"Dig your well....

... before you are thirsty"

A quote by Seth Godin.

Over the past ten days the garden group could be excused for digging wells in the school garden.  With the very kind donation of four x four metre scaffolding poles we were able to push on with the construction of the Jurassic Garden.  Each pole has to be sunk in the ground one metre deep and that takes quite a lot of effort in the heavy soil which we have.  In all four holes were required.  On top of that each pole has to be slanted at ten degrees away from the upright.  All in all a quite demanding operation which needs concentration and a lot of discipline.

A metre deep hole is longer than your arm!

A good mix is essential

Filling the hole

In place- with the ten degree slant

The poles must be in the exact position as they will suspend a giant Pterodactyl which will be flying over the nest chamber area. There is no room for error for this task. A few pictures of the progress. By the end of the day all four poles were in position.

Three poles in situ

Four poles in situ

All in place and tools tidied up

The limestone moved and area landscaped

Elsewhere in the garden a Buff-tailed Bumblebee was seen flying just days after

a frost and even a Peacock butterfly.  These insects should be hibernating but are tricked by the mild weather recently.  Hopefully they will not get caught out in a severe cold snap and perish.

The stunned female Blackbird

 In the garden three male Blackbirds were observed vying for territory.  The single female amongst them was getting chased about considerably flying round and round the willow classroom.  After a while we noticed her just sat motionless on the path outside the summerhouse.  She was completely dazed.  It was possible to pick her up.  It would appear that in the chase she had flown into one of the windows of the summer house and fell to the ground.  She was put in a safe place and after ten minutes perked up and flew off back into the battle arena!

Hazel catkins

A close-up

 In the greenhouse the sweet peas are growing well.  Soon they will be stopped to prevent them getting too tall.  It will help them bush out to make better and stronger plants when we put them outside.

Native Hellabore in flower

Corsican Hellabore in the greenhouse- in flower

Exquisite flowers- green but full of interest

The Blackbirds have left the shallots alone which we planted last week.  They are very good at pulling them up.  Next to these the Rhubarb has been covered to force the stems for an early crop

Our shallots have survived interest from Blackbirds

The Daffodils are also doing very well.  More and more are appearing.  A few Crocus are also shooting up.

The almost full moon suggests colder nights so things might slow a little in the garden.  The next stage is to get the Pterodactyl template sorted.  Interesting times ahead!