GARDENER'S WORD

It may only be early January but my treasured red pelargoniums, which I like to grow in a sunny trough under my living room window, and which I potted up for overwintering indoors, are producing a few flowers on a more or less east facing window bottom.  That's not the brightest aspect for pelargoniums and they do love the sun, but all the same they are doing well.  Now and then, when it is sunny outside, like yesterday, I move them onto the living room window bottom.  I make space for them by moving some of glass ornaments and give my plants a good dose of the sun's energy.  Why don't I put them outside in the sun?  Because it is still far too cold and the change in temperature would shock them.  Why don't I keep them there, on the south/west window bottom?  Because there is a huge double radiator running under the entire length of the window and the plants wouldn't be able to tolerate the intense heat when it's on and heating the room....

After weeks of mild temperatures and flood-causing rain here in West Yorkshire, we have been warned that colder weather is approaching.  My garden plants don't know what time of year it is, with temperatures occasionally in double figures.  Although leaves have fallen off many of the climbing plants, many of the penstemons are still lush and green and there is the odd rose in bloom.  Next week though sub-zero temperatures are forecast and my thoughts have turned to those more tender plants stored in my two mini-greenhouses.  One has two covers on it; a clear one and a strong clear and green outer one.  I've been out today and put a second jacket on the other mini-greenhouse.  Mini-greenhouses with plants for overwintering Inside, under protection, there are still leaves on the flat Italian parsley, the marjoram, thyme, and other small herbs are clearly not dormant, and the fuchsias in the four hanging baskets which were cut back and de-leafed, have l...

I took this photograph, using my iPhone 5s, while strolling around the Royal Horticultural Society greenhouse at Harlow Carr nearly two weeks before Christmas.  It's now January 1, 2016 with the old year behind and the promise of spring ahead.  Spring, my favourite time of year.  Imagine!  Imagine being able to grow to juicy fruition oranges, and lemons, and limes too, in your very own conservatory, picking the acid fruits when all outside is frosty and white as it was today.  Citrus orange, RHS Harlow Carr, 16 Dec 2015 Happy New Year - 2016!