My gardening view is full of spring colour from the many bulbs I planted last autumn. It’s one of my least favourite gardening jobs but was well worth the effort.
The display under the old apple tree is better than ever this year thanks to the added crocus and daffodils. There are still a few gaps and more bulbs will be planted this year.
I try to get a mix of colours here, starting with the snowdrops, but something keeps attacking the yellow crocus. Birds and possibly the pheasants that have taken up residence in the garden are the prime suspects.
I managed to find some more ‘February Silver’ daffodils last autumn at the Malvern Plant and Garden Fair. I love this daff for its pale colour and dainty habit. It’s not commonly sold so I buy some every time I find it.
I’ve also planted up lots more pots of bulbs this year. These are on tables and the kitchen windowsill. They’ve been a really cheerful addition to the view from the sink!
When the crocus, snowdrops and muscari are finished, I will plant them out in the garden and put fresh bulbs in the pots for next year.
Not all the pots have been completely successful. A pan filled with Iris reticulata – ‘Katherine’s Gold’ and ‘Katherine Hodgkin’ – has so far produced just two blooms, one of each variety. I’m hoping the rest will flower together to produce the massed effect I wanted.
The hellebores are still going strong – such good value plants. I’ve added a few more that I found on my recent trip to Painswick Rococo Garden.
My gardening view in the vegetable garden is one of preparing for the new season. I’ve been clearing the beds and putting down a thick layer of mulch. I’m using Dalefoot’s Lakeland Gold after the success last year on my new deck beds. Although it’s good for opening up clay soils, it’s also ideal for spring and autumn mulching. I hope the veg grows as well as the dahlias did!
The garlic is coming along well, despite it being a much harsher winter than last year. I have to grow it under this cage to stop the wildlife pulling it up. A definite downside to being on the edge of the countryside.
I planted just a few broad beans last autumn and will do more this month. They’re looking a little weather battered but will recover. Putting a cloche over them has helped to protect them from the worst of the weather. I kept it open at both ends so they didn’t get too soft.
I am rather pleased with the progress of this early cabbage. I bought plug plants from a local nursery last autumn as I didn’t have any seed to sow. They’ve stood up to the winter well and we should be harvesting soon.
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