The inedible Pear. When on the tree they're too hard; when they drop they turn to mush. The only thing one can guarantee about this tree is that it's always LOADED.
One of our own Pear trees (Finn's tree). Plenty of flowers, now we have to cross our fingers and wait.
Bad Backsville (Haddock's). My digging has begun. My back is aching. I have to continue regardless.
The little flowering plant I found in the middle of my neighbour's field. Doing very well, thank you.
You need to treat yourself to a new rotavator while Lady M is away.
ReplyDeleteShe tried to get me to buy another one, but I refused. My resulting bad back only lasts a while, and frankly I prefer doing it by hand; the rotavator only worked on already dug soil anyway.
DeleteI have just read there is no substitute for spade, fork and elbow grease.
DeleteI agree. There's also no substitute for a bad back.
DeleteI stopped digging with a garden fork several years ago because my back moaned too much, now I use a thwacker (don't know what else to call it) which does not require me to lift a heavy spade full of earth. However, the result is nowhere near as tidy but at least my back does not complain. But we do have tractors which sort out the main veg plots, all I do is ditsy little bits here and there.
ReplyDeleteHope your back does not complain too much.
Vera, get yourself a broadfork....see my comment below....
DeleteThe little flowering plant from your neighbour's field is Field Pansy Viola arvensis (Fr. Pensée des champs).
ReplyDeleteSusan, it makes a nice potted plant doesn't it....a weed is merely a flower in the wrong place.
DeleteI think it'll spread too. They seem to be in flower PERMANENTLY.
DeleteCro...for your digging I would recommend you get a "grellinette"....or in English....a broadfork..... no heavy soil lifting. You stand on the bar between the two handles to push it into the soil....then you step back and push the handles down with a knee bend. I haven't had a backache since I got one.... they come in different widths and there is a four prong one to match your fork.
ReplyDeleteYour inedible pear in the top photograph, is a perry pear.... picked hard, chopped up and pressed...and the juice used for making perry....usually heavy in tannins, they never taste ripe!
I have seen those forks, and always wondered if they were good. I'll have a look for them when I'm next out.
DeleteThe Pear is very frustrating. My neighbour has now cut away all the lower branches, so I can't even get a few that are 'just right'.
I would second the recommendation for broadforks. I got mine at Gamm Vert for about €50 on special. Normally they are much more expensive (or such poor quality that you might as well not bother).
DeleteYes, Susan....50€.....and I had to refit the handles for you. Still, that was the only fault with it....
DeleteListen to her Cro,she is right.Be careful with your back.
ReplyDeleteI've been digging again this morning, and am doing about 10 mins at each session.
DeleteHaddocks is looking very smart with new paths and tilled soil. I planted my potatoes yesterday, just a few earlies as well as beans salad etc. Do you suffer from hungry birds? I bought some ready made cloches covered in nets, so much easier than poles and plastic netting.
ReplyDeleteWe're not too bad with birds, in fact there are very few annoying creatures at all. I do treat some plants with a soapy water mix, which seems to keep the bugs away.
DeleteWe had pear trees like your first picture, inedible fruit and a mess. Now, I just do just ornamental pears, however, some varieties are not strong and break apart and come down during bad wind storms. I learned the hard way. They are so pretty though.
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job on Haddocks. I hope you have a good heating pad for your back.
For the moment I'm relying on sunshine. It's more annoying than serious.
DeleteEverything looks so pretty with the blossom. Better get on with that digging Cro, Paul has already planted his onions and potatoes!
ReplyDeleteIt's coming along. I dug another quarter today.
DeleteI suspect that your sun was warmer than the glorious 11℃ we had on Lewis. It makes me feel in need of warmth.
ReplyDeleteIt was 23 C here yesterday. I even brought my shorts out of hibernation.
DeleteEverything is looking so lovely. Your garden will be much nicer to work in.
ReplyDeleteAll my citrus is over blooming now but my yarded smelled so wonderful for over a week. Tangelos, orange, limes, lemons and grapefruit. Perfumed the air.
I don't think the pomegranates really have a big scent. But they look so pretty.
cheers, parsnip
I'd love to be able to grow citrus fruits here, but, other than having them in huge tubs, the winter weather is just too cold.
DeleteEvery year my two pear trees are a mass of blossom. They look beautiful and set in a very promising way. Then the fruit blackens and falls off. Pear mite! What's an organic gardener to do? (Nashing of teeth!)
ReplyDeleteI do some chi gong exercises before I start to dig and that seems to get me through the day - although a hot bath at the end of the day works wonders.
Haddocks is looking very smart.
I need to touch my toes every so often, that seems to stretch something and relieves the pain a bit. Otherwise I just suffer. Yes, a good hot bath is also good.
DeleteCro, do you do warm up exercises before you begin?
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