" Almost every person, from childhood, has been touched by the untamed beauty of wildflowers" Lady Bird Johnson
There is no doubt the wildflowers are one of the on trend gardening ideas right now. Not just in gardens but along roads, railway lines and motorways. On rooves, on the playing fields and across the park Why is this? No one answer perhaps but more a combination of the loss of wildflower meadows in the country side, the continuing concern about climate and the environment, support for bees and insects and just simply for their beauty My North Lancing neighbours David and Ruth planted up a wildflower area from turves and it it was David who said "come and take a look". I share some photos Please let me have or share photos of your wildflowers The good news for me is that David gave me some offcuts from the turves for the Home Garden, lucky me Across the area where I live we now have an excellent wildflower trail, take a look here https://www.thewildflowertrail.org/ The look of pleasure, excitement and joy on David's face sums the whole thing up Maybe you have room too...?
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" Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education " Mark Twain
At last! The air is warming and encourages the gardener in us to move along at a brisker pace. Cold and wet are not great encourages but heat and sun certainly are. For weeks now greenhouse, cold frame and windowsill plants have just " stayed " there, alive but hardly thriving. But a week of warmer means they itch to be in the ground I really do not want to upset you but Midsummer Day is under a month away. That being the case the sun rises early and I was down on Plot 106 by 6am with two trays of brassica plants to plant out there. First tray was cabbage Cabbice https://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/Vegetable-Seeds-1/Cabbage-Seed_2/Cabbage-Cabice-Veg-Seeds.html and cauliflower Boris ( really ) https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/cauliflower-boris-f1-hybrid/tm54711TM I grew cabbages fairly successfully last year but not so cauliflower that were rather poor looking plants of a greyish colour that did not find favour with the catering team ... So they are in now and covered over for protection. I have Midsummer on my mind now and the realisation of how far I am behind due to the cold and wet Spring but it will all get done ..... "It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart" Rainer Maria Rilke
Meteorologically it is a blocking high and practically it is low temperatures, rainfall and sunshine hours. It has been like that since the New Year here on the West Sussex coast. The last week has seen some welcome rain and sun plus the sounds of increased birdsong. But it is like all growing seasons, a challenge! Windowsills, greenhouse and frame have been especially useful for me. I began growing very large numbers of perennial and biennial plants from seed last July ( much more interesting and much cheaper than straight purchases! ) and those spaces under cover have allowed it. Delphiniums, Salvias, Lupins, Hollyhock, Carnations, Sweet Williams, Honesty, Clancy, Hemp Agrimony, Cardoons, Canatache, Verbena etc. etc. are in abundance The quality of the light is important to all these plants and also to me giving a strong impression of how far I have come and how far I have to go on Home Garden 2019/2014. The basics are all there. Except for the Eco Shed the structure is there. It is the height and the levels that are now becoming apparent. The newly planted fruit trees added to the existing ones make the space seem much bigger. The climbers and ramblers take the garden upwards towards the beautiful sun and sky .... " Exceptions are not always the proof of the old rule; they can also be the harbinger of a new one " .... Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
Although the Romans were the first to popularise and grow these plants, by the way the though of " Roman Sprouts " is very appealing, it was not until the medieval times that full production and growing began in the region of modern day Belgium. The appeal spread right across Northern Europe and they became popularly known as Brussels Sprouts in Victorian times How so then the Jerusalem Artichoke, Swiss Card and the French Bean. Do they comply with geography. No is the short answer but they are so named and grown to pleasure and delight across the World Being a member of the cabbage family is normally enough background to put people off a vegetable but as ever if you can forget about the boiled to death version, sprouts, like all cabbage family members are delicious. Sown in March or April and planted out by June they are a long term crop that depending on variety can be picked from September right through until the following April. A favourite with the Christmas meal, perhaps with walnuts, stir fried or the tops as spring greens makes for a versatile food This year I am growing Evesham Special and they went into their bed today https://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/Vegetable-Seeds/Brussels-Sprout-Seed/Brussels-Sprout-Evesham-Special-Seeds.html#.YI518ut4WrU On 106, the broad beans are into flower, all potatoes are now through, garlic, shallots and onions are looking good. I have transplanted garden peas. Rhubarb is now being picked and the raspberries and into growth. All the top fruit is into blossom After an exceptionally dry Spring tomorrow has the potential for half an inch of rain but also gales. Well, it is May Bank Holiday ! |
AuthorI launched this website on 16th August 2020 to bring together my thoughts on gardening,, its importance for health and wellbeing and two projects running concurrently, a renovation of my own garden on the West Sussex coast at Lancing and a nearby allotment. But also to learn from other gardeners about the inspirations for their plots, about their gardening projects and enjoyment of beautiful plants and gardens Archives
February 2024
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