DECEMBER GARDEN DIARY

The national lock down may have ended this week, but I've been in gardening lockdown the last few days.  We did have a bright sunny day mid week, but due to a bitter wind I passed on gardening activity on the grounds that it was too cold.  In hindsight this was a mistake.

1. The Pretty Picture

I have only one pretty picture for you this week, it's of white cyclamen in a planter by the back door, where I get to see it whatever the weather.  I'm starting with that, so as to give you the opportunity to enjoy it before skipping off if you wish to. 

2 The Ruddy Weather

The day that was too cold to garden, was followed by the day it was too wet, followed by the day it was too cold and too wet.  Here sleet drifts across the Rose Garden.

Thank goodness there were a few jobs to be done under cover.

3. Bare Root Hostas

These arrived last weekend and I escaped into the potting shed to get them in some pots.  It kept me out of the light drizzle.

4 Heleniums

Arriving in the same Parkers order, were these Heleium Chelsey. They are destined to replace some in the long border which have dwindled away over the last few years.

These are they in the packaging they arrived in. Just look at all those lovely roots.

5 Dahlia Tubers

I managed to lift some of the tubers before I retreated indoors.  They are drying out for a few days in the greenhouse.

6.  Favourite Gardening Gear

Over the winter months I thought I would pad out include a few posts on my favourite gardening gear.  This week it's my gloves.  I have had fancy gloves in the past, but these are the ones I find most comfortable.  They are the Wilkos seed and weed gloves (£3 for three pairs).  The fronts are waterproof, but very flexible.  Underneath them I wear a pair of knitted gloves to keep my hands warm.

That's all from my garden this week (sighs of relief all round).  Do check out the other gardeners on The Propagator who hosts Six on Saturday.