Winter Fun

The snow has been falling over the Pennines yet again. Just as spring seems as it should be around the corner the Met Office tells us that we are likely to receive more snow showers for the week ahead. However, the urge to get outside into the garden is almost irrepressible. Having fun in the snow is not just confined to youngsters, just the young at heart.

In these conditions, ideally walking on the grass should be avoided where possible. The damage to the turf can lead to fungal infections. Sadly this is unavoidable in our modest plot. I can justify it to some extent by the need to knock the heaviest of the snow off the evergreens which can be damaged under a heavy weight of snow. This is particularly important for the skimmia which has only recently been relocated to this part of the garden.
TIP: to avoid the risk of disfigurement remove really heavy snow from plants such as conifers

The brightness of the light bouncing off the snow can really enhance the beauty of some plants, as the examples below illustrate. I am particularly fond of the delicate pony tail grasses highlighted in the snow.

The views from the top of the garden across the valley are also transformed by the white blanket and while air temperatures are not too cold, it is nice just to be able to tarry a while and appreciate the vistas.

While the cold wet white stuff is not the preferred outdoor conditions for our feline friends sometimes the  you just have to make the best of things. Mili and Hecate are not to sure about the garden in these conditions but their bravery might be called into question if they do not follow me outside side when they see me heading up with the camera.