Gardening highlights this month has been that all the box cuttings I took last year have survived. The only problem I have been no longer got any room in the garden to put them. So it looks that they will have to go to Ireland.

The other high light this year has been the acanthus mollis seeds I got from beara seeds that I planted out last year are about to flower and I am really happy with the erigeron Azure Fairy seed I got from them..

Happy Easter.

Bouyed by relative success so far I have gone a little mad over the last few weeks and whizzed around the place, taking cuttings from all the shrubs I like. These include Photinia Red robin, a camellia and some that I have no idea what they are. It’s only been a couple of weeks and they all seem to be doing ok. But it’s still early days.

Cheers

I have planted up a load of seeds a couple of weeks ago. All from a new company called Bearaseeds, which were pretty cheap. Have been very pleased with the germination, as nearly all the seeds have done so. The Lupins have been great, and I have now way too many. I was surprised that some of the hardy geraniums such as “Bill Willis” and “Dark Reiter” have already germinated, I was under the impression that they would have taken a little longer. I can’t wait to see what this “Dark Reiter” geranium seed is going to look like when it flowers.

I have both sets of my propagators on full blast, and have about 30+ seeds on the go. Unfortunately they are in my parents garage, and I am concerned that they are not getting enough light, which may effect germination of all seeds.

However so far all the echinacea and AGAPANTHUS Umbellatus “Blue Umbrella” have germinated. So maybe I am worrying too much.

However the other thought is buying seeds for summer. I have to admit that other thought concerns seeds. I am absolutely fascinated by them. How those tiny little buggers grow into massive plants. The question is what shall I grow. There are always my favorite annuals grown every year Salvia Blaze of Fire, Sweet peas (love the smell), french marigolds and some ruebeckias (irish mist). As I adore Delphiniums, I always grow too many and too many variaties. This year a couple of the pacific giants, maybe blue jay and king arthur, and two NZ hybrids “Dusky Maidens” and “Purple Pagans.” Then maybe a couple pelagoniums Maverick White and Infinity Scarlett. I have got a good deal on these seeds.

It’s so easy, most of the time just place the seeds on top of moist compost cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep the soil wet, and at the right temperature. Pot them out when they are big enough to handle.

Bearing in mind how much the cost of the plants are in the garden centres, and how easy it is raise them, it is a no brainer.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. I have access to my parents’ garden and the lucky buggers get my gardening services for free! My parents have just built a place in Ireland with a massive 1 acre garden which at present has only hedges and grass, and I am looking forward to making the most of that opportunity.

I am obessed with growing seeds much to my girlfriend’s amusement and annoyance, and to my parent’s benefit.

If I can’t actually do gardening as much as I want to, I can at least write about my plans for the future, my work on my parents’ gardens, the window boxes at our flat and my tips for growing and nurturing from seed.

I hope you enjoy it.