2026 - What I did today.

Sowed DFB seeds, weeded VP1 (the pea & bean bed) and another patch which may become a permanent leek bed. Have to get rid of 2 self seeded birch trees first! Don't know where they've come from as there are no birch trees in the garden!

Mowed a bit then washed a car - first time in well over 10 years. It wasn't cause of the lichens and moss growing on it but a small bird, probably a robin, has started using its side mirror on the drivers side and window as a toilet. It has likely been seeing its reflection and not liking what it sees - a competitor as big as itself.

A couple of years ago, there were Blue or Great tits attacking their reflection in the wingmirror on my car. and making a mess.  I put a stocking over the mirror to stop them. If you have any stockings, you could try that.

It’s a territorial thing. That happens during breeding season. They think their reflection is a rival and spend hours and energy attacking the mirror. Potentially hurting themselves. So if you can cover it, do.

Watered everything in the tunnel. Did a big shuffle of young tomato plants. Moved a few things outside to harden off. Fed the potatoes. Dug over the cut flower bed. It had a kinda solid crust on the top from all the rain on the recently top dressing of well rotted manure. Looks better now it’s dug in a bit. Weeded another 3 beds. Took 19 of the young tomato plants round to a neighbour. With a list of what they could be. Spotted seedlings and a slow worm in the wild flower bed. Also noticed some of the swede and or turnips have germinated from my old seed random sowing.

Pricked out and potted on the french marigolds.
Potted on the tomatoes.
Tied in the perennial sweet peas.

Watered everything in the tunnel. Did a big shuffle of young tomato plants. Moved a few things outside to harden off. Fed the potatoes. Dug over the cut flower bed. It had a kinda solid crust on the top from all the rain on the recently top dressing of well rotted manure. Looks better now it’s dug in a bit. Weeded another 3 beds. Took 19 of the young tomato plants round to a neighbour. With a list of what they could be. Spotted seedlings and a slow worm in the wild flower bed. Also noticed some of the swede and or turnips have germinated from my old seed random sowing.

Just remembered. I planted some tulip bulbs as well.

My Weed of the day was Hedge Woundwort https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-...-woundwort
I forgot to wear gloves and it took several washes before I could get rid of the smell of the plant on my hands. If you don't have it in your garden, count yourself lucky! It has long trailing roots which spread everywhere - and it stinks!
Did the usual round of watering the GHs - its been very hot today. Such a change - the plants and I have had difficulty adjusting! Back to normal tomorrow.

Never heard or seen Hedge Woundwort, thank goodness. I wonder if it was used medicinally...... having googled, it was indeed used for healing wounds in the middle ages.

Potted up lots of chitted Bijou M/T. The last ones I planted straight into some big pots, outdoors and they've been dug up/eaten by some little varmint - so, I'm going to grow this lot in modules first.
Found some saved peas, marked " Unknown" so put them to soak.
Mixed up some compost and filled another tray of modules ready for planting up some kale seedlings tomorrow.

Nice husband went to buy me some fibre pots too pot on my tomatoes, as pots from the rat garden are still forbidden from entering the house. I think I counted 9 varieties that had germinated, some with 6 plants each... Nevermind I definitely need 20 to 30 tomato plants...

Also moved my mystery flower seedlings outside and potted on, seeing as they are now just plant rather than seedlings. I think I've spotted daucus and forget-me-not asking them. Some marigolds are very cross (or very happy?) about being crammed in tiny pots so long so have started flowering. Cute little yellow flowers with red blotches.

Potted on brassicas and flowers that germinated outside. Shockingly, I appear to have an excess of those as well. First time ever getting larkspur growing so fingers crossed for some nice flowers.

Sowed some cucumbers (Moneta, Mini Munch and another snack size pot variety), melons (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew) because I love disappointment, and courgettes (tromba, a yellow variety and seeds of one that fell out of their packet... striped I think).

Finally a bit of garden-related time and much enjoyed.

Pricked out oodles of Oregon Spring and Mountain Princess tomatoes. For someone who doesn't grow bush tomatoes, I seem to have loads of them. The neighbours might be in for a few. You should be guaranteed some seed, Veggie.