How about a gardening thread?

Did get the net out to pick out some debris from the pond- but soon gave up and followed my own advice as it is teaming with Alpine newts - jet black with the brightest of orange belly- and also dragonfly larvae (blue aeschne).

If any of you have kids who would like to see them- do pop up for tea one of these days.

Also, lots of nettles coming up- around the fields, totally organic- so if you are looking for nettles to cook- same as above.

[Confloozed]

	Quote:
	Did get the net out to pick out some debris from the pond- but soon gave up and followed my own advice as it is teaming with Alpine newts - jet black with the brightest of orange belly- and also dragonfly larvae (blue aeschne). If any of you have kids who would like to see them- do pop up for tea one of these days. Also, lots of nettles coming up- around the fields, totally organic- so if you are looking for nettles to cook- same as above.

Mmmm Nettles

ahaha some people love nettles - but can't find any which are guarantted organic

And if any kids, or adults for that matter- would like to go badger watching late April early May- again, just ask. But with wildlife there is never ever any guarantees

[Confloozed]

I am actually one of them. Might take you up on the invite.

lol a bit far for nettles, no? But you could take tons and freeze... wait another two weeks.

[McTAVGE]

Trying to turn a rectangle of crap soil (mainly clay) into a British garden paradise (dream on!). Before I waste the little money I've got left, what plants are suitable for a fairly poor soil (I have put a lot of compost before starting) and Geneva's climate?


Odile?

Are you looking for perenials? Come over and help yourself- got tons I can divide- perfect timing- most have adapted from our UK garden in East Mids- and are very easy to grow. Save yourself a couple of (100s) quid.

(bought our house 2 years before we moved and brought a trailor full of plant on every trip from and to UK )

[Tom1234]

	Quote:	McTAVGE
	Trying to turn a rectangle of crap soil (mainly clay) into a British garden paradise (dream on!). Before I waste the little money I've got left, what plants are suitable for a fairly poor soil (I have put a lot of compost before starting) and Geneva's climate?

Roses like clay soil.

[DantesDame]

	Quote:
	Did get the net out to pick out some debris from the pond- but soon gave up and followed my own advice as it is teaming with Alpine newts - jet black with the brightest of orange belly..

Ooo - so that's what they are! I just defaulted to calling them salamanders, but your description matches perfectly. Thanks!

[JagWaugh]

	Quote:	Tom1234
	Roses like clay soil.

+1

Roses are about the easiest plant there is. You need to spend some time learning to prune them, and you have to make sure that they get enough air, but other than that, most bang for the buck of any plant.

We had quite a famous rose grower with 1000s of roses in the fields near us, on heavy clay, in the East Mids. You are not too far from Tschanz- the Romandie rose specialist- really nice guy and good advice- but not ... cheap. He also has David Austin roses from UK.

What a lovely day in the garden- as said before, newts galore- but also birds, buzzards, red kites, and or pair of Merlins are back and quite noisy. Bullfinches, goldfinches too, as well as the usual and our 100s of noisy sparrows. But today, a first- never seen one but knew straightaway what it was - a tree creeper, digging up and down our nearest ash tree and the bark moss. Lovely.

Anyhow- if you want perenials - got loads but don't wait too long- time is perfect for transplanting now.

DantesDame, those alpine newts are cute, aren't they?

[DantesDame]

	Quote:
	DantesDame, those alpine newts are cute, aren't they?

Yes! Too bad they stay under for so long - I rarely get to see them

got a net- and will fish out a couple from time to time for the local school kids to observe- same for the dragonfly larvae- as long as we don't do it too often- they don't mind too much.

Our two fields today (L shaped around East and North of house, a couple of acres) were covered with wild white and purple crocuses today - so lovely.

If I could, I'd take you up in a shot on the offer of the nettles Odile. Usually I get them here, but still not able to walk at lenght, not to mention where I get them (uneven ground). So this year I have to pass on them, it is another story to send friends to get me wild garlic in the forest (which they did) but they're not as fond as getting nettles for me....hmm, why could that be

At the moment I am looking for a few 'slaves' to help me get my balcony allotment ready ....

Could you travel to Neuch on train? Happy to pick you a big bagfull and bring over- mind you, might as well come to Bienne, if that helps. It's just beginning- so in about a week's time it will be perfect for the first picking- and as said, totally organic.

Too early for wild garlic- I have a favourite spot in the woods along a wild river- magical.

	Quote:
	Could you travel to Neuch on train? Happy to pick you a big bagfull and bring over- mind you, might as well come to Bienne, if that helps. It's just beginning- so in about a week's time it will be perfect for the first picking- and as said, totally organic. Too early for wild garlic- I have a favourite spot in the woods along a wild river- magical.

Oh, here the wild garlic season is almost over again, this year I only made Pesto, Knöpfli and wild garlic butter....no capers and the other stuff. The new batch of capers has to wait 'til next year, when I can go and get the buds myself again.

You're such a gem Odile, thanks for the offer...at the moment I am 'training' to walk as far asto the bus stop from my home to be able to go alone to Physio, so as not to take up more of my friends valuable time as taxi drivers for me. So far I can manage about half the way to the bus stop, so coming to Neuch seems a bit too much yet. This is why I can't come to the Ansinthe outing either.

It is no problem to forego the nettles this year, I am more concerned to get my little veggie allotment ready...I hate being housebound and not able to do the things I want to.....grumble!!

[Belgianmum]

	Quote:	EastEnders
	Oh, here the wild garlic season is almost over again, this year I only made Pesto, Knöpfli and wild garlic butter....no capers and the other stuff. The new batch of capers has to wait 'til next year, when I can go and get the buds myself again. You're such a gem Odile, thanks for the offer...at the moment I am 'training' to walk as far asto the bus stop from my home to be able to go alone to Physio, so as not to take up more of my friends valuable time as taxi drivers for me. So far I can manage about half the way to the bus stop, so coming to Neuch seems a bit too much yet. This is why I can't come to the Ansinthe outing either. It is no problem to forego the nettles this year, I am more concerned to get my little veggie allotment ready...I hate being housebound and not able to do the things I want to.....grumble!!

I'll bring you some over if you like but I'll have to do it next week. Actually I'll come over next week whether I bring nettles or not as I won't be doing much for at least a month after the 11th of April.

[st2lemans]

	Quote:	EastEnders
	Oh, here the wild garlic season is almost over

And here it's in full swing, collected a kg or so on Sunday.

Risotto, pesto, and some to added to the fondue tonight.

Even added some to the mignonette last night rather than shallot.

Nettles are just starting, though.

Tom

My 'coin' (spot) is at 1000m - actually just over the border in France- so patience. This year I shall try the recipe with pickling the flower buds- anyone ever tried?.

	Quote:
	My 'coin' (spot) is at 1000m - actually just over the border in France- so patience. This year I shall try the recipe with pickling the flower buds- anyone ever tried?.

Yes, I did and they are yummy, there is a file in my blog ( See he link in my signature here) with loadsa things I made out of wild garlic.

You can read it too without being a 'member' I have a recipe of the capers in it too, just in case anyone needs a fool proof one