Melting snow on the Snowdrops at Martenstate.

Melting snow on the Snowdrops at Martenstate.

This is the first report of the Calendar of the Stinzenflora-monitor in 2019. The theme this year is ‘OndersteBoven van Stinzenplanten‘. (Downside up of Stinzenplants) The table has been renewed. It has been made more compact. There is now no longer the need to scrol and the difference between the category ‘full’ and ‘high’ was so small that it is now limited to ‘full’. And did you know that you can enlarge photos by clicking on them? We are ready for a new spring season.

Calendar 2019 week 6
SnowdropWinter AconiteBoerenkrokusDutch CrocusSnowflakeSquillCommon Lungwort
Dekema State
Hackfort
Jongemastate
Martenastate
Martenatuin
Philippusfenne
Schierstins
St. Vituskerk
Stinze Stiens

Flowering: start full decreasing
Present: here and there regular massive

Stinzenflora-monitor Calendar 2019 week 6. Scroll horizontally to view all plants. Learn more about a terrain or stinzenplant? Click on the name in the table.

The soil and management will receive extra attention this year, among other things via a number of blogs on this subject. The first blog ‘The Soil is the Basis (for the Bulbs)’ is on this website in the ‘Management‘ section. Here you can read about ‘circular gardening’ in the Stinzenflora garden with the use of compost, bokashi and other measures.

In autumn dredgings from the ditch spread out over the Stinzenplant meadow at Dekema State.

In autumn dredgings from the ditch were spread out in a thin layer over the soil surface of the Stinzenplant meadow at Dekema State.

In the autumn / winter various necessary activities were done to prepare the gardens for the coming year. At Dekema State sludge from the ditch has been spread over parts of the site. The experience is that this has a positive effect on the growth and flowering of the bulbs, provided it is applied in a not too thick layer.

Covering the soil with compost of Beech leaves at Hackfort.

04.12.2018 Tweet @TuinbaasMaarten: Today 50 m3 compost of Beech leaves spread over the #Stinzenplants at castle #Hackfort @Natuurmonument. After that treatment of the soil with a prick role for a good loose soil. Up to a spring full of flowers!

Opening of the Bokashi heap at Philippusfenne.

Opening of the Bokashi heap at Philippusfenne.

On Hackfort the soil has been mechanically aerated via a puncture roll and a large amount of leaf compost has been spread over the site. At Philippusfenne the pond was dredged, Bokashi was made and partly brought over the ground. At Stinze-Stiens Bokashi is also in the making, and compost tea has been sprayed.

Schoolchildren are planting Bluebells at Martenastate.

Schoolchildren are planting Bluebells at Martenastate. 20.11.2018 Tweet and photo: @ItFryskeGea.

A lot of work has been done at Martenastate, sludge has been spread over the soil surface, paths have been maintained and the soil was mechanically loosened in various places. In the grove that was recently been acquired, a lot of work on soil improvement has been done. Wild Hyacinths have been planted by a group of school children. At the Schierstins, shell grit and cow dung has been added to the sandy soil. All these activities aim to ensure that the Stinzenflora can develop optimally so that everyone can enjoy it again. This ensures the preservation of an important piece of cultural heritage!

Winter Aconites and Snowdrops at Stinze Stiens.

Winter Aconites and Snowdrops at Stinze Stiens.

The Snowdrops and the Winter Aconites are the Stinzenplants that we can enjoy at present. For some time they were already above the ground. In one or two weeks they will be in full bloom. Currently we are at the start of this flowering in almost all terrains that participate. The Snowdrop has for centuries led to the imagination of people, which is illustrated by this legend:

Winter Aconites, Snowdrops and Dutch Crocus at the St. Vitus churchyard in Stiens.

Winter Aconites, Snowdrops and Dutch Crocus at an early stage at the St. Vitus churchyard in Stiens.

When Adam and Eve had to leave paradise, it started to snow heavily. Eva became desperate. They completely lost sight. Suddenly there was an angel in front of her and  the snowflake in her hand turned into a small white flower that looked like a bell. The angel said: ‘Look carefully at this flower Eve. It is a sign that the winter ends. The small green marks along the flowers are a hopeful sign that new life is coming. A golden heart is hidden deeper in the flower. The warm yellow keeps the memory of the sun alive, of the Light of the Merciful, which will also enlighten you. That light will direct your life to new life. The snowdrop became a sign of hope.’ (from: http://www.symbolischschikken.nl/maria-lichtmis/)

Winter Aconite at the St. Vituskerk in Stiens.

Winter Aconite at the St. Vituskerk in Stiens.

The shortest day of the year is December 21st. We consider this as the beginning of winter. In the Middle Ages, the Anglo-Saxons considered the shortest day as the middle of the winter, and the winter lasted for them 92 days. Therefore spring starts February 7th. The first Winter Aconites and Snowdrops are already appearing at the end of December, early January, and are therefore the harbingers of spring.

Winter Aconites at Philippusfenne.

Winter Aconites show where to go at Philippusfenne.

Philippusfenne describes the situation at this moment as: Aconites bloom in many places, but here and there they have to struggle through the leaf cover and we expect full bloom in a week time. Snowdrops appear everywhere but they are only ‘ringing their bells’ in warm places, such as in the front garden. There is not yet a carpet of snowdrops, many still have to come.

Tommasini's crocus between autumn leaves at the Schierstins.

With their lilac buds the first Tommasini’s crocuses dare to announce ‘spring’ at the Schierstins.

De Schierstins refers to the hot dry summer and wonders whether this has had an adverse effect on the bulbs. We will see. The Crocus tommasinianus shows it buds here, just like they do at Philippusfenne. The leaves of the Dutch crocus are above ground and some flowers are already colouring.

Snowflakes at Philippusfenne.

The first Snowflakes at the pond of Philippusfenne.

Snow flakes are also beginning to come above the ground but it will take some time before they will be in full bloom.

Early Witch Hazel in the Martenatuin in Franeker.

There is more to enjoy in the early spring garden: Early With Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) in the Martenatuin in Franeker.

Helleborus at Stinze Stiens.

Helleborus at Stinze Stiens.

In the Martena garden in Franeker there are various Snowdrops and Aconites in bloom, as is the Witch-Hazel. So there is more to see next to the Stinzeplants.

Considering the weather forecast for the coming week, it is to be expected that in the second half of the week there will be many Snowdrops and Winter Aconites in full bloom. Stinze Stiens therefore decided to open the garden for visitors on Sunday afternoon 17 February. (See information below: ‘Acitvities’)

Seedlings of the Snowdrops at Stinze Stiens.

Seedlings of the Snowdrops at Stinze Stiens.

Snowflakes and Dutch crocus between Snowdrops, leaves of Italian Lords and Ladies and a lot of leaves of the Wild Tulips at Stinze Stiens.

De first Snowflakes and Dutch crocus between the Snowdrops, a few leaves of Italian Lords and Ladies and a lot of leaves of the Wild Tulips at Stinze Stiens.

Stinze Stiens also points to the many seedlings of Snowdrops and Winter aconites that are visible in various places. The leaves of the Wild Tulip can also be observed. At Stinze Stiens this plant is expanding steadily every year. Fortunately, also more plants are flowering every year, but the blooming can only be expected in April.

Events *:

The participants in the Stinzenflora-monitor organise various activities during the Stinzenflora season. The events that are now known are listed below. ‘Open gardens’ with private garden owners are often mentioned shortly before in this calendar and on the websites of the participants. Opening up depends on the flowering of the Stinzenplants  and the weather.
For possibilities of (group) visits you can contact the relevant participant.

Data: see TERRAINS

For in the agenda *:

Events in February:

Stinze Stiens (DoktershĂ»s, VlaskamptĂșn). Sunday 17 February ‘Open garden’. 1.00 – 2.00 p.m. coffee/tea in PakhĂ»s SOLO (SmelbrĂȘge 9, Stiens): a talk about the Stinzenplants, the management of the Stinzenplant garden and the history of the garden (design 19th century by Gerrit Vlaskamp) followed by a walk through the garden. Access PakhĂ»s SOLO € 6,50. 
14.00 u. – 16.00 u. ‘Open garden’ (SmelbrĂȘge 6, Stiens), Free access.

Martenastate Koarnjum. 24 February, Nature photography excursion with Betty Kooistra. Extra information www.martenastate.nl. To register, please contact It Fryske Gea: www.itfryskegea.nl/activiteiten.

Events in March:

Martenastate Koarnjum. 17 March, Nature photography excursion with Betty Kooistra. Extra information www.martenastate.nl. 30 March, Walking tour stinzenflora. This trip will be guided by Geert de Vries or Aad van der Burg. To register, please contact It Fryske Gea: www.itfryskegea.nl/activiteiten. 

Events in April:

Spring tour* ‘Stinzenflora’. Saturday 13 April (van 10.30 a.m. tot 4.30 p.m. ) During this spring tour (10.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. ) three beautiful Stinzenflora parks will be visited: Stinze Stiens, Martenastate en Dekemastate. At every location a guide will give information.Participants take care of their own transport, a bicycle is recommended. Costs € 35,-p.p., incl. lunch and coffee or tea in the morning and a drink in the afternoon. Booking via informatie@tunmanswente.nl
This trip can also be booked by groups on request on other days (at least 12 participants, duur 10.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.). A business trip or a trip with the family is also possible with a horse tram (extra costs, at least 20 participants.
*if there are not enough participants the trip will be canceled. 

Dekema State Jelsum. Museum weekend 13 and 14 April. Spring Fair 20 April: with a Stinzenplants search map you make a tour during these events and Willem van Riemsdijk will give a lecture about the cultural history of Stinzenplants. For prices, opening times and other activities see the website. www.dekemastate.nl

Martenastate Koarnjum. 2 and 27 Aprl, Nature photography excursions with Betty Kooistra. 6, 13, 20, 21 en 22 April, Walking tours stinzenflora. Theses trip will be guided by Geert de Vries or Aad van der Burg. Extra information www.martenastate.nl. To register, please contact It Fryske Gea: www.itfryskegea.nl/activiteiten. 

Announcements:

The Pastorietuin ‘De Weem’ in Warffum (Groningen) wrote a ‘blog’ on this website last year in the MANAGEMENT section. De Weem reports us:
Snowdrops open garden: 09-10 March 12.00 – 5.00 pm., Free access.
Pastorieweg 24
9989 BM Warffum (province of Groningen)
For centuries, many varieties of Stinzenplants have been growing in this garden of 7,000 square meters: Winter akonite, Snowdrop, Bulbous Corydalis, Bird in a Bush, Squills, various types of Lords-and-Ladies, Salomon’s seal, Wild tulip and Star-of-Bethlehem. Due to the massive growth of the Stinzenplants, only the shell paths are used.

* Subject to change. Always consult the websites of the participants for the latest information.