snow covered greenhouses
Might I just start off by saying thanks to everyone who put their input in on the moving idea. So far it’s been some of the most valuable advice I’ve received yet. There are still a couple unknowns, and my decision will be made sometime after the 20th. You, the readers are too kind for words.
In other more positive plant news, today was a snow day. Actually it’s been a bit of a snow week. Flurries flutter on and off, from blizzard to sprinkle, then blasting white sunshine and repeat. For the most part the sun has kept the accumulation in check and as a whole there really isn’t anymore then a couple cms sticking on the ground. The effect is much like a sprinkling of powdered icying sugar, the streets are glazed in a surreal white glow. While I had been relishing in the fact that this is one of the most mild winters to memory, nature hits full force and tells you who’s boss. The tender plants that shouldn’t have made it this far, are surely fried after this is all said and done. My Melianthus major having looked prestine just a couple days ago is surely going to feel this cold snap. We expect temperatures as low as -6 C tonight (roughly 20 degrees farenheit for my U.S readers)and after not being taken seriously all season, winter flexes it’s muscles.
At work things were rather relaxed. The bosses are away in Europe on business and a friend and I have been filling the role. It’s nice to have a little more responsibility and a great opportunity to flex one’s nurseryman skills. Watering, heaters, phone calls and orders, it’s a lot to keep track of.
“With great power, also comes great responsibility” – feel free to read this quote with the most mystical accent in your repetoire!
Much of the day was spent rearranging orders as garden centers called in panicked of receiving more primulas in a snow storm. We moved hellebores that were covered in snow, and brought them to shelter. The girl’s have been busy planting mixed planters, and our delivery men were away in Vancouver picking up plugs. Early spring is a beautiful time of year to work at a greenhouse and on day’s like this you can really bask in the fact that this is what you do for a living. Green sactuaries as it blizzards outside, there really isn’t anything more beautiful then that. While some aspect of my life are in chaos I’m happy to say work life is pretty damn good.
A friend of mine hamming it up in the blizzard.
While doing my weekly availability walk about I snapped some photos of the greenhouses via snowstorm. It’s an interesting place to be in this kind of weather, little pockets of plant sanctum, these plants are certainly happier then their brothers and sisters living on the outside.
Snow covered greenhouses.
Unlikely color, this flat of primula denticulatas seems reletively unscathed by the freezing temperatures. While most of the plants in this unheated greenhouse look a bit chilled and shrunken, these stand tall and proud.
In an effort to make more room for upcoming crops we recently moved our bulb crop outdoors. How ironic that literally a day later the weather freaks out and the entire crop is buried in a foot of snow. While I’m pretty sure daffodils can handy a deep freeze or two, they might have been better off with the protection of a greenhouse. Hind sight is a bitch.
A big problem this time of year is rot due to the moist conditions found in the greenhouses. Air circulation is key, and to aid this fact we often leave a bit of the side walls up to keep the air moving. Here the snow has stacked taller then the open vent and sprayed throughout the greenhouse. These plants can handle the cold temperatures, so it’s no worries there. All disaster aside, it’s a neat effect.
It’s night and day when you finally walk into one of our heated greenhouses, like entering a tropical paradise you’re greeted by pleasing temperatures and a lush atmosphere. Here the first Gold erysimum are just starting to open.
Shots like this are somewhat remincient of echers work, I love the effect of well spaced pots. (*hum* I just said that wow…)
“Another Day, Another Dollar Wanna Play? Give me a holler. Let’s get faded on the bottle and forget about tomorrow.”
– Josh Martinez
