- Kitchen Garden Magazine

Jubilee Weekend plans by Steve Ott

Published: 05:49PM Jun 1st, 2012
By: Steve Ott

Well the plot has filled up at last – the final empty bed was cleared of the last few overwintered ruby chard plants and spring cabbages yesterday to make way for the courgettes that have been rubbing shoulders in the greenhouse for too long now. I'll plant those in the next few hours if the rain holds off and as I write it is a lovely evening.

Part of the plot with my chrysanths in the foreground. I'll keep you updated on progress.

The hot, dry spell came to an end a few days ago and some heavy rain arrived right on cue to soak the soil. For once I was organised and scattered some general fertiliser over most of the beds before the rain arrived so that it could be nicely washed in around the roots, giving a boost to the lettuces, kale, beans and peas already growing away.

I’m trying my hand at some cut flowers this year – mainly chrysanthemums - and planting them out last week took me on a trip down memory lane. My father used to grow blooms and sprays for the local shows and when I was a kid I would help him to do everything from digging the soil to ‘dressing’ the flowers. The latter involved painstakingly moving the petals into place, so that every bloom was perfectly groomed – it would take us hours. Many of the varieties I received as a collection were the same as he was growing 35 years ago.

I received a press release a few weeks ago that said chrysanths were now among the least trendy of flowers, being considered by most to be old fashioned, but I don’t care – apart from the emotional value of seeing them in my garden, few flowers give such value in a vase.

Back to the veg and during my lunch break today I popped out and bought some growing-bags in preparation for planting up my tomatoes, peppers and aubergines in the greenhouse over the long weekend. If the forecast rain stops us from getting out and about I can at least shelter in the greenhouse and plant them up.

Wishing you all a great Bank Holiday break.

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