I’m proud of myself. I mean really proud because my courgettes, overwintered broad beans and tomatoes actually have flowers! I’m hoping this means I’m definitely going to see the fruits of my labour…
I’ve grown everything from seed and so far I’ve been surprisingly successful with most vegetables and flowers, but for some reason I really struggle with chives and spring onions, and I don’t know why. I seem to do pretty well with peas, tomatoes (so far), potatoes, courgettes, beetroot, basil, cosmos (which I planted and the chickens destroyed), night phlox, runner beans, night scented stock, sweet peas, radish and a few others.
I overwintered my broad beans and they’ve really been put through their paces due to the cold weather and snow. I planted some originally at the beginning of October and due to some early autumn warm weather they flowered, so as much as it pained me, I took them out and started again. However, round two broad beans are nowhere near as tall and look a little bit sad – I’m watering them plenty and have given them some Tomorite, so fingers crossed I get some beans soon! If not, at least they keep the bees happy.
Whilst I was putting in some support for the broad beans over the weekend, I noticed some little leaves in the ground; initially, I thought it was weeds but on closer inspection I realised that they were potato leaves! Last year I tried (and failed) to grow potatoes in the bed, and it seems that even though I turned it over and found some teeny, tiny potatoes, some have escaped me and are trying for a second time round. It seems that nature doesn’t need my help.
We have incredible neighbours, who have been amazing since the first time we met them. As an example, we went over to the house to have a look at the garden whilst the sale of the house was going through (no-one was living there), and they knocked on the gate just to say hello and whether we fancied a cup of tea. Legends. Their latest act of generosity is letting me use their greenhouse for all my produce – if I didn’t have access to this, our house would resemble a greenhouse. I’ve said before I’ve never really gardened but I have some much pride and joy when I walk into the greenhouse and see everything thriving.
And finally, whilst not a vegetable, this beautiful peony is in full bloom and absolutely spectacular, considering that last year I was concerned that it was on it’s way out and it’s one of the few flowers that came with the garden.
A x
Abi in the Garden 