SPRING - BRING IT ON

29TH MARCH 2018 NORTH YORKSHIRE

Have been waiting for better weather for last six weeks. There has been snow, lots of it as predicted from the Eastern Steppes, accompanied by strong easterly winds, again straight from the ‘Steppes’. Amazingly low temperatures, minus 10 degrees C (with wind chill down to minus 25 degrees) ensured majority of days spent in the Potting Shed by the stove.

Garden covered in a blanket of snow

The Green House has proved a major asset in the last couple of months (now has two electric heaters to ward of the night frost so expect an enormous electricity bill for the frost free winter care); everything growing furiously in the raised temperatures. Planting seed in late January always seems the best plan until the seedlings need potting on in early March and the garden weather and overnight temperatures can act as the ‘Grim Reaper’ by the end of the month. So every square inch of space in the ‘Glass House’ is occupied by burgeoning bedding plants almost ready for planting out into baskets and tubs.

A Very full Greenhouse

The art of pricking out seedlings will soon be lost with the ever increasing selection and low cost of nursery grown plant plugs. With a packet of Geranium F1 Hybrid Seeds costing £3.49 for twelve seeds (that at the best will give 75% germination), the offer of ’20 Geranium Plug Plants’ for £3.99 delivered seems a bargain. However there is always one prevision, when ordering in January for April delivery always take note of the quantity ordered and proposed arrival date otherwise the protected under glass space will be stretched to breaking point if there is the chance of frost at Easter.

Not much room left in here

So, with the expectation of 40 Geraniums, 40 Fuchsias, 40 Bizzy Lizzies, 60 Lavender, 60 Petunias,  plus a generous and tempting offer of a further 144 bedding plant plugs for £1.99 (when order is over £40) all arriving during the first three weeks of April,  let us hope the ambient temperatures are clement.

The Lilly bulbs, Dahlia tubers and Begonia corms planted in late February are all showing signs of life It will be interesting to find out if the colours indicated are correct after ten years of local market purchases in Portugal where everything seems to turn out Orange, whatever colour is chosen. Delphiniums, sown from seed - success rate 15% - bought as small plant plugs 100%, are coming along and the Hollyhocks and Russell Lupins, from seed, are over abundant in their fecundity. Nicotiana, French Marigolds, Echinopsis, Foxgloves, Lobelia and Nemesia  are all similarly afflicted.

Delphiniums and Echinacea putting on a spurt

Dahlia tubers sprouting among the seedlings

As you will appreciated from the above, this is going to be the year of the English Country Garden, with every fragrance and every colour represented I forgot to mention the Sweet Peas, Phlox, Aubretia, Knifofia, Pansies, Nasturtiums (six varities), Roses, Clematis etc etc. and NO VEGETABLES. The anticipation of those halcyon days of summer makes the biting ‘Prairie’ winds of North Yorkshire all worthwhile.

Nasturtiums just waiting for the right moment

Meanwhile, lots of flowers of the tougher variety are blooming in the garden - and in the house.

Pretty violas in the hanging basket

These crocuses have been in flower for weeks and survived the blizzards!

Hyacinths scenting the conservatory

Daffodils and tulips brightening up a windowsill

There would seem to be some movement from the kitchen door (bell not working still frozen), Yes it’s the HG, in full ‘Arctic’ Survival Kit, carrying restorative quantities of invigorating Coffee for the Potting Shed Exile.

 Must look appreciative and pull up another stool in front of the glowing stove.

Must dash, see you soon

Stuart.

BUSY BUSY, WITH SO MUCH TO ANTICIPATE

22^nd APRIL 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Coldest March in Portugal for the last forty years (Official – it was in the Portugal Times today).  Happy to agree, as there has been nothing but rain, more rain, wind and more wind, snow on the mountains (and even on the hills) accompanied by very cold nights and not so hot days. The result is that little has prospered in the garden so far this spring but all looks ‘latent’ like ‘Greyhounds in the Slips’ and awaiting the warming sunshine, which must be just around the corner. My Neighbours in the village put it all down to the ‘El Nino Effect’ and have decided to wait until May before venturing out into the planting fields.

Blossom is just emerging on the apple trees.  Cherries and pears just burst forth but the cold keeps the bees at home, so little chance of a good  ‘Fertilisation’. Lots of fruit formed and swelling on the almond tree as it blossomed early and caught the last warm days in February to be well serviced. Nectarines, apricots and plums seem to have struggled to produce embryonic fruit so far, whilst the peaches are trying very hard to please.

First apple blossom

Cherry blossom - from afar!

Masses of seedlings are well forward in the ‘Lidl’ green house , all awaiting pricking out. Tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, okra, courgettes, runner and French beans and sweet peppers (California Wonders) on the vegetable front are all bursting their seed pots.   The flower garden is going to be well supplied by the Cosmos, Zinnia, Lobelia, Impatiens, Tagetees, Nasturtiums from seed and Geranium, Fuchsia and Dianthus from cuttings that just need a little sun.

Seedlings in the little greenhouse

More seedlings

Even in the ‘cold’ there is always something going on somewhere in the garden. Five different varieties and colours of  lettuce, together with Mizuma (excellent and easily grown oriental leaf) and Pak Choi on the salad front; red and white onions, leeks and beetroot on the ‘veg’ patch. Strawberries are full of flower and forming fruit, which are also appearing on the Loganberries and early raspberries. Last year’s cut down Sweet Peppers and Chilli plants are now coming into leaf (this pruning in late November produces first Peppers by June – usually six weeks before the newly seeded plants).

Lots of flowers on the strawberries

Roses well in bud, should be in flower next week, with the benefit of a little sun-shine. Wisteria magnificent (enjoying the cold), Jasmine rampant and filling the terrace with exotic scent and the purple Iris, accompanied by white Arum Lilies, are quite a sight even under very grey sky.

Wisteria now twining in with the Rosa Banksii

Lovely elegant purple iris, and one yellow and purple just coming into bloom

Fuchsia never disappoints.  Been flowering all winter

 All the plants in tubs on the high terrace are growing (if not well) and the Cactus Cloche is keeping the day temperatures well into the ‘forties’ so the first signs of flowers are appearing on a number of the ‘Pricklies’(the seeds sown three weeks ago are stubbornly remaining dormant).

Cacti enjoying the sunshine while still in their "Winter Quarters"

Investigation under way concerning the overnight disappearance of a trough of ‘growing on’ Pak Choi, eight green Pepper plants and half a dozen Mizuma plants, all cleanly removed at soil level. No sign of slugs. snails or mice (not a dropping in sight). The H.G. suggests possibly an ‘Airborne’ attack by Pigeons or maybe the Hoopoe (which we hear but never see) or it may be due to some insidious ‘Drone’. The mystery continues.  However, the addition of a ‘Curry Plant’ and a few Piri Piri pods (from last season) ,on the growing on table , have certainly caused an immediate cessation of nocturnal ‘feasting’ for now.

At last the Bell, must have a coffee to revive the feeling in the frozen bodily extremities thank goodness for the H.G. 

Must dash before ‘rigour mortis’ sets in

See you soon –

Stuart.