Chitting and sowing

The mornings are getting lighter (more chance of putting my makeup on in the right place) and I'm driving home from work in the light which is such a relief as I hate tackling the country lanes in the pitch black.
I am eager to get out in the garden and keep wandering down to my veg patch and inspecting the purple sprouting broccoli. Still no sign of flowers but I didn't plant them out till later in the season, so I shouldn't expect yummy broccoli until the beginning of spring. Whilst on one of my inspections I noticed in one of the veg beds some shoots coming up out of the soil. It seems that some of the garlic which I planted out last spring and then disappeared, have decided to have another go and have started to grow again. I will leave them in the ground and see what becomes of them.
It is still a little bit chilly to brave the outside, so I have set to work inside by sowing some chillies and chitting my potatoes.

I have decided to buy a greenhouse and have seen one on the Internet http://www.simplygreenhouses.co.uk/Metal-Greenhouses/Palram-Silverline-Polycarbonate. It looks very good value for money and I am very excited about my prospective purchase but I need to clear a space for it first. I have the very spot at the top of the garden but there is an awful overgrown rockery (I use the term very loosely) which needs dismantling first. My plan is to have the space ready by Easter, my favourite bank holiday as for me it signifies the start of spring, I just need to break the news to Andy - wish me luck with that one!

With Love On Valentines Day

Today is St Valentines Day. You should let your loved ones know everyday that you love them but today it's time for extra special love!
There was an early knock at the door this morning, which usually means that someone has knocked their ball into our garden, so I told Andy to ignore it. After all today, being Sunday, is our day to have a delicious lie-in and Valentines day to boot, surely the kids can wait but no Andy sprung out of bed to answer the door and returned with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Oh my gosh they are gorgeous.

Rose

Lisianthus

Anthurium
He was also busy in the kitchen this week and has made me some white heart shaped chocolates with scrummy milk chocolate squidgy centres. I only have one left, they were so delicious.

I am not the only lucky lady to receive such wonderful gifts, as you will see if you click on the video below. Last week I blogged about meeting Joe Swift but he was not the only gardener I met. I had the pleasure in meeting James Alexander-Sinclair. He is an absolutely charming man and this week he sent me a link to a YouTube video he, Joe and Cleve West made in a series called Three Men Went to Mo; very apt for Valentines Day.
Hope your day is filled with love......................................

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NGS Yellow Book Launch

Not even the grey London skies could put a dampener on the joy I was feeling, as I travelled up by train, on Wednesday for the launch of the NGS yellow book.

It was very busy with, as one lovely person I met put it, 'the gardening mafia' but it felt good to connect with people who shared my interest in garden writing and imagery.
I met Joe Swift and no I didn't explode but gave him my card and had a nice conversation with him about the NGS. He has taken over the role of President this year and I couldn't think of a more perfect ambassador for the organisation. On television he is usually seen in his gardening gear but I can happily report that he scrubs up very well, in his suit and crisp white shirt.
He gave a speech and cheques were handed over to Marie Curie Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cross Roads Hospice. Amazing amounts of money is raised through people opening their gardens in aid of the National Garden Scheme, it really is a fantastic organisation.
During a talk about the different kinds of gardens open around the country, an image of one the gardens from my project appeared. This was from the garden of Mr and Mrs Cleall at 1162 Wimborne Road.

An absolutely lovely suburban garden and well worth a visit.

I am absolutely delighted to say that the following four images from my project, appear in this years book.

Wild Garlic from Wincombe Park

Nora Barlow from Herons Mead

Noel Road (this appears in black and white)

Betty's cake from Knowle Farm

I shall carry on supporting the NGS with my photography this year and if you can support them by visiting a garden, you won't be disappointed. Teas, cakes and gardens, what a perfect combination!