An ipod for Octavius?

Octavius

Octavius is promised his own ipod for Open Gardens!  Well that's what Chris said when I rested my ear defenders following excessive decibel output from all the hedge cutting.

D Day Anniversary Beans

Sarah and Roger

When it comes to runner beans, I've never known such poor germination.  I wasn't able to find any of my usual varieties and so this year, I sowed Suttons Best of All.  They have turned out to be worst of all!  I sprinkled slug pellets around as usual as I didn't want them eaten as they popped up and so I'm not even blaming slugs despite plague proportions after such a wet winter. Germination was so very poor, I even resorted to a second sowing to fill the gaps and then - right on cue, our neighbours dropped in and guess what!  They gave me 5 super healthy bean plants - 4 Enorma and 1 French climber.  Not only were they lovely healthy plants but they were about 18 inches tall!  Those which have decided to germinate are less than 2 inches high.  Now it's one thing when neighbours drop round with plants but it's a bit special when they plant them and then carefully tie them in!  It was the perfect excuse to sit down and enjoy a glass of perfectly chilled Chablis! After this rather convivial little interlude, it was time for me to mow the West lawn.  A gardener's work is never done - sigh!

Looks Fab - Smells Awful!

Chris grows these spectacular huge lilies in his garden and brought one to show us.  It looks like a Dragon Lily and has a dark purple and velvety spathe and looks sort of sinister.  It emits a fairly powerful and unpleasant odour rather like decomposing flesh.  I have been surprised how well it's lasting in water.  For the purposes of scale, the vase is 4 inches square! Can anyone out there identify it?

Tale of Two Tanks!

In a dull and shady corner we now have Hostas where there was once nothing at all.  Presents of 2 galvanised tanks from 2 Chris's meant that we had perfect planters and the dreaded plastic vents imposed by building regulations are now obscured.  You're probably thinking it looks a bright and sunny corner but the photo was taken in the evening when this little area has some low sun for a very short period at this time of year.  Now I had spent ages and ages making piles of odd sized and coloured bricks to support the planted tank but, not only did they look awful but, the whole thing was wobbly and insecure.  The planter has to be raised above the (now obscured) plastic vents in order for it to fit snugly against the walls.  As soon as Chris brought the second and smaller tank, I realised that lifting a galvanised tank full of compost (well - not quite full cos I put polystyrene in the base) was going to pretty heavy. Undaunted, he lifted it aside and onto the chair, placed the base tank and then lifted it back again.  Oh and before you ask about drainage; someone else had already drilled holes in the bottom!  Had it not been for that, I would have used it for water storage.  Another little feature in the garden!  Who's a lucky girl?

Produce Progress!

Meanwhile, our little vegetable patch is looking pretty good with one exception..! Someone is eating the runner beans and I suspect slugs are helping themselves. After the world's wettest winter they are EVERYWHERE and in plague proportions! The Genever lettuces have done well, beetroot, carrot and peas are all up and today the Genever outdoor tomato plants were planted - on the end of the Chrysanths!  PTC has never had outdoor varieties before so it should be interesting.  The indoor plants are doing OK although numbers of trusses may be fewer.

Dare I mention Shed of the Year?

It's just that there really isn't much time left  and The Pear Hut really does need every vote we can muster! Please follow the link to vote:

http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=4675

The Pear Hut

Spotted Orchid Spotted!

Spotted in our own little orchard!  I reckon it could be our  native wild Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata).  My policy is never knowingly to mow a Cowslip before July: now, I have another specimen to avoid!