In A Vase on Monday- a view from the potting shed

/ karen

Sorry isn’t a very good word to start a blog with. But yet again, I’m a day late. We simply do not have any broadband signal at home. So, having given up yesterday, I’m posting this from the Waitrose cafe! At least there’s tea and cake here. Anyway, please forgive me for always being late. Here’s some photos from my potting shed -taken on Monday.

In my vase this week there’s my yellow Aunty Doris chrysanthemums -still going strong, and a beautiful white variety called Swan. This one starts with a green centre which gradually over several days fades to pure white to match the outer petals. It is a thing of beauty, just like its namesake.

Here’s where I’m growing my chrysanthemums- in a 20 foot second-hand poly tunnel. It’s suddenly turned really cold -going down to freezing- so I’ve covered the flowers with fleece. The doors at both ends stay open to reduce condensation which damages the flowers. They can cope with the cold, but not the rain. Having said that, I’ve experimented this year and grown some outdoors. They were fine for early cropping and even coped with a couple of nights of frost. So I’ll do that again next year. The ones in the poly tunnel last until Christmas. Grace cat is on mouse duty! My seedling sweetpeas are in the Vitopod propagator.

Just as I’m starting to despair at the dark nights, these hazel trees burst into life. A million catkins to bring cheer. We called them lambs tails when we were little. They are a sign that spring is not far off really.

And so I’ve cut a few twigs to incorporate into this week’s Vase on Monday. And I’ve brought the vase into the greenhouse, as it’s getting quite gloomy in the potting shed. I’m putting up fairy lights in there next week!

Back in the potting shed, I’ve got a lot of rosemary clippings to use. The shed smells wonderful. And they a perfect partner to pink geraniums and cosmos.

Even a tiny posy for the kitchen window is welcome at this time of year.

And the rosemary helps support the very lax stems of chrysanthemum Lolypop. Mild autumn temperatures have made the stems grow long, so I’ve propped them up with greenery.

There’s a few chrysanthemum Sound nestling in the middle.

Such a pretty double chrysanthemum, Lolypop lasts for about a fortnight in a vase. The flowers just keep getting fluffier by the day. I love the slightly picotee edge to the petals.

And finally, there are a few begonia Pink Petticoat flowers left. Just one in a glass dish is enough to cheer up the kitchen breakfast table. I can’t stop gazing at the ruffled loveliness. How can anything be so pretty and delicate. Aren’t flowers cheerful- especially in late November.

Thanks to Cathy at Ramblinginthegarden for hosting this meme. Go over and see what everyone else is growing and cutting to create their vases on a Monday. It’s fascinating to see what everyone is growing- all over the world.

And if anyone knows the solution to broadband problems out in the sticks, please let me know. I’m thinking of ditching BT and going over to an EE mobile version called hawk or owl, or some-such other bird. If anyone has any experience of these please let me know. Meanwhile, you can find me at… Waitrose!

44 thoughts on “In A Vase on Monday- a view from the potting shed”

  2. Argh. Sorry to hear about your connection woes, I hope you see some improvement soon!
    Beautiful flowers and although the days may be dark it looks much livelier than the view from our windows. I also find some refuge in my own potting area although it’s not as cozy as yours. I think I need to get busy with some tidying up!

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    • Thank you. I’ve definitely got to get busy tidying up. Putting some Christmas lights up makes such s difference. But it does show up all the cobwebs and the dust :). Thanks for reading

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  3. What an outstanding array of colour for November Karen. It is difficult to offer advice regarding BB so much depends on where you live. EE has had a few security issues over the last two years. I moved from BT to Plusnet, they were much cheaper, and have a good customer satisfaction rating, they are owned by BT!! Who ever you use,unless it is mobile, they all have to use BTs copper wires. I would use a free website to test your B.B. speed, it provides a useful comparison. I did this with Plusnet , they then offered to upgrade me to their latest modem at no extra costs. I hope you get sorted, although Waitrose are good they are not 24hrs!

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    • Thanks for your kind comments Brian. The poly tunnel extends the growing season so much. Plus it’s a nice place to work when it’s wet outdoors. I’m dreaming of a time when we can join in with broadband. Thanks for your advice though. Much appreciated. Karen

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  4. Glad to know I’m not the only one persistently late for IaVoM – generally for the same reasons! We have no landlines out here so basically use mobile phone tethering for now as satellite doesn’t have a good reputation in our neighborhood either. I dream of real internet service and speeds… and lower bills… 😉
    Your chrysanthemums are lovely and so inspiring! I’ve had rabbits into mine, eating the stems so they’ve not even had a chance to flower. Your polytunnel must bring so much colour into the winter months!

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    • Thank you. I too dream of a proper internet service. Sadly we are a mile from the nearest village, and the village doesn’t have high speed cable either. I can’t see it being resolved with BT I’m going to try a mobile service instead, if I can afford it! My potting shed and poly tunnel give me somewhere warm and dry to work over the winter. But the mice are doing their best to eat their way through everything. Numerous humane traps are now set! thanks again for reading and for getting in touch. Karen

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  5. You’ve done exceedingly well in the circumstances, Karen. We are in the same position as you re BT. Because we also us the TV from their hub we can hardly ever get Players and Apps. Our computer adviser has installed another provider just for the computers – that works well, but sometimes slowly. He has recommended the mobile version you mention. He says it is more expensive, but less than the combined cost of the two I am currently paying for. He is due to test it today. I’ll let you know how we go. I’m not sure where you are, but we are at Downton, between Milford on Sea and New Milton on the edge of the New Forest.

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  6. What an array of things you have flowering. I have my eye on the white Chrysanthemum. I saw one on another blog and thought I’d like one next year, they are so bright and fresh. I saw some hazel catkins in a hedgerow near here so I may be raiding that soon. Perhaps your cat would like to visit my poly tunnel. A whole family of mice live there and there latest exploit is digging up and eating freesia bulbs. I have a hanging shelf for precious things.

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    • We got some of our chrysanthemums as cuttings from Chrysanthemums Direct as RHS malvern show. They were very cheap- special offer 10 for £10. Mum and I split them between us. A hanging shelf is a brilliant idea. I might have to try that. I’m suddenly overrun with the blighters! I’ve set humane traps, but you have to check them every half hour- otherwise they are not humane! Thanks for reading and for getting in touch. Hope they didn’t get all your freesias.

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      • I hope you realise I meant ‘their’ and not ‘there’!
        Ah, I will have to look at Chrysanthemums Direct as if I needed another place to be buying things from…
        The shelf really does work hanging by rope from the central supports. The freesias are now on that. They have been in pots since the spring and suddenly started to grow now. In the spring I put anything pea or bean like up there and also spinach seeds which they like to dig up.
        Last month I was watering a tomato plant which I had growing in a bag with no base so the roots could go down into the soil. A mouse jumped out of the bag, then another and FIVE more followed. They were very cute field mice but what chance do I stand? I suppose they’d been breeding over the summer. Perhaps our mice will move elsewhere over the winter.

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      • Just lifted the lift up seat on the ride in lawnmower. Whole family of mice jumped out! Sigh. And they have had some seeds I’d left out. The rest have been put in a metal dustbin to keep them safe. Thanks for getting in touch. Good luck with your growing 😉

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  8. Oh I must check ur hazels tomorrw – I hadn’t even thought of checking them out until you mentioned. It was so intersting reading your post and hearing about your different chrysanthemums. The first vase really does GLOW. and that fluffy pink one is so pretty. Do you keep all the hardy ones outside or are some of those in the polytunnel hardy too? Look forward to seeing your shed all decked out for the festive season 🙂

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    • Thank you Cathy. Aren’t they cheerful colours. I think the poly tunnel ones would be hardy if they were kept on the dry side. Maybe the wet would kill them. The outdoor ones were harvested first as I thought the rain would spoil the flowers. Now I’m on to the poly tunnel ones. But I’ve had a disaster today. A mouse has got in and nibbled the flower heads. Never realised they ate chrysanthemums. Can’t think they get much nutrition from them. So they probably won’t last until xmas after all. Never mind, I’ve got my amaryllis coming on. I planted mine up as soon as I saw your beautiful flower. They have buds already -before even going into the compost. One poor plant had the bud trying to escape out of the box. I’ve much sweeping to do before I can put the lights up in the potting shed. I’ve been so busy the whole place is a bit of a tip! Love karen x

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      • Oh how many heads did they get through, Karen? That’s such a shame, although I suppose the polytunnel is a pleasanter restaurant than outside when the weather is like this… And your amaryllis – gosh! Half the fun is watching the emergence of the bud and monitoring its growth – but it sounds as if we shall be seeing it in a vase sooner than you thought!

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      • I wouldn’t have minded if they had just munched a few whole ones, but they have nibbled nearly every flower in tiny bite size pieces. I’ve set humane traps.

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  9. Karen are fabulous your two vases of Chrysanthemums. The first one with the yellow Chrysanthemums of Aunt Doris I really like the color. And the Swan variety in pure white fascinates me. The second vase with the wonderful Chrysanthemums Lolypop with that beautiful pink color and those petals that make you want to touch them with your fingers for how beautiful they are; subject by rods of Romero. Fantastic. I love your shed: a place so beautiful, a place to disconnect from the world and think, do things. With those big windows through which the light enters in torrents. Your tunnel to continue growing chrysanthemums and other flowers is great. And you also have the Greenhouse. Karen stay warm. An idea. Are DECATHLON large surfaces nearby, in some city? They are large sports stores with very good prices. I bought five years of sky underwear (long pants and long-sleeved shirt) and I spent 20 euros. You put it on top of your underwear, they have to be in direct contact with the skin. They are finite but they are hot. Tam We spent a Winter in the country house and that’s why I bought them. I went to the garden at -3ºC with my skí underwear and my work trousers and on top at fleece and a three-quarter jacke and high rubber boots. and it was hot! Memories to your Mother. Karen stay warm. Greetings with much love from Margarita.

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    • Thank you Margarita for your ever so kind words- which are always appreciated. Those chrysanthemums are such good value. They last for weeks in a vase. I know the shop Decathlon. There is one in Nottingham I think. Very good value clothes. I will search out the clothes you suggest. I expect we both feel the cold due to our injuries. I am currently wearing two pairs of socks! The problem is I can’t wear any heavy clothing as it hurts my back and shoulders. So I’m trying thin layers instead. What a problem. I really need to move to a warmer country! Greetings to you and your parents. Love from Karen and Mum xx

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      • Katy the same thing happens to me with heavy or tight clothes: all bones hurt. If you can come to Decathlon and take a look. The underwear that I have is superfine. I use thermal socks because I am very cold on my feet. I buy them at the market but they are working. I go with my feet burning. Come to a work clothes store and ask if they have them. They are a good investment. If I could send you a couple, I would be delighted. Do not take cold. Memories for your Mother. Karen the best for you. Very loving greetings from Margarita.

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      • Thank you Margarita. Don’t worry. I’m sure I will be able to find some. I’ve bought some lovely warm socks and gloves from a company on line that specialises in reynauds syndrome. Here is a link. I think they do mail order. http://www.raynauds.org/2014/12/27/best-glove-for-raynauds-sufferers/ . It is a problem. It’s just been such a sudden change in weather this year, I am still adjusting. Thank you for your care. Greetings- karen x

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    • Ah, I thought you might have the same problems. It’s very difficult as everything now revolves around a computer. If you want to book a doctors appointment it has to be via the computer. Renewing library books- in line. Banking- all on line. Nearest bank is next town. Thanks for reading and for your kind comments. Flowers certainly do make you smile don’t they. x

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    • Thank you Donna. My potting shed is not posh, but it is a little haven of peace and calm. I’m potting amaryllis today in there. Something cheerful to look forward to when it’s cold. Thanks for reading and for getting in touch. Karen x

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    • They do top up the teapot with hot water, which is nice. But I don’t get much work done as I’m always chatting with anyone else who’s there. Thanks for reading. So cold here today. I’m wearing two jumpers! x

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