May Day/Beltane and Carrying on with the Slow and Steady Theme

Beltane Blessings/Happy May Day.

I was awake at 5:00am this morning and watched May Day slip in ever so gradually.  Another turn of the wheel progressing the seasons and moving forward further into the light.  Very peaceful, very in the moment and time to just be.

I always think May is one of the lovelier months here in the UK as there is nine times out of ten loads of blossom exploding from the hedgerows and just looking beautiful.  It is also my birthday.

I apologise in advance as this is a slightly larger post than I expected.

It was chillier outside than I expected, and I ended up having to put on a jumper as my arms were chilled.  I opened up the greenhouse and then sat out for a little while with a mug of tea.  Working my way through my seed box to see which seeds I am going to sow today.  This is one of my seed boxes.

Back to the greenhouse and here are some photos of the plants that I potted up the other day.  The plants seem to have settled and are growing.  There is quite a bit of growth on them.  They were potted on a week tomorrow.

Even the Petunias have blossomed.

The Tomato plant heavily laden with fruits.  This is an orange cherry style tomato.  Cost £10.  You are however paying for the amount of head-start the plants have.  Plant is an excellent plant and is nearly ready for harvesting.

There is then the Chilli plant also cost £10 for the same reason.   Both plants are from B & Q.

The Strawberry plants I potted up had no growth on them just bare-rooted, but as you will see leaves are starting to form.  I do have some more Strawberry plants to come as yet.

The Pot Marigolds have certainly put some growth on.

The Courgettes

At the back you have three Purple Sage, three Lemon Verbena.

In the front Chocolate Mint and behind it French Tarragon

I then came in and continued to deal with the Pantry.  Sorting through items, getting like items with like, some items are stored in boxes simply because I cannot be doing with little pots of this and that all over the place and it makes them easy to find. Several boxes have been dealt with this morning, and I have even managed to empty one which is a result.  It has now since been used for some other bits that I have to hand.

More plants have arrived from Rocket Gardens.  Mostly my Tomato delivery so it looks as though I am going to be busy potting up again. When I opened the plants up they were in need of serious moisture this hot weather has dried them out a bit in transit, which was very different to last week's delivery.  I have therefore been working away potting them up.  There are five plants per variety. Thank goodness I got more compost but I think I may need some more.  

My figs have not arrived yet though.  Perhaps they will be on the next delivery.  They are not full grown trees, but ones to bring on.

I have received the following:

1 pack x 3 Comfrey

1 pack x 3 Chervil

1 pack x 3 Lovage

1 pack x 3 Apple Mint

1 pack x 3 Summer Savory

2 packs x  5 = 10  Tomato Roma Plum

1 pack x 5   Tomato Marmande

1 pack x 5   Tomato Outdoor Girl

1 pack x 5   Tomato Gardeners Delight

1 pack x 5   Moneymaker

I have managed to get all the above potted up. (45 plants all told). I need to do the second greenhouse, but I am slightly cream crackered at the moment and so I think that will have to wait until tomorrow.  I am very tired, hot and been muggy and I am ready for a nice bath and to get my hair washed.  Been playing mud pies most of the afternoon so a bit grubby to say the least.

The next delivery should have the Sweet Peppers and Chilli Peppers that have been ordered in.  Some Straw Flowers, some Cottagers Kale, Chamomile and Lemon Balm.

There is still a further order to be made however the contents of that are more for winter crops, Pumpkins, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, PSB, Calabrese, Cucamelon and some Raspberry canes and maybe some other things as well.

There are still a few more herbs that I would like to add to the collection.  Basically I am re-stocking on my Herbs.  I have Angelica seed as well which I do intend to get going today.  Homemade Angelica (the green cake decorating item) is a different kettle of fish than the boughten variety.  Angelica Liqueur is also very nice.

I have also received seeds from the Organic Gardening Company which consist of the following:

1 packet Organic Herb - Borage

1 packet Organic Herb - Hyssop

1 packet Organic Herb - Lavender

1 packet Organic Herb - Summer Savory

1 packet Organic Herb - Winter Savory

1 packet Organic Herb - Wormwood (used in Absinthe)

So it looks as though I am going to be a tad busy.  However I am very pleased with how things are slowly coming together.

On the plant and seed front, I am interested in trying to get the following:

Nasturtiums lots of them

Cornflowers

Poppies

Marguerites

Hydrangeas

French Lavender

English Lavender

Pansies

Heartsease/Viola

Fuschias hanging variety

Dahlias

Creeping Rosemary

Corsican Mint/Penny Royal

Would love a Rambling Rose and an Apothecaries Rose.

However I am not sure I will achieve them this year will have to wait and see.  As it is I think I have done better than I had anticipated doing.

The cuttings I took of the ordinary Garden mint have struck roots so it will not be long before I am getting those potted up as well.  I have rooted the stems of some bought in mint from the supermarket.

G has said that in the next few days he will give the Bay tree a haircut so that will be a good time to get a lot of the leaves dried and then stored in the Pantry.

I also have some chillies to string and dry for use in my Pickled Onions and Shallots later in the year. So there is quite a bit of stuff going on.

I have bought Dill and that is drying on trays at the moment.  I shall use that in Cucumber pickles later on for G.

I do need to source some Thyme and also some Parsley both curled and plain leaved.  Home dried Parsley is a different kettle of fish.  Has so much more flavour.

Right am off to get some tea and then get myself nice and clean for the evening.  Might help me cool down a bit.

Have a lovely evening everyone.  It has been for me a busy day.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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