Six on Saturday – Armchair Edition

Last Monday the overnight temperature dropped to 3.5C and we had our first light frost on the roof of the car. However, while we were away at the hospital in Coimbra neighbours reported on Facebook that temperatures plummeted to  -4C. This is the lowest (in our area) in over a decade so hopefully my plants have not suffered too much.

My six this Saturday is conducted from my garden armchair (due to knee op). Photographs come courtesy of  my husband whose mission is  to report back what is happening around the garden while I have limited mobility. I feel nervous and we already have a disclaimer I won’t complain if anything dies.

1.YaY, Brussel Sprouts!!

When I bought the seedling plugs from the market at the beginning of August I was doubtful they would survive the usual onslaught of slugs and snails, yet alone produce any brussels. This is my first attempt so you can imagine our delight when against all the odds we were rewarded with our first feed on Thursday. Next year I will be more optimistic and plant more.

Yes, I am easily pleased.

2. Armchair Gardening – Planning My Herb Garden

I am deliberating what herbs to grow and where to grow them. Do I plant in pots so I can more easily pamper to their individual watering and sunlight needs, or do I just continue with my wild herb bed and let them grow at will? The herb bed does need weeding and reorganising and is on my Husband’s ‘To Do’ list. (Which is on hold until I can walk again).

At the moment I am planning to grow
Basil,Parsley (curly), Coriander, Chives, Dill, Garlic, Marjoram/Oregano, Sage, Thyme and Lemon Thyme, Rosemary and Mint. Some plants I have already, others I will need to plant some seeds. Maybe the seed planting can be done from the armchair so I can still connect with the earth.

I have eight pots of Lemon grass waiting to be rehomed. I’ve never used it in about six years so now’s the time to be ruthless and it will be a few less mouths to water and pots to weed.

3. Aeoniums in Flower

I have several varieties of Aeoniums in my collection and at some point I must take a moment to identify them beyond genus. The first was a cutting the second I planted directly in the ground as an established plant. Both enjoy the full sun.

I am unsure if the leaf drop is due to the fall in overnight temperature to just above freezing or the lack of water. I don’t think we have had any rain since November but then again I read that I should not water succulents during the winter months.

4. Hibiscus

I notice from my perch on the garden sofa there are several hibiscus in flower at the moment. Remember my poorly Hibiscus with yellow leaves and brown veins? I fed it with magnesium sulphate and it is slowly recovering.

It needs some more feed but for now it will have to wait. Hubby has enough to do cooking and feeding me.

5. Hungarian Hot Wax Chilli Seedlings

This is a fun challenge. Out of ten seeds only six germinated, one died and five are fighting for survival. We don’t have a sunny windowsill or greenhouse so the seedlings are placed outside during the day and brought in at night.

In the past when I have attempted to grow plants from seed, I just mixed some sandy soil with traditional multi-purpose compost and it worked fine. However, on this occasion, I did invest in  seed compost as an experiment and if I’m honest I don’t think it’s made any difference.

6. Crassula ovata – Jade Plant (Money Tree)

My Jade plant started flowering in mid December and is still flowering its little heart out into the second week of January.

So folks, this is my Six on Saturday for this week. Please check out The Propagator’s Blog to link up with other gardeners.