run over). After such an unseasonally dry spell (no ‘proper’ rain since March) I’m delighted to see so many flowers on my potted lavender. The bees are also clearly thrilled to bits, and have been spending the …
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