Snowbird's Questions answered

About a couple of weeks ago Snowbird over at Gardens and Wildlife nominated my blog for an award and posed a set of gardening related questions that she would like me to answer. Flighty,  Garden in a City and Elaine have already answered so I thought that I had better sort myself out and add my answers. If you don't want to read all my answers maybe you'll enjoy the photos.

1. What is the worst injury you have sustained while gardening/plotting? In-depth gory details please….

I don't know whether this counts as an injury as such but at one time rough grass grew under our redcurrant bushes. One day I was picking the fruit when I felt something on my foot. When I looked down a gathering of angry wasps were having a sting party. I had inadvertently placed my foot over the entrance to their underground nest and they were not happy. Picture the scene - I was trapped under the netting and was most definitely not going to abandon a full punnet of redcurrants. 

I managed to escape from under the net punnet in hand thinking that wasn't too bad and wondering what all the fuss about wasp stings was about when the full effect kicked in and my views changed. Luckily I didn't react as badly as a plot neighbour who had an allergic reaction when stung.

2. How would/do you deal with wet, slushy, soggy leaves fermenting on the lawn that refuse to be raked up?

When the leaves are newly fallen we use a lawn mower to 'vacuum' them up. Any that arrive during winter are left where they are unless they constitute a slip hazard. The few that are on the lawn are left for the worms and blackbirds to deal with. Ones left on the garden and on paths little-used in winter are almost permanently foraged by our many blackbirds.

3. Have you ever had an invasion of Bamboo trying to colonize your garden? If yes, how did you get rid of it?

We once had four bamboos planted in the garden and all have been removed but one particular plant refuses to leave. We have hacked at it, cut canes out at ground level with the suckering roots attached but it clings on regardless - so anyone with the know how feel free to let us in on the secret.

4. Do you have any irrational fears/terrors re an animal or insect? If yes, how/when did it begin?

I used to have when I was a child - the usual creepy crawly thing, but thinking back I don't think I was really frightened. I think I was behaving how I was expected to and it was fun really. Now I find mini-beasts fascinating although I would draw the line to having them crawling over me. I also hate touching slugs but its's not really a fear. I have a rational respect for anything that may harm me so would keep my distance from anything that would fit into that category.

5. Has anyone else  ever danced barefoot in the rain  or hugged a tree?

No to the rain but I've hugged plenty of trees. When I was teaching I took my class on residential visits where we stayed in the Dales - or similar places - for a week. One activity was to go into a wooded area. A partner would lead you blindfolded to a tree and you had to take in as much information as you could about the chosen tree before being led away and the blindfold removed. You them had to find 'your' tree. We called the activity Tree Hugging,

6. Do you believe that the moon can influence the growth of plants?

The moon is supposed to affect any object made up of mainly liquid including us so I guess it affects plants but how or if it is a beneficial effect I don't know? I have an open mind to these things but I'm not going to start going out at midnight and planting under a full moon.

7.Do you have a favourite flower legend/story/superstition?

Sorry can't think of one so I guess that the answer is no.

8. Have you ever used a plant medicinally? And I’ll have NO stories of magic mushrooms or Belladonna mind!!!

Nothing I have made or gathered myself other than rubbing a dock leaf on a nettle sting.

9. Which is the most important to you, house or garden?

Both are equally important, I wouldn't buy a new property if I didn't like both or should I say see potential in both.

10. Do you constantly talk/complain about the weather to anyone who will listen?

As Martyn collects data we do discuss the weather quite a lot at home and also it affects our day to day plans. We complain about it when it spoils our plans, prevents us doing something or ruins something in the garden but mostly we see the changing weather as a photo opportunity.

11. What is the most you have spent on a plant over the last year?

We've spent quite a bit on plants this year but each hasn't individually broken the bank, I can't remember how much it was but I'm guessing that last year the climbing rose White Cloud was the single plant that we spent the most on.

I'm not going to pass on the award as I know some people don't like them and I'd also find it really difficult to decide which blogs to choose but feel free to add your answers to any of the questions in the comments (especially if you know how to get rid of bamboo that is inconveniently growing where digging it out isn't an option and it is close to other plants that I don't want to kill).

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett