The weekend roundup

This weekend yielded much more gardening opportunity than I expected. Saturday we were out for the day with friends, mostly outside, and there was definitely a nip in the air!

Sunday was a day for tasks. Husband tackled the hedging, moving some field roses, blackthorn and hazel to balance it out a little and transplanted some thornless blackberries that had been growing in another area of the garden.

Next, we will be moving our red and white currants in preparation for training them as cordons. I really enjoy combining formality and naturalistic planting throughout the garden, even in areas such as the rose garden and kitchen garden which traditionally follow quite strict guidelines. There’s no end to the creativity one can employ in merging planting types and styles.

At the end of a long day in the garden, a good meal is critical! Last night was venison cottage pie, accompanied by steamed carrots and cabbage and leeks in a juniper cream sauce. They were preceded by a very welcome gin and tonic!

And the first seeds were sown. A quiet moment in the warm greenhouse saw aubergines, peppers, chillis, onions and one variety of tomato sown. They’re now indoors nestled next to the Everhot to germinate in the gentle persistent heat. I’ve set up a page listing the varieties of vegetables and flowers I’ll be growing this year and keeping it updated year to year with what has done well and what hasn’t.