An Organic Lifestyle (Organic Growing Pains)

I went out to the plot yesterday but had forgotten to charge the drill battery so the scarecrows arms could not be put on. I charged the battery overnight and today myself and Kevin set off. This is another birthday present getting an airing, its a canvas bag with pockets and tools around the outside and room for the essentials inside.We have no water on the allotments as the pipes were affected by the recent cold spell so the flask is an essential on a cold morning. It was sunny but very cold after frost , even Kevin opted for a warming cup of tea!We fixed up the scarecrow and left after about an hour. Kevin was going swimming with his Dad so we had to be home early and it was so cold I could feel it coming up through the soles of my boots! The potatoes chitting on a windowsill, I have not put them out to the shed yet.These are Colleen an organic first early.There were 30 seed potatoes of varying sizes in the bag. I will also put in a second early and leave it at that. The potato is p...

Daughter linda gave birth to baby Katie at 04.05 am this morning, she weighed in at a healthy 7lbs 8 ozs. Mother and baby are great and she hopes to be home tomorrow. No photo yet as I have been under the weather all day with sinus but it is lifting a little now. Linda has 2 blogs on the go, so her readers on the amateur crafter and a photo one she updates occasionally on photo gallery may not see new posts up for a few days but there will be lots of photos up there very soon I would think! Yesterday afternoon when I collected the grandchildren from school we paid a visit to the plot with a new raincoat for our scarecrow which was looking the worse for wear after standing guard all winter!Kevin and Aoife admiring his trendy outfit, his face needs redoing also but he does look a little more cheerful after his makeover!

I have been trying for ages to get the captions next to the relevant photo, but they do not publish in the correct order! So.... From the Top 1: Myself, weeding while waiting for someone to turn up who can hopefully turn the post next to me into a passable scarecrow! Ed secured the post on Sat evening. 2:Grandson, trapper Ben meditating, while I wonder if a leather football..( soft )..( the football, not me) would make a suitable head for our scarecrow? 3:Grandson Ryan has taken control of the hose so Kevin starts the long trek to the next hosepipe with his trusty watering can. 4: Son in law Rob gets to grips with the 'head'. 5: Daughter Linda giving hubby Rob a helping hand, while Ryan demonstrates the overhand method of watering!

6: Rob trying desperately to look as if he knows exactly what he is doing. 7: Our friend looks slightly 'disjointed'! 8: Linda trying out her chat up lines...he does not seem to be responding! 9: Me, watching Linda giving him some final 'tweaks'. 10: Me, with the new man in my life! He looks far too cute and cuddly to scare anything away!

Kevin wanted to make a scarecrow last year to keep the birds from our fruit. We did not get around to it but this year we are organising a family day to do it.My son in law Rob is in charge of planning,the kids are in charge of getting the stuffing and 'bits' together. We still were not sure of how to actually put one together so Kevin's Mom, Aisling volunteered to go online and 'Google' scarecrow! I might add Aisling is 8 months pregnant so this her contribution. Lo and behold she found Scarecrow instructions on a New Zealand website! http://www.bestgardening.com/ I have been on the site and even though it is mainly for the climate in New Zealand there is a wealth of general information which can be used by any gardener ie; A Caffeine Fix for Slugs and Snails In one of the best pieces of gardening news in recent years scientists have discovered that slugs and snails detest caffeine. Pouring the dregs of your morning coffee on the ground will drive them away. Even ...