Reacquainting myself with my greenhouse

What with the preparations for our 110th party I haven't had much time to get into my greenhouse, and of course it suffered - and I think I did too a little, so when I found myself with some time to myself last Saturday morning I knew how I'd spend it. Yes, reacquainting myself with my greenhouse.

First up was taming the lemon balm. Usually I chop it just as it starts to flower, not quite the Chelsea chop, but more of a when I remember to chop. And it needed to be first up as it's growing just inside the door.  A fragrant job though.

Once I'd chopped my way in (it wasn't that bad really) I finally got around to labelling the wallflower and sunflower seeds I'd saved. I've sown many of the sunflower seeds and they're doing really well, and I've still got plenty left for next year. It was timely to have found the wallflower seeds, as according to Monty I should be sowing those already, but I haven't just yet. Soon maybe.

Looking around the greenhouse my tomato seedlings were still miniature, which was disappointing. This year was the first time for a while that I've sown them in modules like this, usually I chuck way too many seeds into a seed tray, and most likely would have potted them on by now. So that became my job to pot on my tomatoes. And of course, as is tradition I seemed to mix up the plant labels so once again I'm sure there'll be a surprise when (and if) they grow!

The sorrel had gone to seed. Again. I'm quite partial to a sorrel omelette, but I guess I'll be waiting for it to regrow a bit first.  It's pretty though.  The sorrel and lemon balm were sown the same year, and both have thrived in the greenhouse for a good few years, despite my neglect.

I've still some onions that need to go over the allotment. I know they should be out by now, and hopefully they will be soon. Everytime I water these two toads hop out looking most disgruntled.

And of course now the party is over, the tiny bedding plants have had a growth spurt. I think these are scabiosa, which have tight pom-pom like flowers. Hopefully they'll be a decent size by the end of the summer...

In more free-plant news I've some more succulents on the way. These leaves came off as I planted out a leaning succulent, and you can see teh roots are just starting to grow.

My squash is doing much better and is looking a more usual size. I've some butternut squashes, crown prince pumpkins and little munchkin squashes again. 

They clearly loved the heat, the greenhouse topped 43 degrees, unlike the climbing beans which failed to germinate.  I've only one courgette, and again I've no idea what type!

The tomatoes from dad are doing much better. He tells me they're giant ones, and in comparison to mine they really are. They'll be heading over to the allotment this weekend hopefully.

Given my lack of success so far with courgettes and climbing beans when we were at Hyde Hall on Sunday I bought some newer seeds, just in case that was the problem and quickly set about sowing them to give them the best chance.

And while we were there, somehow, i left with this purple chilli too.  Funny how that happens, hey?

My last task for this weekend's pottering was to collect seeds from the fading yellow marigolds. They went into two brown paper bags, one for me and another for dad. All I need to do now is remember to deliver them.

Usually by now I will have posted a Sow and Grow post,  but this month I haven't - mainly because I've sown and grown very little - and I'm not even sure I'm up-to-date with my magazine reading. So I've decided rather than beat myself up about not doing this, I'll skip this month, but will return with a July post, and if I get my act together I may have something new alongside that too.  You'll have to wait and see what that is, but I realised it's the sensible way forward.

So the pottering is back on, and so will the quilt making. I'm looking forward to get back into both of them.  How's your growing going? Hopefully better than mine!

An irresistible hibiscus

Almost too irresistible, but also so very beautiful and delicate. This beautiful hibiscus was one of our gifts at our 110th party the other weekend.  It's also known as a rose of China and is a tropical plant which is tender here in the UK, most often seen as a houseplant in conservatories or greenhouses. They're plants I look at in wonder whenever we visit the big houses with these, but now we have our very own.

It's beautiful, and it's blooms are exquisite.  The leaves are waxy like a camellias, but shaped more like a rose - it's a crazy, mixed up kind of plant, I guess.  And one that's been enjoying the warm spell, so long may that continue.

The flowers only last a day or two, and with the weather last week it's thrived in our garden. 

However, it looked as if it could do with a larger pot.

And, I had one in mind. One that while it was full, it was full of self-seeded plants. It wasn't long before these were moved into the compost and the hibiscus was planted in their place.

I think it looks great in this pot and it's flowers add a real pop of tropical colour right at the edge of the patio. Reading more about its care I suspect I'll need to repot it so I can bring it inside over winter, as while that pot also needs protecting it's normally dragged under a nearby bush and covered in bubblewrap, and I don't think that'll work now.  

The buds start as tiny little things nestled in the leaves, and our plant is covered in them.  As they grow the flower develops and becomes visible bit by bit.  And then boom! the flower is revealed.

Once the flower has faded, all that's left is the unfurled bud, and the intrigue as to which bud will flower next.

So hours of fun for me watching this plant develop, and a really thoughtful gift - thank you.  And a new plant to learn how to look after, if you've tips for caring for a hibiscus, then let me know.

Love this #75: The story of us from Twenty Fingers (+ offer code)

You'll know that we're celebrating this year - I've mentioned it once or twice here on the blog already, but in true Fawlty Towers style, I think I've got away with it so far.  But I'm not done yet, and I think you'll forgive me for today's post, because this papercut artwork - because I really do think it's a piece of art - is just gorgeous.

When Lana from Twenty Fingers got in touch, I was intrigued. I'd not seen anything quite like this before, and I knew fairly quickly that I was keen to review one of their items. Browsing the site I was spoilt for choice, but as soon as I saw the "story of us" timeline, I was sold.

The tricky thing was working out - and remembering all the dates, especially the early ones. I knew when we bought our house and when we got married, and I knew MOH proposed on Valentines Day, but what year?  After some careful questioning and secret collaboration with MOH I had the dates I needed. 

Ordering was easy, as you simply enter the text you want and the dates online as well as being able to suggest the images to go alongside each date. You choose the artwork colour and the frame colour; there's a range of colours and frames available, and while I love colour, I wanted this to last and not be tied into a colour scheme that we have now, and may not have later.

There was also an opportunity to review a proof and make any amendments necessary.  I'd already explained the shape of my engagement ring and was pleased that my description translated, but I did ask for a change to the image that went with buying our house. You've not seen the outside of our house, or not all of it, and that's on purpose. It's also not very exciting from the outside, if I'm honest, it's more distinguishing features are inside and the most obvious one is our spiral staircase.

I was keen for our story of us to be something to help us hold our memories - as well as be something visual that MOH can easily check our wedding anniversary date on - and so I sent Twenty Fingers a picture of our staircase asking for a generic spiral staircase shape to be included.

What they did was fantastic. They'd taken my photo and used that as the basis for the papercut. It is our staircase, with the patterned balustrades, and it's that personal detail that's made this so special. Just look:

The photo below really shows it. I'd like to say this shot was planned, but only noticed the (real) stairs' reflection when I was editing my photos.

Enjoy 10% off at Twenty Fingers

I've a feeling that this will become a cherished item and will prompt plenty of memories in the years ahead, especially when the time comes to leave this house.

I'm pretty sure that you'll find something unique and clever on the Twenty Fingers site, whether that's for your or a gift. I know I'll be keeping them in mind for those 'occasions' gifts where you want something a little different and special.

You can choose from family tree artwork, new baby artwork and much, much more - and I've an offer code for you, so you can enjoy 10% off your purchase, by entering save10 at the checkout - and don't forget to check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

And don't forget to let me know what you choose.