GARDENER'S WORD

Snow came down today in heavy clumps but, fortunately, it's too mild for it to hang around for long. The sun is trying to make an appearance too. While I love the sight of snow, it can be problematic where I live and can hang around for weeks if several inches of it come down and it's cold enough to prevent thaw. The garden birds seemed to be in a bit of a feeding frenzy today and so I ensured they had plenty of seed and fresh water. It was lovely to see a robin in the miniature James Grieve apple tree . Robin on James Grieve miniature apple tree on snowy day - January 2020 Robin on James Grieve miniature apple tree on snowy day - January 2020 Birds on bird feeding station on snowy day - January 2020

Sitting in a cafe today, an elderly lady began reciting a beautiful poem. The Months by Sara Coleridge. The lady had dementia and was delving into her long term memory.  Sara Coleridge died in 1852, and I had never heard her poem until today. I wanted to share it here because it reminds me of gardening and the weather. January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow. February brings the rain, Thaws the frozen lake again. March brings breezes loud and shrill, stirs the dancing daffodil. April brings the primrose sweet, Scatters daisies at our feet. May brings flocks of pretty lambs, Skipping by their fleecy dams. June brings tulips, lilies, roses, Fills the children’s hand with posies. Hot July brings cooling showers, Apricots and gillyflowers. August brings the sheaves of corn, Then the Harvest home is borne. Warm September brings the fruit, Sportsmen ...

What a wonderful beginning to 2020. It is the first day of January, 2020, the sun is shining here in West Yorkshire, it's about 5C, scarcely a cloud in the sky, and not a drop of rain. To make things even better, after not seeing one for a very long time, I managed to catch on my Canon EOS camera a Great Spotted Woodpecker eating from one of my home-made fat balls . These birds are such beautiful creatures and this one was joined by goldfinches on the sunflower-seed feeder. Great Spotted Woodpecker eating homemade fat ball and Goldfinches eating sunflower seeds The photos could have been better but I was taking them from inside my kitchen, through the glass. If had opened the door to get better images, well the birds would have taken flight. Note that the below fat ball was made with lard and mixed wild-bird seed only. I used small plastic cups as moulds and they fit nicely within the feeder. Great Spotted Woodpecker eating homemade fat ball and Goldfinches eating sunflower...