Yesterday at a Gardeners' Question Time recording it was amazing to hear that Eric's Cumbrian plot had only had 5cm of snow. Not so here in Hampshire.
Yesterday at a Gardeners' Question Time recording it was amazing to hear that Eric's Cumbrian plot had only had 5cm of snow. Not so here in Hampshire. The snow is 45-60cm deep and the icicles more than 1m long!
What have I been up to during the snowy weather? Well, For the first time in many years, I've heeded the advice to 'knock snow off branches of favourite trees and shrubs'. It's well worth doing this, especially if the snow is piled on and starting to thaw, because when partially melted snow refreezes, another layer can settle on top.
I've also tried to ensure that the wild birds have a plentiful supply of food and unfrozen water.
My garlic is a worry, especially those cloves that were planted only a few weeks before the snow arrived. Some have been pushed out of the soil by the freeze, and are probably done for. Luckily most rows were covered with fleece or net-covered cloches, which are now bowed down with snow. I won't knock the snow off as it's acting like an insulating blanket, and also reducing the wind-chill factor.
The soil is completely inaccessible, so I'll venture into the greenhouse to start some early veg sowing. If you're planning to do that yourself, remember to bring compost and some water into a warm spot first, to thaw and warm. Otherwise you'll have a rigid lump of compost, no use for anything!
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