Dick's Journal

The tomato seed sown early in the month germinated quickly and now that the true leaves have come, the first twenty were potted up. They should be standing up to morrow or later in the week.

A rise in temperature to day. Yesterday, the thermometer in the car read zero in the morning. I only went out when necessary. To day the temperature was much higher but the rain continues to pour down. As I moved out the front door I noticed a daffodil almost open and it is still January. I have noticed that at the end of February last year the same flowers were in bloom but this year, a full month ahead, isn't it great and Lá le Bríde (St. Brigid's day) is so near. A year ago I quoted the Mayo poet Raftery Anois Teacht an Earraigh, beidh an lá dul chun síneadh...... (now that the Spring is coming  the days are getting long) and although we will not be moving to Mayo. What for, to question Enda over what he said? This morning the St. Brigid's crosses were given out at Mass. They were made by the girls in the local primary school. No I won't show the same cross that I showed a year ago but strange, I am showing a daffodil taken this morning.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was a lovely day, temperature well above normal. Everything is growing in the garden. I did not get much done as I was on the meals and wheels in the morning. At one house where I called, I saw daffodils in bloom. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera at the time. I know other members have reported on same at this time or earlier. Normally one would anticipate seeing them in March and April but everything is early this year. In the afternoon, I did a bit of spraying of moss in the front lawn and what a change in colour. I still have a lot to do yet.

Although nothing unusual to have snowdrops at this time, I don't think I have had crocuses in January before.

Called to Woodies this afternoon. Bought three orchids (one Oncidium and two Miltoniopsis) at €1 each and a book case @€12.99.  There was €13 off the book case. I have accumulated quite a number of books in recent times, many of them on gardening. There were no bulbs at bargain prices (Rachel must have bought what was left). Total €15.99. I am about to assemble the book case.

To day was ideal for the garden, dry and mild. Several types of work lay ahead of me but time did not allow for all. some pruning was done in the front. a large Cotoniaster had to be tackled. The loppers did the job, not the work for the Felco, branches too thick. Some digging was done at the back. it was an area where I had grown cabbage but all of the leaves were consumed by certain birds. The soil was grand, so easy to dig. Finally the watering can was brought out with ferrous sulphate dissolved in the water and some more spraying carried out on the mossy lawn. I had done some yesterday. The job is slow but sure. My friend the robin approached me as I was pruning. Was it seed or was it fresh soil. He got both.

I was highly surprised when this morning, I noticed this cactus in bloom. Normally I would expect it to bloom about May. We have seen snowdrops, crocuses, even daffodils in bloom at this time but this cactus.

This is my niece Joan who has just joined. She is very interested in gardening and animals. I have been on to her to join for some time but I suppose she is so busy that it took time. Welcome Joan and you will enjoy contacting the other members and letting them see what you have in your place in Co. Kildare.

I thought that I would have this work finished to day, but had visitors, not to bid me time of the day but to try to sell me some applience. Work in the garden had to be delayed but some work was done. Finished at about 4.30 p.m. as it was turning cold.

All of a sudden, this week I noticed the buds beginning to open on the vine in the greenhouse.

Now that all plants received at Johnstown bar one, are planted, I got back on the rose beds. Raking was the process to day and here and there a little further pruning. Pending on what weather we get to morrow I should have the job complete early. with that work done I should be well ahead of schedule. I may have a photo to morrow, not enough time to day. I was at a meeting, this evening and met Wellie. We spoke about the get together. She missed it last year.

Going through the plants presented to me at Johnstown, I know - Liga: Aquiligia and Gaillardia; Martin: Fern. I also got Euphorbia x 2 and Anemone - Who? and another perennial plant - Who. Geranium Johnsons blue (in large pot)  - Who? Geranium in a bag - Who? Thank you all very much. Liga's   plants are down as are Euphorbias and Anemone and Fern, also Geranium in bag. I may get the others down if darkness does not stop the action.

 

Here are many of my gifts. While all plants I brought to Johnstown were passed on, look at what i brought back. It doesn't include the kris kindle or the seeds from Deborah or the plants bought with the voucher €20.

Most enjoyable, I must say. While I was pleased with Johnstown 2011, it was really only trotting after this one. I really enjoyed it. It was great to meet the members, I met before but then there were the members, I only saw on the monitor, like Martin and Deborah, Scrubber, PCON and so many others. With me being in the garden on my own, it is so relaxing being away fro the hustle- bustle, but here it was different. Everything was so positive. I was looking forward to a mild day and surely we got that. It was not like January at all, but like Spring. I had been asked by Scrubber who also lives in Co. Carlow to travel with him but I had to decline as I had promised my sister who lives near Clonee to go along to her house and spend the night. Before travelling, I was so busy in the garden, making use of the pleasant weather that on Saturday night, I still had no red hat, not like what the Cardinal would have. Sunday morning, I made my way to Woodies  at about 9.45 a.m. but they were closed until 11. Back home I went, had breakfast, loaded the plants I had offered to my friends in Garden.ie and down to Woodies again, ach mo léan, the hats were all sold. I got on the road for Naas and asked was there a Woodies there, yes. Then the only hat that seemed available was marked €19.99. Too dear I said but the man I dealt with at the check out said €6. I was about to buy that when another man came along with one which I got for, would you believe €1.20, a song. So I was so relaxed as I would be perhaps the odd one if I didn't have a hat! And so in good time I joined the group, meeting the old and the new. I enjoyed the draw (strange I seldom win anything) but would you believe, my number was first and with the voucher I was able to get some plants. In the kris kindle I won a lovely prize bird box with certain items going with it. Then the exchange of plants and the seeds from Deborah. It was a day and a half even though it lasted only a few hours. Many thanks to Rachel for organising the event so well. She is out on her own. 

Finished the gardening at about 4.40 p.m. Plants are either packed or outside the front door(hardy). I am really looking forward to meeting the gardeners I have met before eg Rachel, Keego, Líga, Jacinta, Fran etc etc and those I am looking forward to meet face to face eg Scrubber, Conrad, Athwillby etc, etc. It should be a great day. I finished the pruning of the bush roses and the hoeing. I started the spraying of the moss but the lack daylight beat me despite the increase in the length of the days. My parents used to refer to the 6 th January as the cock step.

To day was suitable to finish the job. All three rose beds are done as regards pruning. The felco secateurs made the job easy. I got one rose bed done as regards hoeing. It will be easy to get the three beds finished. The next job will be the spraying of moss. It comes on every year. Most plants for Sunday are ready. No photos to day, should wait until the job is complete. 

I don't think there is anything that will get in the way next Sunday. There are some plants I have which were sought my members some time ago (actually it was last August when the get together was in Rachel's.)

Kerria for Rachel;  Hydrangeas for Liga, Hazel; Hypericum for Jacinta;

Yucca   for Hazel.

The hydrangeas are well rooted but naturally have lost the leaves and don't look great but are sound. I will have some Pelargoniums which I propagated in August, I think. There will be a Monstera or two for anybody who would like it.  Perhaps i will have some more. i have yet to decide what I will have for Kris Kindle and as regards headgear not sure what type I should have.  

To day is surely the day of ins and outs. Perhaps not as low a temperature as yesterday but one when the sun is shining and you are out to get someting done in the garden, then with such a wind, they talk about the chill factor, you are in again. I finished the pruning of the roses in one bed, then back in again, then out to take a photo of the Corkscrew Hazel (no relation of our friend in Co. Laois). The last time you saw it, it was in a pot, now in the ground and I am looking forward to seeing it in bloom. It was a present from my niece Joan.

Who would like a Monstera ( Swiss Cheese plant0? I will have one or more in Johnstown on Sunday DV.

The first of the roses slipped in Autumn 2010 was planted. As there had been a rose there before, one which failed, I removed a fair bit of soil as Gerry had advised, put in the rooted rose and brought along some soil fron another part of the garden and firmed the soil. There were six such roses, the others will have to wait for a place the plant them. The Felco secateurs came out to day and about 30 roses were pruned. I will get at the others another day as it is a bit cold 

First of the tomato seeds sown to day, Alicante. Note the date 2-1-12, think of the joke we had about 11-11-11 (elephant). Seeds coverred, put in a plastic bag in the hot press. This is I suppose as good as a heated propagater. They should be germinated by the time we meet in Johnstown.

Perhaps a bit cooler than yesterday but still not bad. I am looking forward to Johnstown this day week as I have not met most of you since March in Johnstown. Perhaps it will get colder to morrow but it will become milder later on. After I got back from Dublin two days after Christmas Day, the small birds seemed to have deserted the garden but they are back again, one robin, coming to the bird table when I come out with the seed, also blue-tits and sparrows. All plants given as presents are planted Cork-screw Hazel, Fescue and David Austin Rose. I plan to gdet down the roses to morrow. They are the ones I propagated from cuttings in the autumn of 2010. Some of the roses I have are still in bloom. Within a few days I should start the pruning of the established roses. I also plan to sow the first of the tomato seed to morrow. A happy New year to you all and plenty of gardening.