Lots to keep us cheerful
We’ve been buzzing between garden and greenhouse in recent days. We’re on last call for relocating plants and shrubs in the borders, mainly those encroaching on less vigorous neighbours or outgrowing their welcome in a certain spot.
I can't resist propagation opportunities as the growing season develops. Consequently, there’s always something rooting or maturing in the garden nursery bed or greenhouse propagating box.
Last week we were lifting healthy young shrubs, the product of hardwood stem cuttings taken two years ago. They included the rugosa rose ‘Roseraie de l’Hay’ and some pale pink ribes ‘Brocklebankii’, destined to be trained as standards.
The greenhouse propagating box is buzzing with activity. We’re moving trays of seeds on as quickly as possible after germination to create space for others. Half-hardy annuals, Begonia semperflorens and trailing lobelia, are now transferred to pots and adapting to the unheated, overnight environment.
The late morning sun can raise the greenhouse temperature to 20C (68F) but overnight frost may bring it down to 0C (32F).
So, partial ventilation early in the day combined with early afternoon shutdown minimises the fluctuation in temperature.
We must get the sweetcorn, courgettes and runner beans sown in warmth now. They need a good start here in the north. Meanwhile, peas, broad beans and onion sets on the staging are making good progress and will soon need bigger pots.
Each morning seems to reveal a new batch of seeds germinating.
Amazingly, the outdoor garden pinks have continued to offer sound and fragrant blooms for a vase throughout winter. Dwarf spring bulbs have been flowering and golden forsythia flowers were out earlier than usual. There’s lots to be cheerful about!