Been a while . . .

... since I last posted. BUT, I've still been popping in now and again as this is still a great place to learn and see and hear about other's experiences.

First off, a moan from me ! I made comment about how windy it get's here and boy has it hit with a vengence last night and today. Those last few sunny weeks have led me into a false sense of security. So much so that I am just putting the finishing touches to a small Japanese garden, I've potted up a few herbs, and planted out some courgettes. WELL, the Japanese garden is taking a battering with still emerging Acer leaves getting tattered, the herbs that were still a bit leggy and soft have been flattened, and the still young leaves on the courgettes have been ripped off !!! We had a few cm's of snow and it's a bitter wind from the North and all I can do is wait until tomorrow and try and survey the damage.
On a positive note. Took a run out to Bodnant Plant centre and was pleased to find some nice plants at reasonable prices. In particular Camellia's, Rhododendrons and Azalia's looked good. Got one of each. Most of the plants can be seen planted around the gardens at Bodnant and so it's good to know what kind of climate they survive in.
Now how many blocks would I need to build a giant wall around my garden to fend off the wind ?
Gazania

 

hallo Gazania,
my heart aches for you and your plants right now. I know we can do nothing and have to take it on the chin but, Mother nature has some weird little episodes doesn't she!! Why let it all develop?;lured by a false early Spring start and then...... ah well. Always tommorow. Down here in East Sussex, the number of wind damaging episodes over the last 4/5 months has been minimal. So much for the Wind Farm on Romney Marsh!!. Saw them all on Sunday afternoon -lifeless. Plants in my little garden are, like yours FULL of young, innocent, tender growth and I would be sad to see them damaged,
sorry,
Jenny namaste

 

Gazania, at a guess I'd say you are in Wales, it would be a help for everyone please if you'd put your area underneath your avatar. Thanks.

I think the weather has caught us all out this week. Although I'm in a fairly mild area the temperature plummetted yesterday, so I brought all my seedlings in from my greenhouse. Hopefully they'll be back out at the end of the week. I hope you haven't got too much damage.

I live on this very windy island and last autumn had my fence replaced, as panels were hopeless. This one is more substantial and at the same time lets the wind through while still giving me privacy from the properties behind.

 

Nothing like the I of M here but the dicentra have took a right battering today last week they seemed to be growing before our eyes and were about 75cm high

 

It's really disheartening when winter comes back for a last blast Lazydog and takes out those plants that have got underway already.

We've had no snow here although it tried yesterday and we're promised gales overnight tonight.

 

Hi, sorry 'bout that, I've included my location now. I'm still trying to add a pic but it isn't working at the moment so I'll try later.
That fence has got to be a lot better than panels. I would use fencing but then I would lose some glorious views of the mountains and the coastline. What I need to do is work with what I've got. So living in a windy position I have to work with it and plan accordingly.
Still got some snow drift around the house and garden and it looks like a full moon and a clear sky so we are in for some ice and frost tonight I guess.
Gazania

 

Thanks Armandii, I'll probably be around quite often as I'm determined to get on top of my gardens this year. And I'm sure to get more useful advise here.
On the windy front, my wisteria and honeysuckle have been blown to bits ! So, climbers are out of the question in future.
Gazania

 

Hi Shiny, are you refering to a windbreak I had in mind, or something else ?
Gazania

 

Ah Shiny, a case of mistaken identity I'm afraid. Unless there is another Gazania ?
Gazania

 

Your right Shiney, it is my wall and it has collapsed at one end. The whole lot needs a re-build, I'm hoping to start on it next month.