Not So Early today

I had a lay in more in response to pain than anything else.  With humidity being high it seems to make my joints more tender and with all the exercise I got yesterday I think I have left my body in complete and utter shock.

Despite some play up from Missy managed to get her settled better last night and she is still out for the count.  I bought one of those cold gel mats for her to lay on, but even despite this with the heat I am having to wipe her and Mischief down regularly with tepid water just to make them both a bit more comfortable.

Today would have been my  much loved Nan's birthday; my Dad's mother. Very fond thoughts and much love for her.  I thought the world of her, and got on well even though she was a difficult person to know.  As a child she was always on the move doing stuff, (I wonder where I get it from) and if you wanted to chat to her you had to accompany her as she dealt with her many tasks.  

Very breezy this morning and I need to get some potting up done.  When I watered  up last night I noticed that both my Sweet Pea and Nasturtium seeds are starting to sprout.  Pleased about that.  Still nothing from the Beans though.  Think will have to set some more.  I have a lot more seed sowing to do yet.

G agreed to take me to B & Q to look for plant pots.  I have a lot off smaller pots but no medium or larger pots left and it is these that I need to bring the veggies on.  So we will see how we get on.

G took me to B & Q.   I have been and bought some plant pots this afternoon.  I ended up coming back with a trolley full of plants, two Potted English Lavender, Two Sweet Pepper Plants, Two more of the Cherry Tomato plants that have been progressed earlier and which were £10 apiece.  They do however have lots of Cherry tomatoes on for eating with a lot more to come. Also three trays of Tagetes, more seeds.  Went for another Cucumber but they did not have any.  Will probably go back later in the week for a few more bits as they have started to get Chrysanthemums in.  This year I would like to have some in the garden for an autumn seasonal display.  As I am restricted on space with the freezer, I think I have been concentrating more on the gardening.  I think I will also need more plant pots.  I also bought in Tomato feed, some very large heavy duty bin bags in two different sizes that were a little pricy but needed for expeditions to the tip.  We do re-use them where we can.  I also have my eye on some Standard Lavenders as well but they are a lot dearer.  I also bought myself a brand new Watering Can and a hand water spray.  When I sow seeds I do not water seed trays, but I do lightly spray them with water that way on they do not become water-logged and the seeds have less chance to not come through from damp off.

The Tagetes I bought from B & Q are the ones in flower.  I went and bought three trays for £6 from my local shop when I came home as I need some for the main garden in any event.

Some of the new plant pots, the tomato feed, the hand spray and the tomato plants in the background.  To the side are the herbs that I bought yesterday Basil, Parsley and Rosemary.

The two new Sweet Peppers one is red and the other yellow.  I did find that all the plants were extremely dry.  I have watered them up, but they will get a feed tomorrow.

The Lavender I am excited about as it is a plant that I very much love, and it is useful in cooking and crafting.  In the past though I have not had much success with it.  Think I may if I can get another couple of these as these give me much pleasure.

I also bought a Burgundy coloured Dahlia and a Yellow one.  No names on them, next year will have more as they make fantastic cutting flowers and I want a proper cutting garden with a mixture of flowers in.  My Nan had one and so did my Aunty R. There were always flowers in both their homes throughout the year.

The Comfrey and the Hollyhocks have grown quite a lot since I first got them.  They are now resident outside the growing house.

I shall be better prepared next year on the gardening front.  Moving forward I am definitely going to grow on a regular basis moving forward.  It is a learning curve and a bit of a minefield at times.  I think I am after achieving some prettiness with flowers and practical uses such as Nasturtiums you can eat, as well as the herbs and there are also preserves that can be made.  I also would like lots of produce if I can for fresh eating and also preserving.  Will see what happens it will not be for the lack of trying.  I think it will be an early start again tomorrow in order that I can get these plants potted on and the greenhouses re-organised and plants out and about.  I have checked the weather forecast and it looks good for tomorrow.  That is good on both the gardening and the washing front.  Need to dig the garden got side-tracked.

At the moment there are a few plants that I would still like to acquire as time goes along.  I would love a purple Wisteria for growing up the back of the house wall.  Such a beautiful plant.  Also Hydrangeas, Jasmine, more Honeysuckle and Clematis and a different grape variety.  And Roses until they came out of my ears.  Just have to love Roses especially scented.  One day.   If we had the land I would be planting an orchard.  I have had had small trees here but they have not done well.  I am loath to invest in any at the moment as a result however it is something I would very much love to have as well as a big soft fruit garden.  

Seeds bought today a gherkin, and a cucumber and some Mange Tout and Sweetcorn.  Whether I use them this year or next remains to be seen.  I really am loving the gardening and I think it is doing me good.  Yes lots of aches and pains but I get them anyway and I can always use the muscle spray and take a couple of Paracetamol (which is what I have been told to take when the situation arises).

A little later on I sorted out the greenhouses a little bit more and got some more plants into them.  Then I decided to rake over the disused area in front of the greenhouse that is full of rubbish, brambles, ivy and roots.  Cleared quite a bit of that and got quite a biggish heap of rubbish which will bag up tomorrow.  I am hoping to start tackling the digging tomorrow and not doubt that will be a little difficult to say the least but it must be done.

I do have a lot of plants to pot up over the next few days as well as seed to sow and plants to get out in the garden.  I am going to try and have periods of time in the garden in the coming days but I also need to tackle the house as well.  Sadly I did not get the bathroom or kitchen sorted.  I under-estimated the amount of time needed.  That is now high on the agenda.

Right am off to get ready for tomorrow.

Hope everyone has had a lovely evening.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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