The Rhubarb evidently loves its new home in the deep pot.
However, even though this will require considerable restraint, I don't think I'm going to pick any leaves this year, because I want it to build up its strength
There are some flowers on my little "Bramley" apple tree, planted last year. I'll be surprised if they set any fruit though.
This is (was) my first spear of Asparagus of the year - although there are actually lots coming up now.
I think I had better remove the chicken-wire that I put over it to stop the Blackbirds kicking-off all the compost...
All around my little micro-pond the Lily of the Valley is shooting up rapidly.
The young shoots look a little bit like asparagus, don't they?
I have been busy pricking-out the Leeks and the "De Ciccio" Broccoli.
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| Broccoli "De Ciccio" |
The broccoli still seems quite frail. Nowhere near as robust as the Brussels Sprouts I sowed at the same time.
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| Broccoli "De Ciccio" |
Although I would like to get some things planted out, at present I am keeping all my brassica seedlings inside the mini-greenhouses in order to protect them. As I write this the wind is blowing at nearly gale force, and I think it could do some serious damage to delicate little seedlings.
My lily of the valley hasn't come up yet. I've been told it is a weed and spreads, but I keep hoping for it. It is in a contained area with the bamboo and I'm hoping it eventually covers the ground.
ReplyDeleteIt does spread rapidly in moist ground, but doesn't get too vigorous in my dry sandy soil, which suits me fine.
DeleteI'll second what Mark just said - we have some on the north side of our house that I have done nothing to since we moved here 5 years ago and it comes up reliably every year and spreads a bit, but is not overly invasive.
DeleteEverything comes on in leaps and bounds as soon as we get a bit of sunshine. My lily of the valley is planted by the side of my little pond too, it hasn't spread at all, I wish it would, just a bit.
ReplyDeleteLily of the valley shoots look similar to asparagus, but unfortunately all parts of the plant are very poisonous.
ReplyDeleteThis sudden good weather has made plants put on a burst of growth so it's hard to keep in mind that colder weather might be waiting in the wings to leap back for another session. I too like Lily in the Valley. I'm now wondering whether our local garden centre will have some - or are they too delightfully 'old-fashioned' to be in stock?
ReplyDeleteYes, Lucy, you are right. We could still get frost until about mid-May, and the night-time temps here are only about 2 - 4 degrees at present. Lily of the Valley grows well from root-divisions, so why not ask if any of your friends have some they could give you?
DeleteI am on the hunt for wild garlic for a shady patch, I do like Lily of the Valley but am worried that my visitor cat might nibble on it. My Broccoli is looking strong but the Greyhound cabbage is very slow.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it can be quite windy where you are, is that seasonal or do you have to put up with it on a regular basis? It's nice to things springing to life in your garden. The landscape around here is already showing signs of sliding into summer dormancy.
ReplyDeleteWe do not normally get long spells of windy weather, but this spring has been exceptional - very windy and very dry, which are bad conditions for young plants!
DeleteHi Mark, do you just let the rhubarb leaves/stems die off at the end of the season, or do you pull them at some point? I also have a rhubarb plant that has been doing rather badly in the last two years, so I divided it in autumn and am now hoping it'll recover. The leaves don't look as green as yours, though - some of them are yellow! Any tips?
ReplyDeleteHi Eva; I just let the Rhubarb leaves die down naturally. I'm not a great expert on Rhubarb, but I think rich moist soil is the key to success. Horse manure is said to be good for it!
DeleteThanks Mark, will try the horse manure, got to get some and let it rot down first though. I shall let the rhubarbs do their own thing this year without harvesting - as you said, not easy to do!
DeleteI love your rope edging we had that in our last house and it really looks classy
ReplyDeleteHi Mark,
ReplyDeleteLooking at your Lily of the Valley.I've got lots growing in the gravel area nearly under the garden boundary beech hedge.Always does fine to flowering.Then something comes along and eats everything back to the stems.Not sure what it is?
Constructed a raised bed over at my plot a few weeks ago and planted it with asparagus in modules last week,so hoping for the best!
Lots of sprouting happening in your garden!
ReplyDeleteDo your lilies of the valley flower well? I just can't get them to grow in our garden and I love them.
ReplyDelete