December Photoshoot

These photos were taken on 30 December 2008.

Just a quick visit really to gather a few vegetables. It's amazing that there is still so much being provided for the table as looking at the photos it seems a bit barren. Again it was bitingly cold although dry. Not really the type of weather to encourage too much hanging around. The most December activity from our point of view other than collecting vegetables is the opening of the parcels of seeds as they are delivered to the door. The shortest day has now passed and in theory daylight hours are on the increase - not that this is really evident at the moment. These December photos are likely to be the last of this type taken. After two years of seeing similar photos I am sure most visitors are now well aware of what our site looks like and are becoming bored with this format. There will be some sort of new photos but as yet I am not sure what these will be - any suggestions?
December's diary is short but not very sweet click here.
The calendar has also been updated with a December 2008 photo! Click here

Manure Matters website

Following this year's problems with pesticide residue in manure, DOW AgroSciences have created a website - Manure Matters - to provide guidance and advice. Click here to visit

Latest letter from DEFRA Minister

Just in case you are interested the latest reply to some queries put forward in a letter to DEFRA are publicised here
Any comments on the effective use of bio-assay testing would be interesting.

*HAPPY CHRISTMAS*

Happy Christmas

to all our visitors

The photograph was taken near Woolley in Wakefield in February 2008

If you still have gifts to buy (not just for gardening friends) try our shopping pages for ideas or Amazon

Fancy a bath?

Fancy taking a bath in cold water, outside in December and then sitting around to dry off? It doesn't seem to bother our feathered friends.
How did it get to be December so quickly - click here for the December diary.

Don't forget the birds!

Here in Wakefield we seem to have, so far, got off lightly as far as snow is concerned. A light covering overnight was soon melting and turning to drizzle.
However, the birds immediately spotted the food that we popped out for them and were soon tucking in. The snow is a problem when birds are foraging on the ground. It can also cover over the food that is placed on uncovered bird tables. Those bird tables with a roof provide some protection. Hanging feeders are more accessible but don't suit all species although many birds that are not supposed to feed from feeding tubes seem to be adapting especially if the feeders have trays attached to the base.

It is important to provide a variety of food types and offer them to the birds in different ways. Wrens for instance prefer to feed under cover so don't readily come to food placed out in the open. During winter try to provide food with a high animal fat content click here to read more about making fat cakes.

For information on feeding birds try the RSPB web site click here.

Snow isn't the only problem during very cold weather, frozen ground makes life difficult as does frozen water. Even in bitterly cold weather birds need water to drink and in which to bathe. It makes me shiver watching them splashing in icy cold water but is necessary to keep their feathers in good condition. For more information on providing birds with water click here.