Its snowing again. The previous lot which fell last Sunday and the previous Friday was just beginning to thaw around the edges. But the temperatures haven’t been above freezing for over a week. Its allowed me to see the tracks of rabbits in the snow, something I’m not looking forward to in the coming months. George the cat shows little interest at keeping them at bay. Also there seems to be something living in one of the compost bins. Could it be a rabbit? Or rats? I do hate having to be realistic about controlling these various pests.
I had a happy time today brushing snow from the netting of the shade polytunnel. I got showered in fine particles as I was doing it but at least now the weight of the snow won’t cause the netting to stretch any more. It was good exercise too, my shoulders and arms are aching now.
One of my Chrismas presents from himself was the book ‘What are gardens for?’ by Rory Staurt. Its quite a thought provoking set of ideas and challenges garden owners and those who are visitors to consider the meaning of a garden. Personally this seems rather indulgent and fanciful. This garden owner is just delighted that anything grows in our horrible soil and exposed position. But I’m far from satisfied with the layout and the planting. If I was 20 years younger I would rip it all out and start again (except for the trees and some of the shrubs).
I felt very cooped-up in suburban London today. Wish I’d been there to help you.
Over time it is hard to be satisfied with our own gardens. Trees and shrubs we put in get too big, or were planted too close. Or maybe things we would love to grow, just won’t on our site. Some things die out.
It’s a natural succession over time. Our gardens want to become woodland. The natural order for much of lowland Britain.
That’s why I rather liked the idea of coppicing trees and shrubs on a regular basis. Much as advocated some years ago in research from Sheffield University Landscape Department, who did such lovely planting for the 2012 Olympics.
It’s the only way I could ever accomodate things like red oaks – Quercus rubra. I do have to say that I wish I’d been settled somewhere long enough to put in hazel. Or better still inherited one. They are wonderful as old coppice.
Sometimes though, I am only too happy to rip it up and start again. Probably comes of doing too much jungle-clearance maintenance for neglectful suburbanite.