The weather here is still so changeable that I have decided to work in the shed and greenhouse. At least the cold wind that is about can't get you in there!
My hanging baskets have never been very successful here. The site is exposed so often suffers cold winds. We are also South facing so the heat can often be quite intense. For several years I have grown the plants from seed, potted them on, then put them into baskets, nurtured them for several more weeks, and then put them out. Within four or five weeks they look messy and and a bit battered. This year I have taken a different approach. I have put herbs that I grew last year in the baskets and then put nasturtium seeds dotted amongst them. It took me all of a couple of hours, rather than two months of work. I don't know if they will be successful but at least they have cost me very little in time and money.
I have put the Auriculas in the greenhouse to save their pretty blooms being damaged by the wind and rain.They are looking really lovely. Also their are some tubs of summer bulbs and they are just starting to peep through the soil. I must say this spring has been cruel for the plants and the wildlife. I have noticed a drop in nesting behaviour, have seen very few butterflies, and a lot of the mason bees have not left the unit. I hope the weather will just get a little warmer and give nature the helping hand it needs.
10 comments:
Is it still cold with you Cheryl? Here we have had 4 days of warm weather (around 20 C) so far and everything is growing like mad. But April has been cruel too (and so was March) with many a devastating night frost and some snow too. Today I saw a blue butterfly, the first one this year.
What a pity you've had such hard luck with hanging baskets, wind can be much worse than just heat for the plants. Hopefully your new appraoch will meet with more success.
It is still cold Yolanda. At the moment it is raining and it is icy rain. I must say I feel a little fed up with the weather today, unusual for me. I am glad that you are feeling the warmth of the sunshine and hope that it stays with you. How wonderful to see a blue butterfly, they are so pretty.
Hanging baskets have been such a problem, so fingers crossed this year.
I'm sorry the weather is still so cold for you. The weather here has been quite warm the last few days, so warm that my daffodils have all drooped and started to dry up. How fortunate you are, though, to have a greenhouse to work in.
Cheryl, just read your reply to me from yesterday--yes, we do have nasturtiums here. But I've never grown them, and I've never seen them in such a lovely shade of yellow. Looking at the header photo again, I just now noticed the bee in the middle of the bloom! I need to slow down and be more observant.
Hope you and Mr Practical are well. David busy putting tractor clutch together - covered in oil!
Lovely pictures as usual lovely words as well.
Yes it is nice to work in the greenhouse. I love the smell as you open the door, fresh clean soil, also its lovely and warm.
We still have some daffodils, probably because it has been so cold.
If you would like some of the pale lemon nasturtium seeds just let me know Rose.
Hi Earthman.....We are well. David is never happier than when he is covered in oil, its a man thing.
Tks re photos and words, glad you enjoy them.
Cheryl, your new header is beautiful! and a bee too! Your greenhouse looks lovely(envy!) and maybe soon you can bring out your baskets. Sounds like you have a good plan for them. What are those black metal things in the background? They look so interesting. You will be happy to know our ornamental cherry has been full of honey bees. Last year I only saw big black and yellow ones. Have been trying to get pictures clear enough to post for you! Hope your weather clears soon. BTW-need any toads for your garden?
Hi Beckie would absolutely love to see the honey bees. Cherish them.
The metal things in the backgroud is shelving. Mr practical made them of course. Its so that I have plenty of space to pot up and store things, he thinks of everything.
I would love some toads, pity they don't travel well.!!!
Too bad I can't send you some of our warmth. It has felt more like summer here the past couple of days. I am longing for some cooler spring weather. Maybe the rain will bring us some cooler weather this weekend.
I hate to hear that you don't have luck with hanging pots. I don't either but I can't blame the wind.
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