tger greenhaddock: Blooming marvelous

Friday, April 13, 2007

Blooming marvelous

Spring is here in a big way. Temperatures are very warm here for the time of year, with Marburg expected to reach 28°C this weekend. This has of course had a dramatic effect in the garden with both our Mirabella (see photo’s) and Victoria plum trees in full blossom. Last evening we had our first grill of the season. It was good to be back out on the patio setting fire to things, and the food wasn’t bad either!

The new flower bed that I started a few weeks ago is almost half finished and we have added the first plants – Hibiscus, Lupins, Rittersporn, Pfingstrosen & Sonnenhut. Most of these plants were chosen in respect for their attractiveness for bees and butterflies. The next part of the bed will involve roses which should save me a fortune at the florists (slight exaggeration!). My Tomato plants for this year have now been transferred to the cold frame where they will harden off for a couple off weeks before being planted into the ground.

We have Mason bees under our roof tiles again which I am happy about. These do not swarm or cause problems. They are very important for the environment as they are active a lot earlier than normal honey bees. By June /July their life cycle is over until next year. One oddity of this warm spring is that the Swallows and House Martins seem to be a couple of weeks late this year.

The Juniorette is happy with the warm weather as we have set up a goal in the garden so she can play a little footy with me. This week she is currently attending another football school (mixed) in Marburg with a lot of her friends from the team that she plays for.

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13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, its really extremely warm for spring, and like this, I like it, but not hotter - and its only april! I enjoy the blossoms and the smell of them, and your Mirabelle looks very nice! I'm, very curious about your start with roses, do you think of old (historic) sorts?

April 13, 2007 9:42 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

It's cold as a bloody witches arse here today. We are going to get a "Noreaster" by the end of the weekend. I am quite envious of your weather and I would love to go to Germany. My family, part of them, come from Heidelberg and my nanny was from there, when I was growing up. I had spoke fluent German then but I was not able to use it, when she went back to Germany. I still dream in German, on occasion. My ex was stationed in Frankfurt and he loved it. Enjoy your beautiful weather while we freeze, lol!

April 13, 2007 3:13 PM  
Blogger Shammickite said...

Lucky you, to have warm weather. Here in S Ontario I woke up to SNOW falling from a grey sky this morning. I agree with babsbitchin.... cold as a witches arse....
Where's Spring gone????

April 13, 2007 3:28 PM  
Blogger L.L. Barkat said...

Setting fire to things! Ah, that made me chuckle. And the bee info is very interesting. Tomato plants... ah. I'm still picking up sticks and raking leftover leaves.

April 13, 2007 4:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a direct order. You are to send over your good warm weather immediately! We had 8 inches of snow yesterday and now they say on Sunday we will have another 12 inches! Enough!

April 13, 2007 6:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We have also very early spring/summer this year. It is a bit scary I think. I do enjoy it though - I have to admit that.

I wonder if plants blossom very early - won't they also die sooner than usual? That would result in a long long fall this year I guess. Fall is pretty.

April 14, 2007 1:15 AM  
Blogger Dale the Cat said...

Ah, a real man always shows a bit of pyromania ;)

We are also enjoying this beautiful weather. I love my morning strolls through the neighbourhood and sniffing at all the pretty flowers.

April 14, 2007 7:31 AM  
Blogger Michelle said...

Very pretty! I had a butterfly and hummingbird for a couple years when I lived in Virginia. I never expected so many!! The best was the hummingbirds - the first time they came I thought they were giant bugs!!

I have another big garden day ahead of me but it makes me happy :)

April 14, 2007 10:02 AM  
Blogger Haddock said...

Deepblue - I've not really done any research on roses yet, but I should do. And I guess the older varieties might be more interesting :)

Babsbitchin - To still dream in German must mean that part of you is still fluent in German. Hope the weather warms up soon for you! :)

Ex-Shammickite - Lots of snow in April is never good. Its warm in North Devon as well and apparently the grockles have been turning in hordes! :)

L.L.Barkat - It's always good fun burning stuff. Hope spring catches up with you soon :)

Maribeth - The sunny warm weather is in the post! :)

Nan - I never thought about whether plants would die early if they started early. Hoefully they'll just live longer! :)

Captn Dale - Good to see you here! I hope this will not inspire my cats to become internet aware as well! :) Have a virtual bowl of milk :)

Michelle - Hope you enjoy the day in the graden. It looks like its going to be another warm one! :)

April 14, 2007 3:33 PM  
Blogger Carol said...

All the German blogs are talking about the sunny weather! Oh, I am sooooo jealous!

Carol in Seattle

April 15, 2007 4:47 AM  
Blogger Blueyes said...

I'm about ready to start planting some flowers this year too, going to try for the hummingbird friendly variety as I miss seeing them :)

April 15, 2007 5:14 PM  
Blogger Martin Stickland said...

Wow! What a nice place you have there and a lovely garden!

April 16, 2007 1:19 AM  
Blogger christina said...

Ahh, your garden sounds fantastic. Can't wait to see more pictures of the flowers. We were outside ALL weekend puttering around and grilling. Hope it stays like this.

April 16, 2007 8:48 AM  

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