Nothing for it but to retreat to the greenhouse. Seeds are starting to pop up and the tomato seedlings are coming on, but it’s all so abysmally slow. They are cold and so am I.
Remember the bonsai acer that I root pruned last month? It, at least, has started to sprout leaves so fingers crossed all will be well.
But not everything under glass is sweetness and light. All last week Mike’s new electronic ‘zapper’ was apparently removing mice from the tool shed at a rate in excess of one per day. It was when the hit rate had started to drop off that the device found its way, unannounced and uninvited, into my domain. Years it’s taken, to cultivate the art of tranquil, hypertension-busting, greenhouse pottering..
If only the mice weren’t quite so fond of my seeds. I am instructed to report back as soon as I see a green flashing light. Worse still, so I’m told, there might also be a tail sticking out of the back of the box..
Goodness me, your toms are up! My seeds haven’t even sprouted yet!!!
Your bonsai acer is absolutely lovely.
YIKES on the mouse front.xxxxx
It was an experiment this year. I put the tomato seeds in the propagator last month, then into the greenhouse for more light as soon as they germinated. In the colder environment they’ve grown more slowly, but seem sturdier than in previous years.
Oh dear, poor mice (although v annoying about the seeds- I sympathise). I should concentrate on the beautiful colour of that lovely acer instead- you can feel very smug that mine hasn’t even begun to remotely suggest leaves yet….
I know, I don’t feel happy about the mice at all. But we are getting overrun. At least it’s humane.
I have stopped complaining about the cold, having remembered that last year’s warm March meant that things flowered before the bees and flies were out and about to pollinate, which meant no quince and no sloes in the autumn!!
If only you could use real mouse tail, as I used the mouse tail cord!!
That’s a good point Anne. Back to proper seasons (including summer??) not a bad thing at all!!
The weather has been so so so COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hence my kitchen activity…..lovely and warm. I did venture out to feed the hens – warm cous cous with their mixed corn.
Ooooh, lovely Denise. Save me some. Without the corn..
Took charge of new allotment today, so time to spring clean our greenhouse and get some seeds in. But it is soooooo very cold that I fear the shoots might poke their noses out of the compost and say, ‘Not bloomin’ likely, pal!’ We did pick up some seed potatoes and shallots though. Very impressed with your tomato seedlings. Bravo!
Oh, so envious of your allotment. All that space!
And a picnic table by the river too!
At least you don’t seem to have snow. We’re just in a thick fog. Grit your teeth and pick the box up by the tail….
No snow.
Nooooo!!! Mike wants the box, he can ‘service’ it.
I haven’t done anything towards growing any veg this year – garden is under 5 inches of snow again. I feel like giving up this year! Your acer is looking really healthy now. Julie x
Don’t give up. It will come good. I hope…
I sympathise; I loathe dealing with mice. I just wish they wouldn’t attack the seedlings. Like you, my greenhouse was overrun last year and I lost lots of green shoots. Hope you manage to protect your plants.
It’s so demoralising isn’t it? One day you’ve got a seedling, raised and tended with loving care, and then the next – nothing but soil…
We are nurturing some little seedlings in the conservatory, yours are looking good as is the acer you pruned. Hope there aren’t too many green lights or ‘sticky outy’ tails in your greenhouse.
I’ve tried to make the greenhouse mouse proof, but they burrow Rosie. They’ve even chewed through the aluminium frame..
Those seedlings look healthy Jessica even if they are cold, and I love the shot of your beautiful acer.
We have 4 inches snow again. My seeds are still stored in the airtight box (in the house) as I cannot get into the greenhouse as it’s full of overwintering everything!
I’ve been lucky with our wood mice so far, they are kept filled up with bird and hedgehog food and have left the greenhouse alone – the monster slugs have probably frightened them off!
I’d be sending Mike in first to check out for any victims (sob!)
Rose H
x
I know just what you mean about the greenhouse – I don’t think I could get another plant in it! No snow here, but too cold (and wet) again to do anything outside.
I’m sorry about the victims too.
Just be thankful you don’t have herds of deer choping on your plants and flowers, they are harder to get in the box …
Your tomato plants are coming along nicely, and well done on the bonsai tree, it looks vibrant and healthy !
Stay warm…
~Jo
No herds so far, just the odd one!
oooh good luck with the mouse hunt…. the first time I ever had one as a house guest was in New York, I was so freaked out I actually stood on the sofa and scremed like something out of Tom & Jerry!!
I remember visiting my grandmother’s house as a teenager. I had flatly refused to take off my boots, knowing that there was a mouse somewhere in the house. But it’s amazing how quickly you get used to them when they are everywhere! Although so far, thankfully, not inside this house.
I really really think you need a cat ! ( or several )
But then I’d have dead mice inside the house as well.. 😉
Soldiering on in the face of adversity – and mice! Well done:-) Pleased to see the bonsai has responded positively.
I’m pleased with the bonsai, though it isn’t in full leaf yet.
I can imagine that having a mouse zapper to hand would spoil your tranquility…
I keep thinking of the noise that flies make when they hit one of those purple zapper things… if such a device still exists.
I haven’t even sown any seeds yet! Your bonsai is looking remarkably healthy. I hope you don’t find too many ‘tails’ of woe!
‘Tails of woe’ would have been a good title for the post… wish I’d thought of it!!!
looks like the mice got tired of the cold around here, too—-just saw evidence of their scavenging in the cupboard. not sure I could deal with a zapper. Your tomatoes are looking great!! Doing heirlooms?
Oh no! That’s not nice to come home to..
Sungold, I think it’s a modern variety but grown by popular demand!
Oh dear, when I find a tail sticking out of my box, I call Gordon!!!
Love the bonsai. And your tomato seedlings look great.
So do I. Mike, not Gordon!