24th November 2018 N.Yorks.
Gone very cold suddenly. It would seem Autumn is over and Winter just
around the corner. The garden is still full of colour; the resistance to low morning temperature
around 2 degrees seems to be a further example of inverse Global Warming.
Nasturtium seeds from the summer blooming have germinated and are again in
flower. The same goes for Pansies and Heartsease. These plants were first
planted a year last September, flowered all throughout last winter, often in
minus 10 degrees and under snow, continued to flower all summer, naturally
seeded in the their tubs and are now once again in full bloom and ready for
another rigorous winter on the North Yorkshire Prairies.
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| Pansies heading for their second winter |
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| Pansies and heartsease heading for their FIRST winter! |
Roses now ready for their first winter pruning. Just reduce height of Hybrid Tea bushes by
half, feed and leave until end of February early March before giving them a
good tidy for next year. Do the same for Climbers & Ramblers, but in early
March take the upright canes and tie down to parallel with the ground to
encourage upward growth from each latent bud (massive increase the flowering
potential – left upright each shoot may only produce one flower). If you have
some organic matter, composted leaves, grass clippings which are dry and brown
(never use wet and slimy), mulch these around the rose plant base in a one
metre diameter circle, up to 100mm deep, after scattering a good handful of
granular Feed.
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| Rose bush after its first trim |
Always ensure that your rose bushes are firmly Heeled in to
avoid Winter Wind Wobble, which will damage the roots and allow ingress of
water down the side of the stem which can cause Rot. Should you be planting new
Bare Rooted bushes, always soak new plants in a bucket of water for a few days
prior to planting, ensure depth of hole does not allow soil to be above the
graft as this will cause the root stock to grow pale green Suckers. If some appear, cut off very close to root
stock stem. Only water at bottom of hole and mulch top above ground. If very
cold wrap new plants in horticultural floss until first buds appear in early
March.
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| Definitely the last rose of summer |
Fuchsias are still flowering. There will be a many
varieties that die off in the winter and will also be Killed Off permanently by
frost. For continuity next year take cuttings now, keep out of winter Frost and
give minimal water. Those plants that seem to survive initial Frost and
continue to flower are the Hardy varieties. Just trim back, feed and leave in
situ for next year.
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| Trailing fuchsia in a basket |
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| Two trailing fuchsias hanging on! |
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| Another Fuchsia in a window box |
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| This fuchsia looks as if it will be hardy |
Geraniums
need to be moved inside now. Frost will
blacken leaves and stems and will kill the plant. Move inside. Green house is
excellent as plants will continue to flower under glass all winter. Take
cuttings by simply breaking off a 100mm
spur shoot from main stems, removing bottom leaves and any flower or buds,
plant around the edge of plastic or terracotta pot in used potting compost (no
feed), keep almost damp if in cool dry place but water if in warmer
environment. Keep the Mother plants but cut back by two thirds when the flowers
cease. Feed and water new cuttings and old plants from next March and put out
into garden next April.
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| Geraniums happily settled in the greenhouse |
For the first time ever have managed to keep a shop
bought Poinsettia from last Christmas throughout the long hot summer, and have
managed to get lots of new growth, which is starting to turn red (remember
these are just the top leaves on each stem not the flowers – which are usual
very small and yellow.) The plant has been stored in full sun in the green
house and the pot constantly in around 40mm of water.
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| So proud of this poinsettia from last Christmas which spent the summer in the greenhouse |
The Christmas Roses (Helleborus Niger) have peaked rather early. Hoping they will continue up to the Festive Season!
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| Helleborus Niger in full bloom already |
Bulbs planted in late September in the pots, under
the Pansies and Heartsease, are starting to come through - could be spectacular
show in early Spring – hopefully.
Good time to divide Perennials. Hostas can be dug
up, split into two or three pieces and re planted, Delphiniums can also be
split if the clump has become over-sized. Tidy and Dead Head anything that looks
a bit Tatty. Plant the remainder of your spring bulbs and retire the to Potting
Shed for a well deserved winter rest.
HG has a new Bell so
possible hear it (with new Hearing Aids) whilst warming up by the stove
must be time for Coffee
must dash
See you soon
Stuart.
