How Grows It? (May)

 

Hello again from the USG-Plot and one month in and so far all is proceeding well.  A quick recap on what’s underway and how they’re all doing.

 

 

We've dug the beds, enriched the soil and the herbaceous border is now all planted up and the perennials are quickly acclimatising and putting on some good growth.

 

 

The sunflowers and annuals plus the few veggies that were started from seed have all been potted on and hardened off and we’ll be ready to begin on planting those out into containers and the summer border in another week or two once all risk of frost is passed and the ground is sufficiently warmed.  

 

 

While even some of the late summer bulbs, after only two weeks, are beginning to peak above the ground.

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The Dahlias (from tubers) are showing signs of life together with the Begonias both of which were started off directly outside, due to lack of space under cover.  A bit of a risky strategy as there were some  frosty nights where temps fell below zero and while they’ve managed to pull through, will probably be a bit slower to develop as a result.   

 

 

 

This depends largely on the amount of prolonged sunshine they'll enjoy in the coming weeks.

 

 

Not looking too hopeful so far!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quick reminder of what's to come:

 

For vegetables we have the early sown tomatoes, 2 different cucumber derivatives, runner beans, courgettes and some later addition salad crops (see next post).

 

 

 

 

Herbaceous perennials include Peonys, Dicentra, Penstemmons, Oriental Poppies, Heuchera and a deliciously irresistible little Lupin we found locally www.beckwithemporium.com  

 

The perennials are interspersed with various late flowering bulbs including Gladdies, Lilies and some Nerines which we always forget about but managed to get hold of some for this year.  These are late flowering and produce a bright and welcome show when everything else is beginning to get tired and raggedy.

 

 

 

Climbers:  All Clematis in several different varieties which once established should weave together nicely in a continuous display of awesomeosity spanning the back fence.

One is looking dangerously sad.  It started to appear sickly within a day or two of arrival at home.  It has not been transplanted out of its pot to discourage any inclination to 'wilt'.

Current diagnosis:  in a poor but stable condition.

We'll give regular updates on it's progress and let you know of any improvement.

We know you're all rooting for it (LOL)






 

Come and see us again soon and keep sending us messages and pictures of your own projects.