Bunny’s Diary

This month, Bunny Guinness is planting out veg, sowing a seed mix and making her own labels

I am champing at the bit to get my bean and courgette plants out. They were sown in March under cover, and I usually plant out in April – far earlier than most. My reasons for this are: springs are much warmer now; I have fleece ready to protect the plants if necessary; and the roots have time to travel down before the late-spring droughts, saving time on watering. This does depend on where you live, of course (I’m in the East Midlands), and you must keep an eye on the skies for impending sharp frosts. Last year there were late harsh ones, but the fleece kept them snug and a couple of slightly frosted plants grew back.

I’m also in the process of planting new borders, mainly from cuttings, so the ‘finished product’ will be underwhelming this summer. To give it more of a hit I am sowing an annual mix from Pictorial Meadows, scattering it in the gaps. These mixes (there are 15 available) are designed to flower around six weeks after sowing in spring (March to late May) and they keep on flowering until the frosts with a succession of themed colours. I have used several of these mixes for weddings – they germinate reliably well and are tough, tenacious and vibrant. Hopefully they will flourish in my embryonic rose meadow and in my new lavender garden in the courtyard. I will also sow the mix in two raised beds in the veg garden, along the drive (in disturbed ground from installing the broadband cable) and in large pots.

Fed up with using plastic labels for veg, I have invested in 1,000 wooden lolly sticks for £12 from Amazon. Using permanent markers, I write the name, sowing date and seed supplier on each one. I make a hole in one end with a leather punch and then attach the lolly stick to a small cane positioned at the end of the row. Or else I just stick it directly into the seed tray as usual. Sometimes the lolly stick splits a bit, but the hole stays intact. I’m so pleased to be able to eradicate the endless old plastic labels cluttering the garden. ■

Visit Bunny’s YouTube channel for videos such as ‘Mary Berry’s New Garden’ and ‘Pleached Trees and How to Make Them’ youtube.com/bunnyguinness