"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." This month's discussion in the potting shed.

[MyNightWithMaud]

Grateful thanks to the magnificent Margaret Atwood (via A Mighty Girl) for the quote.

I have just come indoors after a delightful couple of hours' pottering in the garden. It's far warmer than yesterday and everything feels optimistic and vernal again, after yesterday's Arctic blast.

High point: Realising that most of last year's cuttings have taken. Given that I am useless with seeds this, I think, is my propagating future.

Low point: Realising that my newest fairy lights have already failed.

I'm so sorry funny.

Hello gardeners, lovely to hear all your news. I am feeling rather sorry for myself as I've had flu all over Easter and am still totally knocked out.

Special congratulations to nightshade and little Persephone (fab name).

In my own exciting gardening news... 2 of my tulips are out - blue wow and ballerina. The agapanthus bulbs I planted last year look like they are coming back for more. DD and I managed to plant some sweet pea seeds (royal family mix - thank you Maud) and are now checking these hourly for signs of germination.

Funny et al - I feel your pain over the choices we all make. I've only just gone back to FT work after taking mat leave/working pt since dd1 was born 6 years ago. I'm so shocked at what a big difference going from 4 days to 5 has made, there is just never enough time....

Just got to bottom of the thread - very sorry for your loss funny

Just checking in. So sorry about your FIL, Funnyperson.

I'm sorry too to hear about your FIL, funnyperson.

funnyperson

funny

On the motherhood discussion, I made the decision to work but squeezed a FT job into 4 days initially & now properly 4 days a week. I think I'm a better mother for having the balance. I don't think I would be good at full time motherhood which is why I think very highly of those that do, it's a tough job! I however need to do it all to feel like I'm succeeding at any of it. I am my own worst critic and drive myself endlessly to ensure neither my children or my work miss out. It's very, very hard. But I am lucky that I have the choice, I am also lucky that I have had very supportive employers and flexibility. And however hard I find it, I wouldn't have it any other way.

No gardening today as I have been doing a very rare job on a weekend. I have Monday off to compensate though so I may force the DDs to go pond plant shopping.

Ooh you've got to the exciting bit Bertha!

I got an email from Curzon cinemas saying that there is a special showing of the Le Nôtre film this coming Friday at Curzon Mayfair (near Green Park tube) with a Q&A session with Alan "gorgeous voice" Rickmansworth who directed it. I think it starts around 18.30 and tickets need to be bought in advance. If we don't make that the film itself is clearly heading our way.

Ooops autocorrect that I didn't spot - Alan Rickman, of course...

Sorry to hear about your FIL, funnyperson, and so glad to see the garden is comfort to you.

It's a rather overcast Sunday here and I spent part of yesterday struggling to get the container for my pot pond level. I may have to give DH instructions. He enjoys that kind of thing, and who am I to deny him his fun? :o

Which reminds me we still need to return the neighbour's spirit level...I'm still not convinced how accurate we were with levelling. It will all become clear when we finally get to add water.

funny

Congratulations to nightshade

sugar is your dog ok?

I am a bit late to the discussion about working because I have been at work. I am only part time but have to work weekends so that Dh can look after the girls. They do moan about me working but when I asked them if they'd rather go without a few things and have me at home, they shoved me out the door

I pottered a bit yesterday afternoon after I got up, I'm planning a Lavender walkway under the pergola, and started to prep the soil. I am rubbish at remembering where things are and stumbled on a huge Dahlia tuber, the only Tesco one that grew last year, it's still alive so I've potted it and popped in the Greenhouse. Pleased to notice that the Sarah Raven Dahlias are sprouting.

Like the woman's Dh on GW in the beach garden (so lovely) my Dh has dug over, rotivated and manured the loosestrife bed for me, although I liked them they were a bit invasive and only in flower for 6 weeks. I'm sure some will have survived. I'm planning this to be a hotbed and will be planting the Dahlias,(purples, reds and orange) Zinnia , Crocosmia and storing the gone over Tulips once they have gone over.

The Tesco Victoria Plum tree planted when we first moved in has blossom for the first time as does the Damson which got moved this time last year.

Looks like another lovely day today, is anyone else severely neglecting their inside chores ? I must have several hours of ironing, the fridge is empty and as for dds rooms it can all wait!

Thank you for all the flowers. Actually FIL had a good innings and died peacefully with his wife by his side but he was a good kind man in his private life as well as being a GP for decades so we shall miss him.

Are you all thinking of going to the film on Friday? Can someone pm me please if you are?

I'll be planting in the garden today.

Oh so sorry funny Like echt I'm glad your garden is a comfort .

I was about to go out to plant my new little pots of rosemary, lavender and wallflowers and I was listening to the birds with their food in my hands when It was like being in a 'hide' ; 2 of my fave ring necked doves were pecking around getting closer to me all the time, birds were flying down to the birdtable, it's a cold but beautiful morning. What with the cats (who don't seem to upset the birds) we've had one of the strays neutered and he's in the utility room, and the visiting dogs, I feel like Dr. Doolittle .

Though I haven't heard our regular cuckoo, has anyone else heard theirs?

Oh yes silly me Halsall It's the close up you've got were you lying down?

Ref. feminism I'm not an approver of any 'ism' actually, IMO it leads to extremes like classism; believing only 'proper' jobs that need degrees or whatever are to be valued for women. But not teaching because that's traditionally a 'woman's job'. I think we should ALL be valued as long as we try do our best and are kind to one another.

He sounds like a lovely person FP . I'm glad for him and you all that he went peacefully.

Dog has dodgy stomach Geoff thanks for asking. Last night better as she was only up once. Glorious day here today. I really want to get my swing seat up if I can.

Our cats don't bother the birds much either Ppeatfruit. There is other dead mouse on the drive though.

Just realised I haven't got any Dahlias. Need pond stuff so might go to garden centre later.

I haven't heard our cuckoo yet either ppeat. We're off to Winkworth arboretum today and stopping at Scats; we need to get some supplies in as I think we're expecting some baby chickens to hatch next weekend. So excited! I shall probably be very disappointed and nothing will happen but I am allowing myself to at least be a little hopeful

Funnyperson I'm sorry to hear about your FiL. May he rest in peace. When somebody close to us passes on it does make us appreciate being alive. I'm glad your garden is giving you pleasure. And I think you are a wonderful mother, from reading your posts over the past year or so. There is no right or wrong way; people should do what works for them .

No cuckoos here, they seem a bit rare these days, last years Springwatch tracked a few and found they were being eaten by Aficans in the Congo region. I find it hard to be cross when they have to go out with a slingshot for food and we can just go to the supermarket.

Dd1s school has a Facebook page, it recently was very proud to have taken 12 specially selected budding engineers out on a hovercraft where they learnt about the workings of it etc. They were all BOYS, I couldn't quite bring myself to comment although I knew I should have.

Ooh Bertha! Baby chicks!

I am hoping to buy a hen coop by the end of April and get some hens in May.
I feel that if I don't do it while on maternity leave I won't manage it when I go back to work. I also want to get a puppy....DH has been saying no since we got married (almost 4 years now!) but I'm hoping for one for my birthday tomorrow....I'm not entirely hopeful but fingers crossed!

sugar glad your dog is ok and at least he lets you know when he wants out at night mine doesn't and regularly gets an upsets stomach after being looked after by my mum

Do you really want a puppy castle

of baby chicks

Regarding feminism, sometimes I feel it has backfired on women a little. I have quite a few friends who say they would love to be a sahm but they feel they don't have the choice to do that because there is pressure on them to contribute financially and the work of a sahm is not valued highly enough by others in their lives.

Certainly in my circle of friends it has become a luxury to be able to be a sahm or even to take a career break for a few years to be at home.

I'm already feeling anxious about going back to work at the end of August. DH is considering minding Dd for part of the week, so we'll see. If not hopefully I will be able to job share next year, and at some point take some time off on career break to be at home...

Yes Geoff!
I've been sending DH adverts for golden retriever/Labrador crosses and dropping heavy hints. All seem to be falling on deaf ears though...

Been meaning to post this for ages but haven't had much time on the computer - I missed the discussion below about runner ducks, but this is what we've got (two came with our house) and they're brilliant.
They eat slugs but don't appear to trash the garden at all, they take very little looking after and they really don't seem to need the pond - the only time they go in it is when something frightens them; otherwise they prefer to bath in their water container. Also they don't seem to poo everywhere the way the chickens did, though that might just be that the garden is much bigger.

I had chickens in the old house but I'm a total duck convert. When these die I'm going to get some more young enough to actually lay us some eggs. DH wants me to get some chickens again too when the corners of the garden are cleared enough for them to have a permanent area, but tbh I'd rather just have more ducks.

What do runner ducks look like Countess? They sound lovely.

I would love some runner ducks! Friends have them and they look lovely.

Had an hour or so clearing out the greenhouse this morning, DD helped and we planted peas, broad beans, tomatoes and some primula japonica. Not sure if this last will germinate as the weather has warmed up a trifle but fingers crossed.

It is LOVELY to have my greenhouse back. We are going to put some picket fence across the door to prevent invasion by toddler. He does not respect the plant pots!

Do they wear little trainers? Is it too early to plant broad beans out Humphrey? I felt inspired to buy some because I read somewhere that they're pretty enough to be ornamental!