Six-on-Saturday: February Week 4

It’s been another very dry week here in Abbeyside. Days were colder, and nights colder still. I managed an hour or more (in the garden) most days, so things are taking shape. Still no powerwashing though. Any willing volunteers out there? Surely, you’d come away with a plant or two? Terms and conditions apply.

Here’s the shape of things in the garden on the fourth Saturday of the February…

1. Plant Of The Week: Primrose

It’s easy to lose sight of things, so I want to take a look at the big picture first. I’ve a habit of noticing a tiny flower, yet it is the overall structure of the place that allows small micro-climates to establish. (That’s pure horse$&1t, isnt it?) Put another way, I’m going to nominate my Plant Of The Week while not forgetting the other supporting actors.

There are many primroses in flower right now. Official botanical name is Primula Vulgaris. This name derives from two latin words meaning “first rose”. In Irish it’s name is sabhaircín (pronounced sour-keen).

Ancient primrose lore…

• Pig lard and primrose were combined to create a salve or ointment for burns. In Cork a tea made of primroses was used to treat insomnia
• Ancient Celtic wisdom associates seeing a large patch of primroses with a gateway or portal into the fairy realms
• To promote good milk production in their cows, our farming forebears rubbed primroses on their cows’ udders on May 1st.
• Primroses placed on a doorstep were said to encourage the fairies to bless the house and all who lived there.

(Information from IrishAmericanMom. Com)

2. Nesting Material

During the week I made a start at cutting back the many potted grasses around the garden. As I was doing so, it struck me to keep the cut grass for birds who are nest-building. Price of materials has gone through the roof, so they’ll be very grateful. I used sharp scissors to cut everything to small pieces and scattered them in a sheltered corner. Over the coming weeks, it’s likely that birds will find this bounty and grab a beakload at a time. I’ll grin with satisfaction knowing I’ve done my little bit to help them along.

Starting top left:

• Select grasses for cutting
• Scissors or secateurs
• Collect snips
• Spread snips in a sheltered corner

Marion clipped my hair what little hair I’ve left, and I scattered the scraps in same sheltered spot. Birds will find and make good use of.

3. Cycling

Last Sunday I got out once again for three hours of banter and fun. We’ve had three dry weeks so I’ve no excuses. Here’s the data, which shows everything bar the banter. The fun is also not available digitally, yet I’ve got it locked inside my head.

Here’s the Captain’s Report:

G3 Sunday Spin had 12 starting out, our biggest group in quite some time with the welcome return of yet more familiar faces! 👏 On what was definitely a lovely spring morning we headed out the Bog Road and onto Cappoquin via Villierstown. Turing left for Camphire Bridge and arriving in Tallow where we had the coffee and a few buns, allegedly! Refuelled the Group headed up the Tallow hill and returned home via Ballyduff and Lismore with a lovely tail wind for a fast-paced finish. A very enjoyable 85km.

4.  Just One Forget-Me-Not

There will be a profusion of tiny purple/blue forget-me-nots in March and April, but the good news is the very first little flower has appeared. It is about half a centimetre. I’d have missed it but for the fact that I went to Specsavers recently. Once again below, I’ve put together four photographs, starting top left with the big picture view and zooming in further each time.

5. Sustenance

Gardening and cycling demand seriously good nutrition. Most mornings I make myself a mug of Cacao. Here’s the recipe:

• Pure Cacao Block from Sunfleck Ireland shop in Dungarvan. Thank you Louise.
• Mug of hot drink. It’s normally a 50/50 mix of oat and hazelnut, rather than milk which doesn’t do anything for me
• Pinch of cinammon
• Spoon of local honey. Thanks PJ.

Clockwise top left:

• As a special treat on Saturdays, I add a teaspoon of brandy to the recipe above.
• Aldi do good flowers. Not exactly sure how that got in the photo! Photobombing carnations!
• Decent gardening breakfast: boiled egg, Dun Bakery sourdough bread topped with goats’ cheese from Wolfgang at Farmers’ Market, half an avocado (mashed) and hummus.
• Good coffee. Beans from Aldi or Lidl.

There’s not much gardening there, yet I’m including it because it’s part of my pre-gardening Saturday routine.

6. If Guinness Did Flower Arranging

No description needed.

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Thought for the week:

Summary of Changes

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You can expect the following:

• 5 garden items
• 1 bike
• 1 collage / PipCamera / FotoFunia alternative reality
• 1 philosophical quote… While I have you reading, I’ll slip in something heavy, just to balance my mischievous nature
• Continued fun and a bit of blackguarding
• Posted publicly to enable sharing

Other Six-on-Saturday Participants

I’m not the only one, but I’m a rebel, in that I do not stick to the plan as outlined by Jim.

• Here’s The Participant Guide
• Here’s a link to Jim’s Garden This Week

Once you get to Jim’s Garden article (above), you’ll find links in the comments to many other SOSers. You’ll need hours and hours, but very worthwhile. After all, it is The Season of Lent!

Final Thought

I offer sincere thanks to 22 readers last week who shared my Six-on-Saturday. On the strength of that, I’ve about a dozen new followers that I know of. Buíochas mór.
To all of last week’s Gomorrah 22, you’ve done your bit! No need to make a habit of sharing, unless you find an extra-special article you’d like to put out there!

You are presented with a free read, and I hope you enjoy. But ask yourself this question… Am I happy to read Páraig’s Six-on-Saturday but not to spread the word? Am I contributing in any small way to this entertainment? Like the fella in Gomorrah, if I could get a dozen good men readers to share the article, I’d be beside myself! That’s how social media works. Are you just soaking it up or are you willing to be an active participant? I have lofty expectations.

Gallery

Click the first PHOTOGRAPH and swipe right or left.

Páraig.