The snow is slowly going

Hello, Hello,

Well after a week of sub zero temperatures, snow and ice things are starting to thaw out a little bit.  Unfortunately walking round this morning it is easy to see the damage that this early cold snap has caused.

Christmas Basket in the snow

The Chrysanthemums are frozen to a crisp.  Thankfully we took a load of cuttings a few months ago and these are thriving in the sanctuary of the tunnel, however we're now debating whether we should dig up the crispy frozen plants now and try and nurse them back to health or not.  If there are any Chrysanthemum experts out there then please do get in touch - we'd appreciate any wisdom and advice on the Chrysanthemum front and how to bring them back from the icy brink.

We've also had a few Cyclamen take a battering.  Even in their snug bubble wrap jumpers inside the tunnel a few of the plants have been hit by the -14c temperatures.  Apart from that most of the other things we have been lucky enough to rescue (fingers crossed.)  Mind you if we have a long winter then I fear that many of the spring bulbs will be late to flower next year as nature does her best to push Spring back. 



Orange spice table centrepiece

 On a jollier note, the Holly this year is full of berries and even the birds are struggling to peck their way through all of them.  Which is great for us as we have a plentiful supply of glorious scarlet Holly berries for our Christmas arrangements.  I'll try and add some pictures of Holly later on - the berries are almost hanging off the branches like grapes on a vine.

We had a super day at the Talgarth Christmas Market and are now busy preparing for the other markets we're attending in the run up to Christmas. 

On the farm front... the farmer is still feeding the sheep in the fields whilst the grass is frozen and/or under a blanket of snow, thawing out pipes and water tanks for the cattle to drink from and generally skidding about the place.  He's not a happy bunny.

Had better go and gather some more Holly, Ivy, Catkins and greenery and start and make up the wreath orders that are due for delivery toward the end of the week.

Bye for now

Cathy
www.breconblooms.com