At Loggerheads

I think the first week of June is the loveliest time for my garden. The hosta are emerging, the shrubs are filling out, and the blue Centaurea is filling every available gap. This is also known as Knapweed, and 'Loggerheads', strangely enough, which is also where I went to primary school.

It's difficult to negotiate the paths, but as soon as the bees grow tired of the flowers, I'll cut them back.

I've also recently sown these Eddoes which I bought in a Chinese supermarket in Birmingham's Chinatown. They grew well for me last year and the leaves are a delicacy too. They are of the Colocasia family. I think they are also called Arbi in South India.

One of my first meals of the year using garden produce was this: some Crab & Courgette baskets (made with wonton wrappers) with some homegrown Purslane and Pea Shoots. Purslane from Jekka's Seeds has a surprisingly good taste for an early salad.

Strawberries are growing quite well. I will never get a great crop from a planter, but I'm hoping some will flavour wine later this month. I quarter turn the pot every day to maximise sun exposure...

The mint I repotted last month is doing well. The predominant mint I think is Spearmint, the others Peppermint. I'm not sure if any Moroccan mint or other varieties survived.

I have never grown Bell or Sweet Peppers before.  These seem to be flowering well, but I don't know if there are too many buds here, or if the plant will know which ones to pollinate or drop... I think this is Sweet Pepper Mira.

This mini-Rose was given to me as a leaving present from Abbotsholme School near Uttoxeter. It has flowered well for three years now. It reminds me of happy times there and of their Summer Gathering.

Hurrah for my first full-sized RED chilli! This is Alberto's Locoto (a Rocoto type) chilli from Peru. He's been my favourite all year as he's very prolific. I'm looking forward to saving seeds and tasting him in some great Peruvian dishes this summer...

I also have these two varieties of Spilanthes Acmella, aka Electric Daisies or Toothache Plant. The top one is from Baker Creek, the bottom one from James Wong for Suttons. I'm interested in seeing the difference on taste and sensation between the two. These are the first two flowers.

Finally, a non-gardening photo or two... I get goose-pimply when I hear a A380 fly over... Surely the Queen of the Skies. I've never flown in one yet, but maybe, one day...