May has passed in the minion garden, and it has to be said…we are on fire this year! This is, without a doubt the most 'on it' we have ever been. The potatoes are flourishing…the runner beans are running up the poles, everything in the garden is relatively weed free and happy. This is partly due to our lovely greenhouse which has given us the ability to start everything off in style; partly due to the fact we didn't let things go so far to pot in the winter; but mostly to do with the fact that Minion 6 is no longer sucking the life from us by waking us up in the early hours of the morning. It's amazing what you can do on a good night's sleep.
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My herb project is coming along. The camomile has been disappointing. I tried to grow it from seed sown direct and a neighbourhood cat dug it all up to do his business (the filthy swine, it's at time like these you wish you had Minion 1 and his badminton racket again). Also, I've had more trouble that I expected cultivating Borage, but my 4th attempt has proven to be the charm and we have plants well on the way. I ended up with loads of Mallow plants and will have to foster some out as I have far more than I need. Similarly, the wormwood is proving a reliable grower. However, despite my successes….I have found my attempts at herb cultivation somewhat thwarted by my dear husband's unashamed hogging of the greenhouse….
Charlie has: 31 chilli plants, 12 pots of various culinary herbs, 12 tomato plants, 6 cucumbers and a tray of lettuces. Me?!? I've got one seed tray and 3 small pots…on the floor…in the corner:
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| See the little square foot of space under the staging on the RH side….that's mine! |
I suppose I should be grateful I have any space at all. Charlie's getting very 'old man in his shed' about the greenhouse. He disappears out there at night grumbling darkly about greenfly. He berates me if I try to water anything (apparently he has 'a system')…in fact, I suspect he may soon change the locks. *Left the hallowed chilli plants enjoying all the sun :-)
In order to escape the muttering...I've been containing most of my efforts to the outside. I've planted lemon verbena, lady's mantle and some of my marrow in my herb bed. The pot marigold are everywhere and I've even managed to sneak a few flowers in here and there. The minions have been helping. Minion 6 loves watering and filling pots with compost. She may yet prove to be just as useful as Minion 5.
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| Minions 5 and 6 help sow the borage. |
We are hoping for our luck to hold and for the bounty to be good this year. All I hope is that Charlie gets some bloody chillis…I'll never hear the end of it if he doesn't.
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| May 2014 |
