Sunday, April 14, 2013
Mark and Gaz
Spring preparation of the garden is definitely now in full swing starting this weekend, the first weekend in a very long time that felt truly warm (well relatively speaking, considering the British norm) and spring like.
A type of weekend and weather that has been overdue, long overdue. I'm grateful that spring seems to have finally arrived but the effects of its late arrival are definitely there and still feels a bit strange (more on that later...).
So this is the view of the garden for most of the weekend, coming out from the back door and into the top patio nearest to the house. I have featured this view a couple of times (One and Two) before hence the title being number three already.
 |
| Some plants are now out, so are the tools... |
There's always an element of theatrics to any garden especially during the growing season, from spring till early autumn and there is lots of preparation in the run up to it (and ongoing during that period although usually not as intense). If I had a magic wand I could just have waved it and everything would be tidied up and look ready for the warmer months but alas such a thing doesn't exist.
 |
| Old fronds of ground ferns have all been removed, ready for their fresh and new ones to make this area lush again. |
But would gardening be as enjoyable if maintenance and preparation could be done so instantly? I don't think so, and with that thought I'm glad that magic wand doesn't exist (actually it does, it's called 'hiring a gardener'). A huge part of the appreciation for gardening is the enjoyment of its continuing process.
 |
| Even the ducks have been enjoying the water and sun earlier today! |
So with that in mind, bits and pieces are scattered here and there temporarily. Some areas are tidy already whilst others still needs some attention. And whilst you do more, you spot more that needs extra attention you didn't anticipate before and the 'to do' list gets even longer...
 |
| Pots of bananas, Musa basjoo and Musa sikkimensis acclimatising to life outside. We need to decide whereto place them this year. |
But we'll get there. we always do. Most gardeners do.
And whilst pottering this weekend three thoughts stood out in mind on why spring this year feels a bit strange.
First, it's almost the middle of April and a lot of deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennials are still dormant. Or at least just in bud. Usually they are in leaf or have sprouted by now but no not this time. So despite what the calendar says it feels like we're gardening in the middle of March rather April.
 |
| A curious sight in the garden, Rheum palmatum leafing out. |
Second, decision making regarding planting schemes and the fate of some plants (those that were damaged by the winter) has to be delayed longer than usual.
Third, we haven't visited any nursery or plant fair since February. Usually we've visited two to three by now but not this year (actually we did visit Crews Hill Gardening Club last Easter weekend but it's not really a nursery as such, more like a garden centre).
Blame it all on the weather.
 |
| This fern one is raring to escape the pot and into the ground (Sphenomeris chinensis) |
But the warm-ish weather has finally arrived and spring is going to explode. With everything delayed here, spring burst of life is going to be compressed in a short period of time rather than in a succession like in most years. Is it going to be a dramatic spectacle to behold, or a manic and rushed event that you are likely to miss some of them in a blink of an eye?
We'll have to wait and see, it may happen any moment now. It can even happen this coming week (whilst we're at work, oops!).
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I don't see much disarray there, but then I guess all things are relative. And that gives you some idea of the shape my garden is in.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ricki, now is a good time to give the plants a thorough inspection, to see if they are fine or not will need extra attention.
DeleteGlad to see the ducks are enjoying the spring!! :) The rheum looks amazing - love the colour.
ReplyDeleteLoved the ducks, we think they're good fun!
DeleteThat first shot of your garden from the deck is beautiful! Jeannine
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeannine!
DeleteWith moving your plants back into the garden from their Winter shelter, it must be great to rediscover old friends, reorganise plants and tweek your garden design. Have fun getting it all ready.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Missy :) it was nice to see them again. It is a gradual process and for most of it it is good fun and worthwhile doing.
DeleteI can't imagine how those plants left on the ground were able to make it through your long winter. Everybody from the temperate countries tell of the long winter and delayed development in plants, i feel that is the opposite here. Some plants flowering or flushing came earlier than the months or conditions associated with them. My plant physiology knowledge become so much challenged, and i can't explain most of the phenomena. Climate wrecked havoc on the plant hormones, i think!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea, most of them just go dormant over winter and wake up again once warmer weather arrives. It's just the past winter dragged on far longer than usual hence everything got delayed too. They should all start waking up now :)
DeleteYour ducks are wonderful and that kind won't try to eat your koi! I'm with Ricki in not seeing any disarray in your garden, but then I've got pots sitting in beds, pots still inside various rooms of the house, and gaggles of pots purchased over the last few months at plant sales and nursery visits covering several surfaces in my garden. Your garden looks positively tidy in comparison!
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter! And you have also given me an idea, must feature our 'pot ghetto' area one of these days, perhaps soon:)
DeleteI've been thinking on exactly some of the topics you mention. The desire to have that magic wand, but then considering what exactly it is that I'd be wishing away, pretty much everything that is gardening in the spring and why would I want to give that up?! It is so easy to get overwhelmed by the shear magnitude of all that lies ahead (especially when you're getting a late start) but as you say eventually it will all get done...here's to that! (and to that fist warm evening enjoying a meal on your patio...)
ReplyDeleteAl Fresco dining on a warm and sunny day or early evening, the good life, can't wait! We had our first meal out in the garden last Sunday, yay! Although the food were cooked indoors as our new, compact (and a bargain!) BBQ wasn't assembled then. We might get lucky and get the chance for our first BBQ of the year in the following days.
DeleteDefinitely agree with you, I think it is mostly in the tidying up and preparation in spring that adds a lot to the enjoyment of gardening :)
First time in your blog and absolutely mesmerized by your garden, there is hardly any disarray there, there is only array of beautiful natural colors. Great and inspiring effort.
ReplyDeleteThank you Aron, lovely words :)
DeleteGlad to know spring has finally arrived for you. It's been a long slog, hasn't it?
ReplyDeleteYour potted plants look great! Even your bananas are leafed out already. It must have been significantly warmer where they were kept over the winter.
Can't wait to see what the season will bring for you.
It has been indeed Gerhard, long and dragging!
DeleteThe bananas in pots are mostly new this year, bought them during the early year sales and they were massively price reduced :)
So looking forward to the coming growing season, excited even!
A gardeners work is never done! but you're right - if we blink we might miss Spring! The garden from the back door looks so inviting :)
ReplyDeleteNever done indeed Rosie :) we must keep a close eye on the spring this year, its set to happen so quick!
DeleteIt does feel more like mid March doesn't it. I think I am half expecting to wake up one morning and find that suddenly, overnight, all the fat buds on the otherwise bare branches have suddenly opened into fresh jewel-bright leaves. In the mean time I am flitting from task to task trying not to think too much about how much more needs doing, and how much less time I have to do it in, before May madness hits and suddenly everything is growing full steam ahead and I find myself forgetting that there is a beach to enjoy, cliffs to walk, a boat to play in... But I wouldn't miss it and hire a gardener for the world...
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, in a strange sort of way I'm also grateful for the delayed spring, its given us a chance to do some catching up on some spring jobs that we couldn't do once plants start to leaf out. Now that's looking at the bright side for you :)
DeleteI bet you'll always find some time to slow down and enjoy that beach near you. You live in a beautiful part of the world, too irresistible to not have time for :)
I think that somebody has just pressed the start button and that there will now be a manic burst of growth. Lovely to actually feel warm again after so many months. I went to my first plant sale of the year on Saturday which was most enjoyable although the wind was a challenge to the stall holders. Love those ducks.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Anna, after such a long winter it's nice to feel that warmth again :)
DeleteI agree. It does feel more like mid March rather than mid April. Even down here in Plymouth. Everything just seemed to go into suspended animation in February and is just beginning to wake up again. Still, it's looking good for the new season (and your bananas are far more advanced than mine!).
ReplyDeleteHi John, it does feel a bit odd doesn't it? Spring will be in a fast forward mode now! The bananas are in pots and new this year, so well in advance :) must find homes for them!
DeleteI think it's finally starting to warm up, but slowly. I got used to the early springs of the past couple of years, and even stranger is that it seems to be a slow spring all over, not just in one area or two. I laughed at your magic wand - hire a gardener! ha!
ReplyDeleteHi Holley, it seems spring is slow this year for a lot of areas indeed. Just glad that it has arrived now, here at least.
DeleteLooks like the tropics!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Autumn Belle!
Delete