14TH JANUARY - NORTH YORKSHIRE
Well that’s everything
fed and sparingly watered in the garden – should be good for the next couple of
weeks while it decides whether or not to snow. Winter feeding always pays
dividends in the Spring as most tubs and hanging baskets quickly run out
of nutrients during the enforced hibernation which is caused by low temperatures, low
light levels and a possible covering of snow.This in itself acts as an
insulator against severe frost and can encourage premature growth. Bulbs often
seem self sufficient. However, for the most spectacular results, a late January
feed ensures big flowers and often multiple blooms.
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| Spring bulbs are already showing signs of life! |
A Wonderful show of polyanthus on their own and with miniature cyclamen
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| The Christmas Rose (Heleborus Niger) |
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| Happy smiling winter pansies |
Roses bushes have been
trimmed back and ‘heeled’ in (often loosened in the ground by the winter winds)
to avoid root damage, a liquid feed just now will pay dividends in May when the
first buds burst into flower. This is also the best time to plant bare rooted
new rose plants. Always dig the hole half as deep again as the depth of the
root to the ‘graft’, place in the hole with some loose soil, heel in the root
to ensure no air pockets, refill the hole pulling the root stock to just above
the finished soil surface ensuring the budded grafts are above ground level. If
left below surface this will cause root stock ‘suckers’ to form. Mulch with
a well rotted compost. Next feed due end of February, trim back to second
outward facing bud for best shaped rose bushes and superior flowering. Keeping
middle of the bush clear improves air circulation and reduces pest and virus
problems.
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| Standard Rose bush pruned lightly and ready for feeding next month |
Propagator is now
working for its living. Most bedding
plant seed can be sown in pots for inclusion in the 20 – 25 degree C propagator
constant temperature and moist atmosphere. Seedlings will be showing signs of
life in five to ten days maximum. If no
sign of life in 21 days replant as the seed is unlikely to germinate and the
space is needed for more fertile genres. When the seedlings are at the second
leaf remove from heat and pot on into 50/70mm pots. Protect ‘plantlings’ if greenhouse
temperature is not frost protected with
thermostatic heater. Minimum water until
first growing signs show. Most plants die from over-watering (rotting off), not
from being on the dry side.
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| The propogator is hard at work |
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| Some sweet peas have already germinated |
The HG just brought the
‘post’ to the Potting Shed - amazingly efficient the Seed Merchants in UK these
days. Only ordered the seeds two days ago and here they are ready to sow. First
batch are Geraniums (Border WSupremeF2), Trailing Begonias (Weltoniensis Pink
Showers), Hollyhock (Spring Celebrities), Begonia (Tuberhybrida ‘Non Stop Mocca’
F1), Busy Lizzie (World-beater) and, for the Herb Garden, Basil (Christmas F1)
and the latest email says the Geranium, Dahlia and Busy Lizzie Plug plants (part
grown seedlings) will arrive tomorrow – what would the modern Gardener do without
the power of electronic communication?
Informed by the HG that this new enthusiasm
should be tempered with a little ‘Old World’ gardening commonsense (whatever
that is). Will continue to agree with these sentiments and hope that the source
of Hot Coffee never goes into a drought.
So - keeping an awareness
for the next delivery to arrive – told by HG that hearing not up to scratch, so will
keep a watchful eye on the garden gate for Couriers calling.
Must dash whilst staying
alert
see you soon,
Stuart.
