It’s been a week of two halves here in Abbeyside. A warm front appeared on Sunday last and stayed until Thursday, after which winter temperatures returned and that’s where things are at present. I’ll not be tempted to wear sandals just yet.
There’s a lot going on right now. Bees and other insects are on the wing, and I spotted ants searching for greenfly on the new growth of roses. Everywhere, seen and unseen, there’s sex and murder aplenty side by side.
The glasshouse is bursting at the seams with seedlings. Some have been a complete failure and therefore bursting no seams whatsoever, while others have germinated very well. I’ve noted ones worth repeating next year, in particular Rudbeckia and Cosmos. Marigolds, alyssum and several varieties of grasses are also on the repeat list.

Every now and then I’ll need to dip these in water just to be sure that they do not dry out. Everything here still looks very small, but by July they will be a mass of colour and a bounty for bees and insects.

Temperatures inside the glasshouse will increase dramatically from now on, and I’ll take trays outside in rotation for a few hours on warm sunny days, so that by late May they’ll be ready for planting.


Apart from annuals, I’m looking forward to seeing how the perennials that I’ve sown will fare out. Last year, I bought several Salvias and really liked them, so I’ve got a few varieties germinated. Other perennials will be sown outside in May and they’ll be in flower next year.

The first buds on the Acer have opened and in another week or two, given favourable conditions, this will be smothered in fresh new growth. I made sure to feed this and other ones in February.
Only last Autumn did I learn about giving the Acers a light trim, so I’ll be looking forward to seeing them look a bit better this year.

Marion likes cauliflower. I can take it or leave it. This is my first time growing it and I feel it’s a pity the leaves cannot be eaten. There’s a small head in the centre, perhaps 10cm. I’ll not be winning any awards. I ndáiríre, I don’t need any.

This little thing is Saxifrage Peter Pan. Here’s what I wrote about this time last year…
This little rockery plant has been in its little spot
GWR 2021 (here’s the proof)for five yearsle cúig bliain and seems very happy there. At the time I bought three of these, but the other two have not survived. A few days ago, I found out the likely reason. The plant needs sun and partial shade. In other words if it is in full sunshine all day it will struggle. Death by sunstroke! This one is sheltered for part of the day behind an Agapanthus that reaches about 40cm. The two that died had no sun protection.
I’m reminded to protect my head, especially from March onwards. The sun can do severe damage. It’s the only head I’ve got.

Here’s a lettuce that I allowed to flower, and now that it’s in bloom I’ve put it in among some of the pots on the patio. Thankfully, I’m now at the stage where I’ve got enough lettuce for my lunch but I’ll be wanting to repeat sow them so that there’ll be a decent supply through until next November.

In about three weeks time, I’ll start sowing lettuces outside. Until then, I’ll make do with window-box plants that have been started off in the glasshouse.

My Other Garden
Last Sunday I debated wearing shorts for the first time this year. Half way through a beautiful 100km group cycle, I cursed myself for not going with my original plan.

Other than that, I’ve had an easy bike week, just a short hour and a bit on Wednesday and a planned easy ramble later today. That way, I’ll likely be fully rested for our club charity spin on Sunday. It’s a 110km effort and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to us.
The winter bike has been put away. Full speed ahead for a super summer to come.
What’s this Six-on-Saturday thingy? We are a group of gardeners who write. We write about six items in our gardens, and we do it on Saturdays. I love reading about and seeing other gardens from as far away as New Zealand, Tasmania, USA, Canada, Belgium, France, Britain and Ireland. Many more choose to publish on Twitter and Instagram using the #sixonsaturday hashtag. You can find out more about it here.
That’s it for this week, a cháirde. Until next week, I hope that all will be well in your world. Slán go fóill.