April weather is always unpredictable.
Snow fell this morning…in between rain and brilliant sunshine!
It was like a convergence of all the seasons in one morning!
This time last year we were swimming in the Atlantic Ocean down by Mullaghmore Pier.
Legs and arms, uncovered for the first time in months, looked a sickly white in shorts and T-shirts.
The apple blossom was fully out and the season was about a month ahead of what was expected.
This year, the season is late.
About 4-6 weeks in some parts of the garden!
However, the polytunnel is really paying for itself, as I have all the fruit and veg in pots, growing big and strong and ready for when the weather settles down and all danger of frost has passed!
I have been hauling more and more stone from the edges of the land, into specific areas, where the passive solar heat trapped in the stone will help growth in annual crops, creating micro-climates.
As the season is late, it allows more time for me to catch up with the bigger tasks here at Bealtaine Cottage.
Always looking for the silver lining!
The Bats are out from hibernation and yesterday, as I walked down the lane-way, a butterfly fluttered just ahead of me, for most of the walk.
The bees are flitting from one heavily laden Ribes bush to another…their end of hibernation feast!
*******************************************************************************
The EU are making it against the law to save and share seed…
This is not a petition asking the EU for anything, but one that sends a clear, sharp message…We Will Not Comply!
A shot across the bow!
Please sign and share…
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_Will_Not_Comply/?wCgoWbb
Bealtaine Cottage is also on YouTube…with over 85 videos about Permaculture, planting, growing and living.
Over 500 blogs from Bealtaine Cottage in the archives here.
Donations are always welcome.
Thank you for supporting this blog
I hadn’t thought about the large rocks in my garden acting as a heat store. I just felt they were a nuisance because snails reside in all the cracks and gaps, then gobble up my plants when I’m not looking. Your raised beds look like they have soil filling all the spaces, so no gaps for the snails maybe?
My neighbours Magnolia has the first flowers opening today, which feels very late to me. Enjoy your sunshine today!
The seaweed applied this winter has deterred the snails…and you are right, lots of filling in the gaps helps also!
Down here in Roscommon we have the first Victoria Plum blossom out but no apple or pear yet. Hoping that hail yesterday and the slight frost overnight will not have done for any fruit on the plums.
And now awoken to a beautiful morning with clear blue skies and sunshine!