Sunday 10 February 2013

Saving Snowdrops

I was working on a large patch of snowdrops and other bulbs the other day and not liking the fact that I was making them rather flat from my constant walking on them.
I love snowdrops! A sign that winter doesn't last for ever just when you need it.
 When I asked what else was happening to the ground where I was working, the boss said that a drain was going to be dug in there as well and he doubted anyone would save the bulbs. So I went to the van and got a shovel (I don't carry a spade) and dug them up.
The saved snowdrops and other bulbs
I planted them here in a break in the rain yesterday. I dotted a few here, there and everywhere, under trees and along fences, in the hope that in years to come there will be small clusters dotted about the smallholding. I also planted loads in the front garden, along the hedge, in the hope that it will be covered with them in years to come.
Snowdrops dug in all along the side of this hedge. In a few years this should be a picture!
The other place I planted lots of them was our little coppice, it's already got a lot of daffodils growing there so the snowdrops will give it colour a little earlier
This is the orchard at one of the jobs I'm working on - quite the picture (even if it is taken with my phone)
I know that there are no "real" benefits to growing flowers like snowdrops, but it does make you feel better when you see them and there's no harm in making the place a little more pretty!

27 comments:

  1. I don't think I've ever seen so many snowdrops.I love them..you should have quite the display in the future.
    Jane x

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    1. I hope so, so long as the squirrels don't eat them (do they eat them?)

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    2. No idea! I know they don't like daffodils.
      Jane x

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  2. ha, yea rub it in... ;-) we wont see the first sign of a bloom for at least an other 60 days, and at the rate we are going this year likely longer.

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    1. Winter soes seem to last forever. Mind you your probably have a better summer than us, I'm not even sure we had one last year!

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  3. That is something i would do - I hate plants being trampled and disregarded when there is work being carried out around them. And there are 'real' benefits to growing flowers - they are feel good benefits, finishing of a view or scene etc - and sometimes no amount of money can replace those benefits! Have a great day!

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    1. Yeah I hate waste like that. We used to grow a lot of flowers when I was growing up as my mum used to sell dried flowers, I always remember the area she grew them looking lovely.

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  4. Oh yes there are "real" benefits. Science has proven visual displays that make us happy decrease episodes of depression and improve our lives overall. Can't get much more real than that1

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    1. On that note I think I might have to put more bulbs in next year!

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  5. A job well done. Something so pretty carries far more benfits than sometimes we realise. A little bit of beauty especially natural beauty is good for the soul.

    The first job my Lovely Hubby does whenever we move to a new place is plant 100s of daffodil and tulip bulbs in the Autumn, the display at the end of Winter is wonderful and lifts you up ready for a hardworking Spring and Summer.

    Sue xx

    Sue xx

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    1. I really need to buy one of those big bags of bulbs next year and plant them in. My wife loves tulips so I'll try to make an effort for her!

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  6. I think the snow drops will look very pretty where you have planted them. I would love to be able to grow them, but it is too dry...

    You enjoy your lovely snow drops :)

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    1. Yeah I don't think they'd do very well at your place. Mind you there's many things (most of them tasty) that you can grow and I can't!

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  7. I think snowdrops have a huge benefit. They are usually the first spring flowers and bring a lot of hope with them. Hope for warmer weather and sunshine.
    Just found your blog through that old yarn spinner John. lol
    Well done saving them, hope they all pull through and give you a good show next year.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. Since putting them in it's snowed here so not huge amounts of hope for the sunshine!

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  8. I can't bear to see plants destroyed by building work. I built ten sites for power stations here in Angola and the first instruction I gave to the team was always, 'Right, get the backhoe in there and get those trees out!' The garden of my last house was a veritable forest. I did not see it as misusing company property when I had the Hiab truck, which would otherwise run back to the city empty having dropped off material, load a couple of trees up and drop them at my place. I even had a load of 'saved' trees planted in the grounds of the orphanage I support as all the kids had to play in resembled barren desert.

    Kev, you contradicted yourself. After saying that you know there are no real benefits, you then go on to say how pretty they will look. They may 'only' be snowdrops, but think how grateful they must be you saved them and how much pleasure they will give in return.

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    1. The other lad saved some trees they ripped out on this job and if any more go I've got my eye on them. Mind you I've got too many trees to plant at the moment as it is! I know I did contradict myself but I sometimes see (wrongly) self sufficiency as a quest for food when it's much more than that!

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  9. oh no your wrong! anything that makes you smile is of real benefit!!! i love snowdrops too and what a score that you managed to save so many :) awesome :)

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    1. Thanks. It was good to have some to start them spreading

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  10. Beautiful sight and I agree Snowdrops lift the soul and let you know spring really is coming . i went to a mile long snowdrop walk in a local country house woodland last weekend but forgot my camera the snowdrops and aconites were fabulous

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    1. Not sure I'll have enough for a snowdrop walk but a large amount in the front garden would do for now!

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  11. Oh well done you. I planted some daffodils in our wilderness of a front garden before Christmas, but I think our chickens have dug them up because there is no sign of them. I think your copse looks a delight, and I do so hope those snowdrops grow for you.

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    1. Alas, thats not my copse in the last picture but the one in the garden where I work sometimes! It is pretty though!

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  12. Nice to see you are in touch with your feminine side

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    1. Thanks! (you sound just like the blokes at work the first time I got out my fruit tea...)

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  13. Hi Kev. Thanks for coming by Simplify!!! I did a bit of looking around here at your blog. Sure do like what I see. I will be back for sure!!!!
    Kris

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