Sow sow.

Had more time in the garden today (YAY!)
So we finished putting stuff in Big Boy's little raised bed.  There are two tomato plants in one end, two peppers in the other, and two rows of flowers sown in between.

Also sowed some more of 'my' seeds.  To add to the carrots, purple-sprouting broccoli and beetroot, I plumped for radish (which I don't really eat) fennel (ditto, but like the smell) and some lettuce.  Of course, this called for some more of the aforementioned lollipop sticks.

Also planted out four of the tomato plants in the 'main' bed, behind the garlic.  Really need to get the carrots and broccoli protected before they start sprouting...
Also had a crack at tidying the patio a bit, but as it's one of my least favourite jobs, it's not yet complete.  I'll head back out after this to carry on (*hangs head in anticipation*)
In other news, the blossom in the orchard continues to delight.  The apples have taken over from the pears (which themselves took over from the plums).  What's more, the quince is blossoming nicely.  Does this mean that we'll have fruit this year?  I hope so!

Seedy stuff.

The latest update.

But before I say what I've done, here's an exciting new venture in the garden - coloured lollipop sticks.
Yes, you heard right.

You can buy 1000 lollipop sticks from Amazon for about a tenner.  These come in cool colours.  They work brilliantly as plant labels (though the deep purple will probably be easier to write on once it's sun-bleached a little).  Now, it might be less garish to go for the non-coloured ones, but I figure that, if the flowers don't work, at least you've still got some colour in the garden...


Been sowing:
Saturday (5/5/12)
Two trays of sunflowers.

Also planted the cherry tree out in the orchard.  Need to stake it really...

This is the hole it went in.  For some reason, I chose to plant it next to the stump of the apple tree that got knocked over a few months back.  This was a good idea, until I found a root that was about 4 inches thick.  Thus the pickaxe.  I also got a splitting maul, but it's not in this shot.

Today (7/5/12)
Sowing.
A tray of beetroot Detroit (birthday gift)
A line of beetroot Boltardy direct sown next to the purple sprouting broccoli sowing.
A pot of mint.  The last lot failed en masse.  It's supposed to be indestructible, but I can't seem to get any going...

Potting on:
One tray of sunflowers into the 3" pots.  Total of about 25 out of a 40 module tray.

They had absolutely amazing root systems:

Planting out:
Tomatoes in Big Boy's bed.
Pansies in the pots on the front steps.
Marigolds by the purple sprouting broccolli and between the gooseberry bushes.