2022 - What I did today

Vinny, its good to joke about our lost ones - that's what they would want. Once of the last things my better half said was "Be happy" and I've always obeyed him, as you can imagine.

Wise words from both of you. I can't imagine the hole left by losing a partner. I'd be no good on my own. Respect to both of you.

Finished clearing the bolted leeks so it must be spring!
Sorted out canes for tripods and tied them ready.
Cleared the last of the bolting kale.
Started weeding the gravel at the front of the house.

Your neighbour will need your strength, Vinny, and at some point, your sense of humour, too.

Sowed some flower seeds.
Potted up some plugs plants I'd received in the post this morning. They were surprisingly small so I hope they survive and grow on well for me.

I said I wasn't going to grow spuds this year but had a weak moment at the corner shop and ended up with 20 seed potatoes. Time for an experiment.
I had 6 x 30ltr pots, each about a third full with last year's Hotbin compost. I bunged 3 or 4 spuds in each and covered them with freshly cut grass cuttings as I didn't want to use proper compost.
I've put the pots on a sheet of Onduline corrugated roofing that came off the garden shelter - because it was warped. Hopefully, this will slow the slugs up as they are the main reason why I don't grow spuds.
Fed & watered the tomato and strawberry plants in the GH and outdoor planters.
Cut back the forsythia, with its honeysuckle and cotoneaster companions before they reach across to the pear tree and strangle it. Found the remains of last year's blackbird nest in the middle of it. Hoping that the birds have found a safer place to nest this year out of reach of the dogs.

Sown seeds. Planted out sweet peas & 35 sunflowers.
Weeded a couple of paths. Pulled out last year’s celery and covered the rest of the bed. Potted on some more plants. Sorted out my pot benches.

Not what I did today but what I am going to do today.  The sun is shining so I am going FISHING!

Planted out some chard, spinach, and brassicas.

Popped back to the plot as I'd forgotten to put the copper ring / tape thingys in place, not sure if they make a difference but I have them so might as well

Popped back to the plot as I'd forgotten to put the copper ring / tape thingys in place, not sure if they make a difference but I have them so might as well

Flaming slugs and snails have decimated my two rows of swedes. Wouldn't be so bad but they have attacked half of each row at the same end!