25TH
JANUARY, 2021 NORTH YORKSHIRE
Blue sky, loads of
brilliant sunshine, -7 degrees C, ground rock hard with a layer of frost – the
wonders of a North Yorkshire January (the alternatives are snow, rain, wind or
fog) so just enjoying the Potting Shed Stove and the dreams of more pliant months
to come. Can’t get too comfortable as, even in extreme conditions, there is
always something to do in the garden.
SNOWY GARDEN!
Sowing seeds in a propagator
is a ‘must’ – to ensure early chillies, tomatoes, lettuce etc. Now is the time to transplant the seedlings
from those seeds sown in December, making space for the sowing of the next
varieties. Aubergines, sweet peppers and
cucumbers are next on the list. Always advisable to have some heat in the
Greenhouse when the propagated seedlings are potted on, to ensure continuity of
growth (don’t need a high ambient temperature – 10 degrees C should do).
 |
| seedlings appearing in the propogator |
The cuttings taken from
fuchsia and geranium plants last November now need to be examined for any black rot or fungal
infections. Transplant to individual pots, water sparingly with weak feed and
keep away from frost in the greenhouse. Whilst checking the cuttings, also
inspect all the other plants, tubers and corms which are over-wintering under
cover (look for any infection or rot –
where present cut away or destroy the plant to avoid a general infection
spreading in the warmer conditions.
 |
| Healthy fuchsia cuttings |
While the night
temperature are well below Freezing it is best to leave the Rose pruning – even
though the new buds are becoming plump.
Prune now and you could lose to frost the lower terminals which will
give the early flower.
But there really is
lots of colour in the indoor garden – the conservatory stays warm and bright,
even on the most wintry of January days. The Amaryllis – or do you prefer to
call this wonder bulb ‘Hippeastrum’ -
initial bulbs planted in late November then weekly in December – are producing,
and have already produced, the most magnificent of ‘blooms. The largest bulbs
planted are now on their third spike of flowers (usually six per stem) ranging
from the richest of dark red to white with pink ‘sprinkles’. They started to
flower on New Year’s Day and look to have at least another six weeks of life in
full flower ( just keep almost damp but not wet and feed a little every fortnight)
LOTS OF LOVELY AMARYLLIS
The usual Winter show
of pansies has been very poor – most seemed to have died with the first hard frost.
The Viola/Heartsease have faired better,
Miniature cyclamen have lost their flowers with the frost, but still seem to be
surviving (might get a second ‘bloom as the cold eases). Hellebores are again a
triumph of vigorous flower and growth. The dark pink variety is especially
lovely on a cold damp winter’s day. The surviving Polyanthus are struggling
into their first flowers – these seem very attractive to the over wintering
bird population.
MINIATURE CYCLAMEN -before the snow
HELLEBORES - don't seem to mind the snow
The early seed sowing in the propagator is showing and early response with four varieties of tomato – two of chilli, a mixture of pansies and a few nasturtiums (for growing on in the Green House for early Spring colour – all ready to pot on.
tomato seedlings progressing nicely
The geranium plants from last summer are getting ready to sprout new shoots, Begonia and Dahlias are resting in the frost free environment under the greenhouse benches and the succulents less tolerant of cold are enjoying their places on the less cool benches. Soon be time for the mass sowing of seeds for the Summer Season – it never stops in a much loved Garden.
Still a bit of sleet in
the wind so another log on the stove, plant catalogues out for another
‘session’ –
just heard the HG's dulcet tones announcing ‘Coffee’
Must Dash,
Stay Safe and Keep
Gardening.
Stuart
