Digging for victory!

I’ve just added this sticker to my sidebar having spotted it on Barbara’s blog (have a look at her beautiful pictures of veggies and chickens by the way) as it made me smile. I like the idea of digging for victory in this relatively peaceful time.

What will the gardeners up and down the country have triumphed against exactly when we stagger into the kitchen with a bucket of homegrown spuds? I have no idea, but it’s a lovely thought that I am growing my own with ‘victory’ in mind.

It is so exciting seeing vegetables growing in the garden. As you know, I was deeply moved when the first seedlings appeared in tiny pots back in February, so I’m sure you can imagine the scene in my garden yesterday when I spotted this.

A small but perfectly formed courgette! My cup overfloweth. I was casting around the garden for somebody to point this out to, but Him Indoors is ensconced in a stag do in Southampton at the moment, the neighbours seem blissfully disinterested, and Wilb just looked at me pityingly. So I turn to you, dear reader, to share this intimate moment with me.

More garden snaps:

Thought of the day

This ’service information’ board was at Clapham North station a couple of weeks ago. I had forgotten about it but just found the photo on my phone. I love this town.

Basil

Due to the garden being really rather full now with all sorts of burgeoning fruit and veg, I am now embarking on growing a few herbs and lettuces etc in little pots.  This sweet basil is finally emerging, and is doing well so far.  Does anyone have any tips for growing coriander?  It is my favourite herb in the world and although I haven’t even planted any yet, I’m worried it won’t grow terribly well.  I grew some a few years ago and it just gets terribly leggy and sparse, any advice would be appreciated before I even start!

Profit!

I am very excited.  I spent a lovely couple of hours in the sun drenched (ish) garden yesterday and unearthed a whole English penny!  I am currently debating what type of sweet to buy with my treasure.

Also have now earthed up the potatoes, and the courgettes are also doing quite well.  Happy days in the Big Sofa garden.

Wilb awarded Fork’n Monkey

Wilb has been greatly honoured with a prestigious Fork’n Monkey award for her thrusting investigative journalism, energy, and services to science biscuits.

She’s is playing it cool, but I know secretly she’s delighted.

Congratulations to all the other winners:

You’re My Favourite Way of Wasting Time went to Shedworking

Is There Anybody Out There? went to Esther in the garden

The Adam Pasco Award went to Frankie at her Veg Plot

Proud Parent - Fuggles for the dancing frog beansprout photo

Vegetable Matter - Bifurcated Carrots

Inky/Green Fingers - Blogging at Blackpitts

We Are All in the Gutter - VP at Veg Plotting

Crash Bang Wallop went to Cleve West’s poppadom photograph

The Jeeves award went to Monty Don, the Lord Of Cord

Thanks to everyone who voted for Wilb, and thanks to Garden Monkey for inventing the awards in the first place.

Garden update

The potato plants have shot up over the last few weeks, looking very healthy in the ground and in the bag. The raspberries are also doing well, although over-shadowed by the aforementioned attention seeking spuds.

The tomato plants are coming along nicely in their little greenhouse, which got really steamy in the recent hot weather.  I like their little furry purple stems.

The peas have unfortunately been munched by nasty, satanic slugs.  I have put a brave face on it by reminding myself that there wasn’t space for the peas and the tomatoes and courgettes in the first place, so in reality the evil slugs have done me a favour.

The courgettes are doing well, so they will go in place of the poor peas, and the tomatoes will go in once they’re a little bigger.