Dull, damp and soggy

I don't mean the weather exactly, though that is the way it has gone the last few days. But things left in the garden have succumbed to the intense cold we had a few weeks ago. Being not long out of the UK we still think of plants such as sprouts and kale as hardy winter veg, But no, the thick stalks have become mush, the little sprouts have mostly browned and the kale, which is supposed to be a perennial, has flopped. Here and there there is a smidgen of green, all the cabbage stalks left in the ground are looking dismal, with just a couple having new little cabbagelets hiding beneath slimy leaves. Even the chard has given up.

These were caulis

Oh dear, sprouts

And the kale

Cabbages trying to re-srout

On a plus note, the lettuces are growing well, some carrots are holding their own and mini beets are showing growth. Even the chives have not given up completely, how mad is that?

Lettuce

Carrots

You can't see them but the onions and garlic are growing

The roses that were still trying to flower before Christmas have mummified buds....full of sog! And if you dare to walk on the garden, well, it's soggy and a foot of mud will come in with you, ready to make you slip and hurt yourself.

One of the many rose buds which didn't get to bloom

But it won't be long before spring. A ladybird came out for a nosey and the bees have been active and come out for sugar syrup to top up their reserves. There is a bit of bird song and the woodpeckers are very busy protecting their territories. The owls are very noisy at night too. And some buds are swelling and self seeded annuals are vibrant.

Vine buds swelling

Looks as if we won't need to sow poppies in the herb bed this year

We have been having trouble with the internet lately, not what you need when you are restricted because everything outsde is....er....soggy. So despite the dismal light we make cards, or paint, or cook.

First ever pitta bread. So easy and I don't know why I have not made them before

With home made coleslaw, a sprinkle of cheese and some ham for Dave

Never mind, some are happy, the hens and ducks are doing a great job of clearing the half of the veggie patch they are allowed in, and hopefull eating lots of bugs too!

Now, do we have enough fencing to let them in to clear the cabbage patch..................