Let's pretend it's spring In a Vase on Monday

Last week we were wearing 5 layers and the bitter winds went right through them, this weekend we were out in shirt sleeves! 
I'm sure we are not out of the woods yet but let's pretend that it is Spring.

Last autumn, very late, I bought a pack of hyacinth bulbs - possibly reduced. I planted each on in a separate pot and kept them in my polytunnel. When the first buds showed I brought three into the house. They never got terribly tall perhaps as they were kept cool. I've enjoyed them for weeks and these are the last three. They have smelt delicious in the house and polytunnel. Well worth the few pounds .

Also some nameless Narcissus, primula and Corydalis foliage. I brought the willow twigs in a few weeks ago. I don't remember doing it but now they have dainty flowers. 


For plenty of creative and colourful vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a vase on Monday.  

Ducks in a bowl on Monday

I did find these in my garden but I will not be bringing them in to enhance my home. 

I just wanted to congratulate Cathy on 6 years of blogging and hopefully make you smile with this picture. 
The ducks' pond is frozen but they dive into this bowl instead and you can see how the water freezes instantly. There are icicles round the outside. They don't seem to care but it makes me chilly just looking. Sometimes they both get in together.
The sun has come out and snow is melting but I think it will be a few days before the largest drifts are gone. 
Thanks Cathy (Rambling in the Garden) for inspiring us and letting us follow your garden developments. 

Surprise posy In a Vase on Monday

Surprise as I wasn't expecting to find anything much to go in my vase. Instead I was able to pick a cheerful posy which promises that spring might be coming. 

I knew the Tete-a-Tete narcissus were flowering and the hellebores have revived after their covering of snow. 

In remember this one being particularly pretty last year and it has thrown up more flowers this year so hopefully it is settling in. 

Mahonia flowers add some scent and pulmonaria some lovely blue and pink. They too suffered but are rallying. 
Many of the evergreen shrubs are looking worse for wear but this reliable Ceanothus was able to provide some green foliage.

I'm joining in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and her inventive band of followers who always have something creative to show In a Vase on Monday. 
I have the luxury of time for posting this morning rather than rushing off to work. MrC and I have the week off so there is no excuse for not having the garden whipped into shape by next weekend. The list of jobs is long so we will see how that goes. 

Forsythia In a Vase on Monday

We thought spring might be on the way. Wrong.
Instead of sowing seeds and planting bulbs we had snowdrifts. Happily they are melting now so we are back to the mud of early February. 
Luckily I'd brought in some more twigs of Forsythia two weeks ago and now they are just right for a vase having opened up in the warm. 

I should add that the Forsythia I cut about a month ago has only just dropped it's petals, very good value at this difficult time of year.  Everything else looks pretty sad and we will have to wait and see what has survived the week of -5 temperatures and bitter winds.  

The strong winds made pretty drifts. This is my front bed completely covered in snow. 

And a solitary crocus blooming in the midst. The grass needs a good cut but who knows when it will be dry enough?

For plenty of varied vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.

Adventures in a Poly Tunnel - February 2018

We've been thinking that spring was just around the corner and dreaming of sowing seeds and planting summer bulbs but winter had another trick to play and, wow, has it been cold. 
The early part of the month was dominated by rain. It rained constantly and mud was the problem. The rain stopped the sun came out and we enjoyed some warm(ish) days. Then temperatures plummeted and now we have not been above -5 at night for about a week and day time has also been below zero and now we are knee deep in snow. Don't forget the strong winds, we've had plenty of those too. 
I just have to wait and see what has survived. The tunnel gives no protection against these temperatures, even the water in the water butt freezes. 
There is much less to say about the plants than the weather. I was just gearing up to start sowing and planting but now everything is on hold and I'm glad I waited. 

 On one of the warmer days I replanted these strawberries in rows, weeding and feeding as well. 

 Broad beans before the big freeze. I am confident they will survive.

 The kale is starting to go to seed but there is still lots to eat and last year we ate the flowers like purple sprouting broccoli and they were very sweet. 

 A brave soul. 

Tulips just coming up. I think these are Angelique and I can't wait!

Dizzy

Arthur with the Winter Sunshine sweet peas. Now frozen as well.

Pest control. This was last week. You will laugh when I tell you that I've shut the ducks in the tunnel for the last few days. The wind has been cruel and their water freezes instantly outside. Even in the tunnel ice forms on the bowls I filled for them but they dive in regardless. Brrr.

We are still able to harvest kale, rocket, lettuce and spring onions when they are not frozen. 

Temps
Daytime high +30 ∘C again I often only have doors at one end open. 
Nightime low -5.5 ∘C