The Cottage Smallholder

Lovely and Sunny, so went out to Garden, and tidied my Strawberry Pots, clipped the dead Leaves etc. Loads of dead Leaves blown into Corners, so got the Yard Broom, and holding onto my Vehicle with one Hand used the Broom to push them into a Mound, when Ian comes up, will ask him to bag them for me, lovely Compost.   Going to send to my usual Supplier, for Seeds, great believer in new Seeds, yes, you get good results sometimes, from Packets you have had for Ages, but it's a bit hit and miss, fancy trying to grow Cucamelons, not sure how you spell it, but a cross between a Melon, and Cucumber.

Got my Seeds, so sowing 'Valdor' this Afternoon, can't start too soon, and I have actually found Valdor growing against a Wall, in Spring, having gone right through the Winter. Valdor, is a Lettuce, by the way.  I once had a Neighbour, a Chef, who grew Lettuce  on his Windowsill, all Winter.

What a difference in the Garden. all old Tubs removed, plus old growing Boxes, it is looking good.  Now I have a Patch which will be just right for Roses, because it is only partial Sun.  This begs the Question, which Roses?  There are so many that I love, don't know how I will choose five, think that is all the Space.  Must try for Superstar, Whisky Mac, Pascali, Louise Odier, and need a Red, depends what I can get, late in the Season for bare rooted Roses, might have to take Pots, which are dearer.  Also planted out Lettuce.  It was a very chill Wind, so not too fussed about being back inside.  Greenhouse, definitely going tomorrow.

My 'little Helpers' were two hulking great Chaps, Sue, and they are not free, but they were thorough, and very pleasant, so did not mind paying for help, that my Family could not have done.  Daughter taking Greenhouse Tonight,Slabs laid in her Garden yesterday, then I can position my Beds on Legs, don't know what their real name is, but fell in lucky yesterday, Daughter phoned from the Garden Centre to say they were selling the bottom bits off cheap, as the Lids had been lost, so she got me two more, am like a Dog with two Tails, my 'Garden on Legs' , is taking shape, now have One for Tomatoes, and one for Cucumbers. Got Radish through already, but next Week, we are getting hit by severe Weather, so better get the Poly Wrap, ready.  bbl Tina x

Fought my way down the Garden, these Gale force Winds are wreaking Havoc. Everything is so dry, had to water. On the plus side, my Spring Onions are through, also the Lettuce, Packet marked 2009, am surprised. Also Lettuce I planted out, hanging on in there, Radish, doing well, so beginning to look productive. Glad to be back Indoors, as well as being Gale Force, the Wind is bitter.