Spring jobs

[LadyArowana]

Our garden and fields could easily be rented out as a film set for The Somme at present. There's 26 just between the front door and the yard and they were even pushing up new ones when it was 6 inches deep in snow. Little buggers!

Robin

Sign up with http://www.locationworks.com/ you could list your molehills as a special feature 8) , I confess that I love to have a nosey about on that site, many interesting places and interiors.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ilona, pleese, pretty please, will you come and wave your magic wand at my house whilst I mix us a few cocktails?

All you job-hunters, poor things- at least we're supposedly out of recession. Chris has been signed up for the whole year so hopefully there'll be no job hunting this year. I'm SO pleased to have retired. I heartily recommend very early retirement, which must be allied with finding some one else to pay the bills.

what do you mean by net fruit cages

We have fruit cages for gooseberries, raspberries, currants etc.

During the winter, we remove the netting from the top of the cage so that it doesn't get torn by snow and to maximise light into the plants. During Spring, we reinstate the nets to keep the birds out.

I knew there was a reason I've had no raspberries despite having around 20 bushes. I got so annnoyed with it I strimmed them all to the ground. Growing more fruit can be on a future Spring jobs list.

Your Ladyship, what a marvellous website locationworks is. They'll be filming Northanger Abbey here before I'm done with it. :twisted:

 

[Flyfisher]

23 moles is a staggering number, FF. You must have all mine as I don't seem to have any.

The catch-rate went down quite quickly but they're still around. I've read that moles are very territorial so I suspect all we're doing is clearing our patch such that neighbouring moles from the surrounding fields move in. We're not fastidious gardeners and have plenty of rough areas for the moles to play in, but there are a few areas of 'almost lawn' I'd like to keep clear of the little blighters. If only they'd listen to me they wouldn't end up being squished in a trap. So much for my ambition of a croquet lawn. I'm mindful of Pford's advice about a chemical warfare course.

Rats, however, have become a large and time consuming problem here,

As you say, they're almost certainly living off your chicken food. Unfortunately, if you don't cut off their food supply I doubt you'll get rid of them by trapping alone. We keep our grain in old galvanised dustbins with properly fitting lids. We also only provide grit and water in the chicken coop, so there is no food inside to attract rats. But even if you don't let them roam, be very careful not to overfeed them so there is no leftover food lying around at the end of the day.

 

[Carol]

Goodness, what enterprising people on this site. I have noted lots of things I should be planning and haven't!

Best thing about the spring is not having to drive to work in darkness and return in darkness. As I drove home today I watched the Somerset starlings returning to roost in the sunset, so much lighter than last week.

 

[JoceAndChris]

As you say, they're almost certainly living off your chicken food. Unfortunately, if you don't cut off their food supply I doubt you'll get rid of them by trapping alone. We keep our grain in old galvanised dustbins with properly fitting lids. We also only provide grit and water in the chicken coop, so there is no food inside to attract rats. But even if you don't let them roam, be very careful not to overfeed them so there is no leftover food lying around at the end of the day.

Short of not keeping chickens anymore, I can't see how to overcome this issue of the feed attracting rats.

To begin with, they roamed around the whole acre and probably found enough to eat to obviate my feeding them. But they were eaten. So now they're in a much smaller section of the property (60 sq metres), and protected by electric fencing. That's worked. I'd hoped there'd be enough grass within this plot to keep them going but they've churned it all to mud and there's nothing for them to eat, so consequently I have to give 1.2 kg feed per day. I'm pretty certain the rats are stealing this food during the day, so even if I remove the food at night I can't be sure that my chickens are not going to bed starving hungry above a lair of contented rats.

When I speak to Lincolnshire folk about it they just shrug their shoulders and say "where there's chickens there's rats".

Glad you are getting on top of the mole problem though.

 

[essexbearhunter]

we're buying a ride-on at the weekend- this one - anyone know it?
http://www.hayter.co.uk/products/homeow ... 0-ride-on/

The Hayter M10/30 is an American-built light-duty ride-on. The small front wheels give great manoeuvrability but make it more prone to sinking into the ground if the going is "soft" unlike the large-tyred "tractor format" mowers (i.e. front engine). The steering linkage is very basic but the machine is basically sound and is a direct descendant of the small ride-ons sold under the Mountfield banner in the late 1970's & 80's.

The manual gearbox/transaxle** was supplied by Peerless (a subsidiary of Tecumseh) but -unlike the rest of Tecumseh's engine business, which closed in December 2008 - the Transmissions Division was bought by Electrolux's Lawn & Garden side (now Husqvarna Outdoor Products). Since Peerless transaxles were used on most of H.O.P.'s tractors (sold under a multitude of different names) , bringing them in-house, made business sense.
** With the imminent demise of Peerless in Dec 2008 Hayter did announce a hydrostatic (automatic rather than manual gearbox) version. Hydrostat versions normally have a price-premium of £100 - £150 because they remove the need to stop & select a new gear (there is no synchro-mesh on most lawnmower transmissions). However, this version (134E) was only listed for 2009 and neither Hayters nor Briggs & Stratton give a part number -or any other info - for the hydrostat box...so probably better avoid that version.

The machine as a whole was built by Murray-Ohio and was adopted by Hayter when Hayter & Murray were under common ownership. When Tomkins decided to exit the Lawn & Garden market, both companies were sold to the Chinese investment firm Summersong. This ended in disaster and Hayter was bought by the american Toro company which has been a strong player in both the professional grass-care market and the domestic. This is proving to be an excellent "marriage".

Murray was less fortunate. Normally seen (in the UK) as a budget brand, there was nothing left to cut and it went into liquidation. Parts of the company where bought up by Briggs & Stratton Corporation who had been its main engine supplier. Faced with competition from Honda (who made both the engine and the equipment that it sat on) Briggs & Stratton had started acquiring some of its' "customers" including Simplicity and the mass-market part of Generac. The rump of Murray was absorbed into this and parts for most recent Murray machines (including this one) are now made by Briggs & Stratton.

Therefore, from a parts point of view, there should be good future availability.

This model has the ability to mulch or collect. If you are collecting, remember that the grass is being forced through a tube and, in wet conditions, you will need to keep it in a low gear but at high engine speed to avoid blockage. (This applies to most ride-on mowers and the ducting of the grass under the seat, rather than up a long external side tube, reduces the blockage problem to a minimum.)

The Briggs & Stratton engine - either the current Intek OHV or the model 28 side valve (if buying secondhand) has enough power and is usually trouble-free.

The sheet metal body would repay a little TLC e.g. storing undercover and removing grass build-up from inside the cutting deck. After that it has the benefit that it is more repairable than the rigid plastic bodies seen on some of its competitors.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:shock: :lol:

Been on Mastermind with this topic yet? You should! Can I ask how you know all that?!

I just liked it coz it's green and a bit vintage looking!

How lovely of you though, to tell me all about the Hayter - thanks- very interesting and useful information. Nothing you've said has put me off. I'll try and look after it as you say, though girls and machines - hmm. There's no natural sympathy.

 

[ilona73]

WOW! what a cool looking snazzy mower! now if only i could get Paul to buy one of those for our garden. Maybe i should start on my wiley wifey ways!
As for spring jobs?

I have that many if i started a list i would still be typing it come christmas and not gotten any of them done!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Best not get distracted by that mower Ilona, it's nearly 9 'o clock. Have you polished the inside of the boot cupboard yet? :wink:

 

[ilona73]

Best not get distracted by that mower Ilona, it's nearly 9 'o clock. Have you polished the inside of the boot cupboard yet? :wink:

Everything is done, housework done, kids off to school, emails returned , phone calls made and i have even packed my husband off to scotland for a few days with work so i can really get a wriggle on with his office now as i have cleared my next two days. Once i have ordered his wallpaper from Lewis and Wood of course!
And above all else the sun is shining and i am just having a break with my coffee.
Happy Days!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Everything is done

Oh, God. I've never been able to say that. Such magical words!

Here is dust and piles of ironing, strewn books and music, newspaper on the floor, and me on a ladder as usual, using a blade and a needle to remove the excess paint from the panes between the astragals. :roll:

Good luck with the office - can't wait to see.

 

[Ixia]

We found frogspawn this morning , does that mean spring has really sprung ?

On the island we've no moles or squirrels, so no worries there - but we have plenty of rats.

As for spring jobs....the list is endless. Our chimney has started leaking smoke into next door, so no more toasting our toes in front of a a roaring fire, until it's sorted There's the concrete in the back yard to come up, knackered floorboards to replace, polystyrene to strip from the walls and more wood chip than we know what to do with. But at least the house is dry under it's new roof.

 

[ilona73]

Everything is done

Oh, God. I've never been able to say that. Such magical words!

Here is dust and piles of ironing, strewn books and music, newspaper on the floor, and me on a ladder as usual, using a blade and a needle to remove the excess paint from the panes between the astragals. :roll:

Good luck with the office - can't wait to see.

I can't stand ironing left anywhere or washing i am terrible.. bit of a clean and tidy freak on the quiet. I too have just had blade in hand getting a few paint splashes off the glass . My greatest achievement is that i have removed 4 layers of paint off the sandstone.. ranging from white to sunflower yellow to black and then the most awful dark green which was hell on legs to rid. but after two weeks of perseverance i have removed every last spatter of it and Paul is pleased because he thinks it makes the office look a tad more "manly" not to mention his calligraphic wallpaper . He is going all out for a mans room which apparantly he has reminded me it will be a "female free zone" so of course i replied "oh good darling that means it will be one less room for me to clean" !!
:lol: :lol:
I think we might be getting ready for updated pictures of your hallway Joce!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Calligraphic wallpaper? Oh, do share! Chris is insisting on a very manly dining room, from which I will be banished after dinner whilst he enjoys his port and cigars and discusses politics with the gazelle heads (their contributions to discussion being less silly than mine). So you'll have to give me some masculine decorating tips!

He's letting me have the chinoiserie spare room though, inspired by Pford.

Well done on your paint stripping, what was the sandstone - a fireplace? Fancy painting over.

I'm not ready to update the hall pics yet, but thanks for asking.

 

[skier-hughes]

Blimey frogspawn, our moat was frozen over again this morning we had so much of a cold night... no sign of any here.

 

[Flyfisher]

A bit early/cold for frogspawn here, I think. Anyway, the river is very high after the recent rain and any frogspawn would probably have been washed away. The snowdrops are looking good though.

 

[Pford75]

inspired by Pford

Much as I would love to take credit for inspiring, I feel it is only fair to credit the PPUK community...so far the forum has selected the wallpaper, advised on the floor treatment (Toby is coming next week) and approved the curtain fabric. All I need you to do now is find a gorgeous dining table to seat 12 (ideally in walnut) and with a set of antique chairs for a figure less than my paupers budget.....

All the painting is completed now (finished the skirting and windows). Hanging the paper this weekend (wish me luck)...floor next week and then waiting on the curtains (my seamstress skills are nowhere close to Nigel's) and finally a woodburner to be installed

Then I think the house will be on pause until the autumn as the garden kicks into action.

 

[ilona73]

enjoys his port and cigars and discusses politics with the gazelle heads (their contributions to discussion being less silly than mine). So you'll have to give me some masculine decorating tips!

He's letting me have the chinoiserie spare room though, inspired by Pford.

Well done on your paint stripping, what was the sandstone - a fireplace? Fancy painting over.

I'm not ready to update the hall pics yet, but thanks for asking.[/quote]

The stripping i have done is the sandstone around the outer edge of the windows.
will post some piccies tomorrow when i have some light!

This is the calligraphic wallpaper
View attachment 1



If you want some "manly" wallpapers
Head on over to Lewis & wood and have a look at their character wallpapers Ex Libris is a particular Masculine paper as is the hedges & butler, plus if you order a sample of the trading cards one they can make excellent pictures in their own right just from a framed sample.

http://www.lewisandwood.co.uk

Don't forget to add in all the "manly" colours such as deep blues, darks greens, deep reds and of course nothing floral !
Oh and don't forget to curtsey when you leave the said room and ask your lord and master if that will be all and if you can be excused !
haha :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Pford, for your 'gorgeous dining table and chairs' try:

www.heliosantiques.com

www.churchstreetantiques.co.uk

www.reindeerantiques.co.uk



I am sure that Moo lives next door to an equally reputable dealer :wink:

 

[TimM]

Spring? Up here in Narnia we've still got snow on the ground...