What a peculiar start to the New Year it’s been. No sooner had the great thaw arrived, melting the thick sheet ice that carpeted our escape route into civilisation as well as the whole garden too, than another band of snow has hit the garden.
Actually it looks very beautiful, but I am getting increasingly frustrated at the stolen garden and greenhouse time that this weather spells. It’s been weeks since we’ve seen the soil and when it was bare of snow, it didn’t last nearly long enough.
Fortunately the window in the weather provided the perfect chance to check on the greenhouse and garden.
There’s a real mix of plants in there. Most are pretty hardy but sheltering from temperature extremes.
Though they look a bit fazed by the cold snap, they will quickly recover to grow again in earnest next season. A short warm spell needs special care for greenhouse guests as it can spell the onset of fungal problems, especially on any dead material that lingers around your plants.
A quick check on all the plants, removing any dead leaves and debris can make all the difference, so I’ve been tidying up and adding the tiniest amount of luke warm water to one or two plants that have complete dried out.
Surprisingly the worst casualty seems to be the broad bean seedlings. The leaves are blackened and look ghastly, but I am hoping that things are a little healthier under the compost.
The winter lettuce looks amazing considering the temperatures and though I don’t much fancy salad in this cold weather it has inspired to start sowing in the greenhouse soon.
