It seems to have been a long time since I've been here. I would like to say that I have been wearing wellies and wheeling a wheelbarrow but truth be told I've been relishing a deep longer winter hibernation than usual. I'm not sure sure what I've actually achieved but the seasonal jigsaw has been completed, plenty of books have been enjoyed and much amusing entertainment has been had watching the birds feed. They for one as one of my nieces put it "are blissfully unaware of the turmoil going on around them". On the gardening front little has been done but the flower seed box is immaculate and sorted out in alphabetical order and the seed order will be going in later today. My dahlias were ordered on New Year's Day so I feel that I'm making some inroads, Now I need to get cracking on some indoor jobs before outdoor jobs and the seed sowing season take priority.
My main pleasure in the garden at this time of year is of course snowdrops both in the garden and also my collection of named snowdrops in the greenhouse. Outside up to Christmas everything seemed to be well ahead of schedule but is now back in kilter after the much cooler weather of the last month. However the joy that I get from the indoor residents has been diminished as so many of them have decided not to flower this year. I'm not sure why this has happened but think that water - either too much or too little is a factor. I have to confess that the pots may have baked too dry in the hot spring that we had - they were back outside by then and I took my eyes off inspecting the pots regularly. I also divided a good number of them in the spring as the pots were crowded and then all the pots almost drowned before I took them in under cover earlier than I usually do because they were just so wet. I think that it has been too stressful for them especially the more immature bulbs and that with some tender loving care they will flower in profusion next year. I do have some showing their colours though and have welcomed some newcomers in the fold namely 'Aunt Agnes', 'Lucy', and 'Green Of Hearts'. Hopefully I will post photos soon.
In the meantime I've gained some snowdrop pleasure elsewhere via Zoom lectures, a virtual snowdrop festival on Instagram from The Garden House in Devon and from a most enjoyable programme 'Snowdrop Country' here on BBC radio 4 focusing on Alan Street, the nurseryman from from Avon Bulbs who has been responsible for most of their star snowdrops. Well now having found my way back here I hope to return sooner than later.
Lost in a good book is also how I prefer to get thru this limbo.
ReplyDeleteYpu sound as though you have been passing your time in a very similar way to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love these jigsaws, Anna, perfect for gardeners. Like you I'm enjoying the winter hibernation but to be honest looking at the madness that's taken hold of this world I wouldn't mind disappearing completely for a few months. It's be bliss not to hear anything for a while...apart from birdsong but alas, we have to make the best out of it. Keep your chin up xx
ReplyDeleteYour jigsaw puzzle is lovely Anna! I would love to do a jigsaw puzzle, but several crochet projects have been keeping me busy and I am behind on my winter reading plans! Look forward to seeing your snowdrops soon. ��
ReplyDeleteIt just seems right to be in hibernation just now.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you will have enjoyed that puzzle, Anna - do you both tackle it at the same time, or each do a bit as and when? It's interesting to read your thoughts on the possible reason behind your non-flowering snowdrops...if only they could talk, we could then establish their needs better. Perhaps we just haven't that conversation with them yet...��
ReplyDeleteUnder current circumstances, hibernation sounds just right to me and I think you've used your time well while in that state, Anna! I often wish we had a "real" winter in coastal Southern California - perhaps not longer than 4-6 weeks but an annual break from the demands of the garden would be appreciated. Our winter has been unusually warm - and sometimes hot - and very dry until last weekend. We're very chilly this week, lows 50sF (10-11C), and rain has been intermittent but I expect we're still far warmer and drier than you!
ReplyDeleteI was interested in your comments on snowdrops as I've had exactly the same experience. I did leave the potted ones tucked behind the greenhouse for much of last summer and into winter so they have experienced the full vagaries of the weather. The leaves are growing strongly, just no blooms. I must go out and check the 'specials' planted out in the garden and see how they have fared. The woodland snowdrops show no signs of diminishing, I can see drifts of them from the house.
ReplyDeleteI do a seasonal jigsaw too, this year I might do a second one, yours looks great fun. Sorry to hear about your non-blooming pots. I don't grow them in pots but as I am always losing the labels oof outdoor ones, it seems a good way to keep track of what you have.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you again, Anna, I very much enjoyed this. What a fun seasonal jigsaw to keep you going until you are outdoors again, a great idea. Perhaps you could get your watercolours out again too :-) After a break I'm trying again, although I've bitten of more than I can chew taking on a tricky flower colour. Much colour mixing trials are ongoing ;-) Perhaps your greenhouse snowdrops will surprise you, enjoy these special stars of your garden :-)
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