May is almost over and the garden is progressing but not yet in full flush. Some things are a bit slower this year because we had a cold Spring. Even so, there are lovely things to enjoy.
The lupins are flowering and I love their peppery scent. They were replacement plants this year and so far only have one spike each. I’m hoping they will do as well as my old lupins and have abundant flowers eventually.
I had a border by an old hedge which never did well because the hedge roots sucked all the moisture from the soil. Last year the hedge was removed and a fence installed. The result is spectacular. The plants in the border are flourishing now. Full of lush growth and sensational flowers. Scarlet poppies, lemon-yellow poppies, purple alliums, forget-me-nots and aquilegias. I’m thrilled to bits.
Other pretty flowers are pleasing me too.
Another border was dry and plants struggled in it. I sowed clover to nourish the soil. It was described as crimson clover, a green “manure”, and was intended to be turned into the soil before it flowered. I liked the look of it so I left it to flower. Didn’t flower last year but it survived the winter and has begun to bloom. The flowers though, are white not crimson, so I’m a bit disappointed. On a more positive note, they’re attracting bees and lovely tiny mint moths.
Clematis “Voluceau” is opening its blooms. It never climbs high but it looks lovely.
The strawberries look promising. Lots of flowers, lovely healthy leaves and bees pollinating. My favourite fruit will be ready in my favourite month of June.
In the vegetable garden I’ve been busy planting. Celeriac is a lovely alternative to celery and I’d grown some beautiful little plants from seed. I’ve put them into one of the polytunnels to produce delicious roots for the winter months.
I planted Kale. I grow “Red Winter”, with slightly curly leaves which are sweet, and tender. Very nice steamed, stir-fried or even raw. Tiny plants now but by Autumn they will be providing good meals.
I’ve removed the bottle cloches from the sprouts I planted previously and I’ve added some seedlings of another variety alongside.
The runner beans are growing at a furious pace and I must plant them soon. Their natural inclination is to climb and wrap around a support. If they’re left too long they will entwine around each other. Then it’s difficult to separate them without breaking the growing point on the stems.
Salads are generous now. A classic English salad of lettuce and tomatoes with added bits like tiny spring onions snipped over and a fresh dressing of oil and vinegar is hard to beat on a hot day. If the lettuce is brought from the garden and immediately prepared and served, it’s crisp coolness is a tasty treat.
I make a simple dressing for lettuce salads. I mix a pinch of salt, a couple of grinds of pepper and a half teaspoon of sugar with a dash of cider vinegar or wine vinegar, then add a little olive oil. I give it a good stir, sprinkle over the salad and toss it gently to spread the dressing. Takes seconds and lifts the salad to a different taste experience.
Sometimes, though, I love an Italian-style salad, made with bread, basil, tomatoes and olives with garlic-infused oil. This is particularly good when I have homegrown basil and tomatoes.
I cut the bread into cubes. I crush a small piece of garlic, place it in a salad bowl, add salt and pepper and a tablespoon or two of olive oil and stir well. Then I toss the bread cubes in the oil to coat them. Works best if I use dry bread and not too much garlic. I add tomatoes cut into quarters, or halved if they’re tiny, with torn basil leaves and black olives. Mixed together, the flavours combine while I grate some cheddar cheese to serve with it. Absolutely delicious and satisfying.
I like to use my old yellow bowl for this. It makes it look even more colourful. I bought it years ago from a charity shop. I love its shape and yellow freshness. I serve the grated cheese separately to be spooned onto the plate.
I love vintage dishes and have several favourites. Glassware is especially nice for desserts. Pink glass for strawberries and cream or my strawberry mousse, and I use my green bowl every Christmas for cranberry sauce.
Lovely things to use and treasure for a lifetime.
I finally got round to finishing my pansy painting. Not profound or full of deep meaning. Not something I aim for in my art. It was very enjoyable to paint. Drawn from a photo I took in the garden. Some of it I outlined with a fine pen and painted with gouache. A pleasant hour or two spent.
That’s all for now. I hope you’re enjoying the warm days and garden beauties. With you again next week. Bye for now.
Living a contented creative life. 