A Gardening Woman

Sunglasses needed for Sarah Raven flowers

Just been down to the picking part of the garden in Suffolk and come back with these. The colours are even more electrifying in real life. The gladioli and dahlias are collections from Sarah Raven. Although never the cheapest, she does have a brilliant eye for colour combinations.

It's hard to see because it is so dark but the deep claret dahlia is a gem and has flowered and flowered for weeks. Just in front is the little orange pompom dahlia - not so floriferous but still a fun contrast.

Runner beans of course which should always go straight from the plant to the pot for the freshest flavour. So not a bad start for the first year of growing in Suffolk. It's all got to be moved next week to make way for the new Alitex greenhouse - SO exciting!

Exciting day

I promise not to go on about it for much longer but I am excited that today is the official publication day for my book, Gardening Women. I had (innocently) thought that when this day came it would give me more time to get out in my two gardens and catch up with all the work that needs doing outside. Oh, silly me. Now there are articles to write, talks to prepare and then give, etc, etc.

But I'm not downhearted. The weather has been kind this week by which I mean not too hot nor too cold. But I am feeling guilty that I haven't planted up my Earthboxes on the roof garden. I've got two Gardeners' Delight tomatoes for one but what to plant in the other?? Whatever I go for will have to cope with sun and wind. The Hestia miniature runner beans I grew last year were a great success but I just won't need them now I've got the vegetable garden in Suffolk (famous last words...) I think it'll have to be strawberries. What nicer than a freshly picked strawberry wherever you are. Now I've just got to find the time to buy some....