My gardening DIARY

MONDAY As far as possible our sweet peas are picked religiously; in hot weather that means just about every day. We’re growing a mixed bunch but one variety, ‘True Fragrance’, I want to grow again by saving my own seed, so I’m leaving a couple of plants to set seed now.

TUESDAY Mustard seed that had spilled on the kitchen floor was swept up into a dustpan, which was then emptied onto a bare patch in the veg garden. It germinated in three days! It will grow on and be used as a cut-and-come-again hot addition to salads.

WEDNESDAY Neil has reconstructed the rose arch he made for Alice’s wedding. Then it was dressed with hops and hydrangeas but this time it will support two roses, one of them ‘New Dawn’, one of my favourites. It has healthy, glossy foliage and delightful pale pink flowers with a light apple scent.

THURSDAY Sowing more calendula ‘Indian Prince’, one per module, to boost those already playing a part in many of our containers. They’ve flowered well but some are getting leggy. Will probably do the same with nasturtiums but push their seed directly into the containers.

FRIDAY Feeding pots and containers is crucial to keep them going and help plants do their best. Whether edible or ornamental, they all benefit from a weekly dose of a liquid seaweed feed. The compost is well watered first so they get maximum benefit from the feed.

SATURDAY We had several plants of a new agapanthus, ‘Elaine Ann’, from Hoyland Plant Centre last year. They’re flowering now among rudbeckia ‘Rustic Dwarf’ and are beautiful; large heads of flowers with pale blue petals and deeper blue lines. Truly lovely.

SUNDAY Spending a day catching up with the garden. It isn’t the biggest garden, but sometimes there are parts of it I haven’t visited for days apart from brief checks on watering. Good to just enjoy it.