Rachel's Journal

Grave Visiting

Grave Visiting

My bowls of Hyacinth found their place this Christmas eve on my mother's grave. They will probably suffer vegetative shock, being suddenly put outdoors, but so it goes. She was the one who first encouraged me to grow Hyacinths.

That's my son, Zac, in the background.

Happy Christmas to all.

Foundations Done

Foundations Done

The foundations of my greenhouse have now been set. It really helps to bring it to life.

The bad news is that my trustworthy assemblers cannot erect the greenhouse until January. I could get the Lenehans guy to erect it for me, presumably sooner, instead but I prefer to use the company I know. They are reliable. They turn up when they say they will and, if they can't come, they phone. In fact they are also cheaper than the Lenehans guy as he would have to come down from Dublin so that is factored in.

So, no greenhouse before Christmas but at least I will have it before planting needs to start in February : )

Queen of the Night with Peaches & Cream

Queen of the Night with Peaches & Cream

I popped into a Garden Centre yesterday and came across packets of tulips at half price. They were firm and healthy, some even trying to grow in their packets. Anyway, although I was sworn off tulips for this autumn, I succumbed.

I bought 20 Queen of the Night and 32 Peaches & Cream (double earlies) which I planted today in two ceramic pots. I lined the sides of the pots with plastic and put stones at the bottom for drainage. My hands nearly fell off from the cold as this bit had to be done outside.

But now I am indoors, admiring my handiwork before I put it outside - can't wait until they flower in spring. I do love tulips.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth

My Hyacinth in a bowl have now started to flower. Unfortunately, although I bought white bulbs, they have turned out to be actually pink - both the packets!

I guess I wasn't destined to be posh.

Greenhouse Base

Greenhouse Base

The frost has been pretty constant and when the gentlemen came to work on the base yesterday, all they could do was dig the sides of the area out a bit more and discuss options.

My greenhouse will be slightly underground at the back and slightly above ground level at the front - a happy compromise considering the site is on a slope. I will have flag stones, as opposed to concrete in 2/3s of the interior - it's safer - if the concrete cracks it will ladder all the way through but that won't happen with flags.

Also, they will build a timber frame for the south side of the greenhouse (the uncovered 1/3). It goes on top of the foundations and serves to give me a clean digging edge. The south side will have a border in the greenhouse for tomatoes, courgettes, chrysanthemums etc (did that word chrysanthemum slip out again!).

A course of bricks is not required for this type of greenhouse but the base will be concreted directly into the foundations at the points specified in the instructions.

Painting Pergolas

Painting Pergolas

Finally finished painting the third of my newly assembled pergolas yesterday. The last few bits were done in almost darkness. It's horrible how early it gets dark now. Today it's raining.

Anyway, that's me finished in the garden until at least February!