Mickfield Hostas

The above link will take you to the website of the producer of the Hostas I got over the weekend.

Hostas

Just returned from a visit to my parents in Suffolk. Had a wonderful time and returned with two new Hosta plants and another plant of which I am unsure of he name at present. Will have to ask Mum what it is called.

The Hostas were from a stall at a market in Bury St. Edmunds: Mickfield Hostas
I've two varieties: a lovely white and green one called Fire and Ice and a green and blue one called Touch of Class.

Sowing

You can just about see some of the lettuce growing in the vegetable patch. There is also some carrots growing and I think another variety of lettuce poking through the soil. I have planted the beetroot between the carrots and lettuce as I think there will be space. I wasn't going to try beetroot again after my disappointing crop last year when almost nothing grew larger than a seedling but I am hoping that in this location where they will get more sun and probably a little more attention from me they will thrive. We shall see.

I notice that the courgettes, butternut squash, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are doing well in the green house. I will plant them out soon. I hope to grow the butternut squash and cauliflower in pots and the Brussels in the vegetable patch. Will attempt to grown the tomatoes and courgettes in a grow bag as I did last year. Anyone any experience of growing cauliflowers and butternut squash in pots? The potatoes seem to be doing well in a pot!

Potatoes

How fast have these potatoes grown!
Been out in the garden on and off all day today practically. Mowed the lawn and done some hoeing and planted out some more seeds. I have sowed some beetroot and spinach in the vegetable patch and some basil and parsley in the greenhouse to give them a warm start there.

Compost Worms

Have tried to use some of the compost today in the vegetable patch. What a load of worms there were!!

Raised bed

Pictures of the little raised bed so far...

Bricks

Have commenced a brick wall around the vegetable patch at the bottom of the garden. I have simply stood rows of bricks on their ends to form a rectangle which I hope will hold the soil just a couple of inches above ground level. I intend to sieve all the soil in it and fork in some of the compost from the compost bin.

I also purchased some seeds over the weekend to start sowing over the next week. Tomatoes, courgettes, butternut squash, carrots, lettuce, beetroot and Brussels sprouts. I have left it really late this year to start growing the veg but for some reason I just haven't felt like it was time until now. I think now the evenings are lighter and the weather a little warmer I shall make a start!

Snowdrop and Iris

Ilex meserveae "Blue Maid"

Potted this out today at last... information on the leaflet...
"This variety of holly is also known as blue holly due to the colour of its leaves. The shrub is full of red berries. If you want to obtain more berries in the holly we advise to place a male plant , for example Ilex meserveae "Blue Prince" nearby. Leaves have prickly edges. Dense compact growth. Also grown as standard. Ideal as solitaire in ornamental gardens, in large plant troughs and as an impenetrable hedge. If the tree is planted in spring, water it once every 14 days until the end of June."

Daffodils

Seeing Daffodils always makes me feel that warmer, drier days are on the way.

Birds

I did the birdwatch a couple of weeks ago for the RSPB and was amazed at how few birds came in to the garden in the hour I watched for. As a result I have spent a gift voucher that I had last year on the above bird feeders. Not sure I have got them in the best position yet but we'll see what happens. You may find some pictures of birds on here soon. Would love to have a robin come to feed...

Holly Tree

A Christmas present which I really must get around to putting in a larger pot: A beautiful ornamental holly tree.

Snow Drop

The first snow drop in the garden this year above arrived about a week ago. They are such delicate plants.

Rose Hip

Not from my garden but from someone's garden in West Row, the village in which my parents live...