Oh BOTHER!

...what a STUPID thing to do!...

...and it's more March than May when it comes to weather...

Windy and cool for May.
Silver Birch in the garden.

Gardening is not always full of success but when failure is due to my own stupidity then 'oh BOTHER' doesn't really express what I feel.   Nor was it my initial verbal utterances but for the sake of propriety I'll not print what that was...

So what did I stupidly do?   Trim the grass too close to the pond and of course I put a hole in the pond liner.   The result was a very nearly drained pond.  Damn, damn, damn.   No repair tape available locally so I've ordered some off the internet...good old internet.  However, not all is lost because this will give me an opportunity to properly plan how to incorporate the little pond plants that are growing so well and would need a more permanent arrangement than they currently enjoy.   There is always a silver lining if you look for it...even in a pond lining!

The next thing is to find my watch which I have taken off and put down somewhere - but that is not a gardening problem.

It is cool for May but the flowers are opening, bees are busy and Seren is busy jumping on the plants to chase the bees...'oh BOTHER!'  Haven't found the up-side to this yet, or the solution.   The plants are reasonably robust I expect some will survive...those where she can't jump at least.

There are lots of good things going on - it is not all 'oh BOTHER!'.

Blossom on the Rowan tree.
First year it has bloomed.

Rowan trees are considered a powerful force for good in Wales - so mystical legend would have us believe.

In Wales (UK) the Rowan tree has traditionally been considered to be a sacred tree. It was planted in churchyards to protect and act as a warning to negative forces and evil spirits. Reputedly not one churchyard would be without it. Wearing a cross made from the tree was a tradition followed once a year by the parish. Coffins were rested under a Rowan tree on the way to the funeral rather than leave it open and vulnerable to approaches by such forces.

Maybe the Rowan will protect me against any more silly accidents this year?


Meantime other plants just coming into bloom now are these...

Poppy

Peonies

Geranium (Cranesbill)

Look very carefully - click to enlarge
and you will see a lupin head just in the green

These are Camassia on JP's grave

The potatoes are dong well.   The tomatoes seem very happy and the spinach beet and radiccio have germinated.  The melon is romping away and the Chilli Peppers are doing really well.   I planted the seeds in February.  So not all is bad news and 'oh bother' indeed.

In the week ahead I shall be concentration on the hanging baskets, watching as much as I can of the Chelsea Flower Show on TV...drooling over some of the plants and gleaning inspiration.  I'll repair the pond  and gloat over the daily progress...

I forgot to tell you!  The passiflora I thought Seren had killed off with her chewing is sprouting again!  The giant hosta has a flower spear forming and the hart's tongue fern is sprouting new growth...

So it really isn't all 'oh BOTHER' at all...

I hope all is well with your particular little patches too?

Cayenne Chilli
For a birthday present for someone
I know who likes things HOT!

Right, 'nuff now - time to go garden...chat to you next week!