Wednesday and back to work, back to reality and the reality is there's not a lot I can do with all that snow. It is very pretty though and we had a walk round the nursery gardens as you can see in the photos. Bracken enjoyed following trails and and snuffling about in the snow. We checked all the tunnels, watered the greenhouse, sorted some bits and pieces out in the office and took some pretty photos. I turned over more of the last compost heap, which surprisingly wasn't frozen. So we got a few things done then home for a late lunch and admin in front of the wood burning stove for the rest of the day.
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| Snow topped Echinops |
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| Equisetum hymale |
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| Angelica seed heads |
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| Althea officinalis, Marshmallow |
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| Tidying and watering in the greenhouse |
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| Surprisingly the compost wasn't frozen |
This plant is a succulent, often to be found on sunny windowsills in the home. It grows to about 18
inches tall, requires very little care as long as it has sun and warmth. It doesn’t need much water so like most cacti and succulents thrives on neglect. It was also happily grow outdoors during summer, just remember to bring the plant back in before winter.
The benefits of Aloe vera have been known for thousands of years. Sometimes referred to as the “burn plant,” “lily of the desert” or the “wonder plant,” aloe vera likely originated in the Sudan. Ancient civilizations eventually brought the plant to the Mediterranean region and other warm climates around the world. In 2100BC A record of aloe vera’s benefits appear on a Mesopotamian tablet, in 70AD The Greeks use aloe vera to treat wounds, hair loss, and other issues, in 1655 First mention of aloe vera in the English language; John Goodyew translates Dioscorides’ Medical treatise De Materia Medica and today Aloe vera is commonly used in many countries for topical and internal uses.
Aloe Vera is known for its skin soothing and healing properties. It is also an excellent moisturiser that helps to keep the skin hydrated and increases elasticity. This makes it an ideal ingredient in anti-ageing skin care products such as moisturisers, serums and cleansers.
5 Skin Benefits of Aloe Vera
~ Aloe vera can help with all types of skin burns, especially sunburns in the summer. This comes from the plant’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties which can literally absorb the temperature from
the sunburned skin. Aloe is also packed full of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which will speed up the skin healing process. Many after-sun lotions are based on aloe vera as its main ingredient, however, if you have the plant use pure aloe vera gel from the leaves.
~ Fast healing of wounds and cuts due to Aloe vera accelerating the production of new skin cells. It is absorbed by your skin even faster than water thus, the gel of aloe is the perfect cure for wounds and cuts. By healing the skin cells around the wound and preventing infectious processes from taking
place, aloe can speed up your recovery time by more than half. So, whenever you have wounds or cuts, try a regular application of aloe gel.
~ Skin moisturizing – one very useful feature of the aloe vera gel is its role as a powerful moisturizer because the gel gets quickly absorbed into the skin and increases its water content supply. Since aloe
vera is not an oil-based, it is great for people who suffer from greasy and oily skin as well as people who are prone to acne breakouts. The aloe will moisturize and hydrate your skin without blocking your pores. As such, aloe vera can be an amazing moisturizer for people who often suffer from chronic
skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.
~ Acne fighting – because of the healing and anti-inflammatory properties mentioned above Aloe is an effective acne-fighting weapon. Aside from preventing acne with its anti-inflammatory function, aloe
will prevent scarring and acne marks thanks to its healing properties. The production of new skin cells will be accelerated, and your skin will become clearer than ever.
~ Anti-aging effects - Aloe vera contains many different vitamins and antioxidants such as Beta Carotene, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and many more. These vitamins will feed your skin and increase its moisture content and elasticity. Thus, preventing and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and
wrinkles.
For a quick and easy remedy for burns, skin irritation or insect bites cut off a piece of leaf and rub the cut end on the affected area. Relief can be almost instant.
Remove an outer leaf from near the base of your plant, slice off the prickly sides of the leaf with a knife. Take care not to cut too much off. With the convex side up, use a vegetable peeler to trim the outer layer of the leaf. Slide the knife under the gel to remove it from the other side of the leaf. Dice the gel into smaller pieces. Refrigerate leftover aloe. It lasts about a week.
Caution: Be careful not to use the yellow juice from the leaf. It has a laxative
effect.
I have worked all day in front of the fire creating new sales signs while David printed out and laminated all the replacement ones for the faded and damaged. We decided there was no point going to the nursery with more snow and well below zero temps we are getting on with lots of new sign making. There is always work to do no matter the weather.
exciting!! We know they are just up the valley and have seen them along the Tweed. So David went and bought a squirrel feeder and got it up on the fence today. Fingers crossed
Well the first full week of January 2021 is done, surely things can only get better?
Take care, keep well, stay safe x
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Bracken looks fab in his red jumper!
ReplyDeleteWe had -11 last night, but the really cold spell is coming for next weekend. Lots of snow is due before that, very good timing as it protects the plants against the frost.
Keep well and stay healthy.
Hi, he loves his wee red jumper and it keeps him cosy. We ad low temperatures here over the weekend too, -13C at the nursery, so it will be interesting and slightly worrying to see what damage has been done to the plants. Can't wait for spring. Take care :)
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