April has been a sunny month so far here in my area. The flowers have flourished and the vegetables are thriving. A few windy days have caused concern but most plants have resisted the twists and turns of the breeze.
Dappled shade and interesting shadows are another fascinating feature on these brightly lit days.
When I photographed these exotic looking tulips the bright sunlight blacked out the background and gave these stunning images. Surprising what can be done with a simple camera.
My Clematis montana are looking lovely. My namesake “Freda” is adorning a fence and “Elizabeth” scrambles through the top of the plum tree.
Apple blossom is to my mind the most exquisite blossom. The delicacy of its pale pink petals and the rosy pink of its buds are such a delightful sight each Spring. Our biggest tree produces delicious green cooking apples and has my favourite flowers. The crab apple also has beautiful blossom but these are a deep vibrant pink bordering on crimson in colour. The tiny apples are red and make good jelly. Another small tree has bigger flowers. Still lovely and the apples are sweet and full of flavour.
I have a couple of redcurrant bushes which I’ve left to their own devices. They still produce fruit and the blackbirds seem to really enjoy them. They make a chuck- chuck sound as they’re eating them. It sounds like contentment. The inconspicuous small green flowers will turn into glistening red currants in a few weeks time.
The substance on the branch is just lichen. Not a problem in the garden. It’s neither fungus nor plant and is an ancient life form which grows on trees. Often seen on stone in churchyards as well. It’s supposed to indicate that the air quality is good and I think it’s lovely.
My self-seeded wallflowers have brought me such pleasure with their wonderful colours and their scent.
Many years ago a friend gave me some Welsh poppies (Meconopsis cambrica). Sweet little flowers with shining satin petals that seed freely around the garden and pop up everywhere. I love them and so do the bees. They come in bright yellow or a glowing orange and both are lovely to see.
Most of the tulips are losing their petals now but a few later ones have been a show of intense colour for me to enjoy.
A few other features I spotted with my camera. The dainty flowers of Sweet Woodruff, a magpie feather, Aubretia, Vinca major, Dicentra and a spot for sitting enjoying the garden.
In the greenhouses I have seedlings coming along and I hesitantly planted the tomatoes in their pots. I was concerned that nights may be still too cold but they were becoming a nuisance in the house so I took a chance. So far they’re looking very well and have grown quite a bit.
In the tunnels my winter lettuces are almost finished although they still produce a few nice leaves. My new “Little Gem” lettuces and “French Breakfast” radishes are coming along nicely.
There was some lovely mint available in the garden so I made mint sauce to freeze for the winter. I used a mixture of Apple mint and Spearmint. Both are good but Spearmint is a bit more strongly flavoured. I wash the mint, strip the leaves from the stems and dab dry with a bit of kitchen paper. Then I put them into the food processor and chop finely. I add malt vinegar and enough sugar to taste sweet. Whizzed together they make delicious mint sauce. It freezes perfectly and is just like fresh when thawed. I put it into small containers with a bit of space at the top for expansion. Thaws very quickly when needed and is so handy when there’s no mint in the garden or I’m pushed for time.
Full details of how to make mint sauce are in my Earthy Homemaker’s Cookbook. If you’ve only tasted bought mint sauce and didn’t like it you will be surprised how delicious freshly made tastes. Why not give it a try? It’s so good with new potatoes and lamb, or bacon.
I have an old gardening jacket which has been very good. The fabric is shiny, keeps out the cold wind and seems to resist dirt. The zip broke and I knew I wouldn’t find an anorak like that again, so I put in a new zip. I confess I didn’t make a very neat job of it but it does work and my jacket can serve me well for a few more years.
With you again in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the last weeks of Spring with all it’s special pleasures of renewal and the promise of long Summer days to come. Bye for now.
Living a contented creative life. 