A couple of weekends ago I corralled Nigel, my beast of burden, into helping me move many of the tender plants into the greenhouse for the winter. We don't actually have a frost in the long-term forecast, but I wanted to get it done in plenty of time, so that I could be methodical and not just frantically cramming plants in wherever I could on a deadline. At this moment, as I write, we are having a remarkably blustery day. However, for the most part, our weather has remained unseasonably warmer and drier than usual, but I don't think the plants mind being inside. Yes, it means the end of the gardening season, but I'm ready.
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| The greenhouse from the front door |
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| Alyssum growing by the greenhouse foundation |
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| Various ferns and Pacific Coast Iris potted up for the winter are hardy enough to remain outside to grow on |
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| Minnie Mouse and Geranium phaeum 'Samobor' |
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| Elephant ear from outside |
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| Tree fern (Cyathea australis, I think) |
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| And from inside |
There's no room for a table and chair for enjoying morning coffee, but I do use my garden kneeler turned over for seating, with padding from an old green towel (you can see its purple frame in the background of the above photo).
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| Looking back from inside |
In an effort to clear up floor space, I've decided to overwinter my big Brugmansias in the garage instead of the greenhouse. I've done it before, and it will mean they have a slower start next year, but I needed the extra space. I'm also taking a chance on the weather gurus, who claim we are in for a mild winter, and leaving my big pots of Canna 'Tropicanna' outside for the winter as well. Both of those decisions freed up floor space for two more wire racks for holding plants and for starting seeds in the spring.
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| Racks of tender plants on the right as you enter |
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| Various Begonias and succulents |
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| Two more racks on the left, with the heater in between |
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| Alstroemeria 'Rock n Roll' may not be hardy enough to stay outside |
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| One last Bougainvillea bud |
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| So far it's holding onto all its leaves -- keep your fingers crossed |
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| Pelargonium sidoides cuttings -- well rooted ones on the left, new ones on the right |
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| Senecio mandraliscae cuttings |
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| Tray full of Sempervivum offsets that spent the summer outside, waiting to be potted individually |
I still have quite a few plants outside in the pot ghetto that really need to get in the ground, but I'm running out of energy and enthusiasm.
