Back in early March, I introduced my upcycled planters for tulips. You could see early leaves poking out of the top and I was seriously excited to see how they worked. They are now in bloom, and while I am a bit upset that the two types of tulip were out of synch for flowering, overall I think I am happy with the result. Next time I do bulbs in them, I shall ensure that they have the same mix in each I think. Still, a hit I think for the whimsical wellies!
Another sign that spring is here is that we have got the garden sculpture out again and he is on his plinth under the birch tree. We bought this heron, created using a chainsaw, at a Comice (although they call it Ruralities) in the village of Beauvau some 10 years ago now at least. It has had some surgery, as it got hit a couple of times by branches, and fell and broke its neck on each occasion, but the wonderful Olivier, a local craftsman in all things wood, has done a fix.
I have been getting a bit depressed about local markets recently. The biggest and best near us is at la Flèche and was a lifeline during Covid lockdowns as you could go there and get real food, rather than what the supermarkets felt you should want to eat. The town councillors seem to think that the market is a Bad Thing however, even though they make money out of it, but perhaps it is too much competition for their personal businesses? Who knows! Anyway, they have removed all the parking spaces within easy reach of the market, and have set up a shuttle bus, which few people take as it is never where you need it to be. I caught it once, and found it too cramped for comfortable seating and was lucky I had no shopping with me, as there was no space for that either. Last week my lovely fishmongers said farewell - I was in tears!
On a much happier note, Baugé market on a Saturday seems to be well supported by the local council and over the past month has acquired a fresh pasta stall, a stall selling food inspired by Guadeloupe, another selling Thai specialities, and my personal favourite, there is a new butcher too! Long may that last! The photo was taken by, and from, the Facebook group supporting the Saturday market.
The excellent weather over the past couple of weeks, albeit a bit unseasonable, has meant I have had absolutely no excuse not to get the potatoes all planted. The final batch of 16 went in this morning and I can feel it in my haunches! With the coverings (two of which are on their seventh season now), we don't need to draw up soil around the shoots as they come up, and it provides exciting habitat for toads and slow worms among other fauna, which keeps the slugs under control. There is some protection too from cat bottoms, although not from cats rolling around in the sun and dust.
The onions are all in now, and I started peas off in old modules that we acquired with geraniums in them over the years. I like to reuse these when I can and when they aren't too battered, and peas are vulnerable to mice and birds and mould when sown direct, so it seemed like a good idea. Now they are nice looking seedlings, but need to go into the ground as the roots are starting to come out of the bottom of the modules, even though they are quite deep. A job for tomorrow I think!
Next week there should be wildlife content, all things being equal, as I brought in one of the trail cameras today - it's been by the badger set for a couple of months, but the grass and weeds have grown up around it, so something needed to be done.
Have a good week and be nice to the Easter Bunny!
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