This week is probably the first week that I am sitting at the computer with no idea at all what I am going to talk about. Usually I have a notion of a particular topic to write about. But I think I must be suffering from potting blindness if there is such a thing.
When I’m potting up the summer bedding my mind tends to empty of all things, including remembering to eat and drink, the only factor that forces me into the house is when the light goes in the evening. The streetlight isn’t quite strong enough for me to differentiate between a seedling and a weed. I have thought about getting a light fitted but if I did that then I would probably not see the family until the end of summer!
I’ve made a bit more room in the tunnel by moving the Ten-week Stocks outside to brave the elements. They are classed as hardy biennials so they should be alright. I did make a slight error of judgment last week by putting out a few trays of tender perennials, the leaves of most of the plants have discoloured, which does them no harm but it does make them less attractive to look at for a while. The biggest disaster was the trailing ground ivy that are so popular in hanging baskets, these were looking wonderful under protection, but the cold north wind has checked them right back a day or two after they were put outside. They will emerge again but they wouldn’t sell in that condition. It’s a good job that there are some more still inside the tunnel that are still looking good. I tend not to put all of the plants out just in case something like this happens.
Having the heated propagator and heat in the tunnel has put me a month ahead establishing the summer bedding plants compared to last year, but I think caution is needed if they are to go outside. If you are starting early with the summer bedding it may be worth your while keeping an eye on the weather forecast for a while yet.
I’ve started to make up a few hanging baskets this week. I’ve opted for the biodegradable green mesh in favour of sphagnum moss again this year. One reason is that I don’t feel comfortable taking it from the hills as it is a natural resource and some creatures need it for their survival. Another reason is that slugs are sometimes hiding inside and pop out at night to munch on the lobelia! The main reason though is that I am obsessively tidy in the tunnel and when I have made the baskets the moss and pine needles drop all over the floor and on the young plants underneath, I spent half my time on my hands and knees with a dustpan and brush. It’s a strange reason really taking into consideration that my two lads have just bought themselves a pet rabbit and I’m ankle deep in sawdust and meadow hay at the moment, but in the house I don’t mind a bit of chaos. (It’s just this second dawned on me that rabbits eat plants, how on earth did the kids talk me into having a rabbit? Put it down to potting blindness!)
Anyway, back to the hanging baskets - If you are lucky enough to be able to hang them up in a bright, frost free place then an early start can be made getting them established. The tender perennials that I just mentioned can be put in as well as plants such as Fuchsia. These plants can flourish at this time of the year and the basket will be ready for the tender plants such as geraniums petunias and begonias in a few weeks time
On a final note, have you been through Buncrana recently? The spring planting around the roundabout at Fruit of the Loom is looking at it’s best with hundreds of yellow daffodils and the polyanthus and primulas are in their full glory. Some of the pansies look a bit sad at the side of the road; this is due to the salt being thrown onto the road during the last icy spell, the casualties of road safety, but you don’t even notice those with all the colour. The spring colour doesn’t stop there, all along the main roads heading through town along the shorefront and on the Cockhill Road there are colourful planters, tulips, new rose beds and freshly planted trees, you wouldn’t recognize the place. I’d like to thank the council for making the money available to improve the town, it is money very well spent. I have had loads of people comment on how the early colour has lifted their spirit. And of course I couldn’t leave without thanking the hard work and imagination of George and his trusty companion. I’m looking forward to see how colourful the summer planting will be; it might give me some ideas!
Well I must apologize, I’ve been sitting in front of the computer for a while now and I still can’t think of anything to write. Maybe I will be back to my normal self next week
Horticultural.
When I’m potting up the summer bedding my mind tends to empty of all things, including remembering to eat and drink, the only factor that forces me into the house is when the light goes in the evening. The streetlight isn’t quite strong enough for me to differentiate between a seedling and a weed. I have thought about getting a light fitted but if I did that then I would probably not see the family until the end of summer!
I’ve made a bit more room in the tunnel by moving the Ten-week Stocks outside to brave the elements. They are classed as hardy biennials so they should be alright. I did make a slight error of judgment last week by putting out a few trays of tender perennials, the leaves of most of the plants have discoloured, which does them no harm but it does make them less attractive to look at for a while. The biggest disaster was the trailing ground ivy that are so popular in hanging baskets, these were looking wonderful under protection, but the cold north wind has checked them right back a day or two after they were put outside. They will emerge again but they wouldn’t sell in that condition. It’s a good job that there are some more still inside the tunnel that are still looking good. I tend not to put all of the plants out just in case something like this happens.
Having the heated propagator and heat in the tunnel has put me a month ahead establishing the summer bedding plants compared to last year, but I think caution is needed if they are to go outside. If you are starting early with the summer bedding it may be worth your while keeping an eye on the weather forecast for a while yet.
I’ve started to make up a few hanging baskets this week. I’ve opted for the biodegradable green mesh in favour of sphagnum moss again this year. One reason is that I don’t feel comfortable taking it from the hills as it is a natural resource and some creatures need it for their survival. Another reason is that slugs are sometimes hiding inside and pop out at night to munch on the lobelia! The main reason though is that I am obsessively tidy in the tunnel and when I have made the baskets the moss and pine needles drop all over the floor and on the young plants underneath, I spent half my time on my hands and knees with a dustpan and brush. It’s a strange reason really taking into consideration that my two lads have just bought themselves a pet rabbit and I’m ankle deep in sawdust and meadow hay at the moment, but in the house I don’t mind a bit of chaos. (It’s just this second dawned on me that rabbits eat plants, how on earth did the kids talk me into having a rabbit? Put it down to potting blindness!)
Anyway, back to the hanging baskets - If you are lucky enough to be able to hang them up in a bright, frost free place then an early start can be made getting them established. The tender perennials that I just mentioned can be put in as well as plants such as Fuchsia. These plants can flourish at this time of the year and the basket will be ready for the tender plants such as geraniums petunias and begonias in a few weeks time
On a final note, have you been through Buncrana recently? The spring planting around the roundabout at Fruit of the Loom is looking at it’s best with hundreds of yellow daffodils and the polyanthus and primulas are in their full glory. Some of the pansies look a bit sad at the side of the road; this is due to the salt being thrown onto the road during the last icy spell, the casualties of road safety, but you don’t even notice those with all the colour. The spring colour doesn’t stop there, all along the main roads heading through town along the shorefront and on the Cockhill Road there are colourful planters, tulips, new rose beds and freshly planted trees, you wouldn’t recognize the place. I’d like to thank the council for making the money available to improve the town, it is money very well spent. I have had loads of people comment on how the early colour has lifted their spirit. And of course I couldn’t leave without thanking the hard work and imagination of George and his trusty companion. I’m looking forward to see how colourful the summer planting will be; it might give me some ideas!
Well I must apologize, I’ve been sitting in front of the computer for a while now and I still can’t think of anything to write. Maybe I will be back to my normal self next week
Horticultural.
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