Dinosaurs in the Orchard

May is marching on relentlessly and the planting out also seems to be relentless. I have been very good at just taking only what we can manage, to the garden. And none more so than the dahlia tubers. In fact today I got the last ones in that I have allocated so that was very satisfying.

It was sunny and warm but I ruined my orange Toms as I forgot to change into my rubber clogs. The ground was very wet after yesterday`s rain. Debating whether to put them in the washing machine. 

Today it was nicotiania, lavatera, ipomea and cerinthe.

We found the lettuce eaten by rabbits .... due to a hole in the rabbit wire and they had also found a way in to the 6 sunflowers in another bed. It is quite disheartening.

But it is best forgotten and we strive on to seal up holes with bricks.

This bed is doing well.

I cannot believe how long it has taken to clear these beds of overgrown perenniels with matted roots. Steve has been breaking it up with a spade to help me out. I did the very last bit today. Now I shall have to start back at the beginning again. 
 

In my last entry, I was worried about putting the sweetpeas in too early but they are fine and I have tied them up for the first time and fed them with a comfrey mix.

The guinea pigs need to watch out because the dinosaurs are loose in their run.

The veg beds are starting to look good. 

 

Pinks and purples seem to be the order of the day.

 

 

And I had to rescue a drowning fairy.

 

She`s safe and well now.

 

 

Metal Frogs and Fresh Ferns

We had one very warm day in the week, with a very welcome lunch outside, the smell of suntan lotion wafting around and vests off!!

Today the vests are back on plus an extra layer as it was sooo cold. We had to sit in the polytunnel for our teabreak just to warm up.

I didn`t know whether I was doing the right thing but I put in the sweetpea row. It is completely surrounded by netting, keeping them warm and keeping out any stray rabbits that might get through the wire netting..

 

Next I trimmed this shrub bed edge. It took ages. At the same time I was checking the wire fence for gaps. 

By the time I get to the end of the edging, I will have to turn round and start all over again.

 

I got a few more dahlia tubers in ...

Rawhide

Wizard of Oz

At home I checked on my dahlia cuttings and was delighted to find them doing exactly as I wished ..... roots coming through the paper pots. The idea is that the whole thing can be potted on without disturbing the roots.

I had seven today. 16 to go.

 

 Last year the cuttings I took made fantastic plants.

 

In the polytunnel a foxglove is flowering in all its glory ....

 

..... whilst outside there are still tight buds .... a clear indication of the difference a polytunnel can make. Incidently we did not plant this foxglove.

Yesterday we visited friends and were gifted this lovely tray of ferns for the fernery.

 

And this metal lily pad with a bright green frog which looks like it has always been there.

Thank you Nick and Sally.

 

The newest ladybirds are ready to be hidden round the garden and the first poppy seedlings I sowed are showing.

 

 

Things are starting to move.