tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32501276600051686552024-03-05T17:39:42.785+01:00Gardening Tips from the UK to Spain!Sharing my garden in Spain, along with some information from the UK also! Learning about how, where and why we should do certain tasks when planting in our gardens.
Learning about pests & diseases, compost, pruning, weeding, sunlight, soils - it never ends! We look forward to meeting you and if we are not helping you, maybe you will be helping us. Happy GardeningCampo Girls Gardening in Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747786273369323090noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-38430676976057650562014-01-21T11:31:00.000+01:002014-01-21T11:31:59.704+01:00Random Gardening ChatterHey<br />
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Long time for me on here, almost 3 years! Well, I have been a busy bee, moved countries a couple of times, moved houses even more but finally settled back into Monda life, and loving it. Some new hens have come to join the party and the garden has had quite a few changes, including a new parking area, the shed turned into an office and the door moved from one side to the other, whole 3,000 m2 strimmed and turned over, a new vegetable/fruit patch has been dug with raised beds and breeze blocks used for planting some of the more delicate plants; strawberries.<br />
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There was a lot of bamboo growing own the garden and it wass starting to look a mess, so we chopped that down, stripped it back to the bare bamboo, dried it and made a fence out of it, there is a section of the garden which doesn't ever look nice, around the back of the chicken coop, so the free bamboo growing down the garden came in very handy.<br />
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As you can see, now the bamboo gate is in place, all the crap round the back of the chicken coop is now hidden from view, it looks much tidier from the track now too - very impressed with myself and what a way to save some money and keep the garden tidy at the same time!<br /><br />I also planted a lot of raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants, they are all very happy to be in the ground and are growing well for this time of year, we have a mild winter so we might as well take the opportunity to make the most of it and get growing!<br />
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I made a small rockery near my new car park also and that has made a real nice feature alongside the vegetable patch.<br />
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Well, I hope to bring more news as I work through the garden and I promise it won't be as long a wait as the last post!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.com029110 Monda, Málaga, Spain36.6296725 -4.831973599999969336.623301 -4.8420585999999695 36.636044 -4.8218885999999692tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-45329997000692805542011-03-02T13:35:00.000+01:002011-03-02T13:35:34.643+01:00March GardeningMarch! The gardening year starts here. The milder weather means keen gardeners can get busy in a month of preparations for a blooming summer garden. Order your mail order seeds and buy summer-flowering bulbs.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>How To Sow Vegetable Seeds</b><br />
Now's the time to clear a spot for your kitchen garden or sow carrots, parsnips, summer cauliflowers, rhubarb, Brussels sprouts, leeks and onions.<br />
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1) Prepare the ground where crops are to be grown by raking the soil to remove stones and weeds. Level the surface.<br />
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2) Mark out rows with cane and a length of strong, then take out a shallow groove or seed drill with the back of a rake or tip of a cane.<br />
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3) Sow seeds thinly along the drill, spacing them evenly, or sow several seeds at regular points and thin out once the seedlings appear.<br />
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4) Cover seeds thinly with soil and tap down with a rake. On heavy soil, cover with potting compost for a more even layer.<br />
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Get to grips with weeds before they get grips with your plants! The most common culprits are bindweed, couch grass, nettles, docks and thistles. Banish them from borders using a hoe to uproot them or use a spray to clear paths and patios.<br />
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If you have roses they will need a feed of rose fertiliser. Give shrubs a general feed. Scatter around the base of the plants. A layer of mulch, compost or bark, will also prevent the dreaded weed seeds from taking hold and protect the plants from late frosts!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-68409399571313815452010-12-07T13:12:00.000+01:002010-12-07T13:12:40.458+01:00Gardening November & DecemberGet outside and do it now......<br />
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November has now past and we are getting well into the festive season, I hope you managed to do your gardening chores!?<br />
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You will notice a chilly nip in the air in November which acts as a reminder to get the garden tidy-up underway before the weather turns too cold. Make a few forays into the garden and you'll be set up for a blooming spring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfD1R_LpTv9TwTqDkxz1jr_ImJdkV7hW71drIFjIqWaUBsyRhzrB6XWuMmkgki5Z6fDKi5i3dvLsNtiJxU97RlrV7OboN974W_BxOeBZG7sPjcsJK9T0L5ne8sRYHBtiCLPExzfpWkIrN/s1600/fuschias2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfD1R_LpTv9TwTqDkxz1jr_ImJdkV7hW71drIFjIqWaUBsyRhzrB6XWuMmkgki5Z6fDKi5i3dvLsNtiJxU97RlrV7OboN974W_BxOeBZG7sPjcsJK9T0L5ne8sRYHBtiCLPExzfpWkIrN/s1600/fuschias2.jpg" /></a>Get your greenhouse gleaming to make the most of the winter light. Put in a good bit of elbow grease to clean off grime and algae that have accumulated on the glass over the summer. It helps if you have a high pressure jet wash, but be careful! Also clean garden pots and containers.<br />
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Pot up fuschias and other tender plants that you'll be wintering in your greenhouse and water sparingly. If you are still lucky to have bedding plants in flower, protect them overnight with a fleece. Whip this off in the morning, this way you can enjoy your cheery blooms for a while longer :)<br />
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If you have a good crop of apples, store them wrapped in newspaper in the garden shed, that way they won't rot so easily and you'll have supplies for months.<br />
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There's still time to plant out spring-flowering bulbs in containers and borders. Group tulips and daffodils together and plant snowdrops and lily of the valley (first signs of spring) around trees or in window boxes.<br />
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<b>December Gardening</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUTUuQ9T6XbKx5uXqiYKEGDtFkXINokCNrckgW70Rs0eR8m4VE6qik4qUFnnNVusJrt0iJpMSP5zD4DfQwxmi4hg549y1mn0t652L75iNnyzgsrLr9ozLx4OFUzYgrc55XREGceuFu3Ef/s1600/robin-snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUTUuQ9T6XbKx5uXqiYKEGDtFkXINokCNrckgW70Rs0eR8m4VE6qik4qUFnnNVusJrt0iJpMSP5zD4DfQwxmi4hg549y1mn0t652L75iNnyzgsrLr9ozLx4OFUzYgrc55XREGceuFu3Ef/s1600/robin-snow2.jpg" /></a></div>Robins not only provide a pretty diversion in your garden, but will carry out essential pest patrol. They scoff up soil grubs and take away caterpillars and a host of other nuisances. To attract birds into your garden this winter, give them a free lunch. They are partial to seeds, peanuts and fat. Serve them on a bird table as this is high enough off the ground from any predators - such as my cats! They will also require a clean supply of water to drink or use as a bath. It also helps if you have a supply of shrubs with berries and plants that provide seed heads for them to eat. <br />
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Use a fleece to cover plants susceptible to frost, but if you are blessed with borders of evergreens, you're in for a real treat and they look wonderful with a light covering of frost.<br />
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Plant A Tree</b><br />
If your garden is looking bare, now's the ideal time to plant a tree so its roots can establish before spring. You won't have leaves on it in winter, but it will still provide colour, height and interest.<br />
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1) Cut a circle of turf from your lawn, making the centre. Dig a hole deep enough for the root section and break up the hard soil around so the roots can work their way into it more easily and establish.<br />
2) Hammer in a stout wooden stake to the base of the hole. Position the tree next to it and sprinkle in granular fertiliser. Cover with soil and water well.<br />
3) Attach the tree to the stake with a tree tie so it is well supported. Lastly spread a layer of mulch around it to stop weeds competing for water and nutrients.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-88116834375896363702010-11-17T16:16:00.000+01:002010-11-17T16:16:04.181+01:00Gardening Explained<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk8KhdQ03HlGkI2mrFJT7_PlOH6eM5cI3DKdyZCi-7QGfDi_jNb60xES8sk-SkM34ZZVtvRT4YJrRSxzL2hddDcJ5lGAdb4q42xV3wIjm9msmJ51aPcffsA0a5Gk-jN8EtTQnSg87Epp1/s1600/clematis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk8KhdQ03HlGkI2mrFJT7_PlOH6eM5cI3DKdyZCi-7QGfDi_jNb60xES8sk-SkM34ZZVtvRT4YJrRSxzL2hddDcJ5lGAdb4q42xV3wIjm9msmJ51aPcffsA0a5Gk-jN8EtTQnSg87Epp1/s1600/clematis.jpg" /></a>Get to grips with simple techniques and you'll be able to get the most from your garden. It's really easy once you what's what!<br />
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<b>Learn the Lingo</b><br />
It's easily taken for granted, but your soil needs a good feed if it's going to produce blooming spring and summer displays. Most soils need improving, and they're a greedy lot. You need to dig in organic matter such as garden manure or compost and give it a good helping or fertiliser.<br />
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Dig in plenty of organic matter on newly laid borders and beds, and for beds already planted, top with a generous layer of mulch in the winter. Add fertiliser just before sowing or planting.<br />
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Fertilisers are concentrated plant foods and an essential supplement to bulky manures. A good inorganic fertiliser is Growmore. Some plants are fussier than others and roses like their own special rose fertiliser which contains more potash and magnesium than a general purpose feed. For most gardens, compound fertiliser, which has a good mix of all nutrients, hits the mark for most other uses.<br />
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Many plants are able to scale the heights without support, but others will be crying out for help. There are two types of plants that need a helping hand: <b>climbers</b> and varieties with <b>weak stems</b>. <br />
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<b>Trellis </b>is one of the most attractive supports for climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle. Fix these lattice work wood frames on to walls and fences or erect free standing panels.<br />
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To make more of a feature of your climbing plants, you could choose a permanent structure such as a pergola, arch, gazebo or pillar. The plants you grown on them will probably need tying in to the structure at intervals, but they will have free range to spread at will.<br />
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Use bamboo canes for individual plants. Delphiniums will appreciate this sort of support. Tie in the stems with soft garden twine at intervals.<br />
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<b>Removing Lawn Weeds</b><br />
Dig out persistent weeds before they make themselves at home in your lawn. No one minds the odd daisy, but it's best to root out the less attractive visitors once you spot them.<br />
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1. Use a hand trowel to dig out perennial weeds. Remove every bit of the root, especially the long tap root of dandelions.<br />
2. You will have a hole in your lawn where the weed had settled. Level this by adding a little potting compost, which will also enrich the soil. Mix it in well.<br />
3. Sprinkle the grass seed over the bare patch. Mix it into the soil surface to ensure it is evenly spaced and just covered with soil. Water with a fine hose.<br />
4. To speed up germination and keep the birds off, spread a sheet of clear polythene over the patch and peg in place. Remove this once the seedlings start to emerge.<br />
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<b>Pot Up Rooted Cuttings</b><br />
Root cuttings you've been nurturing on the windowsill should now be in prime condition for potting.<br />
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1. Remove cuttings from their pot to see how well rooted they are. If a strong root system fills the pot then it's ready, steady, go!<br />
2. Gently ease the cuttings apart. Don't worry if some of the roots get broken, as long as each cutting finishes with its own rootball.<br />
3. Replant each cutting in multi purpose compost in a 7.5cm (3in) pot. Push the compost down around the roots and water well.<br />
4. Keep the plants well watered in a frost free greenhouse or other warm, light position. Feed weekly after about six weeks. Plant outside once all risk of frost is past.<br />
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<b>Perk up Your Pergola</b><br />
It's hard to beat seating under a perfumed filled pergola in the summer. If you can make an Ikea bed, you'll have no problems assembling these. You can buy kits from a garden centre. But you will need someone to help you position the pieces plus a few tools - spirit level, hammer and drill.<br />
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Once in position, you can either woodstain it with a natural colour or paint it a bright cheerful colour. Smaller, but just as pretty when covered in roses are arches that lead from one part of the garden to another.<br />
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<b>What To Grow</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvml2MlBrIByMoD2YTSX32nRyciTt6RxJvyDDgowasAPfwMiWuDcAB2vbSj9q7DiafG1AvourHbQsCMSLCWW2hyV0gnJmjBgiNTe5_FJa68LsTRxgQOIQe6i3B97xbJreyOfJB3XG4Nafq/s1600/899566_pots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvml2MlBrIByMoD2YTSX32nRyciTt6RxJvyDDgowasAPfwMiWuDcAB2vbSj9q7DiafG1AvourHbQsCMSLCWW2hyV0gnJmjBgiNTe5_FJa68LsTRxgQOIQe6i3B97xbJreyOfJB3XG4Nafq/s1600/899566_pots.jpg" /></a>When it's been built, create an attractive feature under your pergola using pots and grasses. Striking blue-grass Elymus magellanicus looks lovely in terracotta pots.<br />
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In summertime, when most climbing plants come into their own. For a summer stunner, it's hard to beat Clematis 'Albatross'.<br />
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If you don't want your pergola to look bare in autumn and early winter choose a winter flowering honeysuckle, like the creamy white and fragrant flowers of Lonicera and standishii.<br />
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<b>Container Dressing</b><br />
You'll already have planted your spring bulbs, but there's nothing to stop you smartening their pots by covering the earth with gravel, flint or silvery stones. It looks stunning and stops the squirrels helping themselves to lunch!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-24362835981921967812010-11-15T15:36:00.000+01:002010-11-15T15:36:05.596+01:00Plants For The GardenTo enable the different elements of <a href="http://www.lovethegarden.com/">gardening</a> to blend comfortably and attractively, there has to be a balance. These elements can be largely dictated by the trees, shrubs and flowers that you choose to grow in it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ayhny4z1r2gVTiLM37KKRP4r-8T5pq_6NxMm0IFxLrBCo77sW6ssJrnz73z-5QDe752o_uyXsBsMK56hWdhupm85KBw5B-YwueumiosS6kZvvVPD_sIMUpGb6gC037cBKdSTFZwRAsPq/s1600/gardening-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ayhny4z1r2gVTiLM37KKRP4r-8T5pq_6NxMm0IFxLrBCo77sW6ssJrnz73z-5QDe752o_uyXsBsMK56hWdhupm85KBw5B-YwueumiosS6kZvvVPD_sIMUpGb6gC037cBKdSTFZwRAsPq/s1600/gardening-small.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">By opting for for plants that complement and harmonise with other aspects of the garden, such as the paving or lawn, and its overall size and shape, you can create a framework in which art and nature reach a happy equilibrium.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Making a garden is an intensely personal business. What one person loves, another may hate. Such varying reactions are often to do with the level of harmony and contrast in the planting. Very harmonious gardens, where all the colours match, and clashes or surprises are avoided, are soothing, restful places. Those who like more stimulation may prefer gardens with lots of vivid, contrasting colours, or a wide and dramatic range of leaf shapes and plant forms.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Harmony in gardens is relatively east to achieve with single colour schemes. White gardens are particularly rewarding and straight forward. Plantings based on colour contrast are more difficult to get right, and are much more personal. Mixing strong colours can create results that are vibrant to some, but obtrusive to others.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some gardeners are happy to have most of their garden flowering at once. They like to see a spring garden with lots of bulbs, or an early summer garden with roses and perennials, and they are happy to let it rest for the remainder of the year. Most gardeners, though, prefer to attempt a long season of interest, which involves trying to interweave plants so that there is always something or some part, that looks good.</div><br />
A garden takes time to develop, and never stands still. Planning planting for the short, medium and long term helps avoid the great gaps that can try the patience of even the most dedicated. Trees, needless to say, are the most long term, often maturing long after we have gone. Shrubs, too, can take many years to look their best, which can mean that a garden that is heavily reliant on them may take rather a while to develop. Herbaceous perennials look established with remarkable speed, whereas annuals fulfil their promise and disappear within a year. It makes good sense, then, to include all these different plant forms in a garden.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-44218440273866903732010-10-12T11:49:00.000+02:002010-10-12T11:49:09.698+02:00Autumn Lawn Care<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzni7c6EtSN_RBVGm4QEzudkcvi9hj_pAUeYDeqMpRUVcky_laL6H8fnwhvemEvAKBjR9U1zupCc-JLEBySfOfQaJBVW_qez1XVtaC0sgIog-zgJAjEXN4Smf1oMPIAjlHvW0a-ff_3YiY/s1600/lawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzni7c6EtSN_RBVGm4QEzudkcvi9hj_pAUeYDeqMpRUVcky_laL6H8fnwhvemEvAKBjR9U1zupCc-JLEBySfOfQaJBVW_qez1XVtaC0sgIog-zgJAjEXN4Smf1oMPIAjlHvW0a-ff_3YiY/s1600/lawn.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> If you really care about your grass then the next few weeks of autumn will be a busy time for you in the garden. Between now and April is the best time of year to concentrate on your lawn care. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your <a href="http://www.lovethegarden.com/lawncare/autumn-lawn-care">autumn lawn care</a> is best to get started as early as possible to give your lawn a better chance of surviving the winter, taking you into the following spring in a much better condition. Ideally, you should start considering your chores early September into October, this is because the ground is still warm and should be maintained before the temperature drops and leaves your lawn dormant.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Top Three Tips to Autumn Lawn Care</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Preparing the Lawn:</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Prepare your lawn by raking and removing thatch which can become a problem and affect the health of your lawn, carry out this task as soon as possible to allow the lawn a full recovery. Moss spores are produced in the autumn so control of this if vital for your lawn, to minimise moss you will need to aerate, you can do this by spiking the ground every 4inches or so.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lawn Dressing</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now you have completed your preparation, your next step will be to dress the lawn. Applying a top dressing will improve the surface texture, dilute the thatch layer and thicken up the soil beneath. A good mixture of top dressing for your lawn would be loam and sand (70-80% sand), work this into the lawn using the back of a rake.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Feeding your Lawn</span></b><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You may have some bare patches as a result of the usage this summer so a suitable autumn lawn fertilizer should be applied to help maintain a healthy look throughout the cold months. You can apply your seed by hand or a mechanical spreader but make sure you rake well. For your autumn lawn care the fertiliser should be low on nitrogen and high in phosphate and potash, keep a watch on the weather and feed your lawn when you are confident rains will assist to help wash in the granules.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your lawn is now ready for the winter months that wait ahead, your grass roots of the lawn will now reap the benefits of your hard work and by next spring you will be the envy of all friends and neighbours.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-25805611516799986222010-08-02T16:03:00.000+02:002010-08-02T16:03:39.816+02:00Plants for the Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEKtRoMZ7JlHL79smj1OaBXktUfo-MSXTrG3AV7HLxqfX63FrPYyOSyUdh7IoX8GSXIHfDv7C2bY61s2fmqorVWXtSiiKjzn5hbO3KclQWRARL4E1fBbJIZnESE0-sko9IToNvdxaxyyd/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEKtRoMZ7JlHL79smj1OaBXktUfo-MSXTrG3AV7HLxqfX63FrPYyOSyUdh7IoX8GSXIHfDv7C2bY61s2fmqorVWXtSiiKjzn5hbO3KclQWRARL4E1fBbJIZnESE0-sko9IToNvdxaxyyd/s320/garden.jpg" /></a>To enable the different elements of a garden to blend comfortably and attractively, there has to be balance, which can to a large degree be dictacted by the trees, shrubs and flowers that you choose. By opting for plants that complement and harmonize with other aspects of the garden, such as the paving or lawn, and its overall size and shape, you can create a framework in which art and nature reach a happy equilibrium. To help you choose plants to suit your garden's needs, concise descriptions of a wide range of trees, shrubs, roses, climbers, perennials, ground cover, bamboos, grasses, bulbs and annuals and biennials have been discussed on our gardening forum.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Principles of Planting</b><br />
"Harmony" is perhaps the most important word in making a garden. You want somewhere that is relaxing but also stimulating to the senses, where art and nature have reached a happy equilibrium. Creating a balance between the different elements of a garden, such as the paving, lawn, trees, shrubs and flowers is crucial to the end result. Colour is an essential design element, but because flowers are relatively fleeting, it can be difficult to maintain interest all year long. The stronger the framework of the garden, with plenty of architectural plants, the less vital it will be to have flowers all year round.<br />
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Small gardens are especially difficult to plan. All plants are highly visible, so there is no room for the spectacular flowering plant that looks messy for the rest of the year. Good foliage and flowers with a long season are vital.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Creating a Structure</b><br />
It is the larger or more upright plants that do most to develop the garden framework, dividing it into sections and serving as a guide as you walk or look round. Trees or shrubs with a narrow; vertical, columnar habit have lots of impact, but are useful in that they take up little space. Trees, under whose branches you can walk, hedges that act as green walls, or plants with strong shapes, all provide the visual bones for the garden. The softer, more formless shrubs and flowering perennials are the flesh. Some of the most successful gardens are those that balance the formality of clearly designed shapes, such as clipped hedges and topiary, with the informality of burgeoning borders of flowers and shrubs.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>Year-Round Interest</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sk8S8V5ybOyeP-N8B4USikG-uQtG4tdfGa_HrDc6qW1XP_lULSY8i8FTtFsG58Zh4ZHxQBDJpepPANEGLz_JYOXnpRk0kO9nMpjfwI5djTH6MT2WbvptbD38JBiCSbKBj6-hxorqhaZ_/s1600/garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sk8S8V5ybOyeP-N8B4USikG-uQtG4tdfGa_HrDc6qW1XP_lULSY8i8FTtFsG58Zh4ZHxQBDJpepPANEGLz_JYOXnpRk0kO9nMpjfwI5djTH6MT2WbvptbD38JBiCSbKBj6-hxorqhaZ_/s320/garden2.jpg" /></a>Some gardeners are happy to have most of their garden flowering at once. They like to see a spring garden with lots of bulbs, or an early summer garden with roses and perennials, and they are happy to let ir rest for the remainder of the year. Most gardeners, though, prefer to attempt a long season of interest, which involves trying to interweave plants so that there is always something or some part, that looks good. A garden takes time to develop, and never stands still. Planning planting for the short, medium and long term helps avoid the great gaps that can try the patience of even the most dedicated. Trees, needless to say, are the most long term, often maturing long after we have gone. Shrubs, too, can take many years to look their best, which can mean that a garden is heavily reliant on them many take rather a while to develop. Herbaceous perennials look established with remarkable speed, whereas annuals fulfill their promise and disappear within a year. It makes good sense, then, to include all these different plant forms in a garden.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-43016815945298669302010-05-22T12:28:00.000+02:002010-05-22T12:28:05.309+02:00Brighten up your garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCVJMaGxXc7IJTJ3IOiUSy30zLALNDPBGn01EX-wWX-8Viuf9qulfdmBttxj_OSbkDVfdilqB7jYrxgabzxXpptleMlCh_Mf1Cpd-TfxeQFyRE3gKolJinUsQGAIDxoSHIm6U6qKD8TRq/s1600/cyclamen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCVJMaGxXc7IJTJ3IOiUSy30zLALNDPBGn01EX-wWX-8Viuf9qulfdmBttxj_OSbkDVfdilqB7jYrxgabzxXpptleMlCh_Mf1Cpd-TfxeQFyRE3gKolJinUsQGAIDxoSHIm6U6qKD8TRq/s320/cyclamen.jpg" /></a>Okay, so when it comes to the time when it's chilly outside it does not mean your garden can´t look cheery. Spend a few hours potting up winter flowers and you cna enjoy them from the warmth of indoors all through the winter months.<br />
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It's a good idea to place containers in a sheltered spot away from the wind. Stack them and they will also be safe from ground frost.<br />
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Universal Pansies are the number one choice for winter, and pot them, forking in plenty of nutrients into a quality potting compost and add a slow release fertiliser.<br />
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If the weather is frosty, move pots into the garage or shed to protect them. Terracotta and ceramic pots can crack if the compost inside them freezes, so protect them with a layer of bubble wrap.<br />
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Choice plants for winter pots in sheltered areas are the dense purple Aster x frikartii `Monch`, but once the frost sets in take the post indoors. The one plant that can survive, frost, rain and snow though are Cyclamen coum - they thrive in the coldest weather conditions.<br />
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And if you want a good climber when every other plant in your garden has gone to sleep, your best best is Clematis cirrhosa ´Freckles´, which is pale yellow with brown specks - perfect for that dull fence.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-15165607976670194492010-05-13T12:30:00.000+02:002010-05-13T12:30:17.362+02:00Gardening Explained: Learn the LingoTake control of your garden by getting to know the basics. Find out the way to support climbers and how to keep lawns weed-free.<br />
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<b>Learn the lingo:</b><br />
Many plants are able to scale the heights without support, but others will be crying out for help. There are two types of plants that need a helping hand: <b>climbers</b> and varieties with <b>weak stems</b>.<br />
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<b>Trellis</b> is one of the most attractive supports for climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle. Fix these lattice-work wood frames on to walls and fences or erect free standing panels.<br />
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To make more of a feature of your climbing plants, you could choose a permanent structure such as a <b>pergola, arch, gazebo</b> or pillar. The plants will probably need tying in to the structure at intervals, but they will have free range to spread at will.<br />
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Use <b>bamboo canes</b> for individual plants. Delphiniums will appreciate this sort of support. Tie in the stems with soft garden twine at intervals.<br />
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<b>Removing lawn weeds:</b><br />
Dig out persistent weeds before they make themselves at home in your lawn. No one minds the odd daisy, but it's best to root out the less attractive visitors once you spot them.<br />
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1) Use a hand trowel to dig out perennial weeds. Remove every bit of the root, especially the long tap root of dandelions.<br />
2) You will have a hole in your lawn where the weed had settled. Level this by adding a little potting compost, which will also enrich the soil. Mix it in well.<br />
3) Spinkle grass seed over the bare patch. Mix it into the soil surface to ensure it is evenly spaced and just covered with soil. Water with a fine hose.<br />
4) To speed up germination and keep the birds off, spread a sheet of clear polythene over the patch and peg in place. Remove this once the seedlings start to emerge.<br />
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Join our gardening <a href="http://www.campo-girls.com/forum">forum</a> and meet new friends and share your garden with glee!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-16294953381014690722010-05-13T12:05:00.000+02:002010-05-13T12:05:53.615+02:00Hot Summer Planting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllSfU-3dnYp4kZyjzeMn1VAGbCSYiEqgyG4Zh4W5XCuojHRArbJbrgby2JpYkI2l9SI7RuseP5prq_WYs5d7FuGuwSsBhdYML93Wt4ruF_0Yky3wH52XGvQcnaNd4CsrrYmpcL6eGzEYT/s1600/sunny-summer-flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllSfU-3dnYp4kZyjzeMn1VAGbCSYiEqgyG4Zh4W5XCuojHRArbJbrgby2JpYkI2l9SI7RuseP5prq_WYs5d7FuGuwSsBhdYML93Wt4ruF_0Yky3wH52XGvQcnaNd4CsrrYmpcL6eGzEYT/s320/sunny-summer-flowers.jpg" /></a>Put the life back into your garden this summer by adding colour, are you bored with your borders? Add splashes of vivid colours to spice things up a little<br />
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<b>Colour Matching</b><br />
Avoid placing colours right next to each other that clash. You could be co-ordinated and stick to shades of one or two colours, like mauves, pinks and purples; or go trendy and plant red, yellow and orange. But don´t mix these two colour ranges or the result will be like an explosion in a paint shop!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHboZm-UcuxNS3DqPFEvwmnmF1LNH1QKVJt3D7_Aw7OFSjx7HCzxsHtT4szs_XkCo6HNeWDmaKBEVTiuY1cU9HowDYI3gCGd2bTeDNUXFzzLqFVwT9My8-RHOBjYcCFB8QuJ92Q-8sbjT/s1600/colour-wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 5px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHboZm-UcuxNS3DqPFEvwmnmF1LNH1QKVJt3D7_Aw7OFSjx7HCzxsHtT4szs_XkCo6HNeWDmaKBEVTiuY1cU9HowDYI3gCGd2bTeDNUXFzzLqFVwT9My8-RHOBjYcCFB8QuJ92Q-8sbjT/s320/colour-wheel.jpg" /></a>It's a good idea to look at a colour wheel, as you will immediately be able to see which colours go together. As they say, opposites attract, and this works for some colours that are opposite to each other on the wheel - like green and red.<br />
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A good strategy is to match three colours that are spaced at equal distances around the wheel - purple, green and orange work well together.<br />
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<b>Clematis:</b> Make a superb display and are vigorous once planted. A good choice is Clematis viticella ´Purpurea Plena Elegans´ which flowers from late summer to autumn.<br />
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Roses:</b> For a pale and pretty display, choose the white "iceberg" variety.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-8013751901952374912010-05-09T19:48:00.000+02:002010-05-09T19:48:49.964+02:00Herb Gardens: A Must Have!Whether your garden is 10 acres in the country, or you have to make do with a window box in the city centre, herbs ought to be at the top of your plant wish list. Not only are they useful in the kitchen, but they are among the most decorative plants in the garden, and often the most fragrant! <br />
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A herb garden should be designed with as much thought as any other part of your garden. The foliage and flowers of herbs are beautiful and varied, and will provide lots of interest and colour right through the year. Even their seed heads are attractive to look at and fabulous in the frost.<br />
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If you have th space plant a separate herb garden, arrange the herbs in regular shaped beds, edged in the box with brick paths between. As the herbs grow, they will spill over the box, so that as you pass by you'll experience the fabulous aromas.<br />
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Herbs are also extremely easy to grow. There are annual varities, like coriander that need to be grown each year from seed. But the vast majority are perennials, which will come up year after year, without much interference from you, and supply you with years of culinary pleasure.<br />
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If you are short of time, or just can't wait to start your collection, pick up pots of herbs from the supermarket to plant out straightaway in sunny spots.<br />
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In hot weather, herbs will be particularly thirsty, so give them a good watering in the late afternoon as well as first thing in the morning.<br />
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<b>Herb Growing Tips</b><br />
If you start from seed on the windowsill, rotate the tray each morning, so they all get a fair share of light. <br />
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Water the compost and not the seedlings every morning to stop them rotting. Thin out the seedlings using tweezers if the tray gets overcrowded. Pot up in compost and don't press or firm it too much as you want air to reach the roots. Choose a shallow pot or the plant will concentrate on growing deep roots rather than a healthy plant.<br />
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<b>Lettuce Leaf Basil</b><br />
Annual<br />
This Italian basil with its crinkly leaves is just the ticket for salads and making pesto sauce. Its easily grown from seed. Water in the mornings; it's not keen on a soaking throughout the day.<br />
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<b>Garlic Chives</b><br />
Perennial<br />
Evergreen, not difficult to grow and looks stunning in pots. This chive has mild garlic onion flavoured leaves while the flowers taste of sweet garlic. Both are good in salads and make attractrive garnishes. These are easily grown from seed, but be sure to plant out in a sunny spot, in well drained soil.<br />
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<b>Buckler Leaf Sorrel</b><br />
Hardy perennial<br />
The compact leavesof the sorrel have a sharp lemon flavour. This herb is a great addition to salad or use the older leaves to make a sauce for chicken or fish. This herb loves the great outdoors, so plant out as soon as it's established. It will lose its vigour and flavour on the windowsill. Grown easily from seed.<br />
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<b>Broad Leaved Sage</b><br />
Perennial<br />
This evergeen and aromatic herb with grey-green leaves displays purple flowers in summer. It prefers a sunny spot. It has an affinity with meat, especially pork and poultry, but is just as divine with a tomato salad. You might get better results from this herb if you grow from cuttingsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-69526833532340160432010-05-09T18:41:00.001+02:002010-05-09T18:42:01.425+02:00Small Gardens: Transformation Tips<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnhDLY9dJQFKUu78zwxiJI4V9pEec_1pQJOmoz6KgLdpdoG2VN8QXXFKSVcfkYK4qxWskCM9uLlayA0MTjmnjA3DXT2IFPUJwtGZzdcbAWLgDtOKElnZX3hRZM6P6aqA_D0mbMcpVj29f/s1600/bee-callistemon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnhDLY9dJQFKUu78zwxiJI4V9pEec_1pQJOmoz6KgLdpdoG2VN8QXXFKSVcfkYK4qxWskCM9uLlayA0MTjmnjA3DXT2IFPUJwtGZzdcbAWLgDtOKElnZX3hRZM6P6aqA_D0mbMcpVj29f/s320/bee-callistemon.JPG" /></a><b>The small garden problem:</b><br />
How to turn a nightmare of a tiny overgrown garden, dominated by a shed over run with climbing plants and filled with junk, into a lush haven for you and your family?<br />
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<b>Small garden solution:</b> Determine exactly what you have to work with, design your layout, choose your plants and most importantly get the area cleared before!<br />
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<b>Small is beautiful!</b><br />
The best thing about small gardens is that they are often secluded or private, or can be made to be with climbing plants (my personal favourite). They probably won't have grass to cut or flower beds to weed. Most of the planting can be in pots which can be shifted around as you like.<br />
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<b>Buried treasure:</b><br />
Turning out your shed can produce a heap of 'junk' and assorted hoarded wood, ripe for imaginative recycling. An old wooden palette can be set down alongside the shed to make an instant deck area. Poles at each corner with cross bars fixed to them at the top, to create a pergola! If you have a scrambling bush or vine, untangle and tie to a frame for support, to eventually create a green canopy. If you really want to get sensual and relaxed you could introduce a mattress, bells and wind chimes for a calming effect - the perfect place to practice Yoga!<br />
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To distract attention from an ugly concrete floor, line the space with big pot plants, this will create a nice feeling in the space and take the eyes away from the floor, also a good talking point.<br />
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Do not barricade small areas by choosing upright plants vs spreading plants. You can always trim back your plants if they get a bit big for their roots ;)<br />
Well worn garden tools and even an old barrow from the shed can be lined up in a proud row to create a gallery of garden antiques, put summer bedding plants in pots beneath the climbers and foliage plants.<br />
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Plant up containers with plae flowers such as Verbena and Cosmos which has a fluffy fern like foliage which can lighten dark areas.<br />
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If you want to create a harmonious contemporary look with your windows then introduce hanging baskets consisting of white and yellow flowers. For a full, soft focus, use Tolmiea, which is often called 'The Mother of Thousands', plant, and Plectranthus, both of which have attractive trailing variegated foliage. If you want some drama then add Ophiopogon negrescens.<br />
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</i><i>Tip:</i></b> <i>Add water retaining crystals to the compost, they turn to a jelly which keeps the compost moist. Add pellets of plant food at the same time. They release their nutrients slowly into the compost over the growing period.<br />
<b></b></i><br />
<b>Weed Control:</b> In a small garden you may be lucky and only have a few patches that need constant weed control but if you really do not want to deal with any weeds then to create a pathway, for example. Cover with special weed supressing membrane. It stops weeds from getting the light and water they need to thrive. A layer of gravel can then sit on top, if you want edging then add this higher than the gravel and stones will not be kicked into your planting areas.<br />
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<b>The Edible Garden:</b><br />
<ol><li>Strawberries: Put stones in the bottom of pots to improve drainage, add compost up to the first holes, wrap each strawberry plant in paper to protect it, thread them through the lower holes from the inside.</li>
<li>To ensure even watering, drill holes in a short length of plastic pipe, stand it in the pot and continue planting</li>
<li>Fill the pipe with gravel, set two or three more plants in the top of the pot. Cover the surface with gravel. Put in a sunny position and water thoroughly, via the gravel pipe</li>
<li>Water regularly, then enjoy the fruits of your labours - with cream!</li>
</ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-91363524297605184622010-03-23T19:23:00.000+01:002010-03-23T19:23:46.129+01:00My First Egg!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-nQi-vTPTjXMH05yPwd9zE0y-rMQRQ1LGoPe9pRiP6Ek5OuE-FYk_wIlxV0u2r3RJd8b6TUIHYtimnAJeilJbwpt1SnQQ91f5aZHPdc2nPD7z1EiDLUjvIDK1EvnPXRlRTNph60CMqni/s1600-h/first-egg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-nQi-vTPTjXMH05yPwd9zE0y-rMQRQ1LGoPe9pRiP6Ek5OuE-FYk_wIlxV0u2r3RJd8b6TUIHYtimnAJeilJbwpt1SnQQ91f5aZHPdc2nPD7z1EiDLUjvIDK1EvnPXRlRTNph60CMqni/s320/first-egg2.jpg" /></a></div>Oh my goodness Nigella, our Catalana hen has laid her first egg today and it is simply beautiful.<br />
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I caught her earlier behaving very strange, I walked down the garden and they didn´t come running to me as they usually do so. At first I thought they were all down the garden together, until I spotted the other 2 girls, Henny Penny and Dehlia beside the shed digging in the dirt and collecting grass!<br />
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I began to get worried and I was thinking all sorts, such as a dog had gotten them or they had managed to get out, I even thought they could be in Mark's van, who was here today helping us with our roof.<br />
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As I was slowly starting to panic, Gordon Ramsay stuck his head out of the chicken house - I was then even more confused as this is the most unusual place for them to be inside their house at that time of day, which I think was around 4.30pm.<br />
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I went around the back of the house and lifted out one of the wooden doors, for easy access to the eggs - hahhaha harrrrr - now, before we get excited she had not laid her egg at this point but while I was being nosey I spotted she was nest making and then felt awful I had disturbed her so I carefully put the door back on and snuck away back to the house. I half expected Nigella to follow me as she always does when I am outside - thinking I have sweetcorn, in fact she probably looks at me and sees sweetcorn!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXYoqsYXl9gQP9E-CpGLdrimnWe6WqH-t6BzTlVB-T45Go7K9K07CuYh9wkOmUsKx_9H9EFSJAy9tcfP_9vDKVm8HXR91mMkR_tGJQNb8Zcmti6yjHxz5gc8tlS10tRJaGhyPGHdnf9qJ/s1600-h/first-egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXYoqsYXl9gQP9E-CpGLdrimnWe6WqH-t6BzTlVB-T45Go7K9K07CuYh9wkOmUsKx_9H9EFSJAy9tcfP_9vDKVm8HXR91mMkR_tGJQNb8Zcmti6yjHxz5gc8tlS10tRJaGhyPGHdnf9qJ/s320/first-egg.jpg" /></a>An hour later I went back down for a wander to find the chickens and again I could not find them. Fortunately they were further down the garden, where we have been showing them to go so I quickly looked in the house and there it was - THE GOLDEN EGG hehehe. I am so chuffed as the chickens have been with us 12 days - whoop whoop!<br />
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I started shouting for Chris and squealing with delight but as Chris was working he didn´t see me, only heard me so he jumped up because he thought I had fallen over or something! But there I was, grinning from ear to ear outside the front door with a warm egg in my hands - pure joy!<br />
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We look forward to more egg laying from here on in and I hope you enjoy the images :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-28718158782412256542010-03-18T13:08:00.000+01:002010-03-18T13:08:10.087+01:00What Do Chickens Eat?Well I think it is probably easier to tell you what chickens don’t eat. They should not have green potato peelings, banana skins, mouldy bread, citrus fruits, coffee filter waste or grass from the lawn mower. As you will see that means the list of what they do eat is quite extensive and believe me after 2 weeks of having chickens you will never look at left over food again in the same light.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXhSLMDE6tkFQsemcb80zg4kNQ3b9UIhxtdWSjGXp9wpTaKJHe71sEFDKlPKvHDNSJ2H44Iou6uO_MsiP3XIgmbRZhRu1MOpL4oqBUgC-Lwiyn6RrbX_118S2KTIxLZBQ6pl7zJsyHN4d/s1600-h/nigella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXhSLMDE6tkFQsemcb80zg4kNQ3b9UIhxtdWSjGXp9wpTaKJHe71sEFDKlPKvHDNSJ2H44Iou6uO_MsiP3XIgmbRZhRu1MOpL4oqBUgC-Lwiyn6RrbX_118S2KTIxLZBQ6pl7zJsyHN4d/s320/nigella.jpg" /></a>At the end of every meal I now carefully divide the left-overs between the guinea pigs and the chickens. Left over cereal from breakfast, into the chicken food tupperware box, half eaten cookie that fell on the floor, into the chicken box, all vegetables, salad, bread, sauces, rice, cheese, fruit, cakes and their very favourite sweet corn ! I do not think twice now about getting on my hands and knees to pick up 3 grains of fallen sweet-corn from under the table instead of reaching for Mr Dyson the hoover as I see how much joy one single grain of corn can bring the chickens. When we go out to restaurants and cafes Keiana is never a big eater and now (much to the embarrassment of my husband I might add) I take a little bag with me and when she is full she declares’ the rest is for Maisy and her friends mummy’. When I look around at the left over food on other peoples’ plates I just pray that all restaurants have a flock of chickens outside as it breaks my heart to see so much food wasted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig56xnBhGjPn1-sAV7erbT95uEhTDxqU5-IVWxzcS4FLSNePCGJetFFbtKzO65TLPd1Ki01pZnoA4Z2Sf5I5nE4kcaHHIldrdklSsF0fvbS7gcXM2xMuXz82eViXjNmgpxXqvDXg1Ca6bK/s1600-h/chickens-terrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig56xnBhGjPn1-sAV7erbT95uEhTDxqU5-IVWxzcS4FLSNePCGJetFFbtKzO65TLPd1Ki01pZnoA4Z2Sf5I5nE4kcaHHIldrdklSsF0fvbS7gcXM2xMuXz82eViXjNmgpxXqvDXg1Ca6bK/s320/chickens-terrace.jpg" /></a>As well as the fresh food they get access to grain each day, are allowed to eat the shrubs, insects, worms and grass in their run and also I give them the left over egg shells which they adore and are apparently are good to help them form harder shells on their own eggs. We place all this food on an extra large plate (actually the lid off our water collector) as it is best not to put it directly on the ground but believe me your children will not learn wonderful table manners by watching chickens eat.<br />
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They are straight away in there with there feet, clawing backwards and sifting through to find what they like best. We have since adopted another family of three chickens, this time white Chinese Silkies and little Snowy had a bright orange Mohican for 2 days after she dived right under my box when I was emptying some left over baked beans on to their plate– it did not seem to bother her, rather – good I’ll save that bit for later!<br />
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Author: Shelley O´Brien who lives in Belgium and has just joined our <a href="http://www.campo-girls.com/forum">gardening forum</a> for some great advice on chickens, pointer dogs and guinea pigs, she has kindly donated us some great content for the blog to help others with their wildlife :) Thanks Shelley, we appreciate your wonderful words of Chicken wisdom!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-73256032119624252362010-03-15T11:11:00.004+01:002010-03-15T11:16:44.235+01:00The Chickens Arrive in Monda!We have been living in Monda now since 2007 and ever since we moved in we have both wanted chickens but you know what it is like when you move house, cash is tight, problems arise that must be fixed, mortgage has to be paid, business has to continue and the list keeps getting larger! Chickens just had to wait so we could afford the cash to have the coop build along with their house and me being me I wanted a nice house, not some crappy expensive box you buy in the shop, so we had our friend, who is an expert carpenter, build the coop and the house.<br />
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The whole project has taken 2 weeks, however, this is not all day, every day, but they do take some planning. We have had a lot of rain during these weeks so we have also had many "rain days" which stops work outside.<br />
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Needless to say the result is perfect, just what we wanted and also great for me. I have Scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. I had surgery 21 years ago but I still have problems with my lumbar spine so bending down to get into a chicken coop was always going to present me with issues, this is the reason we needed a coop so large to accommodate the height I needed it to be so I didn´t have to bend down to enter the chicken's coop. The house itself was also bespokely designed by my friend, Mark Murray, who took into consideration my Scoliosis, which is why the back of the chicken house is easily accessible for me. There are 3 back panels which easily come out so I can reach inside to clean the house and collect eggs - ingenious!<br />
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We have no idea what to do with chickens but we are slowly learning, and as each day goes by we will learn more. We did little research into which chickens we should buy and what their requirements are, we are looking forward to learning from our mistakes (providing they are not bad ones!), the house is secure and safe, we know what we should not feed them and also what treats they like.<br />
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We believe our chickens to be Catalana Hens and a Booted Bantam, but we may be informed otherwise in the not too distant future by a Spanish neighbour! LOL<br />
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Join our Gardening <a href="http://www.campo-girls.com/forum">Forum</a> and discuss your chickens with us and offer any tips you might have<br />
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I will now explain what we did, step by step to achieve our work of art for a chicken coop :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chicken Coop Building and Carpentry</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Step 1</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX72F6bwxcfXKqUikgNcIqcdEvGldN9ejN-Ywrl6x3RzFWveFJE_glIP6pEJLQfjtkp5rH4jbQBYvZwY0aFzmYBpRbVCprRVn0nF3w8b8AJVHCDTnF8_bqTt1C72uc4r2NfPVIfez_3Be/s1600-h/chicken-coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX72F6bwxcfXKqUikgNcIqcdEvGldN9ejN-Ywrl6x3RzFWveFJE_glIP6pEJLQfjtkp5rH4jbQBYvZwY0aFzmYBpRbVCprRVn0nF3w8b8AJVHCDTnF8_bqTt1C72uc4r2NfPVIfez_3Be/s320/chicken-coop.jpg" /></a><i>Design Your Layout:</i> Where is the house going to go, what materials it is going to be made from, how big do you require it, do you need to stand in it like me or would it be OK lower and how much this is going to cost, remember you have to allow for labour costs, either hour or day rates. We chose a piece of land next to our shed so we could butt the chicken coop up to one side of the shed. This was for 3 reasons, the main one being shelter for the chickens, less wood to buy as we could use the shed wall as part of the coop and the third reason was to use a piece of land that was never going to be garden and put it to some good use!<br />
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<b>Step 2</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrzeidrYfQPRCO-EHJ7zif4I7a2TbbRhUohuxa4MgSkIMoObP31FD_QM4H7oChf1HeIgYMyFHJcCUuPYAezOfhX56DrdCWvLP6MIcBGCEgYMhwORt7xkEuQavxJ7G-8NoYd02XvpP0pwn/s1600-h/chicken-coop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrzeidrYfQPRCO-EHJ7zif4I7a2TbbRhUohuxa4MgSkIMoObP31FD_QM4H7oChf1HeIgYMyFHJcCUuPYAezOfhX56DrdCWvLP6MIcBGCEgYMhwORt7xkEuQavxJ7G-8NoYd02XvpP0pwn/s320/chicken-coop2.jpg" /></a><i>Preparation:</i> Prepare the land where your chicken coop is going to be built, you will need to do some digging at this stage and lay out where the wood is going to go. We decided to include an Olive tree inside the coop, for no other reason than to make it look nice, so we had to do some contemplating on how that was going to work. We also wanted to provide a sheltered area for the winter months and of course shade for the hot months too. We had some old corrugated roof laying around the land so that was a good way to recycle that.<br />
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Step 3</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLGrmcPTweyONP6QxbQ3M3HX-o5zCFVI_2SOerDD4wnrKTRck0CfwLbW_kAWAAWnzayariHJ7cLiRAvG7e_PMoV_Jg-i2Frv9VWSOXHooxUAR5f-VWN_zSU640c3KIZinfhWqmHc9e0mt/s1600-h/chicken2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLGrmcPTweyONP6QxbQ3M3HX-o5zCFVI_2SOerDD4wnrKTRck0CfwLbW_kAWAAWnzayariHJ7cLiRAvG7e_PMoV_Jg-i2Frv9VWSOXHooxUAR5f-VWN_zSU640c3KIZinfhWqmHc9e0mt/s320/chicken2.jpg" /></a><i>Framework:</i> Dig holes for your framework posts to nestle in to and then build your framework and the door.<br />
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Step 4</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhFFUcmdZ6ZoXC7hxGRNpp83XF4u7QEvInxSe7dCyOqp91tTPBg4dqKGe8QXtBFm8dLsPtv9wymaC7YoJe82a8hrWu-IZ8qwH1oF5U4rmx05p0zP3mfTYcD7hyC_TW8ReNSbKFAQakzB3/s1600-h/chicken-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhFFUcmdZ6ZoXC7hxGRNpp83XF4u7QEvInxSe7dCyOqp91tTPBg4dqKGe8QXtBFm8dLsPtv9wymaC7YoJe82a8hrWu-IZ8qwH1oF5U4rmx05p0zP3mfTYcD7hyC_TW8ReNSbKFAQakzB3/s320/chicken-house.jpg" /></a><i>Chick House Construction:</i> The house was a surprise, our carpenter made the house at home and then brought it round here in sections. I was told to stay in the shed while he put all the sections together to complete the house. I have been so excited about the chicken coop for a long time that I burst into tears when I saw it, the house is exactly as we wanted it and how I had imagined it was going to look.<br />
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<b>Step 5</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvPnmDG1eletSz1v8UTCKyXD_0oE4FdV1D2NJWmD_EWdy4tK7LacREL-PDSO9T-BvIvGH3szDEp83IfxnbRgnu14zuAlFPwEMcQUm9uwuhOCwpT02MAapkvIFDOsSCbpGWFJ0Ll0FGYry/s1600-h/wood-staining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvPnmDG1eletSz1v8UTCKyXD_0oE4FdV1D2NJWmD_EWdy4tK7LacREL-PDSO9T-BvIvGH3szDEp83IfxnbRgnu14zuAlFPwEMcQUm9uwuhOCwpT02MAapkvIFDOsSCbpGWFJ0Ll0FGYry/s320/wood-staining.jpg" /></a><i>Wood Staining:</i> Ensure you have at least 3 pots of stain, we used pine but you can choose whatever you like. We did not stain the inside of the chicken house for fear of them not liking the smell and then not laying eggs! We used 2 pots of stain on the chicken house. I say 3 because we are also planning on staining the framework itself, especially the door ends (as per instruction from our carpenter).<br />
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<b><br />
Step 6</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BF-XHTy2DaY8XY8F3Rtut9Z_M4OkdU0E98L3BeUNhoOzYh6HOKgXgmdmxZswl5xFMnQnSGpZ9FM5coaucZnwKf8xipkjFXL9RW4VG8HgNx3BEE6hLqAXCzK7szabANaDOpMA1lpd4y26/s1600-h/chicken-wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BF-XHTy2DaY8XY8F3Rtut9Z_M4OkdU0E98L3BeUNhoOzYh6HOKgXgmdmxZswl5xFMnQnSGpZ9FM5coaucZnwKf8xipkjFXL9RW4VG8HgNx3BEE6hLqAXCzK7szabANaDOpMA1lpd4y26/s320/chicken-wire.jpg" /></a><i>Chicken Wire:</i> Now the framework is built and the roof is on the section that you wish to keep dry, get the chicken wire on the go and start making it rat and fox proof! Wrap the chicken wire around your wooden posts carefully, we used U nails for fixing the chicken wire to our posts - fiddly little buggers that they are!<br />
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Step 7</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4kR5_jDGze_qVLmJgZyD9qGu5VnMTSW2BXMpu3ndVSegARWgwpS6GP83p633eFKcirjwXCtW81hCQaQh3Z__nt0jTXrR6DOG_lHE-FDXZPc8ZAjcTKVLBd3mn64w56KqSNTHKT88-ZV1/s1600-h/chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4kR5_jDGze_qVLmJgZyD9qGu5VnMTSW2BXMpu3ndVSegARWgwpS6GP83p633eFKcirjwXCtW81hCQaQh3Z__nt0jTXrR6DOG_lHE-FDXZPc8ZAjcTKVLBd3mn64w56KqSNTHKT88-ZV1/s320/chickens.jpg" /></a></div><i>Buying Chickens:</i> The real exciting bit comes now but be prepared for the experience in Spain as you get your chickens in a bag, all in together! Being an animal lover I hated that, I know it is OK and they were and are fine but I would have preferred them in a cat box so if I go again I will take my own with me.<br />
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<b><br />
<br />
What You Will Need</b><br />
Wood<br />
Chicken Wire<br />
Wood Stain<br />
Corrugated Iron<br />
Bitchumen<br />
U Nails<br />
Nails<br />
ScrewsStraw<br />
Feeders for water and food<br />
Latches and hinges<br />
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<b>Wood</b><br />
10 of 240x4.5x4.5<br />
2 of Plywood <br />
20 of 2.50x4.5<br />
<b>Total: €196.00</b><br />
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<b>Wood Stain<br />
</b>3 Tins of Stain (Pine)<br />
<b>Total: €40.80</b><br />
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<b>Chicken Wire</b><br />
2 metres of chicken wire<br />
<b>Total: €37.50</b><br />
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Latches, Hinges, Screws €20 depending on what you choose of course<br />
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<b>Chickens and Feeders</b><br />
1 Booted Bantam<br />
3 Catalana Hens<br />
1 Feeder<br />
1 Water Feeder<br />
Chicken Food 40KG<br />
Bail of shavings<br />
<b>Total: €83.50</b><br />
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Chickens also require perches for sleeping at night inside their houses so we used bits of wood that we have kicking around the land. We made one for their house and one for their coop as some fun for them. We are also planning on hanging CDs off this perch along with some balls for entertainment but we will share that when we have done it!<br />
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I have placed some images below of the chickens and other images I wanted to share<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFBT6Vg87QZW6DdYMDbdXFOGM4anGqLbHUOn9e-d8XX7sYOKSWFBDOzzbOdAWfsdlTdNN1QKjdwW5GH7myMKSV_WuvSXelU1lN_FhtuNVmWbu-hCTjdRUJEuuEWsgA04tuOwqPjf1vRpi/s1600-h/booted-branham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFBT6Vg87QZW6DdYMDbdXFOGM4anGqLbHUOn9e-d8XX7sYOKSWFBDOzzbOdAWfsdlTdNN1QKjdwW5GH7myMKSV_WuvSXelU1lN_FhtuNVmWbu-hCTjdRUJEuuEWsgA04tuOwqPjf1vRpi/s320/booted-branham.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Booted Bantam - Gordon Ramsay</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Ly_Re0k749QyuUd-a5SRtqYVh_qx0-fvg8lBSQdj4UwlHiU6pjoFBFXl6K69wGQUK7A4mADRYWf_eMRKrPyF793Af4tsuNT_0NPfXrqQZh46zjMe77c_DqKlp0h5nkmwFf8DMYYpasF/s1600-h/booted-bantam2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Ly_Re0k749QyuUd-a5SRtqYVh_qx0-fvg8lBSQdj4UwlHiU6pjoFBFXl6K69wGQUK7A4mADRYWf_eMRKrPyF793Af4tsuNT_0NPfXrqQZh46zjMe77c_DqKlp0h5nkmwFf8DMYYpasF/s320/booted-bantam2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Booted Bantam - Gordon Ramsay again, close up of his colours</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOva1Fc3ic1e2lda-FapRKc9FgZXEDpjy_1OzJeUXPTBW2qI7rlItPt80BuGaDGB0gcA04PtCMUcpJtdkXxoEdgRzhfE9LdvmZ8cZKxiL2Gorr_3afOpDu2oSbs7ht8_pB29zdVxhEAwQC/s1600-h/catalana-hens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOva1Fc3ic1e2lda-FapRKc9FgZXEDpjy_1OzJeUXPTBW2qI7rlItPt80BuGaDGB0gcA04PtCMUcpJtdkXxoEdgRzhfE9LdvmZ8cZKxiL2Gorr_3afOpDu2oSbs7ht8_pB29zdVxhEAwQC/s320/catalana-hens.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Catalana Hens - this is Nigella</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROZSkxIlo1A66dHpgvF_71ppLoJSvaChAmgfpKqhTA2M5sDrsfVHbtJRhYjf5mHl3-6yWKEba3cf00eIUGfN4ILJFtToJ8HGbfRC9VbwcO2MgirWWRVSE5vHZDv5UTD20VSjtTFEWCGMz/s1600-h/chicken-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROZSkxIlo1A66dHpgvF_71ppLoJSvaChAmgfpKqhTA2M5sDrsfVHbtJRhYjf5mHl3-6yWKEba3cf00eIUGfN4ILJFtToJ8HGbfRC9VbwcO2MgirWWRVSE5vHZDv5UTD20VSjtTFEWCGMz/s320/chicken-house.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful chicken house, where they sleep at night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv_McgeZIcXiIra74ZXjO19M18IS1szhyphenhyphenRAjDshA2JNda_dTq4if9Jo5nKk2YCKNHzuGG1gEueZdrWMP78xTB7gQKgYc0-98mdZxAUvS37UP0xQPsV9hLloIXnaiaKowh4Yn62FITMBAp/s1600-h/chicken-coop4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv_McgeZIcXiIra74ZXjO19M18IS1szhyphenhyphenRAjDshA2JNda_dTq4if9Jo5nKk2YCKNHzuGG1gEueZdrWMP78xTB7gQKgYc0-98mdZxAUvS37UP0xQPsV9hLloIXnaiaKowh4Yn62FITMBAp/s320/chicken-coop4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The chicken coop itself so they have a run also<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">I have a photo album on Facebook if you want to see further photos <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=201772&id=765439347&l=9f870a5ee1">Chicken Coop Building</a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-26198314612911620592010-01-26T19:15:00.000+01:002010-01-26T19:15:06.772+01:00Biosphere Reserve - White Villages AndaluciaThe Sierra de las Nieves has been declared a "tourist destination" which includes the surrounding areas of:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PGIL7D62hbh9x1xYi_BnUpiqpHS5ZBJk7my-6fmtJXDAMUNE2LiTFcgVvMS4L2F0Z3OzZxqbEvZuKhMOGGoY87U3b8Ph9hK7mWv2Z7ey_L-UgTZYiwf3Aif7HdOfKhy5Q0TmxJ8mwUn-/s1600-h/alozaina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PGIL7D62hbh9x1xYi_BnUpiqpHS5ZBJk7my-6fmtJXDAMUNE2LiTFcgVvMS4L2F0Z3OzZxqbEvZuKhMOGGoY87U3b8Ph9hK7mWv2Z7ey_L-UgTZYiwf3Aif7HdOfKhy5Q0TmxJ8mwUn-/s320/alozaina.jpg" /></a><b>Alozaina</b><br />
Alozaina which means "small fortress", makes the boundary between the Malaga basin and the mountains. Rich in archaelogical remains, the area harmoniously combines its fields of olive trees, orchards and cereal crops with the majesty of the Sierra Prieta, whose peak stands at 1,525 metres high!<br />
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This mountain village, crammed with nooks and crannies of a markedly Muslim flavour, was the birthplace of Maria Sagredo, the local heroine who defended Alozaina, when the Moors attempted to capture it by hurling beehives at the locals, taking advantage of a moment when only its women, children and elderly were present.<br />
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The village, historically renowned as a healthy location, offers breathtaking views, good food, top-quality accommodation and a wealth of options for those in search of an active holiday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV17Nye2SoACUg6vnvKySsGLljmd7QwuNLCrFdk7Sz9DTvQg5Nj4lOprAt3NDxzlZawgaPYuVVbGXHpXb2r48i60b55mAo0xrL9Nug2iBgocFeGbkSKZj9rjjpDlDv4UStZt-yweeKnXks/s1600-h/casarabonela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV17Nye2SoACUg6vnvKySsGLljmd7QwuNLCrFdk7Sz9DTvQg5Nj4lOprAt3NDxzlZawgaPYuVVbGXHpXb2r48i60b55mAo0xrL9Nug2iBgocFeGbkSKZj9rjjpDlDv4UStZt-yweeKnXks/s320/casarabonela.jpg" /></a><b>Casarabonela</b><br />
With its mixture of different cultures. Casarabonela is one of Malaga's best examples of a village that has managed to successfully combine its Muslim and Christian opast, largely conserving the original urban layout of the Arabic Casr-Bonaira.<br />
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Its steep, narrow streets are home to a myriad if blind alleys and rasied rooms under which the street itself passes. The thirsty traveller will appreciate the fountain and crystalline sorings to be found here.<br />
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Today, the village founded by the Romans as Castra Vinaria is a haven of peace and tranquility whose upper reaches afford views of an attractive carpet of fertile fields splashed with the brilliant white of the farmhouses. In Casarabonela, hills merge with streets, the river with the fountain, while in quiet corners, the echoes of fierce battles still ring aloud.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu8xWaii2vJQwW0YNPr9MJSZoT9mVNZKHf9qhVfQFLP5zO-qmJRRy3mlS8Q3Vfvqkb6zUED6flJrSFcCpMg9D91ayd081Q8uY9uxdbZj3bw4KYLdjO0cHy5nm0YCMRt90jln6ySGZkjoY/s1600-h/el-burgo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu8xWaii2vJQwW0YNPr9MJSZoT9mVNZKHf9qhVfQFLP5zO-qmJRRy3mlS8Q3Vfvqkb6zUED6flJrSFcCpMg9D91ayd081Q8uY9uxdbZj3bw4KYLdjO0cHy5nm0YCMRt90jln6ySGZkjoY/s320/el-burgo.jpg" /></a><b>El Burgo</b><br />
Surrounded by mountains crowned by evergreen oaks, Spanish fir and pine trees. El Burgo stands on a hilltop, defiant in the face of a history that has seen a wealth of different cultures jealously covet this strategic vantage point.<br />
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Home to family clans during the Copper Age, it was here that the Carthaganians later built what became known as Hannibal's Tower, while in Roman times it was a obligatory port of call for both men and merchandise alike before becoming the site of a border castle during the<b> </b>Arabic occupation.<br />
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The River Turon, which has its source in El Burgo and whose waters help cultivate the fields of olvie trees and cereals crops, flows through a privileged natural setting that the visitor will enjoy sampling along with the roch local cuisine and ancient traditions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCaDIOE7Oqbgi69OJR67MRWfrKEeP-w86ZcjU7Gax2L1ciBGVsls6zRTf643P0vfokbn6ABYhdBKNYWZ-_F6e78Muu0g-AXA16SUKQTwZMYu1f810OWE42Uy2Ny99ClrtcE36PjBqCVtS/s1600-h/guaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCaDIOE7Oqbgi69OJR67MRWfrKEeP-w86ZcjU7Gax2L1ciBGVsls6zRTf643P0vfokbn6ABYhdBKNYWZ-_F6e78Muu0g-AXA16SUKQTwZMYu1f810OWE42Uy2Ny99ClrtcE36PjBqCVtS/s320/guaro.jpg" /></a><b>Guaro</b><br />
The intense aroma of almond trees that bear pink and white blossom in spring signals to the traveller that he is approaching Guaro, an attractive village whose history dates from thhe Copper Age, testimony to its privileged location.<br />
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The coat of arms of the earldom of Guarom a mace held aloft by two arms, bears witness to the distinguished past of this locality, which was handed over to the catholic Monarchs following the capture of Coin in 1485. In 1614, it was awarded village status and designated the capital of an earldom of the same name by King Philip IV.<br />
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The waters of the River Grande, the symbol of the local economy, only serve to further embelish the picturesque natural setting that awaits the visitor to Guaro.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaakjGmy1p9Meu_jCyK6oqTM0wdRcrp-3ZuCmWKLAYPQSCvanOXj_G_ZGFcwVZv_LbpE2XIkEIzMPgG_Ck14YPFSonkFhs7deY1LFYk4GhZFjYKlO9CBNR907DpddP-dCDlwhn24YfLBL/s1600-h/istan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaakjGmy1p9Meu_jCyK6oqTM0wdRcrp-3ZuCmWKLAYPQSCvanOXj_G_ZGFcwVZv_LbpE2XIkEIzMPgG_Ck14YPFSonkFhs7deY1LFYk4GhZFjYKlO9CBNR907DpddP-dCDlwhn24YfLBL/s320/istan.jpg" /></a><b>Istan</b><br />
In Istan, the streets are dominated by the sound of water gushing out from among the stones, flowing in irrigation channels and sprining forth from fountains, before filling the reservoir that provides drinking water for the Costa del Sol.<br />
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Though the richness of the local terrain was already apparent as early as Roman Times, it was the arrival of the Muslims that ushered in the golden age of this village tucked away between the Sierra Real and Sierra Blanca ranges. Local raisins, wine and silk were exported to the whole of Europe, while the introduction of a major water channelling system still in use today turned the hillsides into orchards.<br />
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On the way to Istan, shortly after entering the Biosphere Reserve, the visitor will notice a sudden change in light. This is caused by a subtle blend of colours in which carob trees, pines and cork groves produce a series of shades of green that afre complemented by the clear, blue reflection of the Rio Verde reservoir. A spectacular slight to behold, and less than ten minutes from the village.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE6oQ7DA1YRTllt9B6NI5uqz5Cb7KJZxWoK5cr0qCi5KQPaPr8Ezgqn7vX7yL7-81QjdW33RNANDk5UAOY0a71SKbOa49SLP-FEcUWfxUtiESaAGXUTfI8jm8iGy-QF78GJnlwNg_t8lT/s1600-h/monda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE6oQ7DA1YRTllt9B6NI5uqz5Cb7KJZxWoK5cr0qCi5KQPaPr8Ezgqn7vX7yL7-81QjdW33RNANDk5UAOY0a71SKbOa49SLP-FEcUWfxUtiESaAGXUTfI8jm8iGy-QF78GJnlwNg_t8lT/s320/monda.jpg" /></a><b>Monda</b><br />
Halfway between the valley and the mountains, sheltered from the wind by a hill upon which Villeta Castle stands, Monda's immense beauty saw it officially declared a picturesque spot in 1971. <br />
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In this village of landscapes and legends, whose other official accolades include Historic Location and Place of Cultural Interest Status, valuable traces of ancient inhabitants, including an Iberian settlement, still abound.<br />
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Monda is also home to the most interesting remains of a Roman and Medieval road to be found in the whole of the Sierra de la Nieves region. This is situated some 700 metres from the village itself, on the road to Coin, and compromises three areas: the original Roman construction, a section repaired during Medieval times and a third, more recent stretch that features a series of low steps to accommodate carriages.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFJ0fpBwOLTsLw2Qo0Q-H-oEmAcJ3KgPdgdhjX4DuuBKDjIgliMQDJbFfgZFJSqkvtwo_LoLC_h8MXrM3vgOtaEHpIcVAqBDCy_fRYM1y9heW2NXBN1T8qzzRmMdaqZnmpvkAFoGMvC-A/s1600-h/ojen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFJ0fpBwOLTsLw2Qo0Q-H-oEmAcJ3KgPdgdhjX4DuuBKDjIgliMQDJbFfgZFJSqkvtwo_LoLC_h8MXrM3vgOtaEHpIcVAqBDCy_fRYM1y9heW2NXBN1T8qzzRmMdaqZnmpvkAFoGMvC-A/s320/ojen.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><b>Ojen</b><br />
Between the ranges of the Sierra Blanca and the Sierra Alpujata, in an area of great hydraulic riches, stands Ojen, a picturesque location flanked by mountauinsand sea, a village with a strong Andalusian flavour evident in the layout of its streets, its popular architecture and its abundant flowers.<br />
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Though Ojen´s numerous caves were home to settlers as long ago as Neolithic times, it was not until the X century that Islamic chronicles refer to a village whose castle, now destroyed, frequently changed hands in the wake of a series of uprisings, rebellions and conquests. It was subsequently repopulated by Old Christians from the Guadalquivir Valley.<br />
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As Ojen enjoys the advantages afforded by its proximityto both the cosmopolitan coast and the rural interior, it ofefrs a myriad of options to the visitor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxvY8oQqkJVwI_dMXFrQB3sUdMb4FAdVGoc4MqAmTWA7Li8UafZDwwB6JH1nfown_2vIX0bmByaHdp7NOCspmWyiRuAiPrRiZxl3AZgYfrRyx4JGvA5NjlaTdDJ1CKP0zLfeIZIk8gbc6/s1600-h/tolox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxvY8oQqkJVwI_dMXFrQB3sUdMb4FAdVGoc4MqAmTWA7Li8UafZDwwB6JH1nfown_2vIX0bmByaHdp7NOCspmWyiRuAiPrRiZxl3AZgYfrRyx4JGvA5NjlaTdDJ1CKP0zLfeIZIk8gbc6/s320/tolox.jpg" /></a><b>Tolox</b><br />
At the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves stands Tolox, an area of picturesque contrasts with its whitewashed houses and red mountains and home to the famous Torrecilla peak and GESM pothole. <b><br />
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Its origins date back to the Neolithic period, as witnessed by La Tinaja, the cave in which remains of decorated ceramic vessels were found. The village's turbulent history is evident in the few surviving traces of its heritage. Just a few references in street names enable us to reconstruct the layout of what was once the castle, the scene of Moorish rebellions and bloody conflicts between Christians and Muslims. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTs_C1gWJ-C_nlgCVmFCS88Q7YEvL5ht4DQOuIlwon5pM8gQLmgMPih61ZhdVYv18JWo8bAzaadSt5QmilSdZmhf77KPtBiGyuPdesVgQfGaS80aniU2losikLDI2sDlFn9Cxv_r5zznx/s1600-h/yunquera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTs_C1gWJ-C_nlgCVmFCS88Q7YEvL5ht4DQOuIlwon5pM8gQLmgMPih61ZhdVYv18JWo8bAzaadSt5QmilSdZmhf77KPtBiGyuPdesVgQfGaS80aniU2losikLDI2sDlFn9Cxv_r5zznx/s320/yunquera.jpg" /></a><b>Yunquera</b><br />
Home to the largest pine grove in the world, Yunquera owes its name to the large quantities of reeds or juncos that once stood here, which in turn bears witness to the abundance of water in the village.<br />
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Possibly of Roman origin, though no traces of this period remain today, this area of great beauty was home to Christian settlers before the arrival of Berber troops in the VII century.<br />
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Of the castle-fortress that once dominated this mountain landscape, only the tower now remains, rising majestically above Yunquera itself and affording views of its breathtaking natural setting.<b><br />
</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-8601350018713209662010-01-24T19:17:00.001+01:002010-01-24T19:21:19.499+01:00Sierra de la Nieves - Biosphere Reserve<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT6q1YnkaDk1iwiYVzf4Y8lf4DDbg0d6RNIp96MEKgeDV2eH_9pVZ4MIYeNBePKzcqV1vXcFpOT3e6Qar7GapMA6ulSJ2wv74H2xGSOLuk2k_0SANtySpvDuhsQ9Vj6Qf_1GOV1leYlmb/s1600-h/refugio-juanar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT6q1YnkaDk1iwiYVzf4Y8lf4DDbg0d6RNIp96MEKgeDV2eH_9pVZ4MIYeNBePKzcqV1vXcFpOT3e6Qar7GapMA6ulSJ2wv74H2xGSOLuk2k_0SANtySpvDuhsQ9Vj6Qf_1GOV1leYlmb/s320/refugio-juanar.jpg" /></a>The Sierra de la Nieves is surrounded by a belt of nine villages, all of which are bound by common characteristics and history that have served to create a region with a strong local identity within the province of Malaga.<br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Situated in strategic locations, much of their charm is derived from the architecture of their old village centres, which is based on the Arabic model. The visitor can best appreciate the villages by losing himself in their winding, maze like streets and admiring their whitewashed houses. The arrival of the Christians saw the introduction of large squares and straight streets. As a result, in addition to fountains and plants, these mountain villages still retain the typical low walls built to level out the land and facilitate acess to houses built on slopes.<br />
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As far as fauna is concerned, the Sierra de las Nieves boasts a number of indigenous species of great importance, as well as being a key port of call on the migratory routes of many birds.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV_RLX4649B-A4NBS-vxewjJ3jfXDdlihPOQlYs_vhhFuyG6pWrJC_BG3hxdeSMdrDXO7ELewfm1QXJ_qGalaTUDzdMsvXTLGGiOa0zyaClHC9Lt0LSEYdR8bDMgcpFuAV-Ok99Bup-TV/s1600-h/mountain-goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV_RLX4649B-A4NBS-vxewjJ3jfXDdlihPOQlYs_vhhFuyG6pWrJC_BG3hxdeSMdrDXO7ELewfm1QXJ_qGalaTUDzdMsvXTLGGiOa0zyaClHC9Lt0LSEYdR8bDMgcpFuAV-Ok99Bup-TV/s320/mountain-goat.jpg" /></a>Numerically speaking, the invertebrates are the largest group to be found in one area. One such creature worthy of special mention by virtue of both its peculiarity and its heavy dependance on the Spanish fir for its survival is the small butterfly known as the Dioryctria.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fish such as barbel, bogue, rainbow trout, carp and black bass will delight anglers in locations such as the River Verde reservoir in Istan, where they co-exist alongside amphibians such as the San Antonio frog, the running toad and the speckled newt.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A wilder, more exotic touch is provided by reptiles such as the freshwater tortoise, the snake and the snub-nosed viper, as well as Iberian birds of prey, notably the golden eagle, the tawny vulture, the goshawk, the sparrowhawk and the peregrine falcon, while bats are the most significant of the cave dwellers. However, standing proudly on the mountain peaks, pride of place among all of these species goes to the mountain goat.<br />
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</div><b>The Biosphere Reserve</b><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Locations rich in natural beauty, ecosystems to be found nowhere else in the world and the habitat of extremely rare animal species as the mountain goat. These were just a few of the reasons that led UNESCO to declare the Sierra de la Nieves Biosphere Reserve on the 15th June, 1995. Proof of the importance of UNESCO's MAB programme was provided by the award of the prestigious Prince of Asturias Harmony Prize in 2001.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This living showcase, a model of co-existence between man and nature, encompasses both the Natural Park itself and the surrounding area, a total of 93,930 hectares. It consists of the entire municipal area of the villages of Alozaina, Casarabonela, El Burgo, Guaro, Istan, Monda, Ojen, Parauta, Tolox, Yunquera and part of Ronda.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wz0bbN_LVbdVR36DJ2m0G-Uy9UKmrYtm6MgNdkuQJkUqgZL-1QrwLhGRN1Z_0SY0Ft879xMJM_asssr2Owr3PhVAcV9ri5giguhPsxXzhv96po7md7Z8oUVEvZbnZQM_4VGkfXCx8qx_/s1600-h/monda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wz0bbN_LVbdVR36DJ2m0G-Uy9UKmrYtm6MgNdkuQJkUqgZL-1QrwLhGRN1Z_0SY0Ft879xMJM_asssr2Owr3PhVAcV9ri5giguhPsxXzhv96po7md7Z8oUVEvZbnZQM_4VGkfXCx8qx_/s320/monda.jpg" /></a>Its geological complexity means that the area is home to a number of sharply contrasting landscapes. So, on the one hand we have the white limestone rock of the Sierras Blancas, karstic formations, teeming with canyons, caves, galleries and potholes, and on the other, the red of the Sierra Bermejas. The former is home to two of the deepest potholes in Andalusia which are also among the largest in Europe: GESM and El Aire.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Apart from its unique geographical relief, the characteristic that best typifies this International Reserve is its rich flora. The combination of different climatic conditions that prevail here mean that it is home to a variety of species, ranging from sub-tropical examples such as the palmetto and the arbutus to forests or confiers. Spanish fir groves, mountain gall oaks and laburnums.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">However, star billing, botanically speaking, in this mountain range (and, indeed, pride of place overall, along with the mountain goat) must go to the Spanishg fir. Its conical form and dark green colour make it unmistakable among the multitude of other species to be found in the region, which include a wide variety of pines, the yew tree, the holm oak, the cork oak and a number of roiver-bank species, not forgetting the mountain gall oak. Colour and beauty are provided by the flowers that grow in the mountains, such as the peony, the mountain rose, the foxglove, the orchid, the iris and the narcissus.<br />
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<b>The Spanish Fir</b><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TG427hD_vxjm2qeygBSMWNI4Py3JoXd1Z-b-l3B_OW-agHMIHqONlolsikTZuut1YanlRKrsoY2GcF_Pjs56bZ_I00pstw-dWnJ4lLOSGnSl8SfCTSD4LZY6cy9AYu0Kxr2Egb8RcMzk/s1600-h/spanish-fir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TG427hD_vxjm2qeygBSMWNI4Py3JoXd1Z-b-l3B_OW-agHMIHqONlolsikTZuut1YanlRKrsoY2GcF_Pjs56bZ_I00pstw-dWnJ4lLOSGnSl8SfCTSD4LZY6cy9AYu0Kxr2Egb8RcMzk/s320/spanish-fir.jpg" /></a>The pinsapo, as it is known in Spanish, is a conifer belonging to the fir tree family whose origins date back to the end of the last glacier period and which is considered the oldest of all the indigenous Mediterranean firs. The Sierra de la Nieves is home to the largest concentration of this botanical treasure to be found anywhere in the world. This ancient tree, whose cross shaped branches were once carried as amulets during Corpus Christi processions, is notable for its characteristic pyramidal form, its greyish, slightly cracked bark and its smallm stiff leaves.<br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A number of curiosities surround this beautiful botanical species, whose varieties include the blue Spanish fir, so called in reference to the bluish hue of its leaves, and the candelabra variety. In fact, it is even thought that the masts of many of the vessels that made up the Spanish Armada weere built from this highly valued wood.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The Snow Sellers</strong><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In one profession could be said to have typified the Sierra de la Nieves for centuries, then it would be that of the snow seller. This arduous job began at the end of the winter, when teams of men would spend several days on the highest peaks gathering snow in panniers before taking it to pits, where it was pressed and compacted to form ice. The pits were then covered up until summer, when muleteers with their beasts of burden would transport the ice in large blocks to be sold.<br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The ice, which was used both to conserve food and medication and to make ice creams, was considered a luxury item and provided an important source of commercial and economic activity in the area. The visitor can still find restored ice pits in the villages of Yunquera and Tolox.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The Queen Of The Peaks</strong><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The most typical and representative of all the living species that inhabit the Sierra de la Nieves is without doubt the mountain goat, an animal that teetered on the brink of extinction in the mid XX century, when its numbers shrank to just 20, all of which inhabited the Ojen area.<br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was for this reason that the species was granted official protection, the area being declared a National Hunting Reserve in order to facilitate the animal's recovery.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today, the population comes to some 1,500 goats, the animal is the most prized and diifcult to attain of all Spain's big game prey, not to mention one of the rarest species in the whole world, not being found outside of Spain.<br />
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</div>Such is the importance of the animal and the extent to which it is associated with this region that attractive metal statues of this impressive beast can be found both at Puerto Rico viewpoint in Ojen, the viewpoint in Refugio de Juanar and near the health spa in Tolox.<br />
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<strong>Centro de Iniciatives Turisticas</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.malaga.es/provincia">Malaga Province</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sierranieves.com/">Sierra de la Nieves</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-80266509799140159032010-01-17T21:13:00.000+01:002010-01-17T21:13:31.373+01:00The Meander GuideThis week I discovered a new magazine called "<a href="http://www.meanderguide.com">The Meander Guide</a>" which is a magazine focused on Inland Andalucia and all the activities that are availble to you in and around Andalucia.<br />
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Personally, I think Andalucia has been waiting for a magazine such as this for a long time, for those who want to go off and join in activities outdoors, The Meander Guide suits these needs. Giving information on walks, hiking, wall climbing, quad biking, horse riding, golf, hotels, bars, restaurants, bird watching, painting, spa breaks and paintballing!<br />
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The magazine has some great hotels and restaurants advertising and some well thought out maps detailing activities that are available. They also include a good guide at the back for "What's On Where".<br />
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<b>About The Meander Guide</b><br />
Delivering a sharp, clerwrly focused view of the wide variety of activities and places of interest to be found in the stunningly beautiful inland areas of the Costa del Sol. This ranges from the gentle pursuits of painting and pottery to the more adventurous of climbing and hot air ballooning.<br />
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The Meander Guide wish to develop and meet the needs of their readers along with adding content which will enrich the experience of the visitor. The Meander Guide believe their magazine to be valuable to the residents of the coast and inland areas.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-15354299279603433332009-11-23T11:35:00.005+01:002009-11-23T11:41:36.257+01:00Ronda and the Rugged Landscape<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN1haBMaAHVU8jN78az0LawiqUzl6NZ5xGuGwZNhPl8r0YPYFU62pxRX2Y9fTwkWhHpwNcK1WMQn9zQ9a32sTZWYOhgvmaECoBFXrNed7kYiXedpBrJvpxpEgHC_IcHslCzkutpzCC5yG/s1600/ronda-geraniums.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN1haBMaAHVU8jN78az0LawiqUzl6NZ5xGuGwZNhPl8r0YPYFU62pxRX2Y9fTwkWhHpwNcK1WMQn9zQ9a32sTZWYOhgvmaECoBFXrNed7kYiXedpBrJvpxpEgHC_IcHslCzkutpzCC5yG/s400/ronda-geraniums.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407246554902160914" /></a><br /><br />Many visitors to Spain have an image in their mind of rugged mountain landscapes, white villages and castles, agile bullfighters, gypsy flamenco music and dancing. This is Andalusia. Of course everyone has heard of Granada, Córdoba, Seville, or the Costa del Sol but the real Andalusia is to be found on the small inland towns and cities, Ronda for example.<br /><br />Ronda is only an hour from the Costa del Sol, but is the largest of Andalusia's white villages, known locally as pueblo blancos. Not seeing Ronda would be like visiting Paris and not seeing the Palace at Versaille. A deep gorge known as El Tajo splits Ronda in two, the old Moorish quarter, and the new market town on either side.<br /><br />Getting to Ronda is easy by car, bus or train, and has the great advantage that despite her population of nearly 50,000 souls the old quarter and centre of town is no more than a 15 minute walk from end to end. The view over the Tajo and Caldera is nothing short of spectacular, as are the old streets with white-washed homes and windows decorated with flowerpots and hanging baskets.<br /><br />The El Tajo gorge splits <a href="http://www.rondatoday.com">Ronda</a> in two, one one side lies the ancient Moorish quarter with its narrow streets and history dating back 8,000 years, whilst on the other side the new market town sprang up on the site of ancient oak forests less than 500 years ago. Sadly the oaks are long gone, but an effort to recreate the relaxing feel of a forest in the heart of the city has been recreated in Alameda park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxDBn0BA3Nq5pIs3CtZToAKGT1uDXn2XjVTQJLb1emux0qwk93l7B6Hx-G4EN9jSyKJBwE8ykaUIOX97_4x3_kNN51oAkEYiu5EIlWCtZi9Xb86QyzQQG8wvY114-v5aF0xyBzqRsKe9A/s1600/ronda-gorge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxDBn0BA3Nq5pIs3CtZToAKGT1uDXn2XjVTQJLb1emux0qwk93l7B6Hx-G4EN9jSyKJBwE8ykaUIOX97_4x3_kNN51oAkEYiu5EIlWCtZi9Xb86QyzQQG8wvY114-v5aF0xyBzqRsKe9A/s400/ronda-gorge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407246627454470226" /></a><br /><br />Straddling the Tajo is one of Spain's most photographed and iconic monuments, Ronda's Puente Nuevo, a bridge that stands nearly 100m tall, made entirely of rock quarried from the river bed below. The bridge was completed in the late 18th century, around the same time as the bullring, coincidentally by the same architect.<br /><br />Ronda is almost universally known as the home of modern bullfighting, and Ronda's Plaza de Toros its spiritual home. In fact these days Ronda has only one bullfight per year during the Goyesca Feria held in September, the rest of the year the bullring is open to the public who have the chance to view it's impressive museum.<br /><br />Resident's of Ronda will happily tell you the Plaza de Toros is the oldest, biggest, and most impressive of all the world's bullrings. In fact it isn't the oldest, though the rueda (the sandy area in the centre) is the world's largest, and the bullring truly is impressive. Even an objective opinion of architectural beauty can't deny Ronda's bullring is special. The entire building was completed in 1785, and is the ring is surrounded by 136 Tuscan stone columns supporting seating for 5,000 spectators.<br /><br />Away from the bullring and the 'art' of bullfighting, Ronda is a city rich is cultural heritage, the city has been continuously occupied for over 8,000 years making Rondeños a tough breed of mountain folk with a long history. This richness of culture is evident not just in the music or the attitude of the people, but also in the architecture of other buildings which have undergone renovations with every cultural shift the city has experienced.<br /><br />Visit Ronda's Santa Maria church for a beautiful yet bizarre mixture of architecture spanning the ages. Originally a temple to Diana in Roman times, and possibly an Iberian pagan temple before that, the building became a Christian church in the 5th century, before being destroyed t be replaced by a Mosque for Muslim invaders in 711AD, and then mostly destroyed again in 1485 to make way for a Christian cathedral. An earthquake in the 18th century destroyed the church again, and the current church is an unusually attractive blend of mosque, cathedral and parish church in moorish, renaissance baroque and gothic styles.<br /><br />Ronda is blessed with several impressive museums, visit the Lara Museum on Calle Armiñan for an eclectic range of exhibits such as torture instruments, sewing machines, bullfighting outfits, clocks, wepons, and much more. Located nearby you'll also find the Bandit Museum with a comprehensive history in exhibits of the bandit years in ronda that started around the time of Napolean's invasion and didn't end till well in the middle of the 20rth century. The highlight however is the Municipal Museum in the Mondragon Palace, with exhibits from paleolithic times to the present including a large exhibit of Roman times in the Serranía.<br /><br />A day trip into the Serranía will take you to some of the most spectacular and unique eco-systems in Europe, the mountains around Ronda, the Serranía de Ronda. The district has evidence of human habitation going back over 30,000 years with cave paintings at Pileta, dolmen burial chambers at Montecorto, and the ruined Roman city of Acinipo all located less than 10 minutes away from Ronda. <br /><br />Aside from human endeavours, the Serranía de Ronda is as well known for the spectacular wildlife and flora to be found within her borders. Each spring and autumn the mountains are filled with wild flowers many of them quite unique and endemic to the valleys and mountains. Twenty six varieties of orchid have been discovered in the Grazalema, Alcornocales and Sierra de las Nieves natural parks. Many are only to be found in very small areas, perhaps only a single valley, and are now protected plants. The Serranía de Ronda is also known for being one of the last remaining sanctuaries of the Pinsapo, also known as the Spanish Fir.<br /><br />Birdwatching is a pleasure and a joy in the Serranía, with the district being home to local birds as well as situated on the main path of Europe's migrating birds. Getting out and enjoying nature is very easy in the Serranía, almost everywhere is accessible on wonderful nature walks, though the Serranía is also a great place to cycle and keep fit whilst appreciating nature. The Serranía's many small villages are located on all of the main walking and cycling tracks, so lunch and refreshments are never far.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-32092480912679135852009-11-19T13:48:00.003+01:002009-11-19T14:12:44.130+01:00Gardening Pests and Diseases<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aphids</span><br />Colonies of small round-bodied insects suck the sap from leaves and distort plant growth. They excrete a sticky honeydew on which sooty moulds grow, and can also spread viruses. Aphids, which are mostly wingless, may be black, green, pink, red, yellow or variously coloured.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Danger Period</span><br />Spring and early summer in the open, but any time of the year under glass or indoors.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Treatment</span><br />Outdoors or in a greenhouse, spray thoroughly with systemic insecticide such as heptenophos, or with non-systemic insecticides such as malathion, pirimicarb, fenitrothion or derris. Inside the house, use derris only. Encourage predators such as beetles, ladybirds (you can get from some garden centres), bluetits, hoverflies and praying mantis.<br /><br />If I ever find a praying mantis on my terrace I pick him up and place on my roses or trees so he can eat all the baddies :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scale Insects</span><br />Particulalry troublesome on greenhouse and houseplants, but also ornamental shrubs, trees and fruit grown outside.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recognition</span><br />Brown, yellow or white scales - flat or oval - mainly on the underside of leaves and clustered alongside the veins and on the stems<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Danger Period</span><br />Late spring or early summer outdoors, but at any time of the year when under glass<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Treatment</span><br />Spray with pirimiphos-methyl, heptenophos & permethrin, or malathion three times at twp-week intervals. Alternatively, gently remove scales by hand or with a soft toothbrush, or spray insecticidal soap.<br /><br />If you have any bark breaking then you need to cut out the dead wood, remove loose bark to reveal a clean wound. Feed, mulch and water the tree properly and the wound should heal naturally.<br /><br />Do not have irrigation pipes close to the roots, let the water run to the plant rather than right at it!<br /><br />Do you have any spotting on the leaves of the tree?<br />Try watering during dry spells and muching the trees, this is common after a drought.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fruit - Drop</span><br />If your fruit has dropped from your tree early then this would be a classic sign that pollinators are not in your garden, feed, mulch and water the tree. If you are experiencing fruit drop in cold seasons then this means poor pollination and nothing can be done until the following season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Honey Fungus</span><br />This can affect most trees and shrubs. Common among rotting tree stumps, some herbaceous perennials and some bulbs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recognition</span><br />Toad stools at soil level at the base of the trunk. White fan-shaped growths of fungus occur beneath the bark of roots and at soil level. Black ´bootlace´threads on diseased roots spread infection.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Danger Period</span><br />Autumn<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Treatment</span><br />Destroy dead or dying plants and as many roots as possible. Sterilise the soil with a phenolic compund such as Armillatox. The ´bootlaces´do not necessarily mean disaster. Many species of the fungus are not invasive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nitrogen Deficiency</span><br />All types, but most commonly fruit trees and vegetables.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recognition</span><br />The young leaves turn pale yellow-green, and later develop yellow, red or purple tints. the plants are small, stunted and lack vigour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Danger Period</span><br />Growing season<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Treatment</span><br />Use nitrogenous fetiliser such as blood, fish and bone or sulphate of ammonia in spring. Improve soil structure and fertility generally. For a quick result, water with a liquid feed or apply a nitrogen-rich foliar feed. A temporary definciency can arise in cold weather, but it will disappear as the soil warms up.<br /><br />If you have advice where you can purchase these fertilisers or treatments, please let us know so we can forward to our readers<br /><br />ThanksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-67766554367054516662009-10-27T16:44:00.004+01:002009-10-27T17:43:02.140+01:00Wild Food - Foraging!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ3S32t7pKfzJkvyY2nQ5zgiiFg5kRaZ1uBVU4mDtXrNyULCiWFTJ1BuxjGdUI1oyXMfkhliXV6BD62tkyQ_zjw02BZJXghI3Uq9qe7xbkfmnNU3NHBxvSX3wlqsHHqp3fXLMDaPSD8NE/s1600-h/wild-food.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ3S32t7pKfzJkvyY2nQ5zgiiFg5kRaZ1uBVU4mDtXrNyULCiWFTJ1BuxjGdUI1oyXMfkhliXV6BD62tkyQ_zjw02BZJXghI3Uq9qe7xbkfmnNU3NHBxvSX3wlqsHHqp3fXLMDaPSD8NE/s400/wild-food.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397321129195091698" /></a><br />Forgaing for food is becoming increasingly popular once more. We quite often walk down our track in the country and come back laden with bits we have found growing by the side of a field or Almonds that are just there for the taking on the trees.<br /><br />Everything from Wild Garlic, mushrooms, nuts, oranges, blackberries, raspberries, edible weeds - there are tons of free food out there if you just get out of the house and go look :)<br /><br />Autumn is the traditional time for harvest, when the efforts of months of hard graft finally pay off! In Spain you see the farmers out there in he field during the months of Autumn picking their food either for sale of for their families - home grown food is so much better than supermarket bought food.<br /><br />However, these days we tend to rely on our food being cultivated in greenhouses whatever the season. In Spain we still only get fruit and vegetables that are in season, it is getting more common these days to see out of season fruit and vegetables - look at what the market is demanding!<br /><br />Reconnecting with the old ways of hunter gathering, foraging is taking off once more. In Britain's and Spain's woods and fields, there's a bountiful harvest of vegetables and fruits to be had - all growing naturally without intervention from human hand or industrial fertiliser.<br /><br />From wild garlic to berries and nuts, there are plenty of mouth watering ingredients to be had, whether you live in town or country you will be amazed at what you can find, all for free - well that is until the government catch on to this and ecide to tax it LOL!<br /><br />You can also help the environment by forgaring, there's nothing shorter on food miles or more sustainable than fresh produce that's already growing indigenously in your neighbourhood. What's more, sourcing food from a country walk or perhaps beside your local canal is a lot more exciting that a trip to your local supermarket, healthier for the family and fun too.<br /><br />Apart from all that you will start to notice seasons more as you watch your local areas transform from Winter/Autumn to Spring/Summer.<br /><br />You can even try your hand at making chutneys and jams from the fruit you find and learn something new while you are at it :)<br /><br />Wild mushrooms - puffballs friend in garlic butter with a bit of black better are divine! Wild garlic, nettles and elderflowers are common in the wild, you can make ice creams or codials with these ingredients.<br /><br />Miles Irving has been foraging for years and now makes a living finding wild herbs and plants for top chefs keen to source unique ingredients that are fresh and local<br />from root to tip. Jamie Oliver is a former customer of his company - check him out online. <a href="http://www.forager.org.uk/">Miles Irving Foraging</a><br /><br />During times when families are on the look out to save money and do activities that do not break the bank, an afternoon of foraging is fun and educational for all the family. Teach your kids where <span style="font-weight: bold;">REAL food</span> comes from - not fast food joints like McDonalds or Burger King.<br /><br />However, before you can go off foraging, it would be good to know what you are looking for, you don´t want to go out picking mushrooms if you don´t know what you are looking for as this could be potentially dangerous for all concerned - below I have listed some good books to buy. You just need to check that what you are picking is safe.<br /><br />Miles Irving has a new gook out called "The Forager Handbook", a guide to Britain's edible plants, or Food for Free.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About The Forager Handbook</span><br /><iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=scosuptrepair-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=0091913632&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="margin: 10px 10px 10px 0pt; width: 120px; height: 240px; float: left;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />At any time, in any place, food is there for the taking - if only we knew how and where to look. Miles Irving makes his living out of foraging - in this unique, authentic guide, he reveals the how, why, what and where of this lost art, a way of life that is becoming increasingly popular as more and more of us pursue an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. This ground-breaking handbook tells you how to recognize the rich possibilities that surround us, whether in the city or countryside. From waste ground to woodland, from cliff top to coast land, plants flourish year in, year out. Spring is when wild garlic flourishes in shady woodlands; summer is the time for marsh samphire in the salt-marshes; autumn heralds an abundance of fruits and nuts; . Many of these plants - nettles, dandelions, fat hen, sorrel - grow so profusely they are considered a nuisance. Yet they offer fantastic food possibilities and are rich in nutrients. Assiduously researched, packed with information and enlivened with anecdotes and more than 330 photographs, "The Forager Handbook" is a milestone publication marking the way forward for the future of British food. And for each plant family, Miles gives ideas for using foraged ingredients in the kitchen. With recipes from some of the most exciting chefs working in Britain today, including Sam and Sam Clark, Mark Hix and Richard Corrigan, and coverage of techniques like drying, pickling and making cordials, this book will take readers on a voyage of discovery. Foraging was something our ancestors did instinctively - this book truly connects us with our past and our future. Discover a secret world of edible possibilities - all freely available.<br /><br />A classic foraging book by Richard Mabey titled "Food for Free" which is still in print some 30 years after it was first published.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About Food for Free</span><br /><iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=scosuptrepair-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=0007183038&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="margin: 10px 10px 10px 0pt; width: 120px; height: 240px; float: left;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />Fans of Food for Free will be delighted at this new format -- ideal for carrying in a rucksack. Over 100 edible plants are featured together with recipes and other interesting culinary information. With details on how to pick, when to pick and regulations on picking. This new format of a best-selling title provides a portable guide for all those who enjoy what the countryside has to offer. Over 100 plants are listed, fully illustrated and described, together with recipes and other fascinating information about their use throughout the ages. The recipes are listed so that you can plan your foray with a feast in mind. This is the ideal book for both nature-lovers and cooks. Particularly with today's emphasis on the freshest and most natural of foods. There is also practical advice on how to pick plus the countryside laws and regulations on picking wild plants.<br /><br />If you are looking for a more hands on experience then you can have an unforgettable day out with the <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.foragerangers.com/">Forage Rangers</a></span>, Xa Milne and Fiona Houston. Their mission is to help people have fun outdoors hunting for wild foods anywhere plants can grow, from city parks, to country waysides and the seashore, and, as importantly, show you how to turn this wild food into delicious dishes and drinks.<br /><br />They are the authors of the highly acclaimed Seaweed and Eat It - this is a family foraging journal and cooking adventure for all the family.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About Seaweed And Eat It</span><br /><iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=scosuptrepair-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=0753513412&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;margin:10px 10px 10px 0; float:left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br />This is the foodie's answer to "The Dangerous Book for Boys", and a nostalgic journey of rediscovery for the whole family. Part cookbook, part natural history guide, with tasty recipes, fascinating folklore and inspiring ideas for seasonal feasts, "Seaweed" leads the reader through the process of identifying, learning about and cooking unusual and wild native foods. From discovering edible wild plants and flowers, to creating delicious seasonal feasts, "Seaweed" puts the fun into foraging and injects a sense of adventure into preparing dinner. For anyone interested in the origins of their food - or who's shocked by the price of elderflower cordial - this inspirational cookbook will ensure mealtimes are never dull.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Protocol for Foraging</span><br />Do not overpick, pick small amounts to preserve the plant<br />Pick locally from common land<br />Do not pick from same areas all the time, to lessen your impact<br />Do not pick from protected areas such as wildlife reserves, sites of SSSI<br />Private land would require permission<br />Do not eat or pick it if you cannot clearly identify the food source<br />Take seeds and try growing in your own garden<br />Choose a foraging area and familiarise yourself with as much as you can<br />No Trespassing!<br />Do not pick endangered or protected species (local library can provide regulations)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Getting Started with Foraging</span><br />Start by picking the easy stuff like dandelions and nettles. Collect some rosehips and make syrup which can be used to put in ice creamAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-47861088517906674692009-10-15T19:35:00.005+02:002009-10-26T15:13:41.215+01:00Gardening UK, Moving & House ClearanceHi its Gill <br /><br />Sorry I didn´t get time to do a blog last week, there is too much to do with the moving, let alone blogs.I am moving house as you know if you follow me already, but this is the most stressful move I have ever done. When you are widowed you feel so alone and unable to cope, maybe its because I am now a pensioner. I hate saying that because I am so young in my head it just doesn´t seem right! The trouble is that I need to get back to Four Marks because my daughter is having my second grandchild next spring and I had wanted to be living nearer her.<br /><br />I could afford a flat but would die without a garden!!! I am about £30,000 short for a small house. I have looked in neighbouring Alton but the ones I can afford are in such rough areas and yes I am may be being a snob but I don´t want to live there. I just don´t know what to do and would love some feedback from you all if possible. <br /><br />The only alternative I can see is to buy on a pensioners mobile home estate. The houses are lovely but everyone has white hair and I dont feel ready to retire to a place like that. I had thought that maybe I could buy a small piece of land in Four Marks for £100,000 and put a wooden mobile home on it. Unfortunately all the builders gobble up any land available!!!!!<br /><br />The garden is still a nightmare of a mess but I do intend to get it straight for the new people, they have 3 children and they will be wanting to play out there. <br /><br />I did go out with Irene and Wendy on Wednesday to a garden centre, I would have gone insane if I hadnt got out of the house. We went to Secretts in Godalming. This is a nice place to go because they have a good range of shrubs, flowers, bulbs, Christmas stuff, and nice food. The only bad thing I have to say about them is that their bedding pansies and violas were £3.49 for 6 and they are £2.99 in most places.<br /><br />On the way home we went into Hilliers in Liss because I wanted a bag of grit for my cacti. They didnt have their Christmas stuff out which was a shame because we cannot resist buying decorations. The tables holding the flowers outside looked absolutely lovely, a miriad of colours everywhere you looked, very nicely presented.<br /><br />Well all I can say with the gardening is to make the most of this lovely weather and carry on clearing away all the spent plants and generally tidying up.<br /><br />I will do my best to do a blog next week but know you will forgive me if I don´t get time. Take care all, happy gardening. Luv Gill xxCampo Girls Gardening in Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747786273369323090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-56190914666041142462009-10-01T15:10:00.003+02:002009-10-26T15:09:29.248+01:00Autumn GardeningHello all, Gill here,<br /><br />There is so much to do in the garden in the autumn, it makes you wonder where we all find the time. At this time of the year the main thing is clearing up and pulling up. If like me you like your plants growing naturally anywhere, when you pull, shake, there may be some seeds still left in the heads.<br /><br />Love them or hate them, you cannot fail to notice the striking colours of the dahlias. They come into their own at this time of year, in my opinion there is nothing to rival them. They come in every height from 6inches to a about 5foot, the flowers heads are from a teaspoon size to a dinner plate and there are some with zillions of petals and some with single petals so I find it hard for someone to say that they hate all dahlias! <br /><br />Most people don´t think of autumn as being a busy time for planting but it can be for both flowers, fruit and vegetables. Plant all you currants now, black red and white and raspberries oooo yummy, gooseberries yuk and the like, all cane type plants. <br /><br />Also your herbaceous perenials, cottage flowers such as echinacea should go in now.<br />I have already mentioned fruit trees in a previous blog, you can still plant those for a couple of months, but preferably September and October.<br /><br />Broad beans are best planted now because they are less prone to black fly than when planted in the spring.<br /><br />Get down to the garden centre now if you want shrubs and get digging!!!! I think they take better in the autumn than spring, they certainly get a head start next year being planted now, such as euonymous, berberis, choisya and hebe. Most garden centres do these at very reasonable prices in bulk. I think in Avenue nurseries, Lasham they have 6 small shrubs for £8, thats fantastic. They are small but dont take long to grow. Get two sets, one thats all green plants and one reds and yellows, when they grow all mixed up together they can look stunning at this time of the year.<br /><br />These can be put in tubs or hanging baskets with winter cyclamen and pansies, an ivy and heather, don´t forget to pop in some spring bulbs so that when the pansies are dying off, up come these little surprises of bulbs to make you smile :).<br /><br />I have noticed that the birds are eating a lot more suet balls, so please don´t forget them, they are such lovely creatures, they brighten up my day, I can´t imagine a world without birds. <br /><br />I am rushed off my feet at the moment packing boxes to move. I cannot believe I have got so much rubbish!!! Car boot here I come.<br /><br />Make the most of this lovely autumn sunshine and get cracking in the garden instead of reading this lol.<br /><br />Catch you all next week when I get time, take care all, Gill xCampo Girls Gardening in Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747786273369323090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-12289199224774299422009-09-21T15:07:00.007+02:002009-09-21T21:47:51.954+02:00Gardening: Holiday, Moving & PlantingHiya peeps, its Gill,<br /><br />Got back a week ago from my hols staying with my brother in France not too far from the Pyrenees. Glorious weather, between 26 and 30 deg every day. My brother Peter grows all his own veg and some fruit for the year too. I was told to eat as many strawberries and raspberries as I wish from the garden. Needless to say I didn´t have to be told twice lol! The raspberries (my favourite fruit) were delicious. It reminded me of my first taste of this wonderful fruit. When I was about 7 or 8 years old I had a friend on the army estate where I lived in Wolverley called Joyce McCluskey. Her back garden was about 5foot square at the most and it was just raspberries. We used to lay on our backs and crawl under these canes and just eat. What wonderful days. My Dad used to grow strawberries and I used to eat them green, I couldn´t wait for them to turn red. He often used to say what a poor crop he had, if only he had known! If he were alive now, I would own up.<br /><br />Whilst in France we watched swallowtail butterflies, a beautiful creature that was plentiful in my youth but haven´t seen here for over 50 years. Also something I have never seen before a humming bird moth on a newly opened hibiscus, stunning! There were frogs croaking all day long, a flock of egrets came every day and settled near a little creek to catch the fish I guess, and we watched buzzards spiralling on thermals, as I do in England too.<br /><br />My nephew 5 year old Jenson had been there for the summer holidays and had seen the chickens eating a mouse. He was most concerned and told my brother to get it because if he didn´t the mouses Mum and Dad would be sad if he didn´t come home. Isn´t that lovely? Oh and the other thing that I haven´t seen before was a big fat black bee on the runner beans absolutely fully laden with pollen he could hardly fly, I could watch that sort of thing for hours.<br /><br />Well I have news, we have sold the house and will be going our separate ways soon, but there is so much to do in the garden to get it straight for the new family moving in. The biggest job is to move the chickens, my daughters friend Jenny is having them. They will have acres of bluebell woods to run around, a freer life than they get here. I did shed a little tear, I will miss Lucky most, but I will be able to go over and see them when I like she said.<br /><br />It is definitely the start of autumn here so I will be cutting off all the tall plants. The tomatoes can be pulled although there is still time for a few more to plump up and redden. I pulled all the runner beans up yesterday and gave the whole plants, beans and all to the chickens. They stripped everything off and left just the main stems, they will eventually mulch down into the ground. All the leaves on the trees are starting to turn a golden yellow, absolutely stunning time of the year.<br /><br />Now is the time of year to start looking at spring bulbs. There is an ernormous choice these days of colours and shapes. For me you cannot beat the every day daffodil, I am not one for the pink variety etc. The tulips are my favourites in the spring. Just check that the bulbs you buy are not even slightly mouldy, they won´t grow and they infect the others. I hate the thought of leaving my lovely English bluebells here but I´m not going to dig them up as I wont have a permanent house to go to and dont know when I will have. Most of the bluebells that you see other than the ones in the woods here in England now are Spanish. Goodness knows how that happened. I think one of the most beautiful sights in England is woodland with that glorious bluebell colour, a lilacy blue haze. My gladioli are still flowering, one of my Dad´s favourites, thats why I grow them.<br /><br />Don´t forget like I said last time, if you need to regrass or have patches on the lawn that need seeding, do it this month or March only.<br /><br />I have dug up and potted two of my acers and left 5 here that are too large to move without doing any damage. This week I will be potting up probably about 5 of my azaleas, one of them I brought from my last house and it survived, a vivid orange one. I have bought some ericaceous soil for that, oh and also two rhodedendrons. I must be boring you with all my things to do so I will close now and get some of them done.<br /> <br />Take care all, happy gardening, and will try and think of something to chat to you about next week. Luv from GillCampo Girls Gardening in Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06747786273369323090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250127660005168655.post-54931502227912299372009-09-07T15:06:00.003+02:002009-09-07T15:45:45.900+02:00September Gardening Trimming<span style="font-weight: bold;">What should you do in September?</span><br /><br />This time of year you should be watching out for hungry caterpillars and removing them from your roses before they munch them all!<br /><br />Hedges need their final trims.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vegetable Garden</span><br /><ul><br /><li>You still have time to sow salads and greens for the winter</li><br /><li>Plant garlic and onion towards the end of the month</li><br /><li>Keep the birds off your produce by using netting, at least until they have put down their roots</li><br /><li>Make sure purple sproutin broccoli or brussels are earthed up and staked to prevent rocking</li><br /><li>Remove leaves around winter squash and pumpkins so they can ripen in the sun</li><br /><li>Place an old plate under pumpkins and squash so the dry evenly and don't rot</li><br /><li>Celeriac and leeks need a liquid feed for the final growth spurt while the weather is still good</li><br /><li>Cover tender crops such as lettuce, dwarf beans and other salad crops with polytunnels and cloches as the nights begin to get cooler</li><br /></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flower Garden</span><br /><ul><br /><li>Dead head as many plants will not produce more flowers late in the season, keep pretty seed heads on for autumn and winter to keep the insects happy</li><br /><li>Try not to be too tidy! If you want to see more wildlife then a tidy-ish garden is the way to go</li><br /><li>Plant bulbs between shrubs and herbaceous plants, and in natural drifts in the lawn, discard any mouldy or shrivelled bulbs</li><br /><li>If you are lawn planting choose daffodils and crocus</li><br /><li>Clip new hedge growth, such as yew and box for the last time this season, weed around the base of hedges, compost the weeds</li><br /><li>Protect your tall plants from strong winds by staking them</li><br /><li>Fruit trees should be planned now, the cheapest trees are bare-root plants sold to plant in late winter/early spring. Frost resistant varieties are Apple Falstaff</li><br /></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seeds</span><br />Saving your seeds is an easy way to grow your seed collection. Easiest are poppy, nigella and beans. Leave your beans until they rattle in the pod, shake poppy and nigella seeds into airtight containers. Store in a cool dry place for next time<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Bulbs should I plant now?</span><br />Dutch Iris<br />Parrot Tulips<br />Alliums<br />Crocus<br />Daffodils<br />Hyacinths<br /><br />My favourites are Daffodils and Hyacinths, I have Hyacinths in various colours growing in pots - just gorgeous!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291683130040904245noreply@blogger.com