24th MARCH 2020, NORTH YORKSHIRE
The peace and tranquility of the garden this
morning is in complete contrast to the world two metres from its boundaries.
TWO METRES is considered the safe clear distance to avoid the rampaging
COVID-19 Virus currently changing our world. Being well over ‘70’ years old,
the Head Gardener and her ‘Helper’ (Me) are considered in the most ‘Vulnerable’ category and must Self Isolate for the next three months (like many others).
What an opportunity for the avid Gardener – three months' uninterrupted
gardening pleasure. So with an early morning frost fast disappearing in the
brilliant sunshine and a magnificent clear blue sky. let the new ‘Self Exile’
begin. (HG assures me coffee will continue to be supplied with the wonderful
assistance of our village friends and neighbours who are able to act on our behalf, and will
assist with supplies, for which we are most grateful)’.
There is little to say about January and February as
weather was very wet, very windy and cold (but little frost until the last few
days), and little time spent doing anything of a Horticultural nature apart
from playing in the Green House and Conservatory.
The Amaryllis
have been in full bloom since early January and are now coming to the end of
their splendid symphony of colour and form. Their place in the conservatory will soon be taken by Jasmine and Freesia. The tubs on the walls by the driveway
are full of tulips ready to bloom and daffodils already in flower. The winter pansies are about to re-flower and the vibrant primulas in bright yellows,
reds and blues make the place look furnished and cared for, even on the darkest
of winter days.
The well fed rose bushes are well ahead this spring due to the lack of frost which usually burns off the early shoots. The tea roses and climbing roses are all full of leaf, and some are even showing their first buds of the year. The bush tea roses were all pruned in December, but decided to leave all the climbers till early March to encourage more height on their trellis. As they were all so verdant, decided to just tie In the long whips (clipping the last 300mm away, which encourages the upward growth of the flowering shoots) – will see if this process has worked in the next few weeks.
Hellebores have had a good season and are still in
full flower ( keep an eye on the area under the leaf spread when tidying in
June as there will be lots of newly seeded small plants available to pot on).
The last few days of sunshine have greatly encouraged the first growth of the year and hostas, lupins, aquilegia, delphiniums, euphorbias, buddleias, cordylines et al. are all on their way.
Clematis already rampant, and the first sign of the multitude of lily bulbs
breaking the surface in their containers or ground where they were left to
multiply during the winter months.
It really is a magical time of year when Nature
awakes from her Winter rest, so forget the outside world and simply concentrate
on the ‘Positives’ in your garden and look forward to the rewards of your
labours during the next few months.
My favourite seed supplier ‘ALDI’ (Yes ALDI) had
available prior to the lock down, their annual sale of collection packets,
each of eight varieties, of vegetables, herbs and flowers. So, during our last visit before the embargo purchased four packets, encompassing thirtytwo
different varieties for £3.96 being 99p per packet, which must terrify the now
very expensive Seed Merchants (had terrific results last year with their tomatoes, chillis, peppers, salad leaves, nasturtiums, alyssum, geraniums, petunias, bedding dahlias plus many more). The sowing of this bounty is already showing the
first shoots from the basil (both purple and green), oriental poppies, corn flowers and exotic Far Eastern salad greens (which includes pak choi, and Chinese leaves among many others) – all soon to be followed in the seed propogator by
at least another sixteen varieties of seed. Will keep you posted of the outcome
of the sowings.
Last year’s geraniums were cut back and bundled into
large pots for their winter frost free storage. The mild winter has encouraged
early growth, so replanted the best looking cuttings three weeks ago and now look to
have around thirty plumptious plants already beginning to bud up on the greenhouse bench (the strongest growing plants can be used for cuttings to
multiply the stock for this year if required).
The Fuchsias, given similar treatment to the geraniums
last autumn, are now full of growth. The old mother plants, cut back for new
cuttings, are in full leaf and the new cuttings are not far behind – the winter
hardy plants left in the ground to over winter are just showing their first
shoots, so now is the time to feed for best results (remember to pinch out the top two leaves from stem to
encourage bushy plants. Those cuttings with very straight strong stems can be
encouraged to become standard by supporting early with a stick and
removing all but the top four leaves – pinch out middle when desired height
achieved).
So, with bright sunshine and sneaky easterly wind
drying up the waterlogged fields (our Farmer was out yesterday ploughing the Hundred
Acre field at the back of the garden), gilet, hat and gloves on, its once
more into the restricted kingdom during at least the next three months (but
likely Six). Plants and weeds be very aware - you are being inspected more
closely than ever before!
No bell from the Head Gardener as we are being
exceptionally pleasant to each other to avoid altercations while closely confined(?).
Keep Gardening –
you know you want to - just enjoy and stay healthy –
see you soon
Stuart.
