Saturday 29 May 2010

Z is keen to start pruning

Behind Al and Dilly's house there is a fairly uninteresting piece of ground, then some fir trees and then a field that doesn't belong to us. Back in the 60s, outline planning permission was given for housing on that field, so the Sage's parents hastily planted the firs - but the permission was allowed to lapse and now the field is 'outside the village envelope' and so there is no likelihood of houses being built there, not for some years at any rate. Our land is in the same category, by the way - of even less value in fact, which is why we can have such a big garden. We let the farmer put cows on the field for no rent to keep it in good order, although we do get a grant for its environmental value.

Anyway, a few of the trees have died off over the years, but they have all been looking past their best and, if they were to fall, they could damage the bungalow, so we've had them cut down. Although they weren't 'that' close and on the North side, it's lightened up Al and Dilly's bungalow no end. Today, the stumps were being removed, and we found that some of the roots were quite rotten, so it's just as well we've acted now. I went to inspect the area. Al and Dilly are planning to sow grass seed and have it as an area for the children to play on. I also looked at the scrubby shrubs and trees at the West end (which adjoins our house - some of you won't know that the bungalow was originally built, some 25 years ago, as a granny annexe to our house). These shrubs darken that end of our house and don't let any evening sun on to the area that's been cleared. There is a lot of dead wood and whole lots of brambles.

I'm itching, positively itching, darlings, to get going with my pruning saw.

I won't, yet, of course, as it's nesting season - but I have plans. I'm not letting the Sage have unfettered access, as he will take down too much, but I want to thin it out a lot.

It's not that I have time yet, in any case. I'm starting to cautiously enjoy gardening again, and we have a catalogue to put together, and I've got lots of school and Nadfas work to do. But it's so much more fun to get going on a project than just do the routine stuff, isn't it?

Later, Squiffany phoned to tell us that the bantams were all on the patch of cleared earth, pecking away busily. They must have smelled it, as it's well away from their usual stamping ground and around the corner of the house. Squiffany was concerned that they might get lost - but they were all home for supper as usual.

You might like to see the wisteria. I didn't put up a picture last year, as it didn't flower particularly well - don't know why, as there weren't any late frosts - but it's back in form again.

14 comments:

Z said...

Yes, that is grass growing outside the porch. I'm not much one for weeding. I would feel uncomfortable with a perfect garden.

Though it depends on your definition of 'perfect', of course.

lom said...

Not weeds Z, wild flowers, my garden is full of them. I only weed the veggie patch

Rog said...

Wisteria.....Wow!!!! Looks like a classic year.

Dave said...

I've never seen that side of your house.

Z said...

You are welcome to wander, Dave. Though the wisteria will have finished flowering when you're next here.

Won't pruning be fun, Rog?

That's my policy too, LOM. But rank grass growing knee-length between paving slabs and brambles tripping you up do test the resolve of even a relaxed gardener.

Christopher said...

Wonderful wisteria, like so many 17th century wigs hung out to dry.

Today's wise saw and moral instance:
Growth followeth the knife

sablonneuse said...

"I would feel uncomfortable with a perfect garden."
What a wonderful sentence. I shall use it myself every time I look at the weeds in our garden.

Z said...

Some 25 years ago, the wisteria was cut back almost to the ground, when the house was re-roofed. It has been pruned heavily since, when the Sage and Kenny plotted behind my back - which just galvanised it into mad growth with no flowers. Now, I give it a gentle summer and autumn pruning and cut out the occasional bit that's in quite the wrong place, but mostly just leave it. I don't know how far the roots spread, but the house doesn't have foundations to be undermine and it seems quite solid.

Slightly short sight also helps, Sandy!

Anonymous said...

That wisteria is just A-mazing!

LyleD4D said...

That is an awesome wisteria.

How old is it?

Z said...

It's gorgeous. If there's a sharp air frost just at the wrong time, the buds are killed off, so a really beautiful flowering is a treat.

I asked the Sage - I first visited this house 40 years ago and it was established then. He can't remember a time when there wasn't wisteria growing over the porch, and he was born here nearly 74 years ago (oh blimey, pause for reflection here... ... ...). He can't be sure that it's the same one, but it could well be. So, over 50 years, and possibly over 75. Not more than 80-ish, as the porch was moved in 1928-9. It was last cut hard back around 15-18 years ago, after which I forbade anyone to do anything with it except under my supervision.

Assertive? Oh darlings, I always stand my round. Ground. Whatever.

heybartender said...

Oh my gods I can only imagine how good that smells.

Gledwood said...

O wow! Now that is pretty amazing!!

(Flapper would give that several coos. And probably spend the afternoon pecking away in all that luxuriance...)

luckyzmom said...

The wisteria is breath taking.