Wednesday 23 April 2014

Growing away nicely in this year's snow free zone.

What a difference a year makes.  This time last year I was coaxing forgetmenots to flower in desperation after a foot of snow on Easter Sunday, whereas this year I'm spoilt for choice with flowers to cut for my stall!  Tulips abound in every shape, size and colour and everything is bursting into growth and filling out the garden.

pink tulipTulips grow well in containers tooWhite and blush pink Finola tulips

I've even managed to get down to the allotment a few times - but have to remind myself to clear and plant, clear and plant…  Otherwise I find myself clearing, clearing, clearing, and then having to start again where I first began as the weeds have come back.   So far, broad beans, peas and parsnips are in. Everyone I meet at the plot seems to be in a good mood and the whole place is starting to look business-like. Even the abandoned plot next to me has been taken over - another family with children so our little corner is starting to look like the youth chapter of our allotment association.


So many veg and annual flowers still clamouring for attention in my seed box and so little room left in my greenhouse and cold frame.  Have sown some annuals direct, but I don't seem to have the best success rate that way. Generally I do much better by sowing in pots and planting out later. But needs must, so am giving it a try again.

In the garden, I'm starting to plant out stocks and sweet peas sown under cover in March - a gamble as there is still potential for frost during the next month, so hope it stays away and my gamble pays off.  Hmmm. We'll see.

Did my first stall of the year on Saturday.  So nice to be back arranging my own flowers as they are so much less uniform than those available commercially and it gives such a different feel to arrangements.  Feels a bit like coming home when I get my mitts on flowers I've raised myself.

Cotswold legbarr blue shelled egg with forgetmenots, viola and grape hyacinths.








6 comments:

  1. Yes we have a lovely early spring this year with so many flowering plants already. I can imagine it is a busy time at the allotment, but such fun. I think it is so nice to have a stall on markets with bouquets of own flowers.

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    1. Put it this way Janneke - I can't think of a job I'd rather do!

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  2. Spring gardening certainly lifts everyone's mood. I am in awe of your energy with flower business and allotment. I must look you up next time I am in the West Midlands. P. x

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    1. Don't be in awe - it's only because I don't take photos to show you the messy bits as often as I should in the name of transparency!

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  3. Your flowers are beautiful! I've put my sweetpeas out but stocks aren't ready yet. Watching the weather forecast as I type this and they are predicting a frost on Friday, hope the sweet peas survive...
    Cathy

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    1. Am holding my breath and hoping that the the BBC forecast on my phone is right and that it is going to go only as low as 3 on Friday. Everything crossed!!

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