2025/10 - Raisin' the Canopy

 It would make a good song title! Especially when sang with an American twang.

The before photo.

Yes folks, there was sunshine! But at home, on the balcony, it was 5°C, so I had my winter coat and hat on...Boy, was that a mistake, I was sweltering within 5 minutes!

But I battled on valiantly, quite in tune with that twang. "I'm gonna raise that canopy and have myself a glass of Tangeray before I throw an elk on the barbecue" sort a thang.

I swear all rabbits that heard me did a runner, just in case.

And after.

Hm. Not quite the romantic picture I had pictured, but never mind. Those branches will thicken out over time. And at least I can now take that path again without my head getting tangled up in that shrub, and mow that grass.

Apart from my olijfwilg, I tidied up the border next to the greenhouse, where the tulips, narcissi, lilies and primulas are showing themselves. In summer there are masses of gladioli (in a hideous mauve colour) of my predecessor there, which produce masses of leaves which then die back like straw. I pulled them out, but left the bulbs. Somehow I cannot bring myself to dig them up, they try their best to grow and can't help that someone thought that colour would be fun. I compromise by cutting off the flower stems and putting the flowers in a vase.

Yes, yes, definitely further along than a week ago!

And so are these, aren't they sweet?

I hesitated about cutting down the spent stems of the artichokes, but decided to leave them for a bit. There might be insects overwintering.

Tadaaa! One of my favourite plants in spring. It brightens up the entire corner next to the frog pond, love it.

Good times ahead!

Apart from that, I could not do much else. I was the only one there, the soil is far too cold still.

Book news

There will be a 'meet-and-greet' in my local bookshop Hoofdstuk Een by the end of March. I don't know the exact date (yet).

But I am extremely chuffed and pleased to be able to report that the people that have read it so far and made the effort to tell me, really enjoyed 'Boerenwormkruid'. Hurray!

So if you are curious, follow this link to Trichis webshop or contact me at dutchdeltagardener@gmail.com 

Have a lovely weekend!

Renée