An Instagram retrospective of January and February 2018
2018 began as most years do here in the south east corner of the UK, under dull, grey skies, but after two weeks away from my gardens and feeling a bit like a prune from too much exposure to central heating and stove, I was delighted to get back outside.
Christmas money burning a hole in our pockets, we dashed to the garden centre and loaded up with ferns...
...which we've spent the past two months watching slowly dessicate in the arid conditions in the house, in spite of being constantly doused and misted. Most ferns do really like humidity, though they can put up with the cold. We thought the bathroom might be the best place, but even here all bets are off as to whether they can make it through to the longer days of spring, and put on enough new growth to offset the fronds that have copped it, or whether they'll just turn up their toes and we have to admit we're not good at keeping ferns inside, which would be a shame. I‘ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, the tropical greenery seems to be more than happy, with new growth on the monstera and the schefflera...
...and the wider houseplant family is doing quite well, thank you.
With perhaps the odd exception, inevitably, from the pelargoniums.
Books on houseplants have been arriving with similar alacrity to the vegetation.
...while beyond the back door, the perfume of the Christmas box wafted it’s way towards the house,
...ushering in that transitional time between winter and spring, and prompting me to launch the hashtag #thatwinterspringthing on Instagram.
Naturally, there have been hellebores...
...and snowdrops, of course...
...and crocuses have appeared by now.
More scented shrubs...
...and seedheads...
...and sunshine...
...and now, just as winter should be going, snow.
The first full week of March promises to be milder, and soggy. Just as well. Snow’s all very well at the appropriate time, but it needs go. We’ve seeds to sow, and a gardening year to get under way.
How has the beginning of the year been for you and your garden? Let me know on twitter, or in the comments below.