A grand day out

The hubby and I have just returned from our hols.  We went to Penzance for a few days, and while we were down there I managed to charm my other half into taking me to the 'Eden Project'.

For those unfamiliar with this attraction, the 'Eden Project' is a collection of outdoor and indoor gardens (Biomes), forests and exhibitions created on the sight of a former clay pit.  The day we visited it most have been one of the hottest of the year, so the trip around the outdoor gardens was a pleasure if a bit tiring.

The first Biome we visited was the simulation of a Rainforest, complete with huge tropical plants and roul roul partridges, that weren't to keen to hang around for more than one picture.

 

 

 

Following a coffee and bit banana cake, we ventured into the Mediterranean Biome. I had to admit plant wise I preferred this Biome, not only did I spot some of my old favourites including Sunflowers, but I was also struck with a bit of Canna envy when I came across a display in full bloom.

 

 

 

All in all it was a great few hours of plant spotting, and even if your other half/family aren't keen gardeners, there's always the statues and ornaments to keep them entertained!

 



 



Summer stirings

The first week into Summer and the weather might not be behaving (rain, cloud, more rain!) but some my plants are on their best behaviour.

My first globe courgette has set and is sat on a home made water proof cushion.  A Jack 'o' lantern pumpkin has also set, not that I' am convinced that it's going to be around for long.  The small squash is definitely going yellow, maybe due to the miserable weather and a couple of cold nights.

My miniature sunflower has also blossomed along with my cosmos, so so far two of my ebay seed purchases have come up trumps!  Hooray!

A new flower in my garden

A plant, which was a free gift from a garden centre two years ago, has at last sprung into life.  The peony, name unknown, has never flowered before so it was a surprise to find two buds developing a few months ago.  Maybe it was down to the mild winter or the feed I spread over the flower bed, either way it's nice to have a new addition to the garden.

Pumpkin drama

I' am currently in the process of hardening off my jack 'o' lantern plant when horrors of horrors the wind got up and caused the main stem to bend.

 

At first I was going to leave until Friday when I planned to plant it out with my other squashes.  However on seeing the local forecast, and seeing that the weather is settled for a few days.  I've decided what the heck, I'll put Jacko out before the damage gets worse.

 

So here Jacko is, buried deep in plastic pot full of compost, and with a bit of tinkering plus a trusty bamboo cane, I managed to even out the kink.  So fingers crossed this particular Pumpkin drama should be at an end.

The perils of a west facing window

I've lived in my current home for over ten years now, and every year since I moved here I have grown my own plants from seed.  I have a spare room (although of late it's not been so spare as hubby has turned it into a mini gym) and with it's two ample window sills, it would have been a perfect growing space if it wasn't facing West.  Still I don't let this put me off and I place many a seed tray there with varying success.

Cosmos and pansies don't appear to mind the limited mid day, where as courgettes and lettuce have hated it.

The lettuce had stretched it stems so thin that I decided to give them up as a bad job and start again outside in the green house.

I refused though to give up on the courgettes, I went about hardening them off and potting them out as normal.  True they looked a right tangled mess at first, but with a bit of sun and some blood fish and bone they've sorted themselves out nicely (more pictures hopefully with veg attached soon).

 

Now I know there were things I could have done to stop the lettuces ending up in the compost bin.

I could of turned the plants on a regular basis, ah I could of, if I had been able to reach them.  You see at the time of growing I was decorating the spare room. I found I couldn't reach the little lettuces as hubby's  heavy cross trainer was by the window out the way for painting, but in the way for gardening! I had to strain myself like some sort of ungainly ballerina to water the seedlings! 

 

 I know I should of really moved them before the DIY job, but what with the limited window space in my other rooms, it just seems the lettuces were destined to be doomed, just a shame I don't have a rabbit to feed my failed attempts too!