January is a fairly quiet time in my garden. Whilst there are a lot of behind the scenes preparations going on with my notebooks and pencils, actual time out in the garden is limited to an hour here and there when the weather is fine. My last list of jobs was posted in December and seems a long time ago now.
I do spend quite a lot of time walking around with the dogs and cat, observing the garden and listening to the birds who are starting to make their presence known again. Yesterday I took advantage of a sunny interval to walk around the boundaries and take a few photos which I am sharing with you today.
First up are Nelson and Ruby sharing an affectionate moment.
Here is a rosebud I spotted on a patio rose in a pot near the house. This rose flowered very early last year and looks set to do the same again this year.
In the autumn of 2011 I purchased a number of young trees that were planted around the garden to fill out some bare spots. Whilst most are still looking like sticks this curly willow is really beginning to settle in and bulk out. Its coloured waving stems are beautiful.
I was amazed yesterday to find the first shoots of rhubarb popping up above their layer of compost. I have decided to treat myself to a terracotta rhubarb forcer this year, so need to add ordering it to the garden list asap – I do not want a layer of snow to fall and ruin these precious shoots. Note the mulch of garden compost in the picture – there will be more about that in my next post in the series about Managing An Organic Vegetable Garden.
So, jobs to do this week. On my list are:
- Order sweet peas – I have completed this and the list is here.
- Order a terracotta rhubarb forcer. I think I will get this one from Crocus.
- Order dahlias from Rose Cottage Plants – I have made a list but need to finalise my plans
- Check stored dahlia tubers to make sure none are rotting
- Order flower seeds for the Cutting Garden
- Dig up some clumps of snowdrop bulbs to put in pots and bring into the house to flower in cool spots
- Remove any remaining leaves from hellebores to reveal the growing flowers.
Finally, I was reading Ingrid’s blog Of Spring and Summer this morning and she included this link to Gardenista, which is about forcing Lily of the Valley. I have never thought about trying to get Lily of the Valley to flower indoors and am keen to give it a go. I have some pips in pots in the cold frames that were not planted out last year, so I have brought a few pots into my warm kitchen to see what happens.
I will let you know if I have any success.
Fabulous willow stems!
Thank you Annette – I am really enjoying the colour they add to the garden at this time if year.
I like the terracotta rhubarb forcer – didn’t know you could get something like that.
I only need a new rhubarb plant first… π
Love Nina
I will post some pictures when it arrives. You must get a rhubarb plant – if you were closer I would give you some of mine – I have enough to feed a village!
Now that you are making your list so public we can nag you until you get everything done! I forced rhubarb for the first time last year – it was lovely!
That is the idea Cathy! Making a public list is very motivational but it doesn’t always work. I have only just planted my garlic despite putting it on the list before Christmas. Gardening is all ups and downs though – my garlic may not come to anything but hopefully I will have great forced rhubarb this year!
Hi Julie,
Love the image of your sweet cat and dog!
Thanks for the mention in your blog post. I’m glad you discovered Gardenista – what a great blog.
Good luck with the LIly of the Valley project. I haven’t tried it myself – so please let me know how it worked out for you.
xoxo Ingrid
Thank you Ingrid – I can report that after three days the first shoots are breaking through the soil. I am astonished!! I will keep you posted.
Julie xx
You sound most organised Julie π A brilliant photo of those colourful willow stems and also of your four legged companions. I have a feeling that affectionate gestures probably originate more from dog than cat but could be mistaken.
You will be surprised to learn that the gesture originates with Ruby the cat!! I know this is very unusual, but she is constantly making up to Nelson. She also follows me around the garden and comes running if I call her – I think she might be confused about her origins.