Factory farming

Hundreds and hundreds of plants.   This potting shed produces the most incredible number of little seedlings. Well, I produce them, but the potting shed hosts them. We are quite a food factory.   That was what I was thinking as I potted on yet more spinach plants this afternoon.

My tally is 120 calendula Favourite Red seedlings pricked out and placed into larger pots; 60 Swiss chard seedlings graduating to the final pots, a similar number of Swiss chard (or was it 40?) and after that I lost count.

But it was fun as I was able to hide from the wind. Oh yes, it’s still blowing a hot gale. Andrew explained that it’s coming stright from Africa and it should rain eventually. And eventually stop blowing. But that might not be until Monday.

So with the knowledge that this is going to go on and on, I spent a fantastic morning watering.

The spring is flowing and there is nothing easier than pointing a hose at every plant in the garden.   It’s ruminative, and ponderous (apart from a few necessary hefty heaves on the hose as it has to travel 200 metres up to the top).

I am delighted the iris are out in the courtyard. Such statuesque plants; and even better knowing they were hidden in a crevice in the potager for years and I rescued them.

I’m trying to build up the varieties; and found this delightful pink one at a London  Garden History Museum plant fair.

Goodness that was a crush.   But well worth the scrum to secure this beauty.   It’s a shame of course that I have forgotten its name.   but I do admire it. And also the foliage.   Such statuesque fronds. Or are they spikes?

I was having such an enjoyable dopey morning pointing my hose at the plants. One forgets what a treat it is to really stop and look at everything.   And a bit of a gloat for my English gardener friends who aren’t going to be able to use a hose at all this year.

After this gentle ladylike morning I had to do something a bit more sporting in the afternoon (apart from helping Mr P with the pool parts).   So down with the wheelbarrow full of thyme plants to add to the plum terrace.

I planted the lot.   So now there are 35 plants in this long skinny terrrace.   And they will have to do their work once the beautiful Mount Tacoma tulips have gone over.   I’m hoping that the little terrace above it will have flowering perovskia (Russian sage) over the summer; but it’s all new and exciting and might need a bit more colour. We shall see.