On 2013-03-23 18:56:50 +0000, David Hill said:

On 23/03/2013 18:13, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-03-23 18:07:44 +0000, Rod said:

On Friday, 22 March 2013 16:22:47 UTC, Bob Hobden wrote:


No snow here (yet!) and it's only just started to rain but there is a

vicious easterly wind. Our problem is gardening on Thames clay/silt it's

just too wet and sticky to do anything with. I've done no winter digging

because of the wet soil, it would only destroy the structure, and
whilst it

did start to dry out a couple of weeks ago it's back to being a heavy
sponge

again. Should have our early spuds in by now, no chance.

--

Regards. Bob Hobden.

Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

Our early spuds are under about 10 inches of snow and it's still
coming down.
Our farmer neighbour had 3 artic loads of seed potatoes delivered from
McCain, yesterday. After unloading they towed the trucks out with one
of their big tractors.
Hey Ho - spring's in the air.

Rod

Ho ho ho! I just can't believe how cold it is here! It's not snowing
but we have that awful low, grey cloud without a breath of wind to move
it on. Ray has been walking around with at least 3 layers of clothing
and a woolly hat on today. Plants are just not growing and the almond
trees in the garden, which were starting to blossom, have put it all on
hold! It's supposed to be 6C in Plymouth but it certainly isn't here!

The whole weather thing is crazy,
Last Saturday I looked at my camellias and they were still in tight bud.
I told Sacha on Thursday I doubted they would flower before April but
looked at them today and there are around 50 flowers open.
As for spuds, I wonder about starting some in pots and then planting
out when possible.

Our Camellias did just the same David. It was too wet for you two to
'do the tour' on Thursday but while some have yet to open, others are
determined to do so and take and risk. I'd really wanted to show you
the fishtail Camellias but you'd have been re-baptised! One day
there's barely a glimpse of colour and the next, flowers are popping
open like mad. The pink Magnolia stellata outside the Tea Room had one
bud opening this morning and this afternoon two were wide open and two
more are on their way. Other things, by contrast, are simply clamping
down and refusing to even peep!
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk