First Sowing of the Year

As you may know, I always like to get the sowing of broad beans in early. The earlier I sow, the more I can grow and you do need a lot of plants to get a decent portion of beans. The seeds in the paper cup are left over from last year and have been sitting around in the damp, but I’m giving them a chance, you never know. The others I’ve chosen for quantity and they were bought in the autumn when I sowed my first lot straight into the garden.

I have sowed twelve of each and I’m looking forward to the first signs of growth, probably three weeks.

The ones I sowed in November are somewhere near that polytunnel that’s in need of repair (wind damage!). The water has receded now but who can say whether the broad beans will still germinate. I love the anticipation 🙂

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Insulating the Greenhouse

I decided insulating the greenhouse would be a good idea, as it means I can start sowing my seeds earlier than usual and I have somewhere to put my geraniums until it’s safe to put them outside.

I decided to do it today as I was feeling the weight of the COVID restrictions and needed to do something that I could get completely absorbed into. I actually discovered that lining a greenhouse on your own needs the use of virtually your whole body, but I managed it.

I have sorted through my seeds already and made a list of what I would like to buy and am now looking forward to the new growing calendar! 🙂

The rolls of insulation and these little fixing thingies were bought from Harrod Horticultural

Shiny Greenhouse etc.

it’s a really beautiful day today, if a little chilly, but it encouraged me out into the garden. I love being out in my garden and doing things to make it look nice. I knew one of the things I had to do was to finish cleaning the green house, so I got on with that first. Now it’s not only is it shiny on the outside…..

…..it’s (mostly) shiny on the inside. Which means I can actually see through the glass 🙂

I did some cutting back and sweeping up

and tidied up the rose arch.

I took a sneaky peak at the seeds I sowed about three weeks ago and there’s signs of life.

I love to see things growing, I find it such a blessing, I can’t wait to sow some more 🙂

Preparing for New Year

We were having a few sunny days so I decided I need to wash the green house, the glass is getting very green with lichen and such like. But there was a necessary job beforehand which was to get all the debris that had accumulated around it during autumn and winter. Now it is all nice and clear 🙂

It was too late in the day to start washing the green house, so that’s a job for the next sunny day. It was good to get outside, put my washing out…

and dig up the last of my carrots. They are enormous but very sweet and delicious 🙂

Broad Beans

My little Almanac also tells me I can sow broad beans under glass so I’ve now done that.

I love broad beans so I was eager to start them early to lengthen the growing season. I know a lot of people don’t like then but grown yourself and picked young, they’re delicious.

I’ve sown two types, one I got from the market sold to me by the 1/2 pint and a dwarf variety I got on Line. I’ve never sown them this early before so we shall see what happens.

I did have company while I was doing it 🙂

A small issue that happened yesterday because of all the rain we’ve had. Fortunately this doesn’t happen often!

New Year, New Start

Even in this early part of January I am encouraged by the new season and the beauty of the world around us. I have just bought this little book which is a real treat.

I don’t really need encouraging to start sowing seeds but this little book has encouraged me. I’ve spent the whole of Christmas and New Year with a nasty cough and cold and this little book has helped a lot. Do you know you can start sowing seeds in a unheated greenhouse or cold frame now! 🙂 I’ve started sorting my seeds and have taken advise from my little book.

I’ve never done well with Sweet Peas, but there’s always a first time. I needed long pots but not having enough toilet roll tubes I decided to make some. You can get tutorials on line.

I had two half started packets so I used them all up. Let’s see what happens

I’ve laid a piece of bubble wrap over them as a bit of insulation in case there’s a nasty frost.

 

Chilli Harvest Part 1

I haven’t been very successful in my green house for a couple of years but this year has been good. Below is a photo of part one of my chilli harvest from my four super duper chilli plants.

I’m so pleased and there’s more to come! 🙂

A Small but perfect Harvest

I do love growing things, it makes me very happy. Here’s an example of my small but perfect harvest 🙂

Me and Mr O. love broad beans so they are a must. I’ve never grown the yellow beans before and they have done really well.

Delicious cucumber, really sweet,

and my first ripe chilli is being used tonight in dinner!

News From My Greenhouse

I just realised that I haven’t reported on how things are doing in my green house. Well they are doing grand!

I have two lovely aubergine plants with fruit and more flowers,

four chilli plants doing amazing, full of fruit,

and twelve tomato plants, several different varieties, performing quite well.

I am so enjoying growing. All my plants are being fed with organic seaweed plant food. 🙂

Tomatos and Chillies

Over the last month, as you know, I’ve been starting to sow my seeds.
I went down to water them today and not only did I have cayenne chillies and aubergines sprouting which I knew about

….I have a Roma tomato

and a birds eye chilli as well!

I just love it when everything starts growing 🙂