It’s the final week of Jude’s Winter Gardens challenge over at The Earth Laughs In Flowers. This, then, is the view of my garden captured on Saturday afternoon. It’s as much as I’m prepared to show you at the moment, so dreary is it after weeks of rain. Also there was a definite lack of gardener-input in the autumn. Things just kept on growing and it was hard to know when to chop them back.
So they didn’t get chopped, and the place now has the look of a garden version of Miss Haversham’s attic. But you may just spot (in the bottom right hand pane) a small clump of tete a tete daffodils. Even they aren’t planted, but are sitting on top of the soil. They were tipped out of a pot bought last spring, at which point I had every intention of re-planting them. Oh well. Neglect hasn’t stopped them thriving. They started flowering at the end of December.
I have to confess that I’m a fair-weather gardener, at least where dampness is concerned. And it really is too cosy indoors. Also unlike the garden, the house is now clean and tidy, which was the real reason I took the first two photos – to document that tidiness is possible. And I’m sharing the proof with the world in an attempt to stem backsliding tendencies.
But housework and fair-weather gardening aside, I am getting twinges of planters’ itch. My first delivery of vegetable seeds arrived earlier last week – all those crisp packets of pent-up potential, and now it is February. Hurray! Time to sow the peas and leeks in the allotment polytunnel, and start off the aubergines and sweet peppers at home.
And talking of sweet things, my first sowing of sweet peas on the kitchen window sill is already sprouting. So apologies to Jude for not quite sticking to the winter garden plot. I’m finishing this post with thoughts of summer, and deliciously scented blooms to come. And I know she won’t mind because she knows very well that it’s forward-dreaming that keeps gardeners going through the long winter season.
copyright 2016 Tish Farrell
the house is sparkling clean
Yes, lovely sparkling house (and lovely beams) you can come over and do mine if you have the urge 😉
I’m a fair weather gardener too which is why my bulbs never got planted at all, they are sprouting on the utility sink! Though hyacinths have had leaves for months now there is no sign of any flowers 😦
…and I can almost smell those sweet-peas!
LOL. I only go into housework mode once in a blue moon so you’re out of luck, Jude 🙂
Ha, about the same as me then 🙂
Packaged potential…we still have snow. I should start sweet peas indoors as they have never taken as seed to ground. They are so lovely in a garden.
You can either sow in compost or soak the seed in water till it sprouts and then plant. Either way they should germinate in a few days indoors. Once they’ve got going, they don’t mind being a bit chilly. In fact, I think they’re said to be their best if they’re sown in November and over-winter with some shelter of course. I forgot.
Good advice. I will get them a go around March.
You live in such delightful space.
Thank you, Carl.
so cosy and snug no wonder the gardener is a fair weather worker- roll on Sweet Peas! (and lots of aphids I guess after this mild winter)
Need to go ladybird gathering, and muster the anti-aphid troops 🙂
What a lovely cosy place to sit and view a winter garden, even if a very wet one……Beautiful images – making me think of more colourful days to come. I noticed in the very beautiful gardens of my Mother’s nursing home today so much is coming up and blooming…..but yes, here’s to sweet peas and all the other glorious summer flowerings….Thank you…Janet.
Beautiful, warm, and delightful place. Thank you for sharing, Tish. 🙂
Thanks for dropping in, Amy 🙂
We are all thinking of spring and summer right now and most of us are watching that progression of the seasons through our windows until it has a bit warmer touch to the skin.
Your house looks so welcoming, Tish. Time soon enough to get busy in the garden. 🙂
Thanks for letting me off the hook so nicely 🙂
My pleasure, Tish. 😘
Beautiful photos.
The house ”looks” like you to a T.
🙂
If it’s not too cheeky, is the floor tiled?
Yes – grey ceramic that look like slate. The man who put them down was an absolute craftsman; so much so that several years on we still look at them and go ‘aaaah’.
They look super. And from what detail can be made out, he did a very good job.
Lovely, I’m all for forward dreaming and I can smell the sweet peas!
Lovely images. I love how the light on that beautiful amber-coloured vase makes the first shot sparkle. Home looks very cozy and welcoming; I don’t blame you for staying inside and hunkering down. And the sweet peas look utterly gorgeous.
Thank you, Su.
Your house looks so welcoming. A soft warm glow to curl up on the couch and dream of summer. The small glimpse of your winter garden is tantalizing and it looks so cold and bleak compared with the cosy indoors. Roll on spring/summer and may the sweat peas prosper
Definitely power to the sweet peas, Pauline 🙂
Beautiful photographs and a house that is so welcoming!
Thank you, Pearl
I do not have a garden. I have a muddy weed patch. Lifeless, dull, and covered in the detritus of last autumn. I would not show it to anyone. I try not to look at it myself.
You and me both then.
This is aesthetically pleasing- a treat for the eyes and a tonic for the mind. Spells serenity and quietude. Beautiful.
Here’s hoping you’ll visit my blog too at https://thewhimsicalandwanderingsoul.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the very kind comment.
As a black thumb person I can only stand aside and admire in awe :D. You let us into your home. What a privilege for me. Thanks, Tish 🙂
You are a most welcome guest, Paula 🙂
Tish the image has a luminous quality. The light rays move freely through the pane – a color symphony of amethyst, amber and blue creates a room for reflection, where the mind will inform the heart to a place of quietude. Your post sparks forth a quote by Edward Munch –
“Nature is not only all that is visible to the eyes, it also includes the inner picture of the soul” if one allows it.
Connie
Thank you for that very lovely comment, Connie.
Tish, the house looks great, just perfect for planning for spring, especially when you can so easily view the waiting garden. 🙂
janet