Well, it's all there!

Yep, opened the box and counted everything and it is indeed all there. The instructions are a bit lame though and I can feel a major headache will be brewing whilst trying to put the thing up. I'm thinking I might build the frame in stages indoors and then take it outside in pieces. That's the plan anyway.

Called into a garden centre with Mum this afternoon and what a find! I never even knew it existed! Run by the Wirral Autistic Society, it provides a real working environment for people with Autism and I have to say I was simply blown away by what they actually do there.
They had about 9/10 greenhouses FULL of plants ranging from herb, veggies to a massive selection of flowers. All in outstanding condition, far better than any garden centre I've ever been to. In one of the greenhouses there was a lesson in re-potting plants, almost made me wanna join in and learn a thing or two from the experts! The people and staff who run the place were extremely helpful and knew what they were talking about. The plants were dirt cheap and I mean dirt cheap! I bought two gorgeous Lavender (English Lavender) for no more than £3, when in a garden centre (about 10 minutes up the road) they were selling exactly the same plant at £5 each! Mum picked up two plants for around her pond, that in the garden centre would have set her back about £15-a-pop, these two cost her £2.50 each. I'll definitely be heading back there when we are ready for planting flowers around the gardens. Plus I won't feel as bad spending too much money there, as it all goes to a good cause.

So here is the latest addition to my collection:


And here is one of them in a much bigger pot:

Whats the story, Morning Glory?

Wow, they certainly speak for themselves this morning, don't they?


Elsewhere in the garden space (or should I say - the windowsill space) the Lobelia has shot up!


The Radish is certainly loving the view from my living room!

And believe it or not, I have new leaves from the Auricula plant that I received from the Garden Swap Shop site the other day. The outer leaves look like they're dying away a little. But they look no different to when I received it. Fingers crossed it likes it's new home!


I've spent the early part of this morning (I know it's still early) pinching the new runners from my strawberries. Apparently that's what you're meant to be doing around this time of year. Found a few slugs in the pot... Must remember to add some kind of slug repellent, any recommendations? Strawberries must love their sunny location though, as the fruit is starting to form (only really small) and turning red. Doesn't look like we'll get healthy size strawberries this year.


List of things to do today:

Plant some Agapanthus White African Lily seeds
Re-pot Peppers & Chilli Peppers
Re-pot lavender
and possibly re-pot the Morning Glory (but might wait a few days longer)

P.S: The postie has just delivered a lovely parcel from Dobies. Ooh it's like Christmas!
I've got: Aster, Candytuft, Agastache & Sage *big grin* - Now.... where to stash them?

I must be doing something right?!

Quick update on my gardening activities.

Sunflowers

7 days old

I've managed to get some new batteries for my digital camera, so these pictures will probably look a lot clearer now. Not bad for 7 days eh?

Lavender

7 days old

Tomatoes

7 days old

I'm really, really pleased with how these are progressing. They obviously like their new home and Jessica loves checking up on them every morning.

Freshly planted from seeds:

26th April '09

Chilli Pepper
Sweet Pepper
Coriander
Mustard Greens
Leaf Mix (Oriental Spicy)
Onion
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Rocket Salad (Which has started germinating!! :D)

Rocket Salad - 2 days old

Oregano
Basil Genovese
Parsley
Dill
Mint
Chives
Thyme
Carrots

27th April '09

Pea
Radish
Runner Bean
Spinach
Spring Onion

28th April '09

Turnip
Parsnip
Broccoli

I've not snapped any pics of the recently potted stuff because it just looks like a mound of compost in pots at the moment, but as soon as they start popping up, be sure I will be there with my trusty camera.

Last night I also had a go at making my very own paper pots. Even more Eco-friendly and saving me plenty of pennies on purchasing pots and seed trays. They worked out great and heres a pic.

Jessica also planted up a little basic flower mix and has her own watering can. I shall snap pics of these if they come up.... Thats if she hasn't flooded them by then!

Just checked on the whereabouts of my compost bin too and according to this it's on it's way to the delivery depot. Which means I should have it by tomorrow!!

I am the proud owner of a greenhouse!!

Yesterday we did a bit of garden shopping and I managed to pick up a cheap 4 tier plastic greenhouse for £10!! I also picked up some more seeds. I've definitely got the gardening bug.

So heres some progress on my seedlings:

Sunflowers


They're really getting on now. So much so, that I've had to take the lid off them and they're quite happily sitting on the bedroom windowsill. I'm gonna give them another week or so indoors and then move them to the greenhouse.

Lavender
The lavender have taken a little while longer to come through.... But they're definitely there alright! :D

Tomatoes



To be honest, I didn't think these would come through at all. I'm not sure they liked so much sun in the bedroom, so I've moved them to the back bedroom windowsill and they seem to be doing okay there.

I also managed to pot up some carrots;



Also did some herbs and things, but haven't got round to snapping pics of them yet. Or the greenhouse. Just waiting for a clear, sunny day now to get out in the backgarden and get it all rolling. Not long, not long.

The great seed race!

They've been planted a whole 3 days and already the Sunflowers are off to a great start. I inspected them yesterday morning to find that they are sprouting. Woo hoo!!

I know the pic isn't all that clear, but you can see what I'm talking about.

Still waiting for the lavender and tomatoes to start popping through. But at least I know they like the warmth on the window sill.

Lavender, Sunflowers & Tomatoes

So I've finally made a start on my attempt at being all green fingered. Not sure how long it'll last, but I'm so excited to see if I can indeed actually grow anything.

My seeds have been potted up and now sit comfortably on my bedroom window sill, keeping warm.
Here are some pics of when I potted them:

I'm gonna see how I get on with these three first, before I go out of my way to purchase anymore seeds. But eventually I'm hoping to turn over a bit of soil in my back garden and turn it into a little veggie patch. I understand that the soil might not be all that great here, but it's worth a try. Also going to get hold of a decent sized greenhouse and hopefully get all of my seedlings (if I manage to grow any) outside and used to the climate.

Here's hoping!

Anyway, this blog isn't really one to pull in visitors or hits, it's mainly just my diary of my progress, but any visitors/followers are more than welcome to follow me along the way!