Very hard frost last night , greenhouse went down to minus 3-8 , so the outside temperature is at least 2 degrees lower Sunny is shining so we are cutting wood for the fire
-12C to start the day, and this weekend is expected to be around -18C overnight, -8C during the day. These are normal temps for late January into February, and usually lasts for a few weeks. This year, just one week of it so far; we've been well above average for most of the winter so this was overdue. Between the snow and rain events, I'm amazed there's even any snow pack left; this morning it sits at 9 inches, which is an excellent insulating blanket for the gardens. Inside, the verbena bonariensis seeds have started to sprout. The packet contained more than enough seed, so what was stuck to the paper towel after sowing what I could into a tray, I took out to my big planter and laid on the dirt, then covered it with snow. We'll see if they sprout that way. I have a small celery plant in a pot that I started this fall from a stub of grocery store celery and it's doing very well, so I've started another. Usually I just leave the stubs in water until mid April, when I can work the soil in my raised beds and plant them out. I'm wondering if having them potted in the house first will yield thicker stalks. Years past, the stalks from stubs I've planted have been thin, but the flavor has been excellent. I've ordered petunia seeds to start for my mother in March, and have leftover impatiens and pansy seeds. I think that's all I will do for inside sowing this year.
New England, USA
Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
Ground & pots are frozen solid I still have some daffodils in packets to put in a pot hope they will be ok? & a rose on the fence I need to prune but it’s been bitter outside then there’s gales and rain forecast for the weekend don’t know when I’ll get it done! Fed the birds today and they seemed very appreciative.
Unfortunately I left three potted cyclamens outside on the kitchen windowsill which look rather dead. I've bought them into the warmth of the kitchen, hoping that they might perk up, but at £10 for four, from last October, they've been remarkable value. Today is supposed to be the last cold day but with high winds and rain coming in at the weekend. Hoping for some time outside, even if it's just walking around inspecting.
Batten down the hatches. The front of the storm is already blowing. Apart from taking the dog for an extra long walk yesterday, I did nothing in the house or garden. My neighbour managed to turn off the water supply flooding my front area. The amaryllis bulb I was given for Christmas is beginning to open, a lovely dark red. The second bud is close behind the first with a third bud emerging from the neck. I found a pan of miniature iris bulbs just showing their noses when having my bonfire. A promise of some colour to come in a few weeks.
6F (-14C) to start the day, but with the wind the real feel is -6F (-21C). A bit nippy! Monday should see the return of temperatures at or just above freezing, so that will be welcomed. Ordered my seed potatoes yesterday; Red Luna and Kennebec. Last year I grew Yukon Gold in a stock tank planter and they did well, but I think the excessively wet and cold spring we had may have affected the yield and size. I noticed the potatoes were very starchy, I'm not sure if that was a result of too much water? This year I want to try grow bags. I also ordered raspberry plants - Joan J. It's a thornless and everbearing variety. I've only ever foraged for raspberries, so this will be another new experience. Last year I tried to grow mini pumpkins so they would use my upended hay ring as a trellis, but the weather did a number on the plants and they didn't grow much. This year I'm going to try cucumbers instead, and ordered a package of seeds for a miniature variety. This is the terrible thing about long, cold, snow covered winters; there is far too much time to peruse seed catalogs and surf the web for plant bargains!
New England, USA
Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
I tried to empty 2 teracotta pots today to see if any bulbs had survived from last year & if not to plant my daffs but the pots were still frozen solid so the daffs have gone back in their packet!
Storm Isha is just starting to make its presence felt here with gusty winds, tomorrow windy then wet doubt the pots will unfreeze for a while yet. CrankyYanky you have some lovely ideas and lots of plans! I’ll just be happy when I can get my daffodils in a pot 🤣
CrankieYankie if you are going to try grow bags for potatoes it is a good idea to obtain a length of plastic pipe from somewhere. Drill holes in it and place down the centre of the grow bag. This ensures water reaches all areas of the bag including the bottom as you build up the bag with whatever you are using as the potatoe stems grow.
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Sunny is shining so we are cutting wood for the fire
Fed the birds today and they seemed very appreciative.
Today is supposed to be the last cold day but with high winds and rain coming in at the weekend. Hoping for some time outside, even if it's just walking around inspecting.
Lovely and sunny today but rather cold , No gardening today
The amaryllis bulb I was given for Christmas is beginning to open, a lovely dark red. The second bud is close behind the first with a third bud emerging from the neck. I found a pan of miniature iris bulbs just showing their noses when having my bonfire. A promise of some colour to come in a few weeks.
CrankyYanky you have some lovely ideas and lots of plans! I’ll just be happy when I can get my daffodils in a pot 🤣