I noticed the starlings as I walked into the garden. The sun's rays had settled on their feathers. They are really stunning birds but how many times do we pass them by. 'It's only a starling.' Personally, I like them. They are noisy, messy and the bully boys of the bird world, but I would miss them if they did not visit my gardens. They are wonderful entertainers, and it is oh so sweet when they chatter quietly to each other. The little birds above were doing just that. Like an old married couple they talked for around ten minutes, I found if quite enchanting. It is good to just stop in your tracks and take in a moment.
Some of the hellebores are in bloom.....but many have yet to appear.
I could see buds hiding amongst the icy snow.......and it was at this point I realised, I have not removed the old leaves on the plants. I always feel a little uneasy when I do this....as though if I remove all the large leaves, the whole plant will disappear. Don't ask me why I feel this way because I truly do not know. 
Half an hour later the job was done, and I know the plants will be better for it.They did not show any signs of black spot. When the blooms appear they will not be hidden by the large leaves.
Do not put hellebore leaves in your composter, they will not break down. Have I ever told you I am very good at making garden compost. I have nine compost bins.....yes nine, and I love each and every one of them. It never ceases to amaze me that I can throw all my kitchen veg and fruit waste.....garden shreddings.......dead annuals, shredded paper etc in and six months later I have rich, sweet smelling soil. It is the best thing you can give your garden plants. Rich in nutrients, wonderful to lighten clay soils.....and I love to give back to nature, that, which she so kindly shared with me. Oh also forget to mention, the rabbits also make a useful donation....their droppings are a wonderful source of nitrogen, so that goes in to!!
It has been cold today and more snow is expected tomorrow. There is talk of the coldest winter for thirty years........
Hope you all have a good week and stay warm.......
22 comments:
We have a lot of starlings in our garden (and also in our loft in the spring) - they are rowdy gangs of rogues - boisterous and exciting - I love them!!
Starling are gorgeous birds. They are in such huge number around here that the farmers hate them. I hate that they compete with the cavity dwelling birds. Like you say they are such bullies. They are fun to watch and listen to. Your compost system sounds good. I just have a pile that I usually throw stuff on and it eventually turns to compost. I have to be careful what I put on it because Luna has learned from Vinny that there are good things in there. She ate cantaloup rinds last year and got sick. Geez...
Hi Dan....a few years back starlings used our hawthorn hedge as a roost. There were around 700 of them.......I loved the dawn, they would start to chatter and then all take flight, it was absolutely wonderful.
Hi Lisa....am I right in thinking starlings are a non native in USA?
We still have a lot of starlings here, but sadly they are in decline. Loss of habitat being the main cause.....
I have an open compost pile. It hides behind the garage and is fenced off. I keep it mainly for thrushes and hedgehog to forage through.
Luna is so cute....Nella is not a scavenger, she will only eat what is in her dish. My cavalier used to eat anything and like Luna she often found something that would upset her....hence why the compost heap was eventually fenced off.
PS Starlings do not count as clutter in the loft!
Dan.....so funny, just so funny. Can't stop laughing.
Hi Cheryl,
Starlings are pretty amazing birds, if only for their colours and mimic calls! We don't get them in the garden often for some strange reason... They go next door but avoid mine... Strange. For the most part I don't mind them, and enjoy hearing their chatter in the mornings as I set off.
re:hellebores, I'm a bit confused regarding the leaves. Some schools say to remove the leaves but others say not to. Gardens illustrated had an article with the Harvington growers and he said not to?? Hmmmm I don't know! :D
I look forward to seeing your new Clematis, and yes I am in suspense... You are a tease! :) I plan on getting 'freckles' or the autumn white one I forget the name of, any late colour is much needed in my garden.
Snow... Bah humbug! Pretty though, perhaps I ought to continue telling myself that...
Hi Liz....I have three hellebores from the Harvington growers, they are a 'new to me' addition to the garden.
I have always followed this rule.....Monty Don says cut them back, so that is good enough for me.
Seriously though, I read a lot but I do not always follow the 'so called' rules. Instinct plays a huge role in gardening and I personally think it is the best way to learn. Do what YOU feel is right......
Snow, is seriously getting on my nerves now. The lanes are icy. I hate driving on ice. What happened to global warming??
Cheryl, I don't have starlings (here in No. CA), and hellebores don't do too well here, though I do love them dearly. It's just too hot so you have to select the site perfectly. Good for you re compost! I call it free soil conditioner, and believe me, our soils need it!
Yesterday I spotted a spotted Towhee - reminds me a little of your starling in the photo.
I am enthralled by any plant that puts out buds this time of year--I can't wait to see your hellebores in bloom. Actually, I'm excited to see mine--I just planted them last spring, so this will be the first year for blooms on them.
Nine compost bins! You are doing your part, Cheryl, to re-use the precious resources we are given. Like Lisa, I have a disorganized pile behind a shed where I just throw everything. And like Luna, Sophie loves to sniff through it to find goodies--today it was kiwi peels:)
HI Cheryl,
You are right, starlings aren't native to the US, and for that reason, many bird people here don't like them (the whole "invasive species" thing). But we have them where I garden and I like them well enough most of the time. They "graze" in the lawns which is great for getting all of the grubs and craneflies. And they do make great chatter to tickle the senses. What bothers me most is that they can devour an entire suet block in an hour, leaving all my little songbirds hungry.
Cindee
Starlings are beautiful birds, but, as you say they are not well liked--especially by other birds. They seem to be oblivious as they mutter and call to each other. They are fun to watch.
I am very impressed at your 9 (NINE!) compost bins! Wow! I love compost! I know that sounds a bit strange, but I love bags of leaves, and I love compost for the rich lovely soil it makes as well as making the earthworms healthy and happy and fat!
I love the plans you are making for a bed of Queen Anne's Lace. I am fascinated by the structure of the heads as they form their blooms--so intricate.
Hi Amy....hellebores do like a cold environment......there are probably many plants you can, that I can only dream of.
I am, without doubt, a compost girl. I find it so satisfying. My soil is heavy clay....very fertile, but extremely hard work. I compost as many times as I can during the year and it has worked wonders......
Hi Rose......I agree, anything that blooms during the winter months is wonderful. I do hope that your hellebores will bloom freely.....they can be a little unpredictable in the first year, so you may just get a single bloom.
Keep your fingers crossed.
I am passionate about composting all my waste. In UK landfill sites are a huge issue. Our tiny country is running out of space and with the population increasing dramatically each year, I fear, the worse is yet to come.
I find it amusing that Luna and Sophie eat fruit....Nella would smell it and walk away in disgust. She is a natural carnivore.......and lives with a vegetarian.....
Hi Cindee....starlings are greedy and a trifle bossy on the bird table. I suspose it is easy for me to like them, as most years I only have a handful.
So right, they do keep the lawn free of craneflies.....
Hi MG, I know that nine composters sounds a lot but in a garden this size you need all of that and more. I love compost, always have.
I used to help my grandfather......his soil was beautiful, due to the fact he had added garden compost for many many years.
I cannot wait for the weather to improve, so I can start spreading compost around the garden.
Hi Cheryl,
I understand your pain regarding the snow. We were supposed to get some last night, between 5/10cm, instead it didn’t start until around 7:15 just as I was about to leave the house…
That was a mistake, the buses have now all stopped as it’s so deep and I’m forced to walk home in the snow. I think I’ll be taking tomorrow off.
Thoroughly fed up of it all now, and even more annoyed that yet again we’re expected to stay in work yet pretty much every other school, college and office in the city is closed. Here we are sat in work.
Liz....feel so sorry for you. What a pain......this bad spell of weather is said to last another ten days. I dread the prospect. I drove into the village today....the side roads are sheet ice. We are expecting heavy snow falls tonight.....I feel like hibernating, want to join me??
I love my compost bins, too. I really need more, but I'm kind of short on space for them. Though I may be coming up with an idea right now! I love hellebores... I bought my first late last spring. Our ground freezes solid and it's too early for them, but I know I'll have to cut off the big leaves (though I didn't know they take a long time to break down; thanks!). Although I'm a very cavalier pruner, I do always hate cutting back butterfly bush because it's always the last thing to green up and I'm always sure I'm killing it. With everything else I have utter confidence!
Oh, forgot to say I like starlings, too, even though they are non-native here. They have cool, irridescent colors if one looks for them.
Dear Cheryl,
Your garden plans sound so amazing. I love Queen Ann's Lace. I have lots and every year I find more coming up in flower beds....
The Black Swallowtails also love it.
The Starlings do have a reputation!
I love all the birds. I think the Starlings are so pretty in their winter dress with all their stars!
I also am a non-native.....glad I am still welcomed here.
Our artic air is suppose to be with us for another week at least. I think we have climate change....it is cold.
Your garden dreaming and plans will keep you warm until Spring!
Hot tea and a cozy fire will also keep your spirits bright until the Spring thaw!
Sherry
I am and always have been hopeless at compost making
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