Plenty happening outside at the moment, the garden is really coming to life with something new appearing every day. being up in the hills I am usually slightly behind most people, even though only half a mile away in the valley things are further ahead. just that one degree colder in temperature seems to make all the difference, so where my mother's primroses have come and gone mine are just in flower now.
But my bath of tulips (of an unknown colour) are really getting ready to burst forth, can't wait, they will bring some much needed colour to the garden.
And my daffodils under the apple tree are in full flower. I like these very pale ones, sorry, no memory at all what sort they were.
A few plants in the cold frame but I have now put most into the greenhouse as my stock increased.
This year I am experimenting with growing my tomatoes in growbags in the greenhouse.
The last 2 years has been dismal for tomato growing here so a new approach is needed. I will still plant a couple outdoors, but I hope that the warmth of the greenhouse will make the difference that has been lacking in the past. So I will be setting that up over the next few days even though the tomatoes are a way way off being planted out yet.
Meanwhile my raised bed is slowly being revealed. For those who don't know, the local cats love my raised bed as a litter tray which is why it is covered over when not in use. As I plant rows of things I have to cover the gaps in stones and twigs to deter them, so far it's working. 2 rows of broad beans, one of carrots and one of beetroot for now.
The herb pot I planted up last month is thriving, but, as predicted by some of you, the lemon balm is already making a bid for World domination in there. oops.
This is the rhubarb after I took the first crop yesterday, I've stewed it up and will have it for my tea over the next few days. It seems that my patience in only taking small amounts over the last couple of years has paid off and this year promises to be a really big crop. Lucky for me.
I will leave you with this photo of a lovely little saxifrage that I took this morning. It is small and perfect. Sorry if my photo doesn't do it justice.
The lemon balm will also seed itself all around your garden.....as I said before, it's a real thug. I was pulling out clumps of it seemingly everywhere. Have just noticed a couple of clumps in this garden too (we've moved away from the previous area) - no idea where they came from!
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed much later up there (we're in Somerset)......our daffodils finished a couple of weeks ago and some of the tulips have too, the rest are in full flower. Strangely though, your rhubarb seems to be ahead of ours. That saxifrage is beautiful.
A quick tip for growing in grow bags (I never do, instead choosing to tip the soil into large containers:) If you pick up the grow bag, give it a good, high drop onto each of the 4 sides. That helps to breakup any winter storage compaction. After that, turn it onto its side and plant that way, rather than leaving it flat. This gives the roots a little bit more to play with.
ReplyDeleteI will do that, but I also have those special pots for growbags which make the root area much bigger anyway.
DeleteYour garden is really springing to life now. Our rhubarb is now ready to pick and will provide stems for many months. I've still got some rhubarb crumble left in the freezer from last year.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
Everything is coming along nicely - hope you have better luck with your toms this year
ReplyDeleteI have been given a cutting of rhubarb. It has taken really well and I'm longing to have some, but I'm told to leave it for a year. :-( I have been emptying the ground coffee from the cafetierre on it. Keeps the dog from digging at it. X
ReplyDeleteTo be patient is really hard but it is well worth it, the rhubarb will grow a much better root system if you can give it time to establish.
DeleteYour garden is coming on nicely. I`d also recommend Dc`s tip for using the grow bags for tomatoes. Keeping cats out of lose soil is difficult. I found that watering the soil and keeping it fairly wet every day seems to deter them somewhat. Other than that, its a matter if using whatever on hand to cover the soil or place jagget sticks all over.
ReplyDeleteLast year I sat plant pots on holes cut into the grobags and filled them with homemade compost after cutting the bottom out of the plant pots. I then dropped strings from the top of the greenhouse to support the plants and my cucumbers and toms grew like crazy as the roots had a huge area to spread into. Your greenhouse looks very tidy unlike mine - I must try harder this year x
ReplyDeleteHaha, if you saw the other side of the greenhouse not shown in the picture you would realise it isn't tidy at all!
DeleteThis is very exciting, can't wait to see the tulips in bloom ! What a great idea to have planted them in the tub, I did mine in pots this year and they came along nicely. As for lemon balm, I would say it needs a pot all by itself, and it will reseed generously !
ReplyDeleteBlack birds song is most beautiful of all in my opinion. Very lyrical and even bit sad. Hope your singer will find his mate soon and will be very happy! BTW, I have the song on my cell and it wakes me up every morning!
ReplyDeleteI also have a couple of blackbirds in my garden and they, along with some magpies are really enjoying my birdbath these days. I have to refill it every day as they keep splashing out most of the water every time they have a dip in it!
ReplyDeleteNice to see your garden coming along, I am weeks ahead of you but my garden has enjoyed a frost-free winter in thickest London so no wonder :-)
Hi, very interesting post thanks for sharing. Would you please consider adding a link to my website on your page ? Please email me back. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRandy
randydavis387 at gmail.com
Just discovered your blog - my tulips have been and are almost gone!!
ReplyDelete