I have been busy making plans for my little garden this year. I have decided that I am going to attempt to grow a few more edible things so have bought two more blueberry plants (compact and designed for pots) called Blue Pearl, from
Marshalls, which arrived safely and are waiting for the weather to be a bit warmer before being planted in their larger pots. I have also been inspired by the RHS book
Grow your own crops in Pots (which I bought very cheaply from
The Book People ) ...
...and also ordered three autumn fruiting raspberry canes (variety Joan J) which arrived yesterday and I am considering braving the cold to get them in a pot too. Apparently, according to the book, autumn fruiting raspberries will grow well in a large tub and should last about ten years, which is fantastic.
I am also going to have a go at growing beetroot too, because I discovered that I really like raw beetroot grated in a salad (but I do not like pickled beetroot at all!).
Not forgetting the flowers, however, I have ordered phlox plants as I have two in the garden which did really well despite the awful summer last year. I have also treated myself to an oriental Poppy,
Plum Pudding, from
Thompson and Morgan. There will also be cosmos, sweet peas (my first time growing from seed) and a multitude of other things which are in my seed box. I pruned my clematis and roses last Saturday, on a gloriously sunny afternoon, so got things underway.
I am really looking forward to this growing season and I hope it will be a successful one for all of us gardeners.
In my excitement, I nearly forgot to mention the photos - the top one is a double snowdrop from my garden and the daffodil and hyacinth planter was a belated but extremely welcome birthday present which is reminding me that Spring isn't too far away. There were also some Lindt chocolate rabbits and a Lindt carrot nestled in the moss as well! Chocolate and plants - does life get much better than this?
I love the double snowdrop.
ReplyDeleteI've bought raspberry plants (bought three but one died), they are going out into a raised bed soon, not sure if they are autumn fruiting or not.
I absolutely love beetroot in all its incarnations, you should try golden beetroot, its so sweet eaten raw or cooked.
Happy gardening,
Joy x x x
Dear Joy
DeleteThank you. I have just one small clump of double snowdrops, but am always pleased to see them. I have planted my raspberry canes this afternoon (into a tub) and have bubble-wrapped the pot for insulation, so I hope they will survive and grow. I'll plant the beetroot later this month, along with all the other things I want to grow. I have a feeling that my seed sowing will last until April! The golden beetroot sounds fascinating - I shall have to investigate.
Happy gardening to you too.
Best wishes
Ellie
Have you tried cooked beetroot that isn't pickled, and borscht ... yummy!
ReplyDeleteDear Annie
DeleteThank you for the ideas. No, I haven't tried cooked beetroot that isn't pickled, or borscht either, but perhaps I should. I'll bear those in mind when I get my first crop.
Best wishes
Ellie
The snowdrop is beautiful Ellie. My snowdrops are bog standard single ones but I think they are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have just bought my first packets of seeds this year, salad-mixed leaves, carrots and beetroot. I like roasted beetroot and pickled.I've never tried to grow it before so this will be interesting, I'm planning on growing a few things in pots. I bought a couple of blueberry plants the other year and am hoping for great things this summer!!
Dear Anne
DeleteThank you. I love snowdrops too (except I'm not that excited by the recent yellow varieties, even though they are highly regarded and sought after by galanthophiles).
Roasted beetroot sounds interesting too - one to try I think. Good luck with the blueberries and the seed growing. I am really looking forward to getting going.
Best wishes
Ellie
Oh wow Ellie, I have to have that book too ;-) !!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have our allotment anymore, but I'd love to eat something fresh from our own tiny garden!
I'm planning to grow some lettuce in pots this year... and small tomatoes... maybe some beans...
They are so much tastier than the ones from the shop... Here's to a great garden year ;-)!
Love from Mirjam. (By the way: thanks for joining my little give away;-)
Dear Mirjam
DeleteThank you. It is a really good book, filled with lots of ideas and helpful information. It also makes growing edible things in pots look easy. Good luck with your own vegetables this year. I had to enter your giveaway - the crocheted flower garland is beautiful!
Best wishes
Ellie
I have never seen a double Snowdrop, aren't they gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteRoasted Beetroot is so delicious, it concentrates the flavour.
Dear Toffeeapple
DeleteThank you. The double snowdrop's latin name is Galanthus Flore Pleno - just in case you want to research them. They are readily available, although in my garden they are rather slow to clump up, but that is probably down to where I've planted them, rather than them being difficult. They are beautiful things.
Roasted beetroot is definitely something I need to try, I think.
Best wishes
Ellie
Good luck with your garden Ellie. That book looks very good. I always have high hopes for my garden but am lacking space and talent. But I do hope to grow more flowers this year.
ReplyDeleteGillian x
Dear Gillian
DeleteThank you. It is a really good book because it makes things look easy! Space is an issue in my garden too, but I seem to always be able to manage to squeeze things in if I really want them. Good luck with your flower growing.
Best wishes
Ellie