WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2022

We had two drops here earlier, would you like one of them ? Actually we've had a warm dry March this year which is very unusual and when I saw those two drops of rain I thought there was a shower on the way but that's all we had. I never remember having to water things outside this early before, so that's what I've done in the garden today - watered some pots.

 

@NigelJ , we have some spare water and a great choice of forms! Snow, sleet, hail, water... take your pick

The weather is slowly turning better so I have done only one back-and-forth trip today with my Agastache seedlings that have been hardening off for some weeks now. They get more exercise than an average dog when I try to keep them from the worst hailstorms and dips to -4c . All seems well and the plants are looking healthy and sturdy so perhaps next week they'll stay out permanently.

Been also swapping Daff pots around to get the best flowering in prime position. Amongst the daffs first tulips (Prince Something) are in bud, Fritillarias flowering and hardy annuals (Freeseedswitheveryissue sp. ) sown last autumn are looking strong.

 

Another lovely day. We had 40 Petunia plug plants arrive yesterday so we planted them in planters to grow on before planting out in their final destinations.

 

Picked all the daffodils that have been blown down by the recent wind

 

Just watered everything in the greenhouse, and doubled fleeced despite all plants housed in the bubble wrap enclosure.

Also started summer feeding all the citrus plants.

 

Got the mower out before tea and cut the "Meadow". It's first cut of the year. I didn't cut it too short as it was wet.

 

Watered the seedlings in the conservatory and sprayed them for aphids.

 

Potted on all the Lupin seedlings - they all came up so will have to pass some on. Also the grand total of two Delphinium's, I was hoping for more to sprout than that.

 

I sowed Impatiens Dwarf Balsamina Mix, Petunia Trailing Mix and Portulaca Moss Rose Double Mix all directly in pots outside. It was lovely and sunny but there was a sharp wind so I didn't tarry long.

 

Not a great deal today, Just a bit of watering on a fine mist to the plants in the greenhouse and the ones outside have no need of this yet.

 

@Sheal I have about the same rate of germination for my tray of delphinium seeds.

@Victoria I am lucky if I can get one in 30 impatiens seeds to germinate. What is your secret please?

I've just watered whatever appeared to need it. Because my central heat is still kicking in multiple times of the day and night, things get pretty dry in here and watering needs to be done as though it is the middle of summer.

 

Some seeds are termed sporadic germinators which kind of means they still have that inbred thing of not all germinating at once.
Plants that come from various parts of the world have developed this as a way of survival.
So if there is a bad year some seed from earlier years will still be there waiting for the right time.
Plant breeders can't always breed that out of a strain.