... you're very busy, man ...

So, having filled up the wheelbarrow with old bush (I was told it wouldn't have taken too kindly to the cold, so I chopped it out - it's twin is still in there)

I cleared the space a little and popped in some gooseberries.  Two in, one still to arrive.

Then I cleared away the carrot fly barrier and hoe hoe hoed, also emptying the colourful tubs of their weeds and plants remnants.

The plan is to have a lot more flowers in this bed this year, and use the raised bed outside for veg, as well as the other beds in the orchard.

RHS, how I love you.

How cool is this:

I sent off for my seeds from the RHS, and they arrived this morning.
Yay.  Now I have to find space to sow them all, and then more space to plant them...  But what a fantastic deal anyway.  £12 for 20 packets.  All collected from the RHS gardens around Britain.
I'm sure they'll come up again in due course...

Fool!

Gooseberry fool, that is.
Today saw the delivery of two gooseberry bushes.  One is yet to come.  Today's were Invicta and Hinnomaki Yellow (I think... They're downstairs and I can't be bothered to check)
The question (and it's rather pressing now) is where to put them.  The two options are:
Next to the raised bed (I was going to make it bigger, then figured that wasn't necessary - I could just plant things like gooseberries in well prepared holes, rather than have a whole bed for them...)
Behind the raspberries.  Slightly more complex, as this would necessitate the removal of a large bush, which I'd rather put off moving.  Logically, however, this is probably the preferable spot for them...  It's likely to get a little more sun in summer, and is in the main garden.
So, if I can muster up the energy, that's what I'll do.

We're also having the fencing people around tomorrow, so that'll be a hit to the old bank balance...  I'll have to start selling gooseberry fools to cover it.  (To cover the cost, that is, not to cover the fence in pudding)

And as for the seeds, we've got a good hit rate with the Gazanias, the rudbeckias are starting to catch up a little, some delphiniums are showing, and the sweet peas are about 8 inches tall.  The physalis modules still appear empty...  21-30 days it said, and we're only a few days off the 21.

The herbs on the windowsill aren't doing that well.  Parsley's doing ok, but the rest are a bit ropey.  I can't seem to keep them damp, but then I don't know if I'm drowning them or dehydrating them.  Ah, the traumas.

The shallots got dug up (maybe I mentioned that) and nibbled by squirrels.  If only I had a gun... 

The snowdrops are looking fab at the moment.  Probably going to start dying down soon.  Could Spring be on its way?

Sow good.

Well, helper and I have been busy.  We've been popping lots of seeds into seed trays and hoping for the best.  Simple process - poke finger in seed compost (yes, I buy seed compost), put seed (or seeds, if the packet's got millions) in poked hole, cover hole, water lightly (I actually put them in a box of water to allow the water to come up through the compost, rather than top down...) and put in the kitchen.

They were then promptly neglected while we went away for a few days.  And this is what they looked like today. 

Far box is sweet peas.  Middle one is chinese lanterns on the left and delphinium on the right.  Near one is Gazania on the left and Rudbeckia on the right.  As you can see, some are further on than others, although the Gazania, which thought they'd germinate after 14 days (according to the packet) are actually out after just a week, so you never can tell...
Needless to say, I'm pleased with their progress so far...  Though the next thing is probably for them all to go weedy and fall over and die :)
Oh, and if you're wondering, this is the start of the cutting garden.  We're expanding from vegetables and fruit...

The bed's made, now what?

Well, some blackberries have gone in now.  You'll be pleased to know that I've straightened up the far one since looking at the photo!  They're supposed to spread about 6 foot, so will have to spill out perhaps, but hopefully will crop nicely...  They cost a total of 9 quid.  Can't write more now - other things to be done!