Watching the grass grow

The combination of sun and rain is creating  plenty of lush new growth. Everything is changing so quickly that it would be no surprise to actually see the grass growing!

I've put out every bit of netting that I possess to protect the newly emerging seeds and the seedlings from marauding birds and cats.

First thing in the morning I walk round the veg plot to see what might have sprung up overnight.

I love it when I spy a wobbly row of something or other appearing in the soil.
Peas and beans!

The netting seems to be protecting the onions quite well. A few have been taken, but that was before I found and patched a hole in the net! But even under cloches the courgettes are struggling. Heavy rain and low overnight temperatures mean that they are only just hanging on, and they are getting a bit battered and nibbled around the edges by slugs and snails.

This morning I walked with a friend through the woods to enjoy the bluebells, one of her favourite sights.

We managed to dodge some heavy downpours and it was slippy underfoot, but the bluebells flower for such a brief period that it is worth the effort to enjoy them whilst we can.

 In the garden I have sports of the wild bluebell in white and pink.

They are tucked into corners where it doesn't matter if they threaten to become invasive.

We eat our own organic produce as much as is possible. Supplies from last year are really starting to dwindle now. For lunch I made pickled cabbage with the last of my onions and stored apples. The apples had become withered little affairs but they have been very good up until now. I have just one more red cabbage left and half a dozen squash.

I cook the veg with just a few tablespoons of cider vinegar, some brown sugar and lots of nutmeg. I think it's possible to freeze it but there has never been enough left to find out!

For dessert we had blackcurrants from the freezer 

in a very simple recipe from one of my favourite cookery books.

(click to enlarge)

The boat seat is restored and back in position

and Himself continues with running repairs,

painting sheds, clearing the gutters

etc.......

Old friends are re-appearing, this abutilon was a snippet from my parents' garden.

And now that the tree peonies that are under cover have finished flowering those that I planted outside are coming into their own.

In fact they are looking so healthy that I think I should be brave and plant them all out.

How do you fare with tulips? Each year a number of mine get eaten by the squirrels and I've never yet had a good display. Colours appear that I never planted. I seem to have the most success with white with just a few other colours surviving in a rather lonely fashion here and there.

I DID NOT BUY any bright red tulips!

But mostly plants flower, year after year, just the way that they should!