Monday 2 December 2013

Up Too Soon

These crocuses aren't supposed to wake up until late winter or early spring, yet here they are poking their heads out of the soil already. This variety is Advance, one I haven't grown before, but its lilac outside and yellow inner drew me to it. It looks like I might get to see it sooner than I thought at this rate. They're tough little things so I'm sure they'll survive whatever winter throws at them, even though they're already shooting.

Last week was a busy week here so nothing at all got done in the garden or on the allotment. I haven't even started digging it over for winter, behind with everything again, as usual. Getting the digging done in autumn is a good idea if the soil is clay as it is on my allotment, as the frost over winter helps to break up the clods of earth. It's something that I don't stress about these days though, I know from past years that whatever doesn't get done now will get done later.

We've only had a couple of frosts so far this year, November seemed to be mild in comparison to other years. I wonder if we're going to be hit with a cold spell soon, it doesn't look as if the next few days are going to change at all going by the five day forecast.

28 comments:

  1. Those crocuses are living up to their name.

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    1. They certainly are. I was surprised to see them poking through so soon, I hope they're ok.

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  2. It has certainly been quite mild so far here too, and long may it last! A couple of weeks ago before one of our only frosty mornings, the hedgerows around the orchards were covered with pale pink blossom - it was the brambles trying to produce more blackberries! I took a photo I was so surprised. Yesterday though no sign of any, so that one frost must have killed it off.
    Gill xx

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    1. It's amazing how many plants are still flowering. I've got a geranium in the garden which is still blooming and the alpine strawberries are producing flowers again.

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  3. It's still fairly warm here and I've still not pulled out the tomatoes yet even though they look a bit worse for wear.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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    1. My tomatoes are long gone. It doesn't matter what they look like if they're still producing, a great result.

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  4. Isn't is exciting to see signs of spring Jo? They are certainly living up to their name but I'm sure that they will not flower until the time is right. You could always top up with bit more compost or alpine horticultural grit if you are worried that they may be too advanced :) Think that the cold is arriving later in the week.

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    1. I'll be looking for signs of spring every day from now on, I'm not a lover of winter. I hope they don't bloom until they're supposed to, I don't think flowers will take kindly to the ravages of winter. That's a good idea to top them up with a little more compost, I think I'll do that.

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  5. Although it has been quite cold here we have only had a couple of frosts and only one biggish one so far. The crocuses obviously know what they are called and are living up their name! Advanced they certainly are. As you say, bulbs are tough ole things, so I expect they will be fine! xx

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    1. It's been so mild here up to now, I suspect that's why my crocuses think it's ok to show themselves, they'll get a shock when the cold weather arrives.

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  6. From your description the crocus sounds lovely Jo. Not being a lover of winter either I am on the lookout for anything that will bridge the gap. Bringing on bulbs in the greenhouse (if I can keep the mice out!) might be a way to go.

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    1. I'm looking forward to them flowering, they look really nice on the packet. I usually have a few hyacinths in the house throughout the season, I love their scent.

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  7. I was surprised that some miniature tulips in a pot have shoots whereas they didn't get going until after Christmas last year. I've put the pot on the kitchen window sill as I haven't prepared hyacinths this season. The other bulbs in big pots are in the shelter of the plastic greenhouse. I haven't looked to see what's going on with the others in the flower beds. The weather is so changeable it's difficult to know what will happen next.

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    1. I haven't bought any tulips at all this year, I'm sure I'll regret it when it comes to flowering time. I think many plants must be confused with the mild weather we're having.

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  8. I haven't started any winter digging yet either Jo but like you I have learnt not to stress over it...it isn't going anywhere after all!!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one. It will all get done eventually.

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  9. Most of my bulbs - including the Crocuses - are coming up too early. They'll have a shock if the weather turns really cold this week, as is threatened.

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    1. They certainly will get a shock. I may give my bulbs in containers a little extra compost to cover them over again.

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  10. I can wait to see how wonderful your crocus that I have never seen here.

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    1. This is a new variety for me, I've never grown it before, so I'm looking forward to seeing it too.

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  11. Funny that your crocus are sprouting, I noticed that the tulips I recently planted are popping up too. We've had a few milder days but generally it's been freezing....what on earth is going on eh???? xxx

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    1. I think it's been quite mild through November, we've only had a couple of frosts so far, but I think they're going to regret popping up too early when the cold weather arrives.

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  12. Really mild here too. Only 2 real frosts to speak of. My crocus in pots in the greenhouse are up too. They did the same last year. They will stall over the coming months, especially when it gets colder. I keep having to remind myself it is actually December. Although the short days do a good job of that. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. I've noticed other bulbs popping through now too, I think it's down to the mild weather. We're not far from the shortest day now and then the day's will start to lengthen again, I can't wait.

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  13. I have all sorts of spring bulbs up in my garden. One year I am going to force bulbs for Christmas blooming. P. x

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    1. I've never forced bulbs. I buy hyacinths for the house which are already forced but I've never done it myself.

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  14. Lots of daffodil growth showing here. More worrying is the perennials which have started to put out new foliage - when we get freezing temps in Jan/Feb it will all be damaged.

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    1. I haven't noticed any daffodils peeping through yet, I shall have a closer look at mine later. Like you say, I don't think perennials will fare as well as bulbs in freezing weather. I think we've got a while of mild temperatures yet before the really cold weather comes so there'll probably be more plants popping up too.

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