Spring's sprung

Daffodils, lambs, lighter evenings and not having to worry about plants being battered by frosts and hail are just some of the many delights of the season and some recent stunning weather (which apparently followed a hideous storm which must have passed over while I was in a chardonnay-induced coma) meant some replanting was in order.

We have been rather lucky with a mild winter which has meant we haven't been too unlucky with our plants.

Our shallots are booming.

Our herbs are in abundance.

The spinach is being devoured regularly.

The spring onions have been separated out and are growing strong.

The garlic is getting bigger and bigger and the mustard lettuce has gone crazy.

And the potatoes have taken off as expected. Once the sprouts start coming out they need heaping over almost every day. It only takes about two minutes to do and it's great to see progress so quickly - it's one of the most rewarding crops to grow.

The lemons and limes are starting to fruit and hopefully they will set. Mams has always had a problem with the little fruits dropping off but apparently keeping them well watered will hopefully do the trick. We also added some citrus fertiliser which should be used only about four times a year. I really do hope they grow as looking out our kitchen window to a HUGE lemon tree with head-sized lemons and not being able to nab a few is killing me!

And our lettuces have all been eaten so some new cos and tom thumbs have gone in.

The lavender Elliot cut right back has grown back really well and is beautiful and fragrant.

And of course, Elliot's reason for being, the chillies. He has fertilised the plants quite heavily this year and as a result they are huge and will be absolutely massive when they go out into the real world probably later this month.

 

They have been going outside for a few hours at a time to start hardening off - they get some real sunlight and experience some wind. One of us stands and watches them like a hawk. I won't say who.

The bhut jolokias and Carolina reapers are huge (not looking forward to those reapers - a new one for us this year - they are insanely more hot than a habanero which is no joke).

We have some habaneros growing from seeds which we saved from our best habanero last year - and they are going great guns.

I know I have turned into a fully fledged gardening geek when on my trip to King's Plant Barn to get some lettuce seedlings, I was excited by seeing the rows and rows of chillies, tomatoes and even strawberries (too early for them!) out and this means the heat and sun and summer is on its way.

Elliot and I miss our wee garden at Sunset Road, but know not having the space or soil for extravagant vege patches does not mean we can't keep doing what we love and enjoying the many fruits (and veges) of our labour.