It has been a long time since life was calm enough for a Saturday Six and to warm up gently for the rest of the year’s efforts, this one is focused inside and under cover.
The rain and wind have been blustering and rolling around the greenhouse for days; inside, though dry and still, it is definitely not warm. No real encouragement then to spend much time inside it sowing seeds or potting on. There seems to be more of a need for the latter than I had realised as Autumn sown seedlings are quietly outgrowing their pots.
The late Summer cuttings are also needing to be moved on into their own (or bigger) pots and there have been surprisingly few casualties considering the dramatic drops in temperature.
Number 2 are the cuttings of Jamaican Primrose which have all taken despite the slapdash way I treated the cuttings – taking them late and just poking them into multi purpose compost. They were my favourite plant of all last year and am looking forward to planting a ribbon of them through my garden this year. They are tender, but are extremely long flowering- even coping with some light early frosts. Their soft yellow daisy flowers are truly lovely.
Number 3 are also Autumn sowings and these are the very healthy looking ridifolia or false fennel. This is a first and I am hoping they will look fresh and green in flower too.
Caught again in that February indecision and the conflicting messages from experts, seed packets and books about what should and shouldn’t be sown. There is that nagging February anxiety that if I don’t do lots now it will be too late. There is also the clear memory of window sills crammed with tomato, aubergine and chilli plants, during last year’s late Spring and delayed Summer, which got bigger and bigger and finally a bit overwhelming as the greenhouse got fuller and the weather stayed obstinately cold.
But looking round the greenhouse, of course I have already planted more than I think. Number 4 are the germinating Broad Bean seeds elbowing their way out into the light.
Number 5 are the almost as lusty seedlings of Cobea scandens which will add a touch of glamour to my fences this year.
Last for this week’s Six are the Anenomes just coming in to flower in their crates. The first one, white and gently unfurling, is such a sign of optimism for Spring when it feels and sounds so much like Winter.
While this Six has been sheltering inside, I am sure there will be many more Sixes out and about braving the elements. Just take a look over at the The Propagator’s blog
thedevelopingplot 
You’ve got quite a lot going on already! I know exactly what you mean by “There is that nagging February anxiety that if I don’t do lots now it will be too late” I’m feeling it too even though planting weather is still months away here.
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Absolutely! Starting too early means I run out of space when the weather is still too cold to put things out.
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When did you sow the cobea seeds? I waited for the beautiful days to start mine, but looking at yours makes me want to sow mine. (and I will also take a look at my broad beans this afternoon: but they are outside under a fleece and I’m pretty sure they have not sprouted yet)
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Sowed the cobea about a week ago and broad beans week before. Both in a frost free, but not very heated greenhouse.
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Cobea is such a smashing plant – annual climbers are often overlooked but add so much to the garden. I wasn’t familiar with the Jamaican primrose but it looks very jolly. I can see why you took those cuttings.
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Original Jamaica primrose came from a cutting taken on a course at Derry Watkins Special Plants Nursery. It is a really lovely flower even as it fades.
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Lots going on there. I gave up on autumn sowing as the results never seemed worth it. Yours are.giving menew encouragement.
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Here’s hoping they survive!
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I didn’t know the false fennel so consulted Google. Looks pretty! Children Seeds catalogue arrived the other day and it’s in there. Another one for the list. You are well ahead with your seed sowing
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Maybe a bit too enthusiastic when I run out of room later. Just hoping for a kinder Spring this year.
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Your post is a grand look into new life happening there. So glad to see I’m not alone in getting excited about all the new sprouts in their trays. Such a time of anticipation! A little “hoorah” escapes me when I notice a newcomer pushing through, especially if germination took a long time.
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Definitely! It never stops being exciting and now just on the verge of lots of sowing.
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Well, my six were all one plant that was certainly out and about, but did not do so well with the elements. Yours looks so sheltered and cozy.
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