May

Not just the forget-me-nots turn the first half of May blue.


Bluebells	Rosemary		Centaura		and the little weed speedwell that I am rather fond of
Not quite monotone though

Yellow broom and cabbage flowers and white cheerfullness punctuate the blue.

Star of Bethlehem		Pink strawberry		Welsh poppy		Pink saxifrage

Not to mention the apple trees

This is an ornamental crab

Serendipity Section or Tips discovered by acccident

The weather has been such this month that I have been yo-yoing the hanging baskets between indoors and outdoors; amongst them several surfinias which have stems that are easily broken off. I put the accidents into a vase and they have lasted for a long time, looking most glamorous as they open up fresh deep coloured flowers just as if they were still on the plant.

Fruit and Vegetables

The peas, started off indoors have now begun to set. They are well in advance of the others which I sowed outside. Those have not reached flowering stage yet.

The mangetout, sowed outside after soaking in pareffin germinasted well but again are nowhere near flowering.

I am eating the butterhead lettuce I planted out at the same time as the Webbs. The Webbs are only just showing signs of hearting up. I am always surprised by how hardy lettuces are .

The carrots, planted in March failed to germinate I sowed some more at the beginning of this month.

The leeks are still edible although beginning to bolt. I must get them up soon as I need the room.

All the potatoes look healthy, despite a frost warning two nights ago. They have grown so tall I had a job covering them. Some of the Arran Pilot are showing flower buds. Unless disaster strikes they should be early enough to have that superb new potato flavour and texture.