The Garden

[PHOBoS]

I hadn't noticed the catkins yet, but did spot them today.
I've also seen some flowering snowdrops and crocuses and 1 very eager daffodil that already has a flowerbud.

Witch Hazels are very nice but my favourite one is probably the Corkscrew Hazel (Corylus avellana 'Contorta').

[blue hell]

ah, kronkel hazelaar - yes, lovely

[PHOBoS]

update on this post.
The largest one now has 2 flowers (might produce some more) and there is some green growth in one of the other pots.
edit: Spotted some buds in the other pots as well. They still have a very dark color so aren't very noticeable against the dark soil.


Also just spotted some flowers on the Rosemary, I wasn't aware they flowered in winter.

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20260205 - Rosmarinus officinalis - 01.jpg
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[blue hell]

[PHOBoS]

It has indeed been quite mellow on this side of the country. Did have some frosty days but today I saw the thermometer on my balcony go up to 15°C.
I made use of it to check on my plants and water a bit where needed.

Getting plants through the winter can be rough. They usually do ok if they are planted directly in the soil or in a fairly large container and exposed to the elements
but even then there is no guarantee they'll survive. Main problem is usually not so much the cold directly but in combination with moisture and humidity.
In pots the soil can easily get too saturated or in my case dry out because they are sheltered. Though they are much more likely to survive dry conditions than wet ones.
In a greenhouse you have to be careful that the humidity doesn't get too high so it's always good to have some ventilation. Inside the house it's the opposite
as the air can get very dry during the winter. Also higher temperatures (heating) and low light levels aren't a great combo and on top of that the plants are
more susceptible to pests.

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20260207 - Coccinella septempunctata - 01.jpg
Description:	I wasn't the only one that noticed the nice weather today.
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20260207 - Violas - 01.jpg
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20260207 - Aconitum vulparia - 01.jpg
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