6th NOVEMBER 2017 NORTH YORKSHIRE.
The first frost of winter this morning, -4 degrees C
last night, and this morning the garden and fields have a clean, bright coat of
‘rime’(a wonderfully evocative word from the 18th century that
describes the whiteness that is slowly eroded by the morning sunshine).
With the truly English celebration of ‘Guy Fawkes
Night on the 5th November (a group of Yorkshire born fanatics
attempted to blow up the Parliament in the 17th century and failed –
nothing really changes) concluded last evening, with the usual ritualistic
bonfires and fireworks - can remember when this was the ONLY time of year
fireworks were detonated in this fair land - and a good hard frost returns the
land to its prim readiness for winter.
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| First frost on the grass |
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| Frosted Sedum flowers |
The new plot is very slowly taking shape around the
property. The last weeks have seen the introduction of numerous tubs and window
boxes, together with fences for dog containment (the two Portuguese imports have
taken well to their new home)
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| Smiling faces of winter pansies and miniature violas |
and the start of construction on my new
Greenhouse. Decided that the clement growing months between May and October are
too limiting for the latent (but now old) enthusiast within, and a six month
winter spent indoors would be utterly frustrating. Double glazed clear glass,
heating and good lighting should ensure a comfortable extension of the
horticultural intentions during the cold grey months of a long Northern Winter
– we shall see if this hypothesis can be substantiated during the ensuing
seasons.
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| Greenhouse Foundatyions |
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| Getting there |
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| Finished! |
Having constructed a number of new window boxes
(made of wood 200 x 200 x 1000 long, well drained and positioned on ‘Sunny’
aspects), which are already planted for winter with an array of cold resistant
plants including, Miniature Cyclamen (in full flower) Trailing ‘Heart's Ease’
Violas (also in flower), variegated trailing Ivies and various dwarf Conifers.
The tubs are full of winter flowering Pansies (which will stand minus 15
degrees C and still stay in flower) together with multicoloured Primulas, and have been dressed with a number of different Ivies and miniaturised Roses and Shrubs. Regular feeding and minimal
watering should keep them happy until Easter.
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| All the pretty window boxes planted for winter |
Similar planting schemes have been used for the Winter
hanging baskets, with the addition of a plethora of seasonal flowering bulbs-
including Scillas, Crocus, Chinadoxa, Muscari, Iris Reticulata and lots of
miniature Daffodils – looking forward to quite a show during January, February
and March.
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| Winter baskets |
A further addition to the northern growing Pantheon
is the centrally heated conservatory, where coffee is now served in matching
cups by the HG. (With the massive reduction in plot size the Portuguese ‘Summoning’ bell has
been abandoned and a ‘Shout’ through the open door is now more than
adequate). The night heating has allowed more tender plants to be cultivated
and hopefully will be full of colour during the grey winter months with large
Cyclamens, Amarylis, Sedums plus various Ivies and bamboos giving the place a ‘livid-in’
feeling.
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| Inside the conservatory |
Must say the experience of weekly lawn cutting is
wearing a little thin and hedges seem to sprout overnight, but not worrying
about the use of water is certainly a bonus.
With the wind ‘whistling’ across the North Yorkshire
prairies and the temperature again dropping dramatically as a ‘watery’ sun sets
in the western sky, sanctuary is again searched for in the arms of good central
heating.
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| And here it the winter view from the garden fence |
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| And a winter sunset! |
Must dash before hypothermia strikes,
See you soon
