The garden has been redesigned and planted with
varieties of plants that would have been here in Clare's
time. We have a defined planting list created with the
help from Cambridge Botanic Gardens
The plants are grown from seed by local school
children as part of the "Learning Garden Project". The
pupils come in the spring to plant out the results of
their seeds growing.
Click on the picture to get a larger image.
CLARE
COTTAGE GARDEN – WINTER 2011/12
As another year
draws to a close the volunteer gardeners can look
forward to a slightly less busy few months until
spring 2012 arrives. We shall be drinking more mugs
of tea in the warmth of the cafe as we look back on
this year’s gardening season and make plans for the
garden next year. However, we won’t be going into
total hibernation – there are still jobs to be done.
We have only just finished planting
ornamental spring bulbs and onion sets and we are
awaiting a delivery of well-rotted manure to dig
into the vegetable patch and mulch around our roses.
Lawns and hedges have been cut making this a good
time to get on top of any stubborn weeds which have
been in hiding beneath the vegetation.
Gravel paths and driveways and the brick
terraces all need to be kept tidy and clear of
weeds.
The last windfall apples need to be cleared away and
fallen leaves will be made into leaf mould to help
improve our soil. In a few weeks time we shall be
pruning our autumn fruiting raspberries.
Let’s hope this winter is not as severe as
the last two!
In the beehive our
honeybees have been making the most of the Indian
summer, making late foraging trips in the warm
October sunshine.
Now, with the advent of colder weather, the
colony has gone into its tightly compressed winter
cluster, incredibly maintaining a temperature of
32-34oC at the core of this ball of bees.
The queen bee will be safely positioned at the
centre, whilst the cold-blooded worker bees will
have to constantly change position from the outer
edges of the cluster to its warmer depths, in order
to ensure their survival. The beekeepers will remain
vigilant, regularly ‘hefting’ the hive to ensure the
bees have sufficient stores – if not, emergency
feeding will be required.
Cottage Weather
for the past month
| |
December 2011 |
December 2010 |
| Highest Temp |
13.1 Deg C |
9.2 Deg C |
| Lowest Temp |
-2.1 Deg C |
-9.9 Deg C |
| Rainfall |
36.6 mm |
16.8 mm |
| Max Wind Speed |
30 mph |
26 mph |
