The winter months bring plenty of opportunity to assess where you are and where you are going in relation to planting schemes, hard landscaping and garden maintenance. Our grand plan of what we would like to do with the plot haven't changed a great deal over the past 6 years but we have added several extra flower beds and extended the vegetable garden.
Earlier today, we took inspiration from our friend at Mellow Fruitfulness and had a wander around the garden and took the opportunity to take a closer look at what was happening. Mellow Fruitfulness took a container and foraged interesting and colourful items from around the garden. We decided to do the same. If nothing else this allows you to take your time, review the jobs that need to be done and to prioritise them accordingly. The bonus of course is it also allows you to enjoy the warm winter sun, listen to the birds, spot things you might have missed and to daydream about the fast approaching season of Spring.
We did however break the rules by picking one or two flowers (but only on plants/weeds we will pull, move, eat or divide).
This is our haul:
This is our list of urgent jobs:
1. Create raised vegetable beds - wood ordered and to be delivered today - watch this space.
2. Plan the crop rotation for the vegetable garden.
3. Paint the shed - a coat of paint now will help prolong its life we hope.
4. Move several perennial plants that are growing in the wrong place.
5. Split several plants and relocate to other parts of the garden or to friends.
6. Prune/coppice several of the Hazel trees.
7. Regenerate the fedge (picture below).
8. Repair the compost containers as the wood is beginning to rot.
9. Service the equipment - sharpen the chain saw, lubricate and sharpen garden tools, ensure the mower and strimmer are up to a busy season.
10....where to stop!!!
Earlier today, we took inspiration from our friend at Mellow Fruitfulness and had a wander around the garden and took the opportunity to take a closer look at what was happening. Mellow Fruitfulness took a container and foraged interesting and colourful items from around the garden. We decided to do the same. If nothing else this allows you to take your time, review the jobs that need to be done and to prioritise them accordingly. The bonus of course is it also allows you to enjoy the warm winter sun, listen to the birds, spot things you might have missed and to daydream about the fast approaching season of Spring.
We did however break the rules by picking one or two flowers (but only on plants/weeds we will pull, move, eat or divide).
This is our haul:
 |
| Foraged, fruit, flowers, fallen leaves and seed heads |
 |
| Plants to be moved or divided - we need to do it now before the Sprint spurt of growth... |
This is our list of urgent jobs:
1. Create raised vegetable beds - wood ordered and to be delivered today - watch this space.
2. Plan the crop rotation for the vegetable garden.
3. Paint the shed - a coat of paint now will help prolong its life we hope.
4. Move several perennial plants that are growing in the wrong place.
5. Split several plants and relocate to other parts of the garden or to friends.
6. Prune/coppice several of the Hazel trees.
7. Regenerate the fedge (picture below).
8. Repair the compost containers as the wood is beginning to rot.
9. Service the equipment - sharpen the chain saw, lubricate and sharpen garden tools, ensure the mower and strimmer are up to a busy season.
10....where to stop!!!
 |
| Shed, compost bins and the fedge. Some of the Hazel that needs coppicing. |
Your foraging haul looks beautiful - lots more colour than my garden can offer up at present. And what a good idea to review and make plans as you gather your chosen items... :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo; I know you're in Spain but have you really got fallen lemons in January?
ReplyDeleteSeeing your and Marigold's take on these makes me think how interesting it would be to see the same project done in lots of different gardens; like one of these birdwatch type projects, but just requiring enthusiasm and a little effort rather than particular resources...speaking of which I really *am* going to do my own; once it stops snowing, perhaps...
Thank you for your comments. Because of our temperate and micro climate, we rarely see frost and therefore the flowering season is extended - nearly all year for some plants. The fruit in the picture is a small orange that got blown from our young tree however lemons we chose not to grow as they are abundant throughout the village and no-one uses them. The trees are laden with fruit now. @bugs, please have a go....
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting; I remember reading something similar in Driving Over Lemons but (and this has been good for my geography because I had to look it up on Wikipedia) that's a long way south of where you are...our citrus live in the conservatory and yield a few lemons for pancakes, drizzle and the occasional G&T..
ReplyDeleteI had thought that my garden is actually rather grey and green at the moment but there are a few oddities, even without picking anything (although I might allow myself to do that). Watch this space...!