When the hounds of spring are on winter's traces…...

[echt]

I realise it's later in the UK, but couldn't wait to start a new thread. If another title had been agreed, just tell me and I'll have this removed.

Other than that, seek out those deckchairs from the shed, check them for spiders and get nattering about the spring's promise.

it is indeed 4 weeks(ish) to go!

Choutte we are neighbours! I'm in strensall north of York.

Hi Juneau and Freddie'smother, thanks for the reminder will set the sky to record, am guessing beech grove will be starting soon too, yay

Am not going near that hayloft site as I am unable to resist temptation and trying to save pennies for the flower show.

Nightshade you must be due soonish, we will all be awaiting news, do you know what you are having? And can we suggest floral names?

Funny person I like the idea of successional colour planting and may have done that in one bed through sheer fluke,, needs more summer colour though so will look at that this year.

I have bought an Aldi plum tree and an asda pear tree so will need to crack on and plant them to train against the fence, once I have worked out a way of fixing wires to the fence without using hooks

Bearleigh my crocuses are also looking great this year and I regularly drive through harrogate which has amazing beds go them on the stray it always cheers me up

Rhubarb, am I about to regret googling strulch? Especially as I too cannot estimate things two bags of bark chippings really doesn't go far

Oh I grew up,near Harrogate and used to adore going there at crocus time. I am glad they are still lifting Yorkshire spirits! do you go to Harlow Carr much?

Welcome back Nightshade! Congrats on bump! Not long to go now! :-)

Welcome back Nightshade! Congrats on bump! Not long to go now! :-)

Agree the municipal planting in Harrogate is a delight. I'm a Yorkshire girl too - from the rhubarb triangle obvs. And Strulch is made in Ilkley.

I don't live there now though. You can grow more stuff down South.

Ok you clever folks the BEST way to plant a bare root quince tree (or any other fruit trees ) please. I have googled and consulted my books but there's quite a lot of conflicting advice out there!

And also the trees that were in my cleared 'chicken garden' have been chopped up and put in a pile there BUT there is a dusty white sort of stuff on quite a few of the logs (and on one branch of the walnut tree). Is it dangerous? Should I burn ALL the logs now (in a bonfire outside) or keep to season them for the wood burner next year???

Oh lovely, Squeaky - we looked at buying a house in Strensall before DD was born but DH commutes to Leeds so we ended up nearer to town. The daffodils and crocuses are starting to peek through around the walls which is lovely. Agree about The Stray in Harrogate!

No advice on the logs I'm afraid ppeat but will be watching with interest as we have the same...

I'm wondering if it's the weather Chouette

I think the Monty-approved method of planting a bare root tree is soak the roots, dig a big hole (bigger than I've usually got space for in my overcrowded beds), fork over the bottom so it doesn't form an impermeable bucket, insert tree at the correct height and backfill will soil enriched with compost. If the tree needs to be staked, I think the stake (nicely angled) goes into the hole before the tree.

I bet Rhubarb knows how to do it properly.

Thanks Maud the angled stake is for potted trees I think! Because since the storm of 1987 the tie should be low down to allow some movement but not too much! Oh nothing is simple!

Surely it's for any tree that needs some additional support?

::but what do I know emoticon::

The bare root ones can have a stake stuck right by the trunk (they have them anyway as well.) Yes I don't know either it's difficult!

Angled is fine for any tree. Stake next to the tree as supplied is ok but the tree can knock into the stake and get damaged, so the latest advice is to do two stakes either side, with the prevailing wind direction at 90 degrees. Here's one I did earlier:

(Please excuse the washing in the background)

Thanks Rhubarb is there 'give' in your staking? because some advisors say there needs to be some movement allowed to strengthen the roots. I was thinking of using old tights as ties .

Very elegant washing it is!

Old tights are perfect. A little give is a good idea.

Can I bring another bump to go with nightshade's please? Due next week so hopefully still time to get the sweet peas in!

Hello, fluffybee, and welcome.

::starts knitting::

Welcome fluffybee
I'm a bit biased, but spring is such a lovely time to have a baby!

Hello Fluffybee. Yes get those sweet peas going now - it will be lovely to enjoy jars of them in the house when you are sitting around with a little one.

I must do sweet peas this year too.

Welcome fluffy bee and hope you get your sweet peas in in time!

Ppeat, I think dust and mould on firewood are ok as long as you don't store it inside. I also use rootgrow on anything I plant and it seems to help. No idea about the staking as hadn't even thought of that with my fruit trees. Mind you I think that you don't need to if you are training against a fence

Bearleigh I grew up in harrogate too, and visit Harlow Carr a couple of times a year if I can. DM and I both worked in Betty's so like to visit the new one there

Am amazed at how many yorkshire lasses are on here!

I'm not a Yorkshire lass, but I have been to Betty's and to Harlow Carr. Does that count? ::wink::

I'm not a genuine Yorkshire lass - from the other side of the Pennines - but I've come to love Yorkshire (and married a Yorkshireman!)