My gardening DIARY
MONDAY
We’ve been posting Instagram films from the garden here; straightforward subjects that we hope will help people who've never gardened before and entertain more experienced gardeners, too. Hopefully more people will continue to garden, having realised what a productive and optimistic pastime it is.
TUESDAY
Planting more onions and shallots in our big troughs, using the method one of Joe Swift’s allotment neighbours showed us. He planted his onion sets pushed into li le ridges he made on the principle they'd grow faster, ripen earlier and be less likely to rot.
WEDNESDAY
The anchusa we planted from big pots several weeks ago is flowering. The flowers are pure ultramarine, a perfect contrast to the emerging heads of
Euphorbia palustris. Bees love it.
THURSDAY
At the end of the midday news, in the optimistic interlude that makes us all feel a bit be er, a sound man had recorded a blackbird in his Newcastle garden. I was listening while weeding. One of our blackbirds immediately flew into the branches of the nearby cercis and began his tuneful song.
FRIDAY
Sowing vegetable seeds continuously. This
year, where we’ve got too much hopefully we’ll all be able to share it with others. Just depends on the restrictions at that stage.
SATURDAY
Having weeded areas it’s really important to move in with the mulch as soon as possible. We always wait for rain before applying a thick layer.
SUNDAY
Though vegetables are vital for nourishing the body, flowers bring beauty, colour and perfume and lift our spirits. Most of our sweet peas are planted now and starting their ascent up the hazel poles that Dean prepared. If you haven’t sown any it’s not too late to sow some direct or in pots to plant out later.
'The presence of water introduces a whole new cast to join in the garden drama'