Bumble Bees & other musings from Prospect Cottage.

There seems to be lots of Bumble Bees about this year. Great to see them as worldwide they are in decline mostly because of disturbance to habitats. There are about 250 species living mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, although they are common in New Zealand and Tasmania. They are ground nesting often in tunnels abandoned by other creatures. Living in small colonies of no more than 50 they produce only enough honey to feed their young. Unlike their cousins the Honey Bees they do not die if they use their sting. However, it is rare for them to sting, usually only if they feel threatened. Bumble Bees are important pollinators of crops and wildflowers.

These Alliums are doing really well considering they were planted late, end of January, bargain bulbs in sale. They are holding up well to all the recent rain. I love purple flowers. Actually I really like the colour purple in clothing too.

Silverweed is plentiful on the lane at the moment, it thrives in the moist soil we have. A member of the Potentilla family, in the past the root was cooked and eaten as a vegetable or ground to use in bread and porridge. Geese are said to be partial to the leaves. The plant was also used medicinally. An infusion is said to be useful for gargles to relieve painful gums and toothache.

Tormentil, also a member of the Potentilla family, is in flower at the moment. It has similar properties to Silverweed being of the same family. The Lapps use the juice from the root to stain leather.

More Garden Musings from Prospect Cottage.

Equisetum arvens, the bottlebrush like plant in pic, commonly known as Horsetail or Mare’s Tail, hated by many people as a pernicious weed does have many benefits. It is high in silica, which fixes calcium in the body, making it a good herbal remedy for osteoporosis. The plant also has strong diuretic properties. For the organic/natural gardener it is Horsetail’s fungicidal properties that make it a useful plant. It is particularly useful as a preventative for blight on Potatoes and Tomatoes. To make the preparation collect the whole plant, foliage and stems. For each oz pour on 2 pints of hot water and allow to stand for 24 hours. Strain and use undiluted. If you have dried Horsetail 2ozs makes 10 litres of spray.Most of the beds in the garden have now been planted up. This bed has a mix of Broccoli, Peas and Onions. The large plants at the end of the bed are Oreganos, the golden variety is slower growing than the green. The Bees love the flowers of Oregano. I was a bit premature planting out the Peas as they have been hammered by the wind and heavy rain, but they will come on.Lots of Silverweed about at the moment, a member of the Potentilla family, it likes the damp ground we have here. Geese are said to be partial to the leaves. Its traditional herbal use was as a treatment for bleeding and for cosmetic uses such as the removal of freckles.

The Evening Walk. Part 2.

The wind turbines on Corry Mountain always demand one’s attention. They are a landmark for me. If I am returning home from some journey it lifts my heart to see them, not for love of them, but because I know I am almost there, almost home.

So many wild herbs, I notice new ones daily. This is Burdock, known for it’s blood purifying properties. Not seen very often in the wild now.

An inquisitive cow looks over the fence, a mystified look about her. I often wonder if they think, ponder and peruse like us humans. I think not, their world is much simpler than that.

A little mottled Butterfly dining on the nectar from Lady’s Smock.

So, back home again, back up the steep hill.

The dogs love getting back home as much as they love going for “the walk”, they know that the stove will be lighting in the sitting-room, soon it will be time for the evening treat, a few dog bikkies. For me it’s nice to be back home, even though we’ve just been down the road! A few final chores, closing up the polytunnels, another little bit of looking around the garden, then it’s my treat, a cup of Liquorice tea, maybe something nice with it. Another walk tomorrow.