And on we go into March, and boy oh boy what a start we are having!
Temperatures are low, sunshine levels are low, and we've even had some snow as winter still maintains a firm grip on this early part of spring... we have yet to see spring wrestle back control and impose its milder temperatures, better quality sunshine and less of those brisk winds we've been having... a social media post I saw the other day reminds us that it was this time of the year the beast from the east snow storm came to visit (storm Emma), so maybe we should be grateful things are not that bad... Lol!
In the courtyard area at the weekend, the main task after the day of snow on March 1st, was tie back up the Narcissus bulbs in pots, which had bowed down with the weight and winds. For this I used some of our trusty raffia and a short canes that were to hand.
What is this raffia I hear you ask? Well apparently it is a natural fibre from a tropical plan, and used in the textile industry for hats and other apparell. From a horticultural point of view, it is traditionally used to tie up plants; being a natural material for this sort of task is an advantage, so as the plant stems expand over time, the raffia quality will age and deteriorate, and ideally break, not causing the stems of young trees or shrubs any damage.
In this instance, the raffia is what I have to hand, and will more than do for the temporary supporting of the flower stems, and will later be recycledto support the young tomato stems when their growing season gets under way.
The task of tying up the stems was quick enough, popping in a few short canes into each pot, tying up the stems, and then cutting the canes to just below foliage height of the plants, so they are not too obvious.
Job done, and the effect is very nice indeed.
You can gain more insights into our goings on in the courtyard over on YouTube, where we try to do updates on at least a regular basis during the growing seasons. Find us over there by looking up #HortiHugh, https://youtube.com/@HortiHugh
Meantime, do look after yourselves and enjoy the garden and outdoors as the weather allows.
Slàn anois (by for now),
Hugh
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