GARDENER'S WORD

The coronavirus known as Covid-19 has taken hold of the UK as well as many other countries in the world. Right now, the UK is in lock-down and I am self-isolating. I am going to make the best of it and keep myself mentally and physically healthy by keeping occupied. A short while ago I received an online order of seeds and two or three days ago I sowed Oranges & Lemons sunflower seeds in small pots. I have the pots in a  Stewart Premium 52cm Thermostatic Electric Propagator  that I bought a couple of months ago and it seems to be doing the trick. Already they have germinated. I wanted to grow something that pollinating insects and subsequently birds would appreciate, as well as myself. Unwins Oranges and Lemons Sunflower The label says that these sunflowers attract birds, are great for cutting, and are strong growing plants. They achieve a height of 120cm (4ft) and should be grown 45cm (18in) apart. They can be sown indoors March to April and outdoors April to May. To...

During this time of the coronavirus called Covid-19 and self-isolation, I thought it would be a good idea to try and grow my own vegetables. Not only that, but gardening is good for mental health. I never seem to have much luck growing vegetables in my garden apart from the ever-reliable runner beans. I have rocky ground, much of the spare space is taken by mixed borders and lawn (over rock!), and although slugs move slowly, they frequently get to the vegetables before I do! I usually try and grow vegetables in containers but over the years some plants grown that way have become the target of vine weevils ! It's going to be a challenge. Vegetable seeds from Fothergills I couldn't get my favourite Wisley Magic runner-bean seeds online so I am going to try Red Rum  (RHS external link) and hope for the best. Hopefully, after a long wet but relatively mild winter, we might have a decent summer. I think a hot summer would be lovely, not least because Covid-19 will not thrive s...

Since December, all eyes have been focused on the evolving situation regarding the novel Coronavirus, Covid-19, which began in China and has become a pandemic. It all feels so surreal. The elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions are most vulnerable and many are, by choice and on advice from the Government, self-isolating. I am one of them. But life can be good with a positive attitude and so my focus is shifting somewhat to my own little world, inside and out. The garden is coming to life and much has stayed green over a relatively mild winter. I cannot believe that the parsley, which I bought from the supermarket last year and planted in the garden, is not only thriving but a monster! It's about 24" (60cm) tall at its utmost point. It's tolerated zero temperatures and even a light covering of snow! Parsley, March 2020 after overwinter in the garden. I'm starting to do garden jobs, little by little, making them a form of therapy as much as ...