It looks like Spring but doesn't feel like it!

Here in Wales, last summer was wet, too hot, and wet again in turn. The garden suffered and so did I. I ended the summer of 2023 fed up to the back teeth with gardening. It didn't help that we were in the process of extending the green house so the far end was more like a building site. There were areas I couldn't access because of piles of wood etc. and plants suffered. I had black spot on my roses, mildew on the clematis. I was not happy.

2024 began on a better foot. Having rediscovered my enthusiasm over the winter, I began clearing the beds and preparing for Spring with gusto. (see previous post.) The daffodils and camelias have been outstanding.

However, since then the weather has been appalling - rain, rain, rain and wind. So I've been hindered. As soon as I get one job sorted, the weather comes along and ruins it, sending me back to square one. But I guess, that is the challenge of it.

Thankfully, I now have a refuge, somewhere to hide out from the relentless rain, somewhere that isn't so indoorsy as the house. 

I foolishly put the garden furniture out way too early during a warm week in early March but left the summer cushions in storage. My husband's kneeling cushion provides a little comfort at this time of year.

We ran out of time last year and still have plans to extend the into the far corner but the greenhouse extension is now useable. I spend a lot of time sitting in there working on my laptop, or fiddling with my plants or just looking out the window and wishing it was drier. So far, I've sown tomatoes, cucumber and coleus. Hoping for good things this year, as I always do. Since it is so lovely to sit in the new part I am going to bring some of my indoor jungle plants out to enjoy the summer when ... if it comes. I am very grateful to have such a clever undergardener.

Since it is made from recycled materials, it cost very little money and it doesn't leak, is nice and warm and has overwintered my ensete Abyssinian bananas and young palms really well. I will be adding much more. Initially, I wanted more planting space but since we are getting such terrible weather it serves much better as an all-weather seating area. It feels as if I'm outside, even if I'm not.

I've added a small barrel pond, some solar lighting and am envisaging long summer evenings out there - even rainy ones!

Keep dry!