FACING THE WINTER IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

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 18^th century that describes the whiteness that is slowly eroded by the morning sunshine).

With the truly English celebration of ‘Guy Fawkes Night on the 5^th November (a group of Yorkshire born fanatics attempted to blow up the Parliament in the 17^th 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.

First frost on the grass

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)

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.

Greenhouse Foundatyions

Getting there

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.

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.

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.

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.

And here it the winter view from the garden fence

And a winter sunset!

Must dash before hypothermia strikes,

See you soon

Stuart.