Proposition of a plant for the garden: Christmas rose
This is the name of the white hellebore Helleborus niger in Western Europe, which is grown there in pots and sold as a symbol of Christmas.In Poland it is more often found in gardens than in homes. It occurs naturally in the Alps, Apennines and the Balkans.
It is a perennial with evergreen leaves that blooms in winter, from November to April (but more often in early spring). The flowers are white, cream, pink, greenish or reddish, 2-3 on long stalks. They often look out from under the snow, because they are not afraid of light frost.They can be cut and placed in vases. Wedding bouquets are very effective.
Trees and shrubs: Caucasian spruce with yellow increments
In large gardens we can plant the Caucasian spruce Picea orientalia, which grows naturally in the Caucasus and Anatolia. This plant, along with the Caucasian fir, is a favorite Christmas tree. The Caucasian spruce variety with yellow increments is called 'Aurea'.In spring it develops golden-yellow young growths that turn green in summer.
They contrast very nicely with the short dark green needles. This variety grows very slowly.Suitable for planting in large gardens with the so-called microclimate of humid air, quiet and sheltered, preferably outside the area of large urban agglomerations, where the air is very dry. It grows well in moist and fresh soils, tolerates shade. Needles on young trees sometimes freeze during severe winters, but fall in spring.
Vegetable: cabbage in winter
Cruciferous vegetables such as kale and Brussels sprouts are great for winter weather. They can be collected successively, even in January or February. Kale leaves are prepared similarly to spinach, they can also be successfully added to salads.This vegetable, apart from its undeniable decorative qualities, is also very nutritious.It contains very large amounts of carotene, vitamin C, mineral s alts, protein and dietary fiber. Brussels sprouts are also an interesting dietary supplement.
On the other hand, white cabbage, without which there would be no Christmas stew, should be stored in rooms with a temperature of several degrees Celsius. Too low temperature may cause the heads to freeze, and thus make their storage worse.
Souring cabbage is a relatively simple way to extend the shelf life of white and red cabbage.In sauerkraut, vitamin C losses are minimal, while in unprocessed cabbage, the losses are unfortunately much greater.
Orchard: perfect shampoo for the garden
30 years ago our southern neighbors bred the Šampion variety. It soon turned out that the Czech variety found the most amateurs in Poland. Not without a reason.This variety is often described - both by professional growers and amateurs - as a variety without flaws.Champion has almost the same advantages.
The tree grows not very strongly, and what is important, even without professional pruning, it creates nice conical crowns. So it is a very easy variety to manage. It only requires a slight rejuvenating cut.Another advantage is the very quick start of fruiting. Often, in the second year after planting, the tree bears its first fruit.
The variety is not prone to alternate fruiting, therefore it yields annually, and the abundance of crops is equal to the best varieties. However, so that the fruit is not too small, it is worth thinning the buds. Champion is also relatively insensitive to the most dangerous diseases of apple trees: scab and mildew.
The most valuable, however, are fruits.Very aromatic, sweet and juicy, they can also be stored, although not too long. As it is an autumn variety, the harvest is in September.Although you can get shampoos in virtually every fruit store, it is worth planting this valuable variety in your own garden, even if it is not too big.
Flowers in the house: we plant the bulbs of the flowering plant
Zwartnica Hippeastrum is one of the few bulbous plants that can be grown in pots all year round. These winter-flowering plants can be grown from late December to February. Purchased bulbs are planted in pots so that half of them protrude above the surface of the substrate.Almost any standard mixture for potted plants is suitable for this, if it contains a little clay.
Pots are placed in a warm place (approx. 25 ° C). They can be placed, for example, over a radiator, the more so as the plants do not require a too moist substrate before the flower buds emerge. They are provided with good drainage and watered sparingly.When flower buds or leaf tips begin to appear, we provide the plants with a clear position and water more abundantly.Flowering plants are obtained after about 2 months of cultivation.
