Jan
2015
Signs of Spring
Even though Winter has been a mild one so far, I’m longing for sunshine, for staying up the allotment until 10pm, for flowers, bees and fresh peas straight from the pod. However, the first signs of Spring are starting to show and I noticed a little tulip tip poking out from the trough, just one of 58 tulip bulbs that I planted back in November. I cannot wait to see the trough full to the brim with beautiful tulips and to see all the bees buzzing happily around them!
I am pleased to say that the garlic has survived it’s first test, all 18 cloves have germinated and are sprouting above ground level. I have yet to make some cloches to cover the row of garlic, last year the crop pretty much failed due to the amount of rain we had (and the clay soil didn’t help either!) So this year I am being extra careful by placing a cloche over the single row so that I can control the amount of water the cloves get, that way they won’t be waterlogged, I’m hoping anyway! The variety that I am growing is called Provence and I brought the cloves from the Garlic Farm over on the Isle of Wight, surely if they can grow this variety successfully just across the water then I can too?
The broad beans have also successfully germinated and are safe and sound under their little netted tunnel. Luckily the mice didn’t run off with any of the seeds and the small seedings are safe from any hungry birds! I even sowed extra seeds just incase the mice were hungry but I’m guessing they were a tad upset after I evicted them from my shed, maybe they found a new plot to terrorise? I’ll have to thin the little seedlings out very soon, or move them somewhere else, I was only sowing one row simply because we had such a big glut of beans last year and plus my Dad is growing the next succession so it seemed silly to waste the space with unwanted veg.
Seeing these little signs of Spring on a cold and very windy day makes me even more excited for the warmer months. Hurry up Springtime!
Molinda
January 12, 2015 at 7:59 pm (2 months ago)Your post just made my day. As you painted a picture of spring with your words, I felt the knowing that the trees and grass will wake up soon! I am in Billings Montana now, and I plan to return to Tennessee for planting in May.
lance
January 12, 2015 at 9:04 pm (2 months ago)It’s 24 and windy in my Indiana home town. Tonight, it is expected to be -4. That’s Fahrenheit. Now, as the days grow longer, the cold grows stronger, so lower temps are expected. You are farther North than Indiana. Doesn’t it get cold where you are? Or, doesn’t the temp drop further in Jan and Feb? Shouldn’t you be wearing your mittens?
Sabrina
January 13, 2015 at 9:09 am (1 month ago)I can so relate.
I am waiting for spring, or at least next month when we can start sowing indoors. Winter here in the Netherlands has been dull, grey, rainy and stormy and just simply… bah! I need some green and color, please. In the meantime, I spend hours planning my planting scheme, balcony gardens require rigorous planning to get the most out of them and flipping through seed websites.
Have you watched the “Garden Revival” Series? They sure got me thinking… I want scent this year as well not just crops.
Cheers from Holland!
Foodie Laura
January 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm (1 month ago)I can’t wait for longer evenings either. It is exciting seeing a few signs of Spring creeping in.
Alena
January 16, 2015 at 8:25 pm (1 month ago)I just can’t wait for Spring now, it’s always been my favourite season but now I’m extra excited as it marks the beginning of my first proper “solo” growing year. Seeing your Silk Mix Tulips will be a highlight too, I’m sure they are bound to be just stunning xxxx
Lorraine
January 30, 2015 at 11:25 pm (4 weeks ago)Here here I totally agree about the longer nights! I love lighter evening when you can actually garden day and night ☺️