More sunshine and showers this month. Some lovely days when the garden beckons for work and pleasure. So much to see and do!
The pear blossom is wonderful but lasts a mere few days. The petals are already drifting around like snowflakes.
There’s a Berberis in the front garden which has grown enormously and is very prickly. It’s spectacular when it’s in blossom and its evergreen leaves are welcome in winter. The clusters of tiny flowers are like miniature daffodils.
The greenhouses and tunnels are filling up with seeds and Spring crops.
I don’t sow too early. It just isn’t worth it. Frost can kill or check the growth but when the time is right I sow seeds under cover. April onwards is ideal for starting things off. I have carrots, parsnips, spring onions and radishes germinating in the tunnels. In the old greenhouse, Cosmos, cornflower and red sunflowers are coming along nicely.
I bought sprouts and leeks from our local nursery instead of sowing seeds. I have to limit my workload a bit. I also bought some broad bean plants although I grew a few extra from seed. I planted the broad beans outdoors because they’re hardy. I really like the taste and texture and they freeze well so I thought I’d grow a few more this year. I have to protect them from pigeons.
I planted potatoes, “Charlotte” and “Jazzy”. When I started gardening I followed the old instructions to trench and earth up potatoes. Earthing up wasn’t easy with our loose sandy soil so I decided to try mulching instead. I spent hours soaking newspaper and covering with black polythene to exclude light. Eventually I experimented with a more straightforward approach. I now just plant the potatoes into holes and cover them with soil. If I have mulch available I put a thin layer over. The crop is just as good. I find one or two might have poked out of the soil and gone green so I discard them because they’re poisonous to eat but I’m satisfied that this method is practical and saves a lot of unnecessary work. Old methods might not always be essential. It’s good to innovate and find alternatives.
Under the fruit trees the red campions are beginning to flower. Such lovely wildflowers and they grow generously in our sandy soil. The ladybirds were basking in sunshine on the leaves. A beautiful Speckled Wood butterfly was flitting about the garden.
The male form of Skimmia is laden with blossom right now. The leaves are a bit pale and yellow. They prefer acid conditions but have to put up with a neutral soil. A liquid ericaceous feed will help.
Some other beauties which catch my eye when I walk around the garden.
Although we’re not strictly vegetarian I try to have meat-free days. I like to combine ingredients to produce satisfying, inexpensive and flavourful meals. “Patties” are one good way of achieving this. I made a good vegetarian version with a can of organic chickpeas. I drained the can and put them into the food processor. I added a small sliced onion, apple pieces, bread crusts, a sprig of fresh parsley from the garden and salt and pepper. Whizzed them together then I took scoops of the mixture and formed flat cakes with my hands. Browned on each side in a little hot oil, they were tasty and enjoyable served with other vegetables and ketchup. Nutritious, cheap, easy and good to eat.
Here’s an old painting of mine. It shows some Physalis “lanterns” which I grew and saved as they dry well and look decorative. They lost their lovely orange glow but their subtle beauty remains. I took a photo then made a pencil drawing before filling it in with gouache paint.
With you again soon. Enjoy the sunny spells between the April showers. Bye for now.
Living a contented creative life. 