Chillies Galore...

This used to be Men's Final at Wimbledon... probably cue for a shower or two, but no, the British summer continues into its THIRD week! 3 weeks already, and not a cloud in sight. As it is, everything's up in the air at the moment. Wimbledon has shifted by a week, the English football team seem to be winning, and Climate Change has struck hard most of the Northern Hemisphere. It's not all good... hosepipe ban in Northern Ireland, heatwave deaths in Canada, moors fires in the Peak District, floods in Lahore, Japan and of course we wait for news of the cave boys in Thailand... (Four out, as I type...)

Chillies are LOVING the heat... These are from my second set of Chillies sown in Feb. They should be up in bigger pots, but as long as they are watered and have nutrients, I think they should be OK.

BULGARIAN CARROT

PADRON

JOE'S LONG (1, 2, & 3!) Last year I managed to grow SEVEN 10 inch + long chillies off one plant. I vowed to grow many more this year. Looking at the flowers, I think I might be in luck this year. I did pinch these off very early in the year, about March time.

I've also test trialed the TOOTHACHE PLANTS /  ELECTRIC DAISIES on a few unknowing customers... I haven't got any discernible quotes as yet, (!!!)  but I think they are probably strongest this season than the last two years. The Baker Creek ones (behind James Wong's) are definitely a beautiful addition to the garden.

I have also tried Baker Creek's ROSELLE... I think it's also called Jamaican Sorrel, and is related to the hibiscus. This is a big ask in the British climate, but if I can't grow it this year (and overwinter), when will I be able to...? I've given a smaller plant to friend Mike to plant out in open earth on his allotment, it will be interesting to compare. AS these grow taller, I will pot on...

PURSLANE was a very attractive salad plant... and now has gone into flower. Equally beautiful. I should've eaten more of it but wanted to see the growth potential of the plant in pots.

I have also potted up some more BASIL plants started off indoors. Here I have 3 GREEK BASIL (MINETTE variety, I think) and two LEMONADE BASIL plants. They are going to seed, but if I snip and use over the summer, I should get a longer crop.

FUSCHIAs are all coming into flower. The one's behind are beautiful! LENA is nearly coming into flower HOWEVER... my friend Keri, has also grown some, they have sprung into beautiful purple ballerinas, and mine don't look the same... I think we have a label disaster, Oak Tree Farm Rural Project! Grrr... ;-) I am sure I will be delighted by the result, whatever colour.

These, I think are the boys... ERNIE and HARRY GREY?? I forget names... Not particularly masculine looking... They may protest that their masculine ruggedness is hidden behind the LOBELIA.

This TAMARILLO which I also tried last year is amazing. It's a beautiful plant. I grew two last year, which over-wintered at my parents', and although they lost all their leaves, are back growing again.

I also have three DWARF TAMARILLO from Baker Creek which are particularly tiny... I will pot them up if they require, but at the moment... little growth. I don't think it's that closely related, so may have it's own growth habits... I'm not expecting fruit.

My FIRST red toms!!! This is TUMBLING BELLA and next to it, MIRA SWEET PEPPER from Seaspring Seeds.

The HUNDREDS and THOUSANDS mini tomato plants are doing well, and close to getting my first red toms on these. It's definitely happier in this pot than the hanging baskets. Another advantage, is that I can rotate him for extra 360º sunlight.

Another Chilli...

PETER PEPPER. A bushy but small plant, but I've never had a fruit off this type the last two years... Fingers crossed. My sister has her sights on this plant.

A few Tomatoes...

This is ATOMIC GRAPE from Baker Creek, I think (lost labels). Last week it looked exactly like the seed packet photo (you need to zoom in!). Not so colourful this week. I'm not sure when is optimal picking time to be honest.

I don't know this Tomato by name (missing labels). Maybe Green Vernissage from Baker Creek?? That first fruit though be mighty big!

Slugs and Snails... and Rat's Tails

It's been a bad year for slugs and snails on the patio, too many hot days, and the pests have decided they like my juicy foliage and even chillies at night time… A sprinkle of pellets and I got my revenge today, however it's too late for some plants.

Growing well is the HEBE - it's awash with purple flowers and the bees are loving it, to the neglect of my tomatoes and chillies which I'm having to hand-pollinate with cotton buds. There's also a unplanned BORAGE in the foreground for the bees later on. (NB I think this is the best year for Hebe flowers in 20 years...)

I've potted up some MAMMOTH BASIL today and some KOREAN MINT. They're looking a bit tired after the repotting, but hopefully will spring back to life. I must make a pesto from the Basil, the leaves are so BIG, and ASAP I must sow some more... I've not seen any recipes using Korean mint yet. It's not the most attractive smell, but seems to be a strong plant.

The bedding plants I bought in May from the Oak Tree Farm Rural Project near Stone are all doing well especially the NICOTIANA which are just passing their best, and I am deadheading, hoping for more. Also the FUSCHIAS, LENA and the boys (HARRY GRAY and ERNIE) are doing well and also the LOBELIA that Keri gave me.

The Strawberries I grew from seed last year were a bit disappointing. They seem to be WILD STRAWBERRIES, and I picked about 5 pea sized fruits, never on the same day, so I'm not expecting to make a jam just yet. That's the end of season it seems, so they are off into the shade for the plants to recover.

My Abbotsholme Rose is still in full bloom. All being well I should get a second bloom later in the year.

Finally, I'm very impressed by Baker Creek's SINGARA RADISH RAT'S TAILS... They are long, knobbly, and full of flavour. My two plants seeded well, and I'm going to see if I can sow some more for a later harvest. These are TOO good to have just in one month a year. I've had good success with James Wong's Radish Rat Tails before, but these are several times longer, although maybe not so many on the plant.

Oak Tree Farm Rural Project

Anyone into local gardening and a good cause knows about Oak Tree Farm Rural Project situated between Stafford, Stone and Uttoxeter.

"Oak Tree Farm provides training and supported occupation for adults with learning disabilities, in a rural environment."

For the last three years I've visited their May Plant Day and have had the best bedding plants, herbs and veg possible. There is never an inch of spare space in the car driving home.

I didn't think to take a photo there, but here's a shot of some of my shopping having returned home. That's £15 worth on the table and more on the floor... (whoops... and a few of my own home-grown plants too in there)

Two years ago I heard about the Plant Day having driven past going to work. I had friends up for the weekend and we all decided to drop in. We were amazed.

Prices are typically a third off or even half of nursery/supermarket/building supplies merchant's garden centre prices... You can tell each plant has been loved and nurtured.

KUDOS go to Alan J Hartley of Hixon for his unusual and exotic herbs and vegetables. He also has a great website and gardening diary with tips on the unusual plants I tend to veer towards. Unfortunately this year, I was either growing them already or didn't have the space... I was tempted by that Chicory though.

Also, HIGH PRAISE to the Fuschia man! He took great pride in his small greenhouse, and there were lots of varieties on show.

I bought Lena. It's a delightful purple fuschia with a full frou-frou dress... (I don't know the technical terms here!) My friend Lena LOVES purple, I thought it was appropriate.

I also bought a group of Male-named plants... Ernie and Harry Gray. It'll be a show off for showiness between the girls and the lads...

A few more bedding plants planted. Some NICOTIANA for evening scent and lobelia for display. I've mixed some in with my tomatoes, but the pigeons are already having a peck or two... It might just end up being lobelia in there...