Bouquets, Repairs and Seed Sowing

We’re past the Vernal Equinox now so days should be a bit longer than nights. Good news for everyone and especially gardeners. April is usually a lovely month with warm Spring days, a few showers to keep the flowers blooming and fresh green leaves bursting out everywhere.

We celebrated our Diamond Wedding Anniversary and the house has been full of scented flowers and delicious chocolates. It’s been a magical time thanks to our wonderful family and friends. Our daughter gave us roses and freesias because I had them in my bridal bouquet. The scent transported me back to our wedding day. Our son gave us a lovely sundial for the garden. A handsome addition for our outdoor enjoyment.

Now back to tending the garden. So much to do!

I’ve sown seeds in the greenhouse, the tunnels and the house.

Indoors, on a sunny windowsill the tomatoes are thriving. I’m turning them regularly so they don’t stretch for the light and become “leggy”.

In the greenhouse I have celery just beginning to peep through. In the two polytunnels I’ve sown lettuces, radishes, spring onions, kohl rabi, peas and leeks.

The peas took three weeks to emerge from the soil. Usually it takes about ten to fourteen days but I think the cold held them back. They look fine now and will soon need some support.

I harvested and steamed a cabbage. It was tender and full of deep green leafy goodness. These are “Spring Hero”. Most of them I’ll allow to form ball heads but I use one or two before this happens so I don’t have too many to use at once.

Many beauties are springing up around the garden now. The plum trees are opening their blossom. The red currant is a picture and the amazing snake’shead fritillaries are showing off their chequered bells.

So much to enjoy. Here are some other lovelies to feast my eyes on.

The pond is awash with frogspawn and the pond plants are coming back to life. The marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) glows with its sunny yellow flowers.

Some of the structures in the garden are very old and in need of repair or even disposal. A little picket fence had rotted and was beyond patching up so had to be removed and burnt. A low gate needed replacing but we like the look of worn, weathered wood so Allan removed it and set to work. He found timber he’d saved in the garden and replaced most of the old parts. Not much of the original is left but it still retains it’s established, “been here forever” look which we like.

Although my photo makes it look slightly crooked, the gate is straight. It’s such an improvement and will last a good while now.

With so many bouquets gifted I had to find vases. Luckily I had enough big ones. When I bring in small posies from the garden I like to use jugs. I think they look attractive and show off the flowers. I have a collection to choose from. Here are some of my favourites. Even my tiny Toby jugs take a few dainty sprigs.

In the kitchen I try to be as resourceful as I can. I often use up scraps of cooked meat by making what I call “patties”. I put the meat into the food processor with a small, sliced onion, slices of apple and some dry bread. Sometimes I add parsley or basil. When they’re chopped finely I add an egg to bind the mixture, then shape them into flat cakes with my hands. It only takes a few minutes to brown them in the frying pan on both sides in a little hot oil. It uses up bits and pieces but tastes delicious.

April promises many pleasures. Enjoy as many as you can. With you again in a couple of weeks. Bye for now.