29th - 30th June

Most of this last week has been a case of pottering round the garden, watering, feeding and keeping an eye on things, and also enjoying the fruits of my labours – the sights and the smells. The section of the border that has the sweet peas as a back drop is simply gorgeous. With colourful roses, trailing petunias, spots of fuchsia colour and the red, white and pale blue of the sweet peas combine to give a lovely section of summer colour. I sit in the shady part near the house and see that colour and sniff the scent from the privet. My two boys are there as well, of course, and they just ignore these sophisticated appreciations in favour of water and dirt and the rejuvenated sand pit that I have spent all week renovating the wood for and washing the sand in a series of buckets.

Today, my parents came over for lunch and tea and we made use of the recreational facilities that the back garden has to offer, including the entertaining floor show from 2 boys. After enjoying the colour, at dusk I cut some more sweet peas to enjoy in the house.

The highlight of the day was that my question was broadcast on Gardener’s Question Time. My Mum was so pleased.

30^th June

The allotment received my attentions again after work. I was concerned seeing we have had no rain but plenty of heat since I was last there last Wednesday. The courgettes and squashes though are doing well. I have now lost 2 pumpkins but I have one replacement coming along at home. One of my sunflower plants has been dug up by rabbits who have left a typical rabbit type hole where the sunflower once was. Worse than that, my 3 carrots have all been eaten, as well as all my rocket (whether it was 2 or 3 – probably 3 as it was eaten!) I think I will give the carrots one more go. If I use the early variety I should be able to get a return before autumn. I will use a raised bed – a drawer or 2 from a chipboard chest of drawers we are throwing out. The carrots back home are doing brilliantly though. Whilst at the allotment I harvested 6 thin stalks of rhubarb - another £2.99 saving.

 

The courgettes are looking good. There are a number of developing fruits that are about 2 inches long and well proportioned in girth. When they kick in, that’s when I really start to enjoy the fruits of my labours – and start saving money!

 

I harvested a supermarket portions’ worth of oriental salad leaves from our box in the back garden. I have discovered that as long as I avoid one particular type of leaf, I quite like them! Another £1.49 saved!

Next post: 1st July