So how is everyone fairing post Christmas and New Year?

As I return to the UK from a hiatus in and around Mexico, it appears that although the consistent temperature of 27 degrees was pleasant, (don’t hate the player, hate the game!), it is in stark contrast to the UK’s consistent chill, which holds both charm and sparkle.

Upon arrival at Heathrow, the calm, clear & diligent voice of the BA pilot, who had just executed a near 10.0 landing, welcomed us to Great Britain saying the temperature was a cool 3 degrees. Thinking nothing of it, happy to be on terra firma, off I trundled through bag collection and onto the Victoria line.
Well King’s Cross station delivered the goods. The grey; the stillness;the ‘cold’; my visible breath and the linen trousers were optimistic to say the least. Welcome home.

After 36 hours on British terra firma, at the time of writing this, and whilst catching up with the team, it became obvious that I had missed out on nature’s reset. The splendour and magic of Jack Frost’s frequent visits.

A poem : Jack Frost in the Garden , by John P Smeeton

Jack Frost was in the garden;
I saw him there at dawn;
He was dancing round the bushes
And prancing on the lawn.
He had a cloak of silver,
A hat all shimm’ing white
A wand of glittering star-dust,
And shoes of sunbeam light.

Jack Frost was in the garden,
When I went out to play
He nipped my toes and fingers
And quickly ran away.
I chased him round the wood-shed,
But, oh I’m sad to say
That though I chased him everywhere
He simply wouldn’t stay.

Jack Frost was in the garden;
But now I’d like to know
Where I can find him hiding;
I’ve hunted high and low,
I’ve lost his cloak of silver,
His hat all shimm’ring white
His wand of glittering star dust,
His shoes of sunbeam light.

So Jack Frost facts which were new to me. He may originate from Anglo-Saxon and Norse winter customs. The Finnish equivalent Pakkasukko has an entire chapter named after him in Kalevala, the Finnish national epic compiled from their ancient oral tradition.

In Russia, he has taken on a different form as Grandfather Frost, and in Germany there is instead a different entity altogether known as Mrs. Holle. (now that’s an image)

The earliest reference to Jack Frost in literature is in the book ‘Round About Our Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments’ published in 1732.

Sparkle.
Bare stems caught the frost this year and sparkled with delight. We always like to leave a few hydrangea heads or fennel just for this reason. In previous years our efforts have been seen to flounder with abundant moisture and winds.

There are so many different types of frost. Just had to mention them. The most common and favourites are Hoar Frost and Rime. (Rime was new one on me too).

Hoar Frost
The ice crystals of this frost look like aged white hair or beard and its for this reason that it is referred to as ‘hoar frost’ (the dictionary definition of ‘hoar’ is greyish white, grey or grey-haired with age).
This type of feathery hoar frost is formed because of unique weather conditions – different to the conditions which cause ground frost, apparently.

However, hoar frost is formed when it hits a surface which is already below 0 degrees Celsius and ice crystals form immediately.
As more water vapour is frozen the ice crystals continue to grow – you often see pictures of hoar frost shown on tree branches as on cold, still nights, tree branches are unlikely to rise above 0’c.

Rime and Reason
Rime is frost that forms quickly, usually in very cold, wet conditions. Rime can form in windy weather.
Frost is not always frost but ‘rime’.

May these dry and cold conditions continue. The crystals of frost dancing in the morning sunshine goes some way to counterbalancing the inconvenience of getting to work, the slippery paths and having to bubble wrap the children :).

A morning of soft lingering fog and simmering coffee is something to cherish. Mexico City’s ‘smog’ doesn’t have quite the same glisten, believe me.

Britain’s ethereal winter landscapes could be worth the cold snaps after all. As gardeners, we soak up the sunshine and crisp blue skies. A day at the office with or with out jack frost heading up the Teams meeting, is still one of wonder.

This will be the last of our etchings for a while, as the team and I tend the seeds we have already sown.
We want to say thank you for taking the time to read. A huge thanks to Sally Hullock for proofing and Lisa Chadwick for the gentle timeline reminders. (super helpful) Wishing you the best horticultural happenings for the year ahead.

From all of us at Haynes Horticulture. Anon, Edward, Ali, Alwyn and Theo x