Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Wintry Garden

Last weekend I went to my garden. The weather was not frosty. Despite the snow melted in the city partly, in the garden outside the city snow densely covered the ground, it was colder.  
The aim was to see how my plants were wintering there and to clear the paths.  
Having arrived at the garden I could barely open the gate from behind the snow. It was nice outlook on the garden in wintertime, apple tree branches, pines, lonicera, tuyas - all plants were covered with snow.


It turned out that the snow was not heavy, but fluffy and light. It rustled under my feet. Love this sound! 
I cleared the snow on the patio and swept a little, this reminded me summer days :-)  Small round tuyas were completely covered with snow.



Rhododendrons wintered well too, their flower buds were clearly visible through snow lying on their leaves. I like the evergreen rhododendron varieties bred in Finland, they are totally suitable to our climate.



My raised beds were under the snow as well. I usually grow greens, carrots and onions on these raised beds and my back is OK when I weed them. I hadn't cleared snow there, since the soil will be wet and ready for sowing next spring. In the distance you see snow nicely stuck on the uneven fence at the background.


Here is a small red currant bush planted last fall. The young plum tree grows near it. I found they to be quite warm under the snow but added more snow with my shovel.


Then I cleaned the paths in the front garden, around the potentilla 'Abbotswood' bushes that were partly covered with snow. These plants are very hardy and overwintering well.


The days are still short in February, I had my sandwiches with a cup of tea and gone to the city.
What are your duties in your garden in February?

 

42 comments:

  1. How beautiful your garden is under the snow, Nadezda. I love the way you know exactly what lies underneath, and how you are watching and caring for your plants, even in winter.

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    1. Thank you, Juliet. Every winter is not the same one that passed and I try to care my plants.

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  2. Nadezda, I love these pictures! to say that I am envious would be an understatement! Here the heat keeps me depressed and begging for it to end, I stop gardening almost completely in summer for working under a sun so hot that hurts the skin at temperatures over 40 c is first degree torture, I will save my energy for fall and winter when gardening is a pleasure not a torture.

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    1. Oh, dear, that is too hot summer I think I couldn't bear this weather. Be careful MDN!

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  3. Dear Nadezda,
    your garden looks good, even with snow ;-) I think that snow is a positiv fact in winter, if it is cold, because the plants are protected. Here it is only less snow, so I startet to cut the dry perennials.
    With kind regards
    Katharina

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    1. You're right Katharina, snow protects plants in winter time. It's better when snowy layer is thick.

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  4. Hermosas fotos Nadezda, se ve precioso con su manto blanco. La nieve no causa demasiados daños y es una fuente de agua muy valiosa. Aún no puedo hacer nada en el jardín ya que hace meses que llueve y ahora también nieva, cuando pueda tengo que comenzar a limpiar y preparar la tierra para recibir la primavera. Feliz día. Besos.

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    1. Y yo también, Lola, estoy esperando que se vaya la nieve, y la tierra está caliente, Lola. Qué clima, parece realmente cambia.

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  5. For us it is mainly tidying up and harvesting at the moment. How far away form your home is your garden?

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    1. Sue my garden is about 25 min driving from the city to west, not far from the shore of Gulf of Finland.

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  6. Oh Absolutely magical photos. So much snow. I am a bit jealous as I love snow. hehe
    I wonder what it's like to have your own garden...my dream.
    Greetings. Hope you are fine. Have an amazing day. :)

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    1. I agree, Aga to have your own garden is a little paradise, the spot where you walk, sit, speak to plants and birds, work, shovel, rake, clear the pond...etc. :-) It's a pleasure!

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  7. The snow makes the landscape so beautiful, the fairy tale world;-)) Greetings

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  8. El jardín se ve precioso con la nieve, por aquí no ha nevado pero hace bastante frío y no se puede hacer nada en el jardín. Muchos besos.

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    1. Claro que no se puede hacer nada cuando hace frio, Teresa. Cuidate bien!

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  9. Your garden is lovely frosted with snow. Last year at this time, my garden had snow but this year, temperatures are warmer, winter blooms are plentiful and it seems as if spring has arrived early. Now I'm cutting back the dead stems of perennials. Some people do this in the fall but I like to leave the job until late winter.

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    1. Pruning and cleaning the garden before spring arrival is a treat Peter. I'd like to, but have to wait for snow melts :-)

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  10. Hello, Dear Nadezda!
    Your winter garden looks fine.
    I see you miss him very much.

    Nadezda, yesterday I heard and watched on television that a lot of snow fell in your wonderful country. Is it in your city too?
    Dear Nadezda, I hope you're fine.
    Kisses and greetings.
    Lucja

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    1. Dear Lucja, I'm fine, thank you!
      It's true a lot of snow fell down these days, but in Saint Petersburg it was no damage at all. The streets and avenues were cleared fast.

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  11. The snow makes the garden look like a fairy tale. You have to wait for better weather to clear your garden. Just rest a little and make new plans! Groetjes Hetty

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    1. Oh, yes Hetty I have to wait when snow melts and then to do spring clean up.
      Good time to planning!

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  12. Demasiada nieve amiga. Por Béjar también pero menos que vosotros. Hacía mucho que no nevaba así en el pueblo. Preciosas fotos Nadezda.
    Que tengas buena noche .
    Besos.

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    1. Si, Laura hay mucha nieve, es ligera y yo la limpio bastante rapido.
      Buen fin de semana!

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  13. At the moment my garden looks like yours, Nadezda: It's covered with snow. There is nothing to be done except of feeding the birds or cleaning the paths.

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    1. I love cleaning in the wintry garden, Sigrid, breathing the fresh air.

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  14. Your garden also looks lovely covered with snow and in my imagination I see you cleaning the paths, daydreaming about the plants under the snow. At the moment I cannot do anything in the garden because the soil is frosted but I'm looking forward to tidying up the garden in March.

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    1. Sure you will be able to tidy your garden soon Janneke. The spring comes to your place earlier than in mine.

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  15. Isn't it lovely to have some snow for a change! Past winters have been mild and with very little snow. In February I have to think about my borders next to house walls, these get very little snow and if very cold, need an extra attention. I collect and throw some snow on those for protection.
    But mainly, February is a moth of a wait - for Spring to come.

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    1. It's right, we have to put to use the snow layer to protect the plants if the frost days come. When I shovel and clear the paths I always throw some snow under the clematis, rhododendrons, roses, etc. Let's wait for spring, warm and early, Tistou.

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  16. Che nevicata!! Per fortuna in questa stagione dovrebbe sciogliersi presto :)

    Un saluto e buon finale d'inverno :)

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    1. Not very soon, pontos, snow melts in the end of March here.
      Have a nice new week!

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  17. Dear Nadezda,
    It seems strange to see your snowy garden when my garden is dry and some plants are struggling from the heat. Your garden looks so pretty with everything covered in what looks like thick white icing.
    I enjoyed your last post of a wonderful Christmas trip from Helsinki to Stockholm. The photos and video gave me a good idea of how it looks in those places at that time of the year. Great to go on the voyage with you! Was it Suomenlinna fortress that you sailed past? A good view from the boat.
    Keep well and warm.

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    1. You're completely right Betty - it's the fortress Suomenlinna that I told here:
      http://northern-garden.blogspot.ru/2017/11/suomenlinna-castle-of-finland.html

      It's a pretty place to spend summer day looking at the sea and the ferries passed by. I agree it would be nice adventure to go together on a cruise, Betty.

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  18. So very beautiful, Nadezda!
    We have about 80 cm of snow now and there will still be more coming, so there's not much to do in the garden. Fortunately so far the snow hasn't stayed on the branches of the trees, but keeps falling down. Our few fruit trees have been protected with fencing against hares, I need to control that there isn't much snow around them. The snow would help the hares to climb and reach the delicious branches... :)
    Fortunately the days are becoming longer and we have even had some sunshine recently.
    Have a great week!

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    1. It's a problem with hares, Sara. I know people whose gardens have been damaged by hares, especially young trees. Fortunately there are no hares in my area, I think it's too close to the big city. Good luck in keeping save your trees!

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  19. I do not like winter but I honestly say that in the pictures your garden looks great !!
    You really showed all the beauty of winter!
    Greetings

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    1. Glad you liked my wintry pictures, Ela.
      Sometimes winter time is nice too :-)

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  20. Your garden looks like a true winter garden with all that snow. With your paths shoveled off you can roam around outside and look at all.
    In my garden it is a little early for doing much of anything other than picking up sticks, raking leaves that have gathered along the fence lines. The ground is just beginning to thaw here. I need to get out and trim the grape vines. I have a domestic and a wild grape vine that I try to keep under control. Other than that I am mainly sitting inside thinking about all the things I want to do outside. I do a lot while thinking. :)

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    1. It's a treat to do something and plan the jobs in the vernal garden. You're more to south and the weather is warmer than here Lisa. Love your crocuses, feeling of spring.

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  21. This is a garden job I never have to do. The garden looks beautiful in the snow, and is like a cosy blanket for the soil and plants underneath. Like other garden jobs, it seems relaxing and enjoyable to do.

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    1. Shoveling snow is a garden job, catmint and if snow is fluffy and dry so the job very relaxing :-) To the warmth when snow is heavy and wet shoveling snow is a hard work.

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