Last week in yoga, we were asked to enter our internal landscape. At least, I think that’s what she said. I’ll admit, I’m not sure what she meant, but my mind instantly went to walking in our little orchard/meadow area. My go-to happy outside space. Home. I imagined it in the summer, when the grass is long, the insects are buzzing and everything smells fresh, but this week reminded me that spring is a good time too.
If you were to come along for a walk in the garden with me now, you’d be struck by the fragrance. The apple blossom is starting to open. The lilac is putting it out there and smells divine. As is next door’s magnolia. The bees and other flying pollinators totally ignore you. Too busy in their own pursuits. We could sit and watch them for a moment on the old wooden bench. The bench came with the cottage. It’s sprinkled with moss and lichen, and merges in with it’s surroundings. More down to neglect than design. Darn uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t change it.
Walking a little further, I’d show you our new bluebell patch, blooming for the first time and also the newly planted wild garlic, exchanged for rhubarb over the garden fence, with a neighbour, this week. The scent again is amazing and different, like we’ve walked into another room specializing in delicate floral and earthy. Smells like a woodland in spring.
Home
The first week of the Easter holidays has flown past. Both daughters came home last weekend and youngest son started his break at the same time. He’s a bit miffed that he has two weeks off compared to their three.
We’ve fitted in three gym trips and gave Hero the hound a bath, which he tolerated remarkably well. I think all the attention afterwards probably swung the deal, as far as he is concerned. He certainly smells sweeter.
Fresh washing has been out on the line each morning. I’m glad to see the bottom of my washing basket every day, which is amazing as there are almost double the number of people in the house. Everything smells fresh.
Somerset Levels
All five of us, plus Hero, went down to the Somerset Levels for a walk and the first strawberries of the year. They are grown on the slopes that divide the Mendips from the Levels, near Cheddar. Home grown and always the first strawberries of the season, supposedly in the country. I can vouch that each one tastes and smells like a morsel of summer, especially after the shop bought strawberries of the winter.
Greenhouses
I sowed a few varieties of squashes and sunflowers, with the first ones coming up already. Most of my seedlings are in the greenhouses now. I’m covering them at night with bubble wrap, as each morning, the garden is covered in frost. All the plants seem to be doing well.
I’ve planted lettuces and garlic in the greenhouse borders. The garlic is an experiment. It’s meant to see pests off as it smells so strong. I’m also trying tumble dryer sheets to fend off the ants in the greenhouse. Their nests destroy a plant or two each year. I’m not sure about the ants, but I find the smell of the sheets too strong to bear. We’ll have to see who gives up first. Me or the ants.
So that was my week. The scented version. I’m joining in with Anne’s word of the week. How was your week?
Your garden sounds amazing! I love watching the bee’s, they have been busy over the last couple of weeks here. I love the sound of your bluebell patch and wild garlic.
How lovely to have your girls home and Somerset Levels looks like a fab place for a walk!
It’s good to focus on the smells. I remember when my kitchen used to smell of cakes baking all the time. I’ve accidently bought a double amount of bananas this week so I might get some baking done. I’ve been gardening too but I’m not at the stage of lovely smelling flowers. I always remember the smell of the rose bushes in my old home and I’m sad I left them behind. (It might have had something with me having to do everything as the rest of my family just couldn’t get their heads around moving and I had three small children to care for as well!) My aim is to have some lovely rose bushes in my front garden, and some honeysuckle in the back garden. mmmm I can smell them already. I’m glad Hero enjoyed his bath and that you’ve enjoyed having your children home.
You described your garden beautifully; I could almost smell it. Your garden sounds like my idea of heaven. I have never been a gardener, but this year, I’m trying to add some wildlife-friendly plants, especially things that the bees and butterflies might like.
I love the photo of Hero, he looks like he’s waiting patiently for a scrap.
Would you care to swop some rhubarb over the fence with some fragranced sweet peas, my rhubarb died over the winter. #wotw