What We’ve Missed with an Extended Winter
Usually by February I’m dashing outside ready to take in the limited sunshine. In previous years, occasionally, February has thrown up some unseasonal days where the sun has shone brightly leaving gardeners feeling pretty smug.
Unfortunately this didn’t happen this year and just as we thought it was safe to start planning out planting out the snow arrived again, this time with ten foot high snowdrifts making it impossible to venture out.
Jobs We May Have Missed this Spring
Getting Out There
Over the past week though it has gradually become a little warmer and now it’s actually pleasant. Already I’ve ordered my plug plants and have planned a weekend of potting yet when I stepped into the garden yesterday evening I was amazed with what I saw.
The Frost Hasn’t Stopped the Flowers Growing
It seems although I’ve been a bit lazy and slow to tend to the garden this year this hasn’t stopped my plants. As I’ve been writing and fantasizing about what to do when spring finally comes, they’ve been taking over!
The daffodils are spent but the tulips are in full force, I’d completely forgotten I’d spent a day last year planted 300 bulbs! Then the herbs are coming back and are already ready to pick, while the frosts and snow haven’t put off any of the perennials.
Amazingly the Lupins have already doubled in size and for some reason, although I’ve never before seen success with these, the delphiniums are coming back. I’ve always viewed these as an annual more than a perennial as they seem so prone to cold temperatures.
The Legume Loss
Sadly, the peas and beans I planted in November are nowhere to be seen. I was following a tip for early crops, which claimed that if planted in late autumn they’ll start growing as soon as the temperature is optimum. It’s a shame as there’s nothing better than munching on fresh peas as you take a tour around your garden.
Everything else seems fine though, the rosemary has survived, the begonias are flourishing and heathers I transplanted at the end of last year seem to be doing well. Last month I was thoroughly disappointed when I realised the frost had attacked my rhubarb, leaving the stalks mushy and inedible but it’s growing again so I will have my rhubarb crumble soon. As it will be summer by the time I enjoy it, I may make rhubarb compote and serve it with a crème brulee instead!