Spring Sprung

There couldn't be a better feeling than that of the recent warmth of Spring sunshine. All around me the dormant buds that I periodically inspected, squeezed and poked have suddenly burst into life. There is a distinct green mist of emergent leaflets within the hedgerows and tree line.

The bees have been frantic, all the hives have survived a particularly testing winter. They almost seem to be on the verge of swarming as their frantic efforts to harvest as much of the spring time treats increases...primroses, early blossom, not to mention collecting vast quantities of water from our pond.

The pond now holds many new delights too. Frogs have returned, travelling far and wide to leave a legacy of lawn mower dodgers. I'm amazed to see so much spawn at the waters edge, it's incredible to think where the original amphibians have been for the previous year.

I'm building something new this year, a giant greenhouse/poly tunnel hybrid - ample space inside for many a tomato and cucumber to do battle. Keep you posted.

Spring Sprung

The Scion Exchange.

I've created a new community based website to help address some of the decline in our local and regional fruits. In particular I'm very keen on apple orchards and would like to create a place for people to visit and exchange fruit varieties to ensure the continuation of our heritage trees.

Here's a quick snippit from the site:

Would you like to try a new fruit variety for free?

The Scion Exchange aims to provide a central hub for fruit tree enthusiasts to come together to learn more about collecting and sharing scionwood throughout the UK.

We aim to list events, courses and guidance for those wishing to swap cuttings in order to try new fruit tree varieties.

Visit THE SCION EXCHANGE here

The Scion Exchange.

Grafting Guide - Apples

A communal grafting lesson

Now is a great time to start grafting your fruit trees, a particularly useful skill to master to preserve your trees or even introduce new varieties onto your existing trees.

At this time of year signs of new buds swelling up on trees will be apparent, this is a great indicator that the tree is ready for grafting.

I'll be grafting some apple trees onto new root stock which is currently in transit and have cut some 'scions' (fruiting stems from an existing tree, usually 6-12 inches in length and about 1/2 inch in diameter). These scions are bound together in a plastic bag and are kept in the back of the fridge until I need them. This ensures that the stems are kept dormant whilst I await the late rootstock delivery - darn snow!

These will be MM106 sized root stocks which will give a particular sized tree at maturity. What's MM106 I hear you ask? Well, fret not - take a look at this guide to grafting which I have produced to learn an effective and simple way to ensure you can continue the lineage of your favourite fruit trees. (or as I sometimes do, 'borrow' a cutting from a neighbours tree!)

CLICK LINK FOR FULL GRAFTING GUIDE:

http://www.eucan.org.uk/docs/200910Be/Wayne_Farrell.pdf

TWO SHORT VIDEO GUIDES:

Grafting Guide - Apples

Country Smallholding Magazine feature.

The January 2011 edition of Country Smallholding magazine printed one of my photographs of the flock of chickens I managed in my gardening job. I had sent a few of to the publishers and hope to see some more featured over the next few weeks. There is a brand new magazine enclosed with this months magazine called 'Your Chickens'. Pretty cool.

Country Smallholding Magazine feature.

Mead Update

Just thought you may like to see a short video of the initial fermentation process in the Mead I recently made. Have a nose: HERE

Mead Update

Introductions....

Meet Chicken number 2. (They don't have names as yet). She's a Columbian Blacktail. A cross between a Rhode Island Red and White Sussex - both reliable, good mannered heavy layers.

These birds have a great temperament, friendly and are good layers. An average of 300 eggs a year can be provided by this lass, I've got six of them so I reckon I'll be egg bound.
Their plumage is a rich chestnut brown and the very end of their tails is black, hence the name. Sometimes the black marking is not so prominent as one of the hens is mostly pure gingery Rhode Island with just one tiny under-feather showing any black colouration.

As soon as I can catch these ladies I'll tag their legs with coloured rings and name them accordingly, Mrs Yellow, Mrs Pink, Mrs Blue etc...

Due to the winter period they have taken a laying break and are more content with hiding under the coop to avoid the snowflakes.

Introductions....

Welcome to Winter

This is the first time the pullets and other hens have seen a dusting of snow. Unusually quiet at feeding time early this morning but the occasional grumbling tone could be heard.

VEG GARDEN TIP - Now's a good time to mulch some of the remaining perennial vegetables (I only say this because as soon as the snow came down I thought, oh bugger, that's what i should have done!) The artichokes, rhubarb have been tended too....sorry asparagus, I meant well!

A great site for homebrew can be found here: http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=19. Friendly bunch and eager to try something different!

Welcome to Winter