Morning all. I had completely let it pass it by that May was so close! I am not ready for May!
I did however just pick up some Sea Holly bulbs? from Tesco reduced to 45p for 5 (??3 full price) as they say "plant by 30th April". I don't think they'll notice an extra day!
Not doing any gardening outside today. It's cold and drizzly.
On Radio Cornwall this morning they said for the first time in 100 year they will be no lily of the valley in flower for the dancers to wear at Flora Day in Helston.
Also last week someone from Camel Valley vineyards said they had lost 80% of their grape harvest over night because of a frost.
On a brighter note because of a late Spring we can look forward to a good fruit harvest as the blossom is coming out in time for the pollinating insects.
It's a rare May Day here that I have lily of the valley in flower. Belgians traditionally give a sprig to loved ones and friends for luck on May Day but mine has only been in flower once in 20 years here.
On the other hand, my damson tree has been blooming for over a week and I'm worried it's been too cold and windy for the bees and so on to pollinate them.
Shame about all those grapes and for anyone else losing income to untimely frosts - although round here they do caution against getting too excited with tender plants and crops before the Ice Saints have had their days on the 11th, 12th and 13th of May.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Very wise Joyce. They are St Mamert, St Pancras and St Servais (Boniface) but there is a saying that vignerons have to watch out for St Urbain who holds them all in his hand and his day is May 25th.
"Quand la saint Urbain est passée, le vigneron est rassuré" et "Mamert, Pancrace, Boniface sont les trois saints de glaces, mais saint Urbain les tient tous dans sa main."
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
My Lily of the Valley is just coming out. I have a sprig in flower on the kitchen table. The French give it to each other for good luck too. Once sellers used to sell it in laybys along the roads. Never seem to see them now, but today I haven't been out as I've been gardening.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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I did however just pick up some Sea Holly bulbs? from Tesco reduced to 45p for 5 (??3 full price) as they say "plant by 30th April". I don't think they'll notice an extra day!
I never buy anything full price from Tesco - I don't want them to make a profit out of me. 20p for a loaf of bread is about right, at 4 p.m.
Does sea holly grow from bulbs?!
Not Sea Holly from bulbs Clari, but if you want any plants I could send them to you.
Good afternoon all,
Not doing any gardening outside today. It's cold and drizzly.
On Radio Cornwall this morning they said for the first time in 100 year they will be no lily of the valley in flower for the dancers to wear at Flora Day in Helston.
Also last week someone from Camel Valley vineyards said they had lost 80% of their grape harvest over night because of a frost.
On a brighter note because of a late Spring we can look forward to a good fruit harvest as the blossom is coming out in time for the pollinating insects.
.
It's a rare May Day here that I have lily of the valley in flower. Belgians traditionally give a sprig to loved ones and friends for luck on May Day but mine has only been in flower once in 20 years here.
On the other hand, my damson tree has been blooming for over a week and I'm worried it's been too cold and windy for the bees and so on to pollinate them.
Shame about all those grapes and for anyone else losing income to untimely frosts - although round here they do caution against getting too excited with tender plants and crops before the Ice Saints have had their days on the 11th, 12th and 13th of May.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Sounds as though the Ice Saints aren't very saintly.
Last week of May/first week of June has always been my bedding out/hanging basket time.
Very wise Joyce. They are St Mamert, St Pancras and St Servais (Boniface) but there is a saying that vignerons have to watch out for St Urbain who holds them all in his hand and his day is May 25th.
"Quand la saint Urbain est passée, le vigneron est rassuré" et "Mamert, Pancrace, Boniface sont les trois saints de glaces, mais saint Urbain les tient tous dans sa main."
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Just over 3 weeks to go then
Thanks for the info.
My Lily of the Valley is just coming out. I have a sprig in flower on the kitchen table. The French give it to each other for good luck too. Once sellers used to sell it in laybys along the roads. Never seem to see them now, but today I haven't been out as I've been gardening.