Växtloppis always open

By the way... the växtloppis is always open 😉

Outside our garden we have a växtloppis (plantmarket) where you can find seedlings and cutting for sale which I have been growing last months. You are welcome to take a look even when the garden is not opened. 

Outside our garden we have a växtloppis (plantmarket) where you can find seedlings and cutting for sale which I have been growing last months. We have some annuals like Cosmea, Verbena and Tobaccoplants. But also Salvia (lila), Big Campanula's, Jacobsladder, Goatbeard, etc. Every week I will have some new stuff. 

You are always welcome to take a look even when the garden is not opened. 

Open Garden Times

Next weeks in June, July & August we will have open garden nearly every weekend (on Saturday & Sunday from 11-16 o'clock). Of course it's depending on the weather too, because we only have outdoor places. So when we have time and the weather is good, we can open extra. But with very hot or rainy cold weather it's not making sense to open.
 

Outside the garden you will find a small plant garden with some seedlings and plant cutting I have been growing last weeks. I'm very proud to show my garden to people. I'm trying to make it look like former days with grandma's plants, like the Midsommar Rose or the Hungarian Iris. So feel free to walk around or just enjoy the surroundings form a comfortabel seat in the middel of the garden, close to the lake. We also serve some small coffee & cakes. 

Please follow the actual announcements the week before on this weblog, (Facebook) or Instagram (Sjobygget_Tradgard). Feel free to visit our private garden in one of these weekends. We are very happy to meet you 😉. 

Time for Lingonrunda 3 & 4 juni 2023

 

Soon it's time for Lingonrunda again. You are welcome on a lot of places (Lingonställen) in the Western part of Småland. It's a network with more then 100 places to visit. Among them are musea, shops, farmshops, arts & handcrafting, flowers, vegetables and design. Mostly small companies or enthousiasts with a hobby. The products are produced in the neighborhood. There is something to find for every one!

Sjöbygget Tradgården will join this event in June too!

Have a look on the website: www.lingonrundan.com. Some have opened the year around, some only in Summer but most of them open at the special event day. You will recognize them with a special flag.  

Suddenly it's summertime

Suddenly it's summertime al over the place... Four weeks ago it started, beginning of May, nice temperatures, very sunny and mostly blue skies. Perfect!

We have been working on hare prevention... Maybe you remember last year the hare has been eating al my Salvias, Campanula, Lathyrus and a lot of plants more. Even the Clematis what was already some meters high and would start flowering. Also the seedling I have been growing for months. So we made a totally new fence around the total garden. We thought we managed but after some weeks we found out that the hares had been learning to jump. So in a new round we made an higher fence, totally around the garden again (this time with the help of my brother and his son 🙏). Till now it seems to work but we keep our fingers crossed. 

Now, beginning of June, it's getting warmer and warmer even at night. I've already been swimming a lot of times in the lake around the corner. Also no midgets yet, maybe because of the dry weather. But the broms (sort of horseflies) already arrived 😬. They land very sneaky and before you know they start biting painfully. 

Also an other problem showed up again: it's sooo dry. The grass already got yellow. We need to water the plants very much and every day, so they can survive. Special the ones in pots, just planted or the ones in the plantmarket (växtloppis).

Buzzzzy springtimes again

Spring.... or summer already? The weather changed beginning of May, we got finally warmth and sun. Suddenly we had summertime and we touched even more then 20 degrees. In only three days later all the trees got green again! It was also the sign for the start of the busiest time of the season, like always for a gardener. Now, all jobs needs to been done at the same time. 

Before I kept all the small plants inside because it was still frosty at night until then. So I forwarded most jobs around the young plants till half May. I put out the toughest seedlings on the veranda, so they had some shelter but still could adapt a little to outside climate at the same time.

I only took the risk with planting outside some climbing Ipomea's in full ground (because I would have visitors and no time for planting next week). I wanted them to grow already so they would have some body beginning of June. But I was punished for that, too quick. All 40 died. I need to sow them again, this time directly outside. By the time they will start to grow, about a day or 10, I expect the temperatuur will be above zero. 

At the same time I'm so happy I've been trying to fix all other possible jobs what needs to be done (as far as possible) before opening the garden beginning of June again. We started already in April to make an extra fence of chicken wire around the total garden, to protect the plants against the hares. Last year it was a tragedy. All my Salvia's Verticilata, Papavers, the small fresh sowed Lathyrus plants, the big Campanula's (Stor Blåklocka) and some other in the total garden were eaten off each time they tried to get up a little. The hares were like an unwelcome grass machine in the total garden. The worst of all was the Clematis, which I was so proud on because it grew perfectly in Spring, two meters high already. It was cut off at the bottom and didn't recover that year. 

We have also been busy starting up the robot called Herman. Every year a surprise if it's working. Mostly not. Because the line is broken somewhere around in the garden. So you have to check all the lines, which is quit a lot in our garden. The easiest way is to take some hours or an afternoon without stress. The good news is we managed it again, "Herman" is running around again. So we only have to cut the outside parts by hand right now once a week. 

The weeds are starting to grow too, so now I need to weed the whole garden, for not getting behind. That will only take more time. Mean while I'm fixing small plants for selling by getting cuttings and moving the seedlings form the plugg trays to a bigger pot. Some parts in the garden need also a reshuffle. Extra handicap is the sudden warmth, not very suited to replant or move plants. Beside of that I have to water all the plants (special for them in baskets) to keep them growing.

By the way, some planting pots are already filled up for the season. Maybe it is a little too early but I just cannot do all in the last days before opening. I'll have to bake some cakes, fix some chairs and announce the garden on the socials. So if you don't mind, I'm out in the garden again...

Not only summer weather by the way 😏

Signs of spring approaching

Somewhere you can feel the spring coming. It sounds like spring is hiding just around the corner. Officially it started end of March, but I can not see it yet. But I can not wait either 😇. Time to prepare when the temperature is at least above zero. We have been preparing the flowerbeds with fresh selfmade compost. And we repaired the grass by sowing some extra. At least it keeps us busy while we are outside. It's important to get in some extra energy after winter. 

I think you know already. When I find the first Blåsippa (Hepatica Nobilis) it makes me so happy. It is really the sign nature is going to start soon again. After this flower all other plants will start to grow and soon the garden will explode again. All plants growing and flowering after a grey wintertime. I love this time of season. Every year I hope this time (May/June) could stay some langer. (And maybe skip the November month?)

Some of the plants I could put outside already. They need a periode of cold to germinate, like the Verbena Bonariensis. I tried already some years but never succeeded before, till i read about this. So they have been out in very cold and frosty periods in sandy ground so they don't start to rot. And the good news is: they started growing! To be continued....

Ready to travel? Glad Påsk!

 

Happy Easter for every one 💛 We wish you all very nice days together with family and friends where ever you are. Just enjoy the time! We finished the decorations around the house and prepared the Easter program. So we are nearly ready to celebrate 😉

Of course we hope the winter will be over soon, like a lot of people. Although they say it's going to snow tomorrow again...😳. We still have the winter tires (spikes) but need to change them soon. We have an appointment next week. I hope we don't need them anymore and we need to change them before the 15th of April. But at least I found the first Crocus flowers last week. Finally not only snowdrops anymore. I saw also the first glimpse of the blåsippa. I will keep you updated. 

Finally. We started also with some gardenjobs outside. I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to go outside. It's still very cold and wet but when you have some sun it's ok as long as you keep moving and working. It's good the groundwater level is back on normal level again since the very dry periods last years. From 2018 it has been too dry. Though it's very high water at some places now, even in our garden. Mostly it will disappear in the bottom quickly because it's very sandy over here in Småland. And it will provide us and all the people around us with fresh drinking water for the wells. 

In the garden we are taking away the frost prevention, the rest of the leaves and burned the rest of the woods in the fireplace. We are making extra fences to keep the hares outside. All those little plants start growing now and they like special the new fresh leaves. I saw the new build flowers from the Helleborus where gone already 😕. The deer have a special nose for the first parts of the Daylilies, so we have been protecting them too. We made some chicken wire around the fresh youngsters. Last years we already made fence around the garden and it's looking like they are a little lazy. So they don't jump in that easy, only when they are very hungry. 

Inside the work of sowing already started weeks ago. A lot of plants are growing now but couldn't go outside because it still was freezing at night time. I kept them as cold as possible inside (around 10 degrees, so it's more easy to go outside. As soon as the frost will be less severe the next weeks the first plants -who are hardy enough can go out. Like the Sweet Williams (Borstnellikor/Duizendschoon), the Snapdragons (Lejongap/Leeuwenbek) and the Columbines (Akleja/Akelei). I've been trying to sow Verbena but I haven't been lucky with that. They need a period of cold, I know. So they have been outside and inside but still noting happening. 

Now it's the latest time to cut the Willow tree. You need to do it in winter. Somewhere between December and March before the juiceflow of the tree starts. That's for me the time to have some fun with Willow branches. I made a new wreath and a basket for my lady. Hope to see you soon in the garden for a fika 😍. 

Just in case you never heart about the old Swedish Easter Saga, please take a look. It's funny!

And for those how know about it? Have a nice trip on Thursday 😆.

Following natures steps

 

I'm so happy I found the first Snowdrops end of February. They are the symbol of hope, awakening and spring expectations. Did you know their names in other languages? In Dutch they are called "Sneeuwklokjes", in German "Schneeglöckchen, in French Perce Neige, Snøklokke (Norvegian) or Snödroppe (Swedish). It's called like this because of the flowering in snowy times and it has the form of a bell. The bells wake up the other plants after winter. 

Last week I found the next winter flower. It's called a Winteraconite, Wintergäck (SE), Winteraconiet (NL) or Winterling (German). 

You could feel spring coming closer. Very blue skies, the sun already warming earth and the birds whistling. We even had a coffee outside (with a very warm jacket on) but we had the chance to load our battery with vitamines. But sometimes nature makes two steps forward, one back. From spring feelings back to winter. Suddenly we are totally back in winter times. We got lots of snow today, more then 20 cm. It teaches you to be flexibel. Just anticipate. So back inside again. 

Already started gardening inside some weeks ago. The first things were some old seeds, maybe it worked out, maybe not. Actually it was too early but they had nothing to loose. Otherwise they would be thrown away anyway. The next I started with was some kitchen herbs like Citron Basilicum and Koriander. Always nice to have. It kept me busy in winter time, preparing for the season with some green -what I like to do so much. I can loose my self in working with plants, I simply forget the time.

Some of the old seeds came out anyway. So now I've got some extra plants of Nicotiana Lime,  Dianthus and Mirabellis Jalapa. The last one we call in Dutch "Nachtschone", Four o'clock plant (in English because it opens after four), Wunderblume (German), Underblomma (Swedish) or Belle du Nuit (French). The last name I like the best. They are beautiful, they have nice colors and a flagrancy to attract evening butterflies. But sometimes it's a pity they flower best at evening times. 

Others are still in the try out fase. Like Papaver Patty's Plum and Helianthus Citron. Waiting on the kitchen floor to come out. The Petunias I just started with because I couldn't wait...

The positive thing in nature is the circle of life. In winter all the plants look like they have died. But they actually took shelter inside earth. The autumn provides the plants with leaves falling down. They protect all plants and animals in the ground during winter time, to come back later. So don't take away all the leaves!

When you tried sowing something and it didn't work, you always get a new chance next year. It a good feeling to take care about something. After winter always follows spring. But you never know when exactly. You just have to follow. Go with the flow. Nature is the boss. (Though people often think they can manage nature.)

What will be next steps? It looks we will have severe winter next weeks, with strong frost. So I'm happy we got some snow, it will protect the flower buds which were already growing. The Magnolia I protected myself with some extra bubble plastic. 

I will keep you updated next weeks what happens!

Longing for spring

 

I've been celebrating these days. At least we had some of them last week (beside of some lighter foggy days 😜). When the sun is shining so bright my eyes nearly can not manage because they are not used to so much light anymore. It has been soooo dark, foggy and rainy from half December. We were lucky to travel away some days end of January. 

I saw already the hare was very hungry, so it has been eating my small beech trees. I will need to protect them better, I'll hope they still can survive.  The good thing was, we had so much snow the hare couldn't eat anything at all in my garden because all was very well covered with a heavy snow blankett. And we saw the traces where they get in the garden. I think it's a good idea to close this gates in spring to make it more difficult to get in and out.

Are you also longing for spring? For sure I am. But of course, I know it takes another 8 weeks at least. So I will have to wait for the real spring to start, maybe somewhere around March 😏( I saw looking in my old blogs.) So no Snowdrops yet, actually there is snow right now. But I found a nice quote, describing waiting for spring is full of expectations too:

"Every gardener knows, that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle....a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream by Barbara Winkler" 

To keep on dreaming I started making a planning of the year for the garden cafe and a seeding schedule. I made some cuttings of my French Geraniums (Pelargon). Next weeks I will go on sowing for next season. Just can't wait.  I like to see all small plants growing. It makes me feel ok, no matter what happens. Even when the world is in trouble nature just moves on. It's healing for people. It helps to stay positive. I'm still reading a book about gardening (Sue Smiths Well gardened mind). It's a good way to recover from all sorts of things, it gives happiness, energy and hope.

When the snow is gone and severe frost has left too, we will start preparing for next garden season outside too. We can start changing the robotlines, sow extra grass and cut the Willow tree back. When it's getting better weather (a little bit more like spring 😅) I can start preparing the garden decoration. I got a lot of stuff form the Netherlands. It's only three weeks till March...

Geranium cuttings

God fortsättning

Afbeelding van Dorothe via Pixabay 

God fortsättning...Tack det samma!

That's what they say here in Sweden in januari (what I learned last weeks from my neighbors 😉). It means: all the best for the new year. Thanks, same to you!

I hope you all had a really good free time with family and friends. Lot's of laughter, relaxmoments and warmth. Experiencing celebrating by tasting new or traditional Christmas recipes and played some old fashioned table games together. Maybe you have got some dreams in mind for the next year.

We enjoyed the very nice frozen world and snowy times just before X-mas, it was beautiful. I'm so glad we still have the memories. Later we got really challenged by the weather. It started raining before Christmas, till now. Already more then 3 weeks with very dark cloudy days and lots of rain. In between I only saw some sun twice - for some hours. It very hard to wake up in the morning or to stay awake during daytime when the darkness feels like it's evening time. Even worse, your body system will slow down even more and your brains are not in the mood for doing anything 😴. The good news is though that all the water wells in this neighborhood finally are filled up again for the first time in some years (Many around us still had problems in summertime). The ground waterlevel is normal again, the level in the lake is high.

Next week it's Blue Monday, the most depressing Monday of the year. I can understand why they call it like that. All the joyful times seems to be far away now, next holiday are far away too and there are a lot of must do's now. The days are still short and dark. This rainy weather isn't helping to make it more comfortable. So if your not in the mood for wintersleep or simply don't have the time: Come on and let's bust the blues... 

• Keep active outside. Go outside as much as possible. Take that walk in lunchtime, even when it's raining (you only get wet). Outside it's much more light then inside your house or office.
• Move. Start with your body exercise, join an internet side for a fitness or yoga session at home. 
• Ignore. Try not to look outside too much (things grow bigger when they get attention) and keep busy with something you like.
• Make plans.  Plans you really enjoy and can look forward to for short- and long terms.
• Set goals, to fill up your next days to start with. With funny things, new challenges, a try out hobby or something different you just never did before. When you enjoy it it will fill up your next months too, because you will forget the time. 
• Keep dreaming. Like me, I'm longing for spring. I can't wait for the plants to come out again and starting growing for the new season. I'm dreaming about new creations to make one day. I'm making planting plans, thinking about the jobs to do and preparing inside for sowing seeds. So if real winter doesn't want to come anymore let's start dreaming about spring soon...😄.

Let be spring soon 🙏

For now it's already dark again (around 16 o'clock), time to start my yoga session of the day. We went outside during lunchtime for some kilometers walk, worked on our projects and did our fitness session. I hope you will find your way too! 

PS: I've been writing about winter blues before, so if you want to have some more tips or information you can find it here.