Matters of the Garden

I am still getting geared up with certain items in readiness for later on in the year and am also trying not to over-stretch myself.  I Frequently grow my own mint and dry it off on the Dresser or Dressers in the Dining Room, however this year I am looking to expand production yet again.  I have found four hanging Herb Driers at Sostrene Grene which I have ordered for smaller bunches of herbs.  Bigger quantities will still get dried on the Dresser.  These work out at £5 something each.  Link is here for those of you interested:

Herb Drier Sostrene Grene

There is also a little link on how they dry their herbs on this:

How to dry Herbs

It also gives you an idea on how to make a herb drier of your own if you do not want to purchase one.  I have done this in the past as well.

I intend to add the extra ones to different rooms in the house to get them dried off in quantity this year as well as still utilising the Dressers.

I am also after a couple of Concertina clothes Airers, wooden ones.  These will perform a couple of uses.  First for the airing of laundry - one will be reserved for this.  The other will be turned over to herb drying and also dried flowers.  They will therefore be extremely useful in this household.  One day I really would love one of the Victorian style Ceiling driers (I think they are known as Sheila Maids), however no ceiling space suitable here.  It is however a thought that still lurks in the back of my mind.

Some Hanging Planters have also been ordered. These will clip over the top of a fence.

Some Windowsill Planters which will be ideal for single pot herbs either outside or inside the house.

And finally some single planters from hanging off a fence also in the Moss Green Colour although the photo below shows the metal finish one.  I have ordered four of each item.

I have also ordered in some plants from Rocket Gardens which should be delivered from the end of April onwards.  That includes a Courgette mixed pack five different varieties three plants per variety as well as Sage, French Tarragon, Lemon Verbena, Pot Marigold, Purple Sage, Chocolate Mint.

I will be popping down to my local Waitrose to see what herb plants they have in as well.  I need to replace my Chive Planters.  I have used the kitchen windowsill pots successfully on and off for about 15 years.  Using these plants has made it more affordable, you do have to allow the plants to settle for a year or so in order that they can establish themselves.  I need about 8 Chive plants to start with, and probably a few more as I am going to be planting carrots and want to plant some Chive plants in the area that the carrots will go.  I also need Rosemary and other herbs and definitely need some Thyme.  I want to get the basics in as much as I can this year and then build on it next year.  It will also give me the chance to build my seed stores up quite a bit as well as I should be able to afford a few packets of seeds a month going forward.

I am also contemplating buying in another smaller greenhouse as I could do with the extra space for growing tomatoes primarily.  I am still thinking this one through though.

This garden is not really how I need it to be, but it is a start and after last year choosing not to grow anything I want to make the most of this.  I think I will be buying in some potato sacks as well.

I also have a load more eggshells from the week washed, dried and crushed down for saving, so my little eggshell supply for feeding the tomatoes and keeping slugs and snails at bay is slowly increasing.  There is an old saying "Where there's muck, there is money".  A valuable resource that we would end up paying good money for that can now be put towards seeds or plants.

I still think that it is a bit chilly here yet, but will see what this week brings and I may be able to get started.  I have four polystyrene boxes that I intend to use in raising the seeds.

Well am off to potter.  Have a lot to do as usual, but whether I have the inclination to set about it is another matter.

I hope everyone has a lovely afternoon.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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