6.08am this morning marked the exact moment of midwinter in the northern hemisphere. The days will start to lengthen – imperceptibly at first, but visibly by mid January. Many plants will know before we do. In my old garden there was, and still is, a lovely old Hamamellis mollis which flowered on cue in the first mild spell after the solstice. It should be open next week spreading its sweet scent across the garden. I might pop by and have a look.

As if to mark this annual pivot point, the two week freeze has vanished overnight, replaced with wind, rain and low grey clouds. Christmas week is forecast mild, wet and breezy which will be just fine with me. I’ve had enough of frost for a while.

Although the frost has kept us out of the garden, we’ve found plenty to do on the nursery. Debbie has almost completely cleared out the potting shed, ready for a re-organisation. Although the pots in the polytunnels froze too on several nights, it’s been lovely in there during the day and these now look very ship-shape with everything tidy and labelled.

Outside, I’m trying to get the best of both worlds by clearing enough gravel to create membrane-floored beds for the plants, while leaving customers walking on the safer slabs and gravel as it’s much less slippery. Last year we had real problems keeping the pots moist on the gravel – they dried out far too quickly.

As the nursery is now – gravelled and regimented.

And part of the new layout with the membrane beds. Next year you’ll be able to move more freely around the nursery instead of just up and down long rows.

And one final picture from the garden, taken one morning this week:

December 22, 2007