First Lamb

Well the first sheep has had a lamb. 

Just a single but a good size and I didn't have to help. It's got a full belly and an attentive mother so I'm pleased.  So are my girls to finally have skme lambs.

New Rhubarb

I'm always on the look out for new things to grow or new varieties.

The rhubarb I grow is from my mums garden and she inherited it from the gardener who lived there before her. It's a great type, keeps it's shape well when cooking and isn't too sharp, we've no idea of the variety but I know I'll certainly keep growing it. 

That said I've always wanted to see how it compares to other types and if there's much difference. 

I saw this "Raspberry Red Rhubarb" at the weekend and I decided to give it a go, it says it's a newly developed strain that doesn't need forcing (I hardly ever force mine any way) and should be slightly sweeter with thinner stalks. 

Anyone else have different varieties of rhubarb? What's your favourite variety?

Ready for the Sheep - Well Kind Of...

Well the field is ready for the sheep. I've fenced off the daffodils and a strip at the bottom of the field to leave a bit of fresh grass for once they've lambed.  

First fence in to protect the daffodils 

 I've not got much grass anywhere so it's going to be a bit of a juggling act until the grass starts growing again. I've been lucky to over winter them at my fathers, otherwise I'd be in real trouble about now! 

Second line of fence to leave a good patch of grass so that the new lambs have somewhere to go.

 We've been feeding them a mix of oats, barley and a little wheat to keep their condition and get them ready for lambing. They seem pretty keen to come to the bucket - I'll post a video of some hungry sheep another time! 

Sheep HQ 

My base of operations for the next few weeks will be the back of a stock box I've borrowed off my dad. Inside it I've got the corn for feed, some hay and straw and I'll add my "sheep bucket" later (the sheep bucket contains all my bits to look after the animals like dagging shears and things like that). I've also got the use of the small barn, in the rented field, for any problem animals or new borns when it comes to it, other than that most things will be happening outside.

Simple Greenhouse Repair

The door on my large greenhouse drives me wild. 

For the last couple of years I've put up with it dropping as it swings open. This means that you have to lift it up every time you want to close it.

I think we all have things like this, little jobs that would probably only take half an hour to fix and save a lot of annoyances. 

Last year I made the gates for my garden to save me having to fight with the rabbit wire each time I went in there, once I'd done it I couldn't believe I hadn't done it sooner! 

The greenhouse door took a little thinking about but with a small metal bracket bent to suit and a nut and bolt I had it sorted whilst the girls played in the sandpit. A little bit of a bodge but it works. 

It now swings open and shuts easily, no more fighting the greenhouse door. 

What little job did you put off for years and then regret you did once you did it (if that even makes sense!)?

Barefoot Gardeners

The girls have this habit when they play in the sandpit, they like to go barefoot. 

Doesn't matter what time of year or how cold it is, they like to get their feet in the sand.

I've given up trying to fight it and just smile as I see them running across the garden carrying their wellies. Trying to keep them from walking it all round the house is another matter, we make them dunk their feet into a bowl of water before they're aloud in!

Simple childhood pleasures