Winter Sowing
The snow has withdrawn and though breath continues to swirl mysteriously in the air, and little pink fingers poke through fingerless gloves, the hum of spring is around. A pair of Robins ducked and dived when I was gardening yesterday, snapping a worm here, a small piece of bread there. They seemed unfazed by the three cats sitting on the aviary watching their every move, almost taunting the felines with their almost close enough flashes of red breast. Narcissus and Tulips continue to push green shoots skyward, and even the climbing Hydrangea has its first bulbous shoots appearing.
Finally getting my act together I’ve started the much needed renovation on my back garden, moving both my compost bin and mini greenhouses too better positions. As a gardener, and plant lover, my garden is far from looking chic. Rather, it has a bizarre and elcectic mix of plants as I normally cannot contain myself and limit purchases to colour, type or form. But with priorities changing, and needing some summer space to put my feet up and work in the sun, as well as trying to make my own bit of green slightly more organised, the sun trap at the back door is to become a large enough gravelled area for a small table and chairs, and whilst I await some reclaimed bricks and mortar, I remembered that it is indeed time to sow!
You may think it is far too early to sow, but for those keen allotmenteer’s who wish to get ahead this year, planting both Broad Beans and Leeks can both occur now as long as they are positioned in such a place that they recieve enough warmth to germinate. An inside window sill is fine, and it’ll ensure that you get a nice early crop, suceeded by later ones that are sown outside next month. Plus getting these early seeds out of the way will mean that there is plenty of window space available later, when seeds of all varieties starting taking over the house.
The Gardening Calender is Far from Over
Well winter is certainly upon us, and with soft billowing wisps of snow bringing some Christmas cheer and delaying any gardening work I had planned, I’m taking the opportunity for a quick update. Any gardener knows, even when the cold draws in and hours of light become severely stunted, there is always something to be getting on with in the garden. Leaves can continue to be swept, kept and turned into leaf mulch. Landscaping changes can be made, whether its simply putting down a new path or overhauling the garden completely. Hibernating tree’s can be pruned, especially those fruit tree’s which have becoming gangly over the years and general winter maintanance such as protecting plants, tiying back tree’s and moving shrubs can continue.
A proud Black Bird gleams in his white wonderland
At the allotment, whilst the frost is definatley nipping at Jack’s toes, the broad beans planted last month have pushed their heads through the earth, clambouring for some wintery sun. Little clean green gems, fresh and new. Overwintering onions sit patiently, peeping upwards, waiting for sporadic warmth to start bulging their bulbs. Meanwhile, though Autumn has flown by, any last bulbs can be quickly planted before the new year is upon us, drinks, banners and party poppers flying. Once January comes the time for ensuring spring bulb flowers is over, and though bulbs can theoretically still be planted, they won’t flower until the following year.
Meanwhile, as my plans to rip out my current green space and create something new and exciting seem to have waned a little, the TV garden calender is gearing up for another round of makeovers. For those in desperate need of aid, help is at hand with This Morning’s new gardening series First Impressions. With Sven Wombwell and Diarmuid Gavin once again taking the helm, the battle is on to transform front gardens into glitzy, fabulous, curb appealing destinations. If you need help then visit This Morning to apply.
And finally, as the scurrying stress starts with present buying, decorating and attempting to create the ideal winter wonderland,
Merry Christmas!
Welcome to The Guide to Gay Gardening's new look!
Living in the grey smog of London utopia, I forge my little existence in a slightly loopy, hermity, hippy manner, sharing my life with the hens, cats and other menagerie that have somehow taken over my life.
If I'm not enjoying the great outdoors with my netbook in hand, I'll be snipping, pruning, planting, cutting, propagating, shovelling, or just plain admiring. You can even catch the occasional glimpse of me on the TV now and then!
Take the weight off for a while. Sit back, relax, read, send me feedback, but mostly just take a moment and look around you.....mother nature is beautiful.
Geoff Wakeling
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beautiful perennial geranium
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Red achillea
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My ladies are laying again! Hoorah. This is the haul I just got :)
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It's a little late this year, but the wisteria perfume is beautiful!
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California poppies
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