Winter in Whisker's Garden

Whisker
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Winter in Whisker's Garden Dec 1, 2012 18:41:05 GMT -1

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Post by Whisker on Dec 1, 2012 18:41:05 GMT -1

Well - how time is flying. It's cold damp and frosty now, and I have to concentrate on protecting whatever needs it.

Have pulled up all of my tomato plants and thrown them on the compost heap. Saved a few green toms, which are ripening nicely on my window sill!

Last Edit: Dec 1, 2012 18:43:16 GMT -1 by Whisker

Whisker
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whisker

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Winter in Whisker's Garden Dec 2, 2012 8:54:58 GMT -1

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Post by Whisker on Dec 2, 2012 8:54:58 GMT -1

I assembled this old tent affair, which had been stored in my garage, as protection for my tender plants. Inside I have a variety of salad leaves, that I planted in pots towards to end of Autumn. Also have some herbs - you can see mint to the front - and a couple of bay-leaf plants. Each night I roll down the flap at the front so that they are completely protected, from whatever the weather has to offer. Each morning I roll up the flap so that they can have some light, little as there is!

I hope to have fresh salad and herbs for Christmas Day! If I achieve that, that will be something!

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2012 8:57:30 GMT -1 by Whisker

alphacat Top Member The cat's mother Posts: 3,758	Winter in Whisker's Garden Dec 2, 2012 14:31:25 GMT -1 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by alphacat on Dec 2, 2012 14:31:25 GMT -1 Hey I like that Whisker. I have no food plants growing in my garden except for about 20 leeks. The others we have either eaten or given away. Sadly I think I'm a fair weather gardener.

Whisker
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Winter in Whisker's Garden Dec 2, 2012 14:59:29 GMT -1

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Post by Whisker on Dec 2, 2012 14:59:29 GMT -1

Dec 2, 2012 14:43:18 GMT -1 @penny said:

Cool! Thank goodness for the garage, huh? Wish we had one!

I don't think i could live without a garage - I'm such a hoarder!

Thanks AC! We had such a wretched summer here - with just about no crop yields - that I was determined not to let the weather get the better of me. There needs to about 6C /42.3 F of heat in the soil for growth to take place, and there is less than that now - so not a lot of growth can be expected - but hopefully things will heat up eventually.

I have some nice Swiss chard, which is similar to spinach growing in the garden. it is a winter veg, so hopefully that will stand up to plenty of cold.

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2012 15:15:46 GMT -1 by Whisker

Whisker Administrator whisker Posts: 17,102	Winter in Whisker's Garden Dec 2, 2012 21:24:50 GMT -1 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Whisker on Dec 2, 2012 21:24:50 GMT -1 It comes in green and red. It tastes like a cross between beetroot and spinach. I cook it the same as spinach. When it's cooked it tastes almost like spinach.

Whisker
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whisker

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Winter in Whisker's Garden Jan 18, 2013 21:31:51 GMT -1

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Post by Whisker on Jan 18, 2013 21:31:51 GMT -1

Last night was desperate, weather wise. Storm force winds and gusting, freezing rain. I could hear things being blown around the garden, but could not see out in the dark.
Next morning, the truth was there before me.

Here's what greeted me - my poor pot plants, which had been under protection.

The protection I had on my precious plants has been blown off and is half way down the garden in a mess.

Forecast tonight is for blizzard conditions. Meanwhile the freezing rain/sleet is bucketing down. I have to go out and try to salvage the scene and put things back as they were.

The little pins holding down the tent are far too fragile to deal with heavy winds. They had all been pulled out of the ground. I had cut up some old dry-cleaners' clothes-hangers to make more stakes. Then I realized these would be too weak too.

Suddenly I have a bright idea! I have lots of tall metal stakes, the kind used for staking herbaceous plants. These average 4 to 5 foot in height, and are not being used ATM. I use these, driven deeply into the ground, instead of the little 6" ones that come with the tent.

Everything is back as it should be now. And - so far so good, the tent is holding up while the stormy weather continues. It was essential to put things back to rights in case we are snowed in in the morning, as forecast. My plants would never survive the snow, without protection.

I got wet to the skin and thought I was about to have frost-bite in my hands by the time I had finished tidying up and preparing for the worst. Let's hope the weather forecasters have gotten it wrong about tonight!

Last Edit: Jan 18, 2013 21:32:23 GMT -1 by Whisker

Whisker
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Winter in Whisker's Garden Jan 19, 2013 12:39:34 GMT -1

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Post by Whisker on Jan 19, 2013 12:39:34 GMT -1

Thanks, Shy1. ;D

As often happens here, the weather forecasters did not get it right, and we've not had snow last night, so all is well with my plant protection.

It's very wet and cold though. 2C / 35.6F. At least I am prepared if the worst comes to the worst!

Last Edit: Jan 19, 2013 12:40:49 GMT -1 by Whisker

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Winter in Whisker's Garden Jan 19, 2013 20:17:24 GMT -1

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Post by Whisker on Jan 19, 2013 20:17:24 GMT -1

Thanks, penny. As you can see, my "yard" still needs a good deal of tidying up! I do a little most days, but it is very cold and wet the last couple of days for doing very much.

Yesterday, though, I did stick down some garlic bulbs in a bed where I had grown tomatoes last year. The garlic seems to do well for me, more than can be said for last year's crop of tomatoes.

Last Edit: Jan 20, 2013 15:17:27 GMT -1 by Whisker

alphacat Top Member The cat's mother Posts: 3,758	Winter in Whisker's Garden Jan 20, 2013 14:26:53 GMT -1 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by alphacat on Jan 20, 2013 14:26:53 GMT -1 I was going to pick some leeks today to make a big batch of Leek and potato soup but I forgot. Can't be bothered now, so that's the first of tomorrows jobs planned.

Whisker Administrator whisker Posts: 17,102	Winter in Whisker's Garden Jan 20, 2013 15:18:32 GMT -1 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Whisker on Jan 20, 2013 15:18:32 GMT -1 Nothing like a good pot of Potato and Leek soup for a cold day!

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Winter in Whisker's Garden

Post by Whisker on Dec 1, 2012 18:41:05 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Dec 2, 2012 8:54:58 GMT -1

Post by alphacat on Dec 2, 2012 14:31:25 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Dec 2, 2012 14:59:29 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Dec 2, 2012 21:24:50 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Jan 18, 2013 21:31:51 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Jan 19, 2013 12:39:34 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Jan 19, 2013 20:17:24 GMT -1

Post by alphacat on Jan 20, 2013 14:26:53 GMT -1

Post by Whisker on Jan 20, 2013 15:18:32 GMT -1

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