The First of……2023

[Jungle Jane]

I’d avoid using a ladder you can wrap what’s reachable standing on the ground

[Jungle Jane]

I’m just looking out the window at these purple clematis with yellow jasmine (I think it’s jasmine I didnt plant it,it travelled from our neighbours garden ). The rosemary & flowering currant are also flowering now…There was a huge bee that came in the house yesterday,I thought it had gone back out but a couple of hours later it woke up from the patio door buzzing in emergency so I opened the door for it to go home,I wonder where it lives

[Nicos]

Saw my first cuckoo flying overhead - not heard one yet though.

[Plot70]

That big bee will be a queen looking for a place to nest. There has been one looking around the shed on my plot.
One nested under the shed a couple of years ago. Some flowers were crammed with workers and everything was naturally pollinated.

[Jungle Jane]

Thanks Plot70 that’s great news,I hope she’s found a home here This is the camellia in full flower so beautiful & on the shady side of the garden - north facing

[Nicos]

Oh wow JJ…that’s a lovely colour!
I always think of them being various shades of pink!

[Jungle Jane]

I saw the first seven spot ladybird yesterday in the front garden on a little nettle patch I’ve got,it was nice & sunny between all the rain

[Nicos]

That reminds me JJ…a couple of days ago I spotted two orange and black ladybirds inside the campervan. Must have been hibernating in there.
My wild cherry is just opening small clusters of blossom.
My magnolia is almost in full blossom but about 1/4 of it is now blown all over my lawn

[bramble]

My apple blossom is starting to flower.
My plum tree is full of flowers.
Must be all the rain.

[Nicos]

Spotted our first swallow !….. just the one but no doubt there must be others around.

Not heard a cuckoo yet though….

[Nicos]

Both cherry trees are now in flower - along with two of my three pear trees.
A huuuge patch of cowslips have appeared in my garden where there we only a couple of plants last year. Lovely

[1batfastard]

Hi All,
Yesterday my 1st massive Wasp, Plum tree blossom almost gone, both Apple trees just budding and the little Malus Apple tree that is growing up against some trellis is coming into bloom and my mug of Tea is cold uurrrggghhhh!!!!!! down stars (Upright this time ) to make a fresh brew.

Geoff.

[bramble]

My Golden Shower rose Bush.
It's full of flowers for the past week.

My dahlias..5 plants are now up and growing away...outdoor in the open ground.

[Nicos]

Forgot to say that we heard our first cuckoo last week!

Feeling very happy to see all the apple trees are in blossom, my wisteria is starting to flower as are the aquilegia and forget me nots.
My first cut flowers from the lilac are filling the house with an amazing scent.
The falling cherry blossom looks like snow against the blue sky….lovely.
Don't ya just love Spring?

[1batfastard]

Hi All,
I totally forgot I actually took my first pictures with the wife's phone of one of the Frogs/Toads that have inhabited our pond for the last god knows how many years, what do you think any good ?

Any idea why the pictures only load this way please ? I even tried rotating them to this orientation before downloading to the forum in the hope they would right themselves but to no avail...


Geoff.