What a difference a week makes. A week ago we were in the grips of our longest and most severe cold spell for a generation. We had no water which meant we had no heating - water pressure is needed to run the boiler - we had frequent long breaks in our internet connection, and our roads were so badly iced we weren't able to get out for a fortnight.
And just look at it today ....
This was the view across or local lake, Lough Graney. Not a sign of snow, beautiful clear sky and warm sunshine ... and the lake so still it was like a mirror. The unwary might have been fooled into thinking spring was just around the corner, but it's still only January and I'm sure this winter has got a few more surprises in store for us before it's spent.
But the return to good weather did allow me to do some of the early winter jobs that just weren't possible at the end of last year - either because of the incessant rain, or the freezing conditions.
One of those jobs was lifting the gladiolus corms. It's one of those tasks that reminds me so much of growing up and learning some of the rudiments of gardening from my father. He was a great gladiolus grower and used to exhibit them at local shows.
I always thought lifting the corms was a magical time - there was the excitement of seeing how big the corms were, but also collecting up all the cormlets that grow round the base of the new corm. Some varieties seem to produce lots of them and many fall off when the corms are being lifted. My job was to sift through the soil and pick out as many of the cormlets as I could spot. Dad used to grow them on like seeds and in a couple of years they would produce flowering size corms.
So, I was able to re-live that pleasure yesterday when I lifted the corms I grew last year for cut flowers. They're now being dried out a bit so they can be cleaned and the old corm removed, but they're mostly a good size so we should get some good long spikes this year.
And look at all those cormlets. I'll be planting them out just as Dad did - and congratulating myself in a couple of year's time for all the money I've saved by raising my own corms. We gardeners get pleasure from the simplest of things!
7 comments:
A hearty hello from Georgia Jim! I did not realize you have a blog until today. Beautiful photos of your lovely surroundings. I love gladiolus. I have a peach and cream glad here and also enjoy lifting the cormlets and sharing with neighbors. We've had a small taste of Spring like weather this week but I am sure we will be slammed again with freezing rain and strong winds. Wishing you a good day.
Oh! How splendid.
I was never a gladioli fan thou, I'm afraid.
Yes Jim, it has been that sort of weather here too - the farmer has been pottering in the garden (looking for slugs eggs actually - and destroying them). Gina says I have to ask you about Sissnghurst Pinks - what have you to say on that subject.
Now you are blogging again I shall put you on my sidebar.
Wow how lovely, I never knew about Gladioli corms! Thank you, I really enjoyed reading about that.
Our weather was deceptively spring like today. But we will have a couple more punches from winter,too. I always hold my breath. The warming air entices plants to bloom then - wham - here comes the frost1
You are so right. We gardeners DO take pleasure from the simplest things. I love your story of the corms. Very sweet. Thank you for sharing.
Hi i am new here. I am a little bit hesitant because i might put the wrong spelling, or i normally unintentionally omit some prepositions, because maybe the mind is faster than the fingers. Ireland and Scotland are always enchanting for me. However, i might not be able to reach them in this lifetime. We have some islands in the northernmost part of our 7,107 islands which are not easily accessible to most people, and when i saw it, i felt like i am looking at Ireland or Scotland. BTW i am so intrigued by your discussion of sunflower, pineapple and Fibonacci numbers. Now i am challenged to check other plants around. How interesting! Did you discover it yourself? Marvelous, now i am on the lookout to sample that. thanks for the awesome photos.
Post a Comment