Usually, after spending an hour or so in the garden at this time of year, I get a clear sense of how all the plants are doing. This time, though, there were conflicting signals.
I recently undertook a spot of tidying in one of my flowerbeds. Generally I avoid clearing up too early in winter, and I don’t remove too much old growth, as retaining it can limit plant damage during late-winter cold snaps.
Usually, after spending an hour or so outdoors at this time of year, I get a clear sense of seasonal progress, and whether plant growth is early or late. This time, though, there were conflicting signals. Trees and shrubs bore plumper buds than I would have expected in late January, some of the raspberry canes were already in growth and the aphid population in the greenhouse was thriving. But the bulbs seemed further behind than usual. One solitary snowdrop was in bloom, with no sign of its companions, and the daffodils, which often appear early here, were nowhere to be seen.
When they do finally emerge, I’m worried the bulbs will suffer if the freezing temperatures return. So, I’ve been mounding some loose, light wood and bark chippings around the crowns, as a protective measure. This means that I must keep the hens away from the border when they’re roaming free. There is, it would seem, nowhere better to find hen snacks than in carefully mounded mulch.
We might not have experienced the last of the cold weather, but it is heartening to see the sun when it does come out. Tomorrow, anticipating the arrival of spring, I will pay a visit the garden centre. Included on my shopping list will be seed potatoes, which are sold loose, by the kilo, enabling me to buy the exact amount I need, with no wastage. Such activity helps me feel that winter really will come to an end…
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