"From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens:

.......................... the garden outdoors, the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind's eye." -  Katherine S. White

It might be pretty, but I am done with this winter weather and winter in general. I was glad Monday was my day off and I didn't have to go out in the day-long blizzards. Each day of snow is several more days behind at the nursery These photos were taken in the morning, we then had another 5 inches of snow as it didn't stop all day! I feel I have perfected the art of hibernating 😂

It was a very overcast, snowy dog walk in the morning

Where the sky blends with the snowy fields

and of course it the next blizzard came on
 when we were far from the house

A monotone view from the house

More snow all day on Tuesday, we left in blue skies to go for a walk and by the time we'd got a mile along the road it was a blizzard again. Though its snowed on and off all day it hasn't lain much. Now we have to brace ourselves for the very low temperatures forecast for the next few days, brrrrrrrrrr. Fires on, hot chocolate and lots of jumpers.

Heading home

Pear, chick pea and harissa salad and beetroot and feta lattice for dinner, a colourful dinner

from Simply by Sabrina Ghayour

On Wednesday there was no point in me going into the nursery, if we've had 5 inches of snow here at home its definitely going to be worse up there. I also couldn't get along any of the roads out of our village due to roads blocked with snow and vehicles off the road. We (I) decided we were bored of walking along the road, so ventured up the forestry track and back through the woods. We left home and went to Narnia, will be back in the spring............ the snow was deep, but it that magical light powdery snow. It was up to Bracken's armpits, he was not amused! But it was beautiful with the trees covered in snow and the blue sky and sun. Just needed Mr Tumnus to appear out the trees and the magic would be complete.

Narnia or Scottish borders?

Thursday and I managed to get to the nursery, but as expected there was another good 5 to 6 inches of snow. So I checked everything, did some admin and checked plant numbers for customer enquiries and headed home at lunch time. I met up with David and Bracken on the way home for a walk along the Tweed and back along the old railway path. It seems a shame not to make the most of such a glorious if freezing day. Temp was down to -14C during the night, -8C driving to the nursery this morning. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

Fragrant Friday - Iris unguicularis – The Algerian iris that flowers throughout winter and spring! This Iris is well worth growing because of its scented winter flowers, it’s evergreen foliage and it's tolerance of shade. The purple-blue flowers appear in December and are likely to continue through winter. It is reliable as well as beautiful. H50cm, S 50cm.

Friday and another day at home, with temps down to -7C at least last night, this snow ain't going anywhere and everything is still frozen and buried at the nursery. Just a walk up the road today, my back is playing up at the moment, like I'm not stressed enough. Any hoo the sun was shining and there were lovely blue skies and I got some admin done in front of the woodburner.

A walk from the carpark at Traquair village hall for our walk on Saturday. This took us up towards Minch Moor on the SUW, for about 10 minutes where we cut off onto another path. This one takes you along the edge of the forestry towards Innerleithen. Then across the road and back along the woodland path that skirts the grounds of Traquair house and back to the car. Great views of the valleys and a steely coloured River Tweed. Just under a 3 mile walk, looking forward to doing it in the summer, where it will look quite different.

Deer in the woods at Traquair

The thaw is on hooray, I've never seen snow melt so quickly, every time I came out the polytunnel on Sunday  the world was a little greener. The stream through the nursery will be a raging torrent over the next few days but at least within a day or two I will be able to get on with the garden tidy up.

Tidying and propagating continue in the poly tunnel while snow is on the ground and everything is frozen

It was great to get back into the nursery gardens on Monday, the snow has mostly gone and it was warm! I spent the morning tidying the stream garden, weeding and getting rid of last years old growth, then a few barrowful's of our own compost as a mulch. I put in the new willow border edging which needs replaced about every 3 years and topped up the bark on the border next to the track. A job like this is so satisfying, I wish it stayed so tidy though Most of these borders are done from the stream so its wellies on and any excuse for a paddle It was great to see plants growing away under the debris. Snow drops and Pulmonaria rubra 'Ann' have plenty buds, some much welcome early colour. Plants that have foliage and colour through winter in this border include Epimedium pinnatum subsp. Colchicum, Acaena microphylla, golden saxifrage, Teucrium chamaedrys, Rhododendron 'Little Ben', Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing', Pulmonaria rubra 'Ann', Tellima grandiflora Rubra Group, Rumex sanguineus var. Sanguineus, Caltha palustris, Juncus patens 'Carman's Gray' and Pinus mugo Pumilio Group.

So a week of extremes, from five inches of snow and temperatures down to -14C to 9C and no snow, some blue skies and sun and lots of progress in the nursery at last. Long may it continue, hurry up spring .

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