I have been busy in the garden and I have revamped my website. Also decided that I would *try* to keep the ‘journal’, a.k.a. blog, a little more up-to-date.
Since I am clearly utterly incapable of sustaining a regular presence on social media, I would like to share the first new blog post with you: https://www.wolfkettler.com/blog/wild-unruly-and-beautiful

#ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardening #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #summer #bloomscrolling #biodiversity #natural #NaturalGarden #WeedGardening #weeds #wildflowers #WildlifeFriendly #PlanetFriendly #PollinatorFriendly #ecology #climate #ClimateChange #conservation #sustainability #SelfSown

We also have rabbits again. So far, relatively well behaved, sticking to the grass for culinary needs. Apart, that is, from one of the daylilies, which looks rather sorry for itself. And the primrose, which one of them ‘deadheaded’ whilst I was watching.

#rabbits #wildlife #GardenWildlife #WildlifePhotography #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #natural #NaturalGarden #WildlifeFriendly

First sighting of a pair of ducks this year.
I had seen the male and the female earlier but today is the first time that I saw them together. I approached carefully to say 'hello' and supply a little more breakfast, expecting them to be shy initially. They weren't - both were supremely relaxed with me and confident.
They are also used to me pointing the camera at them.
We know each other well from previous years.

#ducks #mallard #MallardDucks #wildlife #GardenWildlife #WildlifePhotography #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardener #gardening #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #spring #natural #NaturalGarden

Since the beginning of the year, we had only six days without rain.
This afternoon, beautiful sunshine and mild. Suddenly, spring has decided to arrive.
It won't be long now before the big spring tidy in the garden.
‣ Upright. Click to see properly.

#crocus #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardener #gardening #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #sustainable #spring #bloomscrolling #biodiversity #natural #NaturalGarden #WildlifeFriendly #PlanetFriendly #PollinatorFriendly #ecology #climate #ClimateChange #conservation #sustainability

Catkins on a Salix gracilistyla Mount Aso. The catkins are produced in spring before the leaves.
I moved this shrub a couple of years ago from an area, where it was not doing well. It is meant to grow up to three metres tall but is still tiny, probably on account of its hard start in life.
‣ Upright. Click to see properly.

#catkins #salix #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardener #gardening #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #sustainable #winter #biodiversity #natural #NaturalGarden #WildlifeFriendly #PlanetFriendly #ecology #climate #ClimateChange #conservation #sustainability

Started my sowing at the weekend. It's odd. Every year I am determined not to grow anything other than the essentials - vegetables and a few annuals. And every year I end up with a planting list as long as my arm. Does this sound familiar???

#sowing #SeedTray #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardener #gardening #wolfkettler #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #GrowYourOwn #VegetableGrowing #vegetables #sustainable #winter #biodiversity #natural #NaturalGarden #PlanetFriendly #ecology #climate #ClimateChange #conservation #sustainability

A taste of spring in late winter. Everywhere in the garden the Crocus buds are up, ready to burst into flower. Early pollinators love them.

#crocus #spring #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardener #gardening #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #sustainable #winter #bloomscrolling #biodiversity #natural #NaturalGarden #WildlifeFriendly #PlanetFriendly #PollinatorFriendly #ecology #climate #ClimateChange #conservation #sustainability

In Austria and probably other German speaking countries these are called Barbarazweigerl.
Barbara referring to St. Barbara and Zweigerl meaning twigs.
Typically, the cuttings come from fruit trees. I have used wild cherry and Forsythia, both also traditional.
They come in on St. Barbara’s day (4 December) and should flower by around Christmas. Mine never do, they have only just started to flower a couple of days ago.
Admittedly, not exactly impressive but I have found a few ideas for how to help them to do better next year.
‣ Upright. Click to see properly.

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Dogwood pruning day.

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Snowdrops have been flowering for several days. Bulbs, especially daffodils and tulips, are coming up and my garlic is showing signs of growing. Things are looking up!
‣ Upright. Click to see all.

#snowdrops #ArtistsGarden #ImperfectGarden #garden #gardener #gardening #GardenPhotography #Artist #wolfkettler #Photography #GardenWiltshire #WiltshireGarden #Wiltshire #sustainable #winter #bloomscrolling #biodiversity #natural #NaturalGarden #WildlifeFriendly #PlanetFriendly #PollinatorFriendly #ecology #climate #ClimateChange #conservation #sustainability