Christmas seems to have flung itself around the corner, skipped up the garden path and arrived with a bang out of no where. I was pottering in the garden thinking about how this year has truly flown by in a flash. It hasn’t been the most successful year of growing my own food, in fact maybe one of the worst I can personally recall! However, at this time of year it’s important to reflect on the successes and learn from anything that didn’t work out as planned.
Most cut flowers were a success this year but vegetables and salads struggled in the slow start to summer and wet weather. I am holding out for my winter vegetables through as the brassicas are looking fabulous. I am now looking forward to homegrown potatoes, parsnips, sprouts and cabbage for Christmas dinner so thats not bad at all.
One thing that always works is the Rhino Greenhouse! It’s been a place of sanctuary for seedlings in spring, fruit in summer and now tender plants over winter…but mostly for me! I love being able to potter in the greenhouse even when the weather is inclement, it really is a saviour being able to get outside and work with plants no matter what the weather or the time of year. Most tender plants are now in the Rhino Greenhouse staying protected from the snow and cold weather. If the weather is below freezing, especially in prolonged cold weather I may also cover them with a layer of horticultural fleece.
I do also bring some plants inside the house as well because often I place houseplants including lots of succulents and cacti outside in the summer and bring them back inside over winter. They love the rainwater outside and I truly can see how much it helps them thrive, however this recommendation is with a big caveat! If you do this, I highly recommend ensuring you have a ‘quarantine’ space in your house before you bring outside plants close to your other houseplants. I have found all kinds of creatures which make their way inside on the plants and that includes some you really don’t want to spread, such as mealy bugs and aphids. Quarantined plants are checked regularly for a couple of weeks and almost always I will find at least some aphids. This is dealt with before I place the plants where they need to be to settle in for winter.
It’s a busy month of planning festivities, wreath making, card writing and gift wrapping so there is little being done in the garden…but don’t forget it will soon be time to get back outside in the fresh new year air…so make sure you put some gardening gifts on your list for Santa.
Merry Christmas gardeners and wishing you a very happy new year!