Chris and Steve's Weblog – City Chickens

My first attempt to germinate some saved sweet pea seeds came to nothing so I bought a cheap packet from Aldi of Spencer Mixed and yesterday I sowed them in small pots, two seeds to a pot. It is quite late to start them so heres hoping for better success this time.

Spencer varieties are one of [...]

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An impulse buy from Lidl today. Corms for the Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff.

For early flowering, tubers may be started off in boxes in April; use a light soil mixed with compost. Keep slightly moist, cool and free from frost. When the danger of frosts has passed, plant out the sprouted tubers. If used as a [...]

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Sweet Pea (Delicate Pleasures)
Here are sweet peas,on tip-toe for a flight
With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white,
And taper fingers catching at all things
To bind them all about with tiny rings
Keats

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although it is a bit late I am going to chit some saved Sweet Pea seeds and set them in the lean to for overwintering [...]

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Today I treated myself to two climbers from Sainsburys. A Jasmine and a Clematis. Jasmine is one of the first plants that comes to mind when thinking of fragrance for the garden. Both have been planted in the garden behind the picket fence to protect them from ducks, chickens and bunnies. They should look good against the new fence. 

A [...]

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I have sown a tray of thirty saved Marigold seeds with the idea of planting them in the lean to with the Tomatoes. They are in moist seed compost and on a little heat until they germinate then they will be moved to cooler conditions to grow on a little more.

Marigold is a Half-hardy Annual. Many [...]

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I have sown fifteen seeds of the climber Passiflora Caerulea commonly known as the Passion Flower. I have sown in a small tray of moist seed compost and set on the computer box for a bit of bottom heat.

Passiflora caerulea, the common passion flower is very popular in UK and the rest of Europe. It prefers a [...]

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This morning I have potted on the Pulsatilla plants which I received free from J Parker with an order for Clematis. There are six little plants and they all look quite healthy so far.

(The pasque flower is said to be a sign that Easter has arrived. The pretty spring flowers are followed by fluffy seed-heads. Pulsatilla takes [...]

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I have sown seeds of Pansy Mello 21 bought from alanromans.com. I have sown them two to a module in moist seed compost and put them on the window ledge. I have covered the tray with newspaper as they do not require any heat or light to germinate.

(Seeds can be sown in February or March for [...]

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Today I am sowing seeds of Abutilon, bought from Lidl.

Abutilon Bella Mixed F1 Hybrid. A half hardy perennial that grows to about 16″. Bella Mix gives a selection of pastel colours blooming continuously. Sow February to April in pots of moist seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or warm [...]

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I bought a few potted spring bulbs from Lidl on Saturday and today I repotted the White Hyacinth to grow on indoors. The others will go outside around the damson tree.

I am in love with him To whom a hyacinth is dearer Than I shall ever be dearFrom “Hyacinth”Edna St. Vincent Millay
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artapr07/bj-hyacinth.html
The seed potatoes have [...]

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