Looking Forward to Spring in my Container Garden

I have not written lately because I have been distracted by a minor health problem which “came out of the blue”.This resulted in a few visits to my local hospital, this was interesting because it followed my pieces”My N.H.S.” and My N.H.S. cont’d”,  I did not have to wait long for an appointment (two weeks) and I was treated  wonderfully well, so different to what would have happened in my mother’s day, once one reached 70 years old, treatment was minimal.  Enough of this “health” talk, everything is now fine so I can concentrate on other really important things, well important to me anyway.!!!!

We are heading towards Spring, this is the first Spring in my present ground floor flat with its yard, (now my container garden), which consists of all sorts of  troughs,  pots and tubs which I fill with plants. The crocus are in bloom, the daffodils are nearly out and all I can think about is  when can I start planting my  other seeds.  I am always guilty of sowing them too early, ending up with leggy plants that have spent far too long on my window cill waiting for the weather to warm up.  I have to own up to having 6 capsicum seedlings from saved seeds, also another 6 Heritage Sweet Pea seedlings (these are highly scented) on my window cill at the moment.  There is no room for any more because the rest of the space is taken up by my “stolen fuchsia” which has thrived over the winter. You can read the history of this lovely plant on my “blog” “Moral Dilemma” published in November. This year I am going to be able to use the small greenhouse that my daughter gave me for Christmas, it will be great but I must not use it too soon. I am always impatient to start planting, particularly my salad crop and ‘basil’, some plants for myself and some for my daughter who uses a lot in her cooking,  I have about 6 different  varieties, some for permanent residence in the green house and others that will live among my flower  and vegetable collection in my garden   I enjoy growing  and eating my own tomatoes especially  “Sungold” the sweetest cherry tomato ever. I  always sow the seeds too early so I must hold myself back and not end up with the usual weak plants that I have to repot up to the first branch

In the meantime I will enjoy my other interest in the garden.  I have two “bird feeding” stations, I do not have any exotic visitors but just lots of house sparrows,coal tits, blue tits, a very friendly robin, great tits and the timid but colourful long tailed tits.  There are also blackbirds which  feed on the bits that fall from the feeders, also some greedy doves.  I have to watch out for two predatory cats who would love to catch the birds, so I keep a water pistol ready to frighten them away.

I wish all you gardeners great success in the coming months!!!!!.