25th June 2017 - Seating & Sweet-peas

 I didn't really get up to the plot much this weekend but I did manage to get a bench for my plot, with the intention of putting it against my back fence; I have said before that sitting in different places around the plot is such a nice thing to do because it gives you  a different perspective to your plot. I had some pots that I've put at either side as well to make it a nice area.  This part of the plot is pretty horrible really, there are lots of weeds that come through from the plot next door  and it's really quite difficult to manage.  If I am going to sit there then I need to think again about how to manage that area.  I did get a climbing hydrangea that I was hoping to grow against the fence but it needs a south facing aspect so I'm not sure how it would do against that area which is north facing (but a see-through fence so also south facing).  I think if I could get the hydrangea trained from the back of the bench and going both ways that would be lovely.  I might need to just bite the bullet and go for it! (I'll keep you posted)

This weekend I also managed to get some of the bits and pieces that have been sat in pots into the ground.  I have a yellow snap dragon which flowered beautifully last year but has been in the same pot since then and the last of my aquilegia winky blue that was just starting to get a little bit sad in its pot.  I bought the aquilegia for a specific project and I didn't realise that I would get 6 tiny plants.  I have kept 3 and given 3 away.  The ones that I had already planted into bigger pots have started to flower; I'm hoping that the last little one will soon catch up.  As you can see from the picture, the winky blue is actually purple with a really pretty yellow centre and white on the edges of the petals.  I don't know if it will be good the bees but they do often like purple flowers and I'm hoping they will be attracted to the flowers.  We will see (and I will report back).

I also had quite a few fuschia's in cells in the polytunnel with some summer bedding plants that I got around to planting into a hanging basket; I've put it on the right side of the garden arch, just above the pond and I'm hoping it will be a riot of colour over the coming weeks.  I realised that I didn't plant my freesia bulbs.  I will have to do some research because it might be too late for them now but if not I will get them planted somewhere next week - argh!!!!

I also, for the first time ever, was able to bring home a small bunch of sweet peas.  I have never managed to grow any before and this year I was worried that I'd again have lots of leaves but no flowers.  I did try and grow some from seed but because I planted them in the winter and then wasn't able to get to the plot to water in the polytunnel I managed to kill them!  I therefore ended up buying 3 small pots and it wasn't until I watched Gardener's world that I realised that the the sweet-peas would do better if they actually only have 3 or 4 to each area.  I therefore ended up pulling out about 5 from each pot and it's probable that I could have managed with just 1 pot!  I have been doing some research and I'm hoping to be more successful in growing from seed next year.  In the mean time I can start to enjoy some cut flowers from my plot :-D

Finally, this week I decided to put my name back on the waiting list for another half plot.  Ideally it would be one very close to mine so that I don't feel like I'm managing two plots.  I would want a second plot to primarily be beds.  If it's close enough there would be no need for a shed but I might take the greenhouse from home and transport it up to the new plot.  I'm already talking as though I have the new plot even though I haven't lol.  If I do actually get another half plot I will no doubt be blogging about it so you'll likely be the first to know!

Until next week then - happy gardening!