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The Oliver's Madhouse

When life isn't complicated enough ..

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10/02/2014

Pre Spring Cleaning & Fresh Air

Now as some of you know I love nothing more than to be organised and tidy, so when I looked out the window on Saturday at the back garden I was a little disheartened.

Although I had  done a mini winter clean up in the Autumn the rain has certainly sent the garden into overdrive, some plants I fear I have lost forever while others seem to of gone mental and are in full sprout when really they should be still tucked in inch into the earth.

Pre Spring Cleaning & Fresh Air The Oliver\\\'s MadhouseJoshua and I threw on our jumpers and raided the shed for the essential equipment and we set to cleaning out the old dead foliage and clearing a path for the new spring bulbs that have been super eager to show themselves.

We discovered; 3 different types fungus, some pungent sweet-smelling apples that had long  been past there prime, some old bits of a windmill and even some snails.

Pre Spring Cleaning & Fresh Air The Oliver\\\'s MadhouseAlthough it was not the warmest or nicest of days to get out in the garden the fresh air and some time out there unattached to anything like my phone, iPad or laptop was invigorating and empowering all at the same time, the wind in my face and the soil in my fingers it was perfect.

Joshua left me half way through for a trip out with Daddy but I carried on regardless and filled 6 bin liners with dead plants and foliage and a ton of rotting apples. My garden is now looking far more presentable and my OCD demon in me has now been pacified … at least for the time being!

Now we are ready for the spring … whenever that may come.

Pre Spring Cleaning & Fresh Air The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse

Filed Under: Home

About Jaime

Jaime Oliver is a multi-award-winning parenting and family blogger from Nottingham who has been sharing her parenting journey online at The Oliver’s Madhouse since 2012. Jaime writes about life with her 2 little boys from days out and adventures to milestones and moments there is no parenting or family topic she wouldn’t share to normalise and celebrate the differences in parenting.



When Jaime is not writing about her family she is can be found writing about her journey of self-discovery in learning to cook and fall in love with her home again on her food and interiors blog notTHATJaimeOliver.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah MumofThree World says

    10/02/2014 at 6:35 am

    Good work! I’m not much of a gardener, but I’m looking forward to seeing what appears in our new garden in the spring! I’m hoping for lots of daffodils and, if not, I’m going to plant some!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:06 am

      You cant go wrong with daffs i love them they are my reminder that spring and Easter are on their way 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mumof2.com says

    10/02/2014 at 6:39 am

    I love the way all the daffs are coming up – they are going to look so pretty when they finally flower!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:06 am

      thanks honey, it felt so goo uncovering them from the rotten foliage .. pretty garden here it comes x

      Reply
  3. Afra Willmore says

    10/02/2014 at 7:33 am

    Ooh well done – my garden looks terrible but it’s all going to be trampled for our new conservatory soon so not worth the effort. Some lovely pics here. Popping over from #magicmoments

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:07 am

      how exciting is that!! i would love a conservatory x

      Reply
  4. Coombe Mill says

    10/02/2014 at 7:41 am

    Like you spring is all around on the farm just waiting to take over when the storms leave

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:08 am

      gosh i do hope the storms leave you soon honey! i love your spring reminders the kids are looking so big they will be fully fledge goats soon! xx

      Reply
  5. Iona@Redpeffer says

    10/02/2014 at 7:56 am

    I know exactly what you mean-the weather has turned our garden into a giant muddy puddle! I nipped out briefly on Friday to do some basic tidying and it felt good-roll on Spring 🙂

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:12 am

      its such a good feeling itsnt it just to get some tadying done… hopefully in no time we will be out in it all the time!

      Reply
  6. The Reading Residence says

    10/02/2014 at 7:59 am

    Great work! I’m thinking of doing this today!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:13 am

      get out there while there is no rain! ;-0

      Reply
  7. Maddy@writingbubble says

    10/02/2014 at 8:01 am

    Well done! It is lovely to get outside even if it is a bit cold and I always think a bit of gardening is good for the soul.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:13 am

      it really was so therapeutic! lol x

      Reply
  8. Kate Pirouette says

    10/02/2014 at 8:10 am

    Ahhh, man I need to do this too! Nothing quite like the feeling of having something all sorted!

    Kate xx
    Just Pirouette and Carry On…

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:14 am

      thats it the completion of a job is always super x

      Reply
  9. Karen Bell says

    10/02/2014 at 8:20 am

    You did well to get that done in this weather. Looks like everyone enjoyed it too x

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:15 am

      we were super lucky that we had a dry patch .. the ground was wet but at least it wasnt raining x

      Reply
  10. Lucinda Turner says

    10/02/2014 at 9:03 am

    Good work,! We don’t have a garden so I’m quite pleased I don’t have these jobs to do! X

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:15 am

      do you have some green space nearby? x

      Reply
  11. Louise Perry Fairweather says

    10/02/2014 at 9:39 am

    We need to tackle our garden – keep putting it off! Well done!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 10:16 am

      i had been putting it off for weeks but it was a super feeling getting it done x

      Reply
  12. Capture by Lucy says

    10/02/2014 at 10:19 am

    You put us to shame! We need a tidy up inside and out! xx

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:37 pm

      lol Lucy i am OCD i just cant help it 😉

      Reply
  13. Jenny says

    10/02/2014 at 1:20 pm

    Wow you are so productive. I am not much of a gardener myself, yet. There is still plenty of time in my life to become one though. I love your pictures. Way to be spring ready!!! Let’s hope it comes sooner rather than later this year!!!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:39 pm

      i was never enthusiastic about it really till we moved to this house x

      Reply
  14. Susan Mann says

    10/02/2014 at 3:03 pm

    Well done and good work. I need some motivation to do this. Want to come and help x

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      12/02/2014 at 11:40 pm

      I would love to come and help my lovely … if only you were nearer x

      Reply
  15. Wicked World of Lucas says

    10/02/2014 at 4:20 pm

    Wow – you were busy. Does your OCD work on other people’s garden?????? I have one that could use a REALLY good clear up!! Great photos #magicmoments

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:43 pm

      lol cathie if i lived nearer i would pop over and do it for fun!

      Reply
  16. KidGLloves says

    10/02/2014 at 4:23 pm

    Ash says – Well done Mrs Oliver. I try to go and help Mum and Dad in the garden too, along with Lucas but we end up mucking about and I don’t think we end up helping Mum and Dad as much as we think we are!!!!! #magicmoments

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:44 pm

      lol i have no doubt your guys would make it interesting though!

      Reply
  17. spicers1976 says

    10/02/2014 at 5:36 pm

    Do you want to come around and do mine?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:45 pm

      if i lived closer it would be my pleasure x

      Reply
  18. suzanne3childrenandit says

    10/02/2014 at 5:42 pm

    We definitely need to dedicate a weekend to doing the same. Winters to wreak havoc on the garden don’t they? Your little boy looked like he was having fun with his wheelbarrow!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:45 pm

      he was having a ball till Daddy mentioned popping out and then he didnt want to stay lol

      Reply
  19. Tarana says

    10/02/2014 at 7:33 pm

    Gardening can really be relaxing, I so wish I had a garden! I’m waiting eagerly for the spring too.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 7:46 pm

      yay to the spring! i would be lost without a garden xx

      Reply
  20. Jaime says

    10/02/2014 at 7:39 pm

    it was really therapeutic in the end 🙂

    Reply
  21. Mummy of Two says

    10/02/2014 at 7:56 pm

    Well done you! We still haven’t braved going out in the garden yet and it’s a tip!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 8:13 pm

      lol gold star for me then lol xx

      Reply
  22. Mel says

    10/02/2014 at 9:13 pm

    Well done! I did that a couple of weeks ago and I found it therapeutic. I am not too keen on gardening, but a tidy-looking garden is a winner in my books! Mel

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 9:57 pm

      that is so like me Mel xx

      Reply
  23. Helen Braid says

    10/02/2014 at 9:24 pm

    Oh there’s nothing like a good clear out. And fresh air too. Spring get a move on!!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 9:58 pm

      Here here Helen!! 😉

      Reply
  24. Dean B says

    10/02/2014 at 9:55 pm

    Your garden is looking lovely already! Ours still looks dead. We don’t really have any plans of doing any gardening soon, what with a lively-over-excited little pup and the impending move. But so looking forward to having a lovely garden again 🙂

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      10/02/2014 at 9:58 pm

      gosh it took 4 years to get it reasonable 🙂 what date do you move honey?

      Reply
  25. Mummy Whiskers says

    10/02/2014 at 11:26 pm

    Fab post, this has reminded me that I must do the same, our garden is looking like a desserted forest!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      11/02/2014 at 12:10 am

      thats how i felt with ours the other day lol x

      Reply
  26. Morgan Prince says

    11/02/2014 at 10:44 am

    Great post. I’m eager to get out into the garden and start planting – we cleared out our border at the end of last year and it now requires new stuff. Can’t wait for it but I’m afraid I’m not very green fingered so it my not go as well as I’d like! Your garden looks lovely. 🙂
    #MagicMoments

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      12/02/2014 at 11:16 pm

      awww thanks Morgan however i am not very green fingered i have probably killed more plants than i have grown 😉

      Reply
  27. Notmyyearoff says

    11/02/2014 at 11:32 am

    I had big plans to garden last year and we never ended up doing it so am determined this year. We are going to do chillies!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      12/02/2014 at 11:16 pm

      i am loving that!! .. chillies! brill 🙂

      Reply
  28. JallieDaddy says

    11/02/2014 at 12:30 pm

    Good for you! You’re welcome to pop over here & do some sorting out, if you have some spare time… (he said hopefully!) 🙂

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      12/02/2014 at 11:16 pm

      lol if you lived near it would of been my pleasure 🙂

      Reply
  29. @700words says

    12/02/2014 at 10:03 pm

    this is definitely on my to do list for before the end of february. excellent work!! love to see the new shoots coming through. hoping some of ours survive the dog’s digging!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      12/02/2014 at 11:18 pm

      lol dog digging, it reminds me of my old dog!! they can create some mess cant they! lol

      Reply

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