Sara HjelmI’ve gathered the support for peonies, high time, passing the magnolia on my way. Time to get going, but very tempting to just sit and enjoy …
#sarasspringcount23
It’s 8.30 am & 36 days until the summer solstice
Already +13° as I sit on the patio waiting for the help I’ve ordered today: dig up & replant bushes, moving heavy stuff around, etc (& those dandelions outside the fence before they spread their seeds)
#sarasspringcount23
Already +13° as I sit on the patio waiting for the help I’ve ordered today: dig up & replant bushes, moving heavy stuff around, etc (& those dandelions outside the fence before they spread their seeds)
#sarasspringcount23
Rereading my long priority list … not all will be done, but a lot. Most are things that take little time, but the transitions take a lot… hear his car now
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#sarasspringcount23
10 am & already grass is mowed & leaves blow away in crucial places, for ex around the mahonia, now ready for pruning low & creeping branches. Next are the dandelions…
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#sarasspringcount23
Ready for gravel with all leaves gone… my tiny leaf blower is just not strong enough for all that debris
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#sarasspringcount23
And all dandelions gone … not a single one left along the fence. Both inside & outside. They filled a whole empty soil sack.
Plus the sprinkling hose in place 👍🏻
Comparison before & after:
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That was a super intense day, ended at 5.30 pm & my #garden tick off list is more or less empty … All replanting done, rose, rhubarbs & sloe. The lose stone in the stairs cemented, top of the small stone table fixated + the old table got a thin clean surface
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#sarasspringcount23
All gravel in the huge sack used up - outside the fence over a string of black ground cloth & behind the garage
The barrel for rain water got a tap…
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The barrel for rain water got a tap…
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Pretty tired by now even if I did not do any of the hard work…
I’ll watch some TV for once
@rektor_linnea is on the 9 o’clock news about Swedish results in PRILS … Then bed.
But look at this wonder
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I’ll watch some TV for once
@rektor_linnea is on the 9 o’clock news about Swedish results in PRILS … Then bed.
But look at this wonder
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It’s now 35 days until the summer solstice
Outside less than 5°, very windy & now, at 8 am, it started to rain
I’m still in awe about yesterday’s garden achievements. I have quite a few branches for mulching + cuttings from the honey rose, but it can wait. Plus so can any watering. Whatever outside has to be under roof. In the garage or on the patio
I’m glad I did not take chilies or bedding plants outside last week in the heat.
#sarasspringcount23
Outside less than 5°, very windy & now, at 8 am, it started to rain
I’m still in awe about yesterday’s garden achievements. I have quite a few branches for mulching + cuttings from the honey rose, but it can wait. Plus so can any watering. Whatever outside has to be under roof. In the garage or on the patio
I’m glad I did not take chilies or bedding plants outside last week in the heat.
#sarasspringcount23
Temperature is now down to +2° & the rain is turning into snow on & off … I hope the remaining blueberry bush flowers & all the wild will survive this temporary drop
I prune my dark red fuchsias & take cuttings. Smallest for a pot for a comparing results
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I prune my dark red fuchsias & take cuttings. Smallest for a pot for a comparing results
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Spent the time waiting for weather improvement baking, or rather deep frying, the flaky, mini pork pies & they’re awesome…
I’ll save rest of the filling for more.
#sarasspringcount23
I’ll save rest of the filling for more.
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And there is improvements indeed… But the wind had been such that the hammock had fallen over
I uncover the cemented stone & really nice result…
As I circle the garden the squirrels follow me around closely, wondering what’s become of today’s nut treat …
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I uncover the cemented stone & really nice result…
As I circle the garden the squirrels follow me around closely, wondering what’s become of today’s nut treat …
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At 9 pm it’s only 33 days 18 hrs until the summer solstice & I’ve had a wonderfully restful day after finally a full night’s sleep…
Sleep helps!
I have not worried about any remaining gardening tasks, not cooked but finished the small pies, read a bit, etc
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So, what did I do? Some cleaning, watering plants indoors, cuddling my cat
At 6 pm I went out to give some nuts & seeds to squirrels & crow birds
It immediately started a huge fight between jackdaws, magpies & wood doves before the squirrels took over …
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A bit later I gathered the branches from Tuesday & put on the sprinkler behind the logs
I’ll let it run for yet awhile
I also put a few tubes of turmeric in wet soil & sand (next experiment, the ginger is doing really well, see below)
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Spent about 1 hour on social media, avoiding the overall catastrophic news on war, politics & above all climate/nature crisis around this fragile globe
And that’s about it, very slow & restful .. I’m privileged, I know, right age, right place, etc.
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After another really nice day it is now 32 days & 19 hrs until the summer solstice & it feels like summer already. Tomorrow I’ve ordered new fruit & vegetables, so tonight I really have to clean the fridge making room…
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#sarasspringcount23
So what did I do?
I did start that fridge cleaning process by pealing all sunchoke tubes + planted a few in a pot for future harvest…
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I did start that fridge cleaning process by pealing all sunchoke tubes + planted a few in a pot for future harvest…
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I then listened to my cat & read in bed with her for some time (last chapter of your book now @asaplsnr @Skolinkvisition , really good. Already wondering whom to pass it on to. I already gave away 2 copies)
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#sarasspringcount23
I then mulched all branches gathered so far - enough to cover all bare areas behind the logs by now
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#sarasspringcount23
And that’s about it …
That fridge, I’d better tend to it at once! Grocery deliveries will arrive early
Outside it’s more a smell of neighbors grilling than the bird cherry tonight..
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Still 32 days until the summer solstice, but now only plus a few hours
At 11 am it’s +18° on the patio & I watch crow birds, squirrels & doves fight under the rhododendron while I wait for the groceries to be delivered & drink coffee
#sarasspringcount23
At 11 am it’s +18° on the patio & I watch crow birds, squirrels & doves fight under the rhododendron while I wait for the groceries to be delivered & drink coffee
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After sorting the veggie/fruit boxes bottom of the fridge I found that the amount of root fruits & potatoes is such that I could eat only that for weeks to come + today is def a day for banana bread & carrot cake
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#sarasspringcount23
The birds will have a ball coming days - numerous stale apples to be exchanged for new ones to keep the food fresh.
Filled the bird feeders - the right one with bars that the woodpecker, but not the squirrels can reach
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Filled the bird feeders - the right one with bars that the woodpecker, but not the squirrels can reach
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Touring the garden…
Under the Bird cherry tree the scent is fantastic
The small cherry has its first flowers & the Malus tree will be next to flower. It’s full of buds & both need watering
Under the old apple tree I find a deep hole …
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Under the Bird cherry tree the scent is fantastic
The small cherry has its first flowers & the Malus tree will be next to flower. It’s full of buds & both need watering
Under the old apple tree I find a deep hole …
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It’s time for the ongoing fight against rodents, ants & snails/slugs. Already seen a few small ones of the latter.
I’ve ordered new nematodes, already have some for pots left plus snail granules to spread at night + 🐜 poison
And there’s that delivery…
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After sorting all that food I drove back & forth to Gothenburg to pick up the remaining allergy medicine for cat Alice - apparently 2 of the very last small bottles in the pharmacy system that my son had secured Tuesday. Huge achievement & no more gardening …
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#sarasspringcount23
That medicine really helps- less itching, fur is growing back, even slowly on the neck & no more sweater. But still on a lease after the vet’s ordination. After her dinner we went outside, she ate grass & we then watched the woodpecker together for awhile …
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#caturday
#sarasspringcount23
#caturday
Half past 9 and very still…
There is a young couple fishing down there. Can you see them?
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It’s 31 days until the summer solstice
I find that gardening with a cat on a leash is next to impossible
I need to unpack & assemble the 4 new benches to allow resting my back in strategic places in that same process …
Sun, +21° - perfect & the cat agrees …
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It’s now only 30 days until the summer solstice
At 5.30 am it is +12°C. Coming 10 nights will be slightly colder, but only 1 below 10°. Plants kept indoors during winter definitly have to go outside! Begonias & fuchsias are already waiting inside the door…
#sarasspringcount23
At 5.30 am it is +12°C. Coming 10 nights will be slightly colder, but only 1 below 10°. Plants kept indoors during winter definitly have to go outside! Begonias & fuchsias are already waiting inside the door…
#sarasspringcount23
Last night, late, I’ve prepared room for them, svept the patio from birch pods (1 full bucket), rearranged & moved all herbs to their future spot other side of the bench to give room, including a new tarragon + a locally grown basil
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#sarasspringcount23
In between reducing vegetables, like this kale, into a minimum with the vacuum sealer, I had already watered around the patio + the small trees & remaining breaks outside I hunted off jackdaws from the bird feeder with the hose
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#sarasspringcount23
I had plans for baking carrot & banana cakes, but instead, after clearing the kitchen, I toured the garden at sunset. Time between bird-cherry & lilacs is def over. Now is the short period when most bushes & trees + lots of perennials flower simultaneously
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#sarasspringcount23
I think the geraniums could very well go outside as well. Plus the chilies & ginger
Today is baking, writing a report to the vet about cat Alice’ progress, spreading manure & mulched branches
Perhaps some carpentry…
Enough … way too early!
Back to bed
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It is now 20 days until the summer solstice & I must say weather has improved … cloudy & +15° at 10.30 am. Add to that promised rain in the afternoon
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#sarasspringcount23
Yesterday was so hot that it was hard to do anything at all until late evening. The thought of baking cakes was out of the question.
I did fill the big, heavy pots on the patio with soil & moved out begonias & fuchsias … bleak & shaky after a winter inside
#sarasspringcount23
I did fill the big, heavy pots on the patio with soil & moved out begonias & fuchsias … bleak & shaky after a winter inside
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Before the rain I cut off one more huge dead branch of the red rhododendron, to be put it in the heap for the dump. It’s looking a lot happier with the others gone. I’ll see what else I get time to do… Perhaps get the geraniums outside
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#sarasspringcount23
And it’s raining… very refreshing! I had just enough time to fill the 2 wide black pots with seeds of dill and spinach + save a fallen birdhouse from the rain. It’s the chaffinches winter home behind the hammock. I’ve missed them lately. No wonder …
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#sarasspringcount23
Perfect day for a banana cake, to travesty Salinger …
I’m off to cuddle my cat, roast some walnuts & heat up the oven…
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I’m off to cuddle my cat, roast some walnuts & heat up the oven…
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It’s now 28 days before the summer solstice & it’s so green…
Today or tomorrow the azalea will be a huge orange ball
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Today or tomorrow the azalea will be a huge orange ball
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And the malus is fantastic
Question is if I’ll get to do any gardening at all. I might just sit & enjoy in the shade for awhile before the sun reaches the patio
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I’ve already done today’s most important task - mailed the vet to give an update on cat Alice
Here she is watching me send off that mail, waiting for food.
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Here she is watching me send off that mail, waiting for food.
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Since it’s past 3 pm it’s now only 26 days until the summer solstice
Weather today has been really nice. Planned to cut grass & bring out the mower, but ended up cutting branches & reading up on how to treat sick rhododendrons
My garden shopping list grows…
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Yesterday I did bake that banana bread + received the nematodes
Today the vet called - very happy about cat Alice’ progress she also wrote a prescription on anti tick remedies x & told me to continue present medication
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Today the vet called - very happy about cat Alice’ progress she also wrote a prescription on anti tick remedies x & told me to continue present medication
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I was then held up by a long thread on twitter about my first apartment with someone who lived nearby as a kid https://twitter.com/sara_hjelm/status/1661517462947393538?s=46&t=aooXxpxBt_AhsjE9Y9dxbw
To find a place to live in Gothenburg back then was easy & cheap if you accepted old time standards & no permanent contract
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To find a place to live in Gothenburg back then was easy & cheap if you accepted old time standards & no permanent contract
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I really should cut the grass up front at least, water trees, pots & the newly planted sloe & rose
And cook dinner…
Fried fillets of cod already defrosted + some spinach. Alice will appreciate those leftovers
Distractions…
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9 pm & 25 days until the summer solstice…
I cannot say I’ve been lazy as I cleaned indoors all day. Bit of a pity, but badly needed
This is a what it looks like outside right now
#sarasspringcount23
I cannot say I’ve been lazy as I cleaned indoors all day. Bit of a pity, but badly needed
This is a what it looks like outside right now
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In between vacuuming and cleaning benches & tables from clutter I followed, RT:ed/boosted from yesterday’s huge teacher demonstration in Gothenburg.
Oh, forgot, I did do one garden thing, unpacked & tried this & it works perfectly 👌🏻
#sarasspringcount23
Oh, forgot, I did do one garden thing, unpacked & tried this & it works perfectly 👌🏻
#sarasspringcount23
It’s getting late, 10 pm after a busy day both indoors and outdoors
It’s 24 days until the summer solstice & of the below photos the 1:st was 5.30 am & the 2:nd is now
Nice half moon & still very light
#sarasspringcount23
It’s 24 days until the summer solstice & of the below photos the 1:st was 5.30 am & the 2:nd is now
Nice half moon & still very light
#sarasspringcount23
So, what did I do?
3 machines washing + sorting dry things
Watering all strategic plants & trees
Cat Alice’ claws were cut with the help of my neighbor
Geraniums moved outside
Curated my website
Finally made more pork pies … (still some filling left 👍🏻)
#sarasspringcount23
3 machines washing + sorting dry things
Watering all strategic plants & trees
Cat Alice’ claws were cut with the help of my neighbor
Geraniums moved outside
Curated my website
Finally made more pork pies … (still some filling left 👍🏻)
#sarasspringcount23
The cat has finally given up on me. She’s been telling me it’s time for bed for at least 2 hrs by now
#sarasspringcount23
#caturday
#sarasspringcount23
#caturday
23 days until the summer solstice & the weather is way colder, about 14°C, but feels worse with hard winds
The amount of pollen is now such that I find it hard to be outside. When I woke at 7 I could hardly breathe.
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It should be a perfect day for heavy gardening & grass mowing, but I end up moving plant’s between levels in the house (time to get all adjusted to outside for a few hours each day, chilies, ginger, cacti, etc)
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#saraspringcount23
I then collected branches in heaps + started filling the 2:nd barrel in the corner with more soil & arrange sacks & buckets of chicken manure for easier access
lt left a huge piece of green tarp to be stored away. I have carrot & bean seeds ready …
#sarasspringcount23
lt left a huge piece of green tarp to be stored away. I have carrot & bean seeds ready …
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The air is full of sallow seeds dancing around & it’s very dry … everything is covered in a thin layer of yellow. If it actually did rain at 4 am as promised last night, there was no sign of it this morning.
Baking carrot cake seems like a better option next
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Baking carrot cake seems like a better option next
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Ok…
2 carrot cakes & 1 experimental parsley root cake to the right. Should be enough for at least 3 decorated cakes.
And I wonder what my experiment tastes like. Slightly tweaked seasoning, but it smells parsley root…
Time for bed.
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It’s 23 days & 2 hrs until the summer solstice
Nice weather out there, 18°C & less windy. I have to remind myself why moving delicate plant outside is no option yet - next 2 photos are from 4.30 am. Only +3° at sunrise…
Before anything else I’ll go shopping
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Nice weather out there, 18°C & less windy. I have to remind myself why moving delicate plant outside is no option yet - next 2 photos are from 4.30 am. Only +3° at sunrise…
Before anything else I’ll go shopping
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✔️Rhododendron manure & soil (+maybe irresistible new begonias? Garden centers are full of temptations…)
✔️Larger plastic bags for those cakes plus powder sugar
✔️Possibly screws & paint
Dividing with myself- go east or west? I think west.
#sarasspringcount23