2024

Well documented year.

Vegetables

Spring Onion

Planting: 10/02 Veggie Patch (barn side). 24 bulbs per row. 6 rows, 10cm apart, 1cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - First shoots: 04/03 - Lots of shoots: 10/03 - Replenished with new bulbs: 19/05 - Replenished with new bulbs: 26/05- Last taken & dug over: 19/08

Comments: Worked well again although planted late. Towards the end the green bits started wilting but the bulbs were a lot bigger.

Spring Garlic

Planting: 18/02 Veggie Patch (barn side). 9 cloves per row. 9 short rows, 15cm apart, 5cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - First shoots: 04/03 - Lots of shoots: 10/03 - First eaten: 07/04 - Finished: 04/07 - Dug over: 10/07

Comments: Reliable as ever.

Tomatoes (Pink Home Set)

Potting: 04/03 132 Seeds: Last year’s dried out and stored. 10 in 12 small boxes & 12 in individual modules. Soil: Layer of compost sandwiched between soil from tomato area of veggie patch. Taken to Sofia

Planting: 25/05: Batch 1 Seedlings: 2 rows, 11 per row, 40cm between, house-side. Tied up to wire at 20cm. Our compost around base.

30/06: Batch 2 Seedlings: 2 rows, 13 per row, 30cm between, house-side. Tied up to wire at 23cm. Our compost around base

Notes: - 30 coming up: 16/03 - 53 coming up: 24/03:  - Brought back from Sofia: 18/05 - Repotted 30 unplanted tomatoes in windowboxes, compost sandwich, placed on office balcony: 25/05

1st Batch:
- ‘Koltucha’: 29/06, 07/07, 19/07, 25/07, 03/08, 01/09, 23/09

- Banana mix added: 10/07

- Tomatoes forming: 12/07

- Sprayed with anti-caterpillar garlic water mixture: 18/08, 08/09

- First taken: 12/08

- Finished & dug out: 17/11

2nd Batch: 

- ‘Koltucha’: 19/07, 25/07, 18/08, 01/09, 23/09

- Sprayed with anti-caterpillar garlic water mixture: 08/09

- First taken: 08/09 - Finished & dug out: 10/11

Crop (all): 

- August: 35

- September: 46

- October: 61

Comments: Disappointing this year in both quality and quantity. We planted double the amount and had less than half as much - most of which were blighted by ‘tuta absoluta’. We’ll focus on the traditional tomatoes next year and try crop rotation.

Accidental Cherry Tomatoes

Planting: Ne!

Notes: - Identified in 2nd batch: 03/08 - First taken: 30/08 - August: 2 - September: 57 - October: 50 - Finished & dug out: 10/11

Comments: Presumably these came from the compost. Whatever, it worked out very well as the official ones we planted didn’t take.

Tomatoes (Red Edged)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 5 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Taken to Sofia

Planting: 10/07 5 seedlings across 0.6 short row (former garlic area), 25cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - 5/5 coming up: 24/03 - Lot of tomatoes forming: 13/10 - Finished and dug out: 01/11. First frost killed them

Comments: When dug out, there were lots of green tomatoes almost ready. A couple more weeks and we would have been able to take them - even though we neglected these tomatoes horribly.

Tomatoes (Big Pink)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Taken to Sofia

Planting: 10/07 10 seedlings in 1 houseside row, 27cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (4): 22/03
- 9/10 coming up: 24/03
- Pulled out and dug over: 26/10. The first frost killed them off.

Comments: We neglected these which is a shame as they sprang up. Apart from one or two small tomatoes, no fruit developed. These should be the main tomatoes next year.

Tomatoes (Ladies' Breasts)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 11 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Taken to Sofia

Planting: 10/07 11 seedlings in 1 houseside row, 25cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (8): 22/03
- 11/11 coming up: 24/03
- Pulled out and dug over: 26/10. The first frost killed them off.

Comments: We neglected these which is a shame as they sprang up. Apart from one or two small tomatoes, no fruit developed. These should be the main tomatoes next year.

Tomatoes (Pink Silver)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Taken to Sofia

Planting: 10/07 8 seedlings in 1 short row (former garlic area), 25cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (7): 22/03
- 7/10 coming up: 24/03
- Lot of tomatoes forming: 13/10
- Finished and dug out: 01/11. First frost killed them

Comments: When dug out, there were lots of green tomatoes almost ready. A couple more weeks and we would have been able to take them - even though we neglected these tomatoes horribly.

Tomatoes (Чеп Кпим)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Taken to Sofia

Planting: 10/07 10 seedlings across 1.3 short rows (former garlic area), 30cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (9): 22/03
- 10/10 coming up: 24/03
- Lot of tomatoes forming: 13/10
- Finished and dug out: 01/11. First frost killed them

Comments: When dug out, there were lots of green tomatoes almost ready. A couple more weeks and we would have been able to take them - even though we neglected these tomatoes horribly.

Balm

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Vilmorin (last year’s), Half packet in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office windowledge

Planting: 12/07 4 seedlings in 0.3 herb garden row, 25cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - 1 coming up: 24/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - 2 surviving: 19/08 - Looking great: 13/10 - Handful taken to dry: 19/10

Comments: We have sporadic patches of wild balm growing as weeds elsewhere in the garden. We should also cultivate this.

Wide Leaf Basil

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 1 baggy in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office windowledge

Notes: - First growth (7): 23/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03:  - Repotted 7 into medium sized flowerpot using compost sandwich. Office balcony: 25/05:  - Terrace (garage corner): 12/07 - Brought inside (office windowledge): 27/10

Comments: Very good - very strong, but need to keep remembering to take it to stop it bolting.

Pepper (3 Edged)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office windowledge

Planting: 05/07 8 seedlings in houseside row, 28.5cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (5): 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 7 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - First taken: 25/08 - August: 4 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: Indistinguishable from the other peppers

Pepper (Yellow Сивпия)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5. Office windowledge

Planting: 05/07 4 seedlings at barn end of houseside row, 28.5cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (2): 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 4 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - First taken: 13/08 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: Smaller and more bulbous than other peppers. Same colour and taste though.

Pepper (Black капия)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5. Office windowledge

Planting: 05/07 1 seedling, barn end of houseside row. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - First shoot (1): 05/04 - Repotted 1 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - First taken: 08/09 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: Indistinguishable from the other peppers

Pepper (Last Year's)

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: лактофол (last year’s). 42 seeds, 2 in 21 6x6 round modules. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office table

Planting: 05/07 19 seedlings across 2 rows (houseside), 34cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (10): 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 18 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - First taken: 30/08 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: Not as successful as last year. Fewer plants planted but a higher majority took. Crop rotation for next year.

Crop (All Peppers): - August: 14 - September: 41 - October: 39

Habanero Chilli

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Bavicchi. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5. Office windowledge

Planting: 07/07 6 seedlings across 0.5 row (houseside). 33cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (2): 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 6 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: They grew in the veggie patch but we never got any chillies from them.

Indestructible Chilli

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 10 seeds in 1 small box. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5. Office windowledge

Planting: 07/07 8 seedlings in 1 row (houseside), 37.5cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes:- - First growth (3): 25/03 - 7/10 coming up: 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 8 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - 4 chillies almost ready: 26/07 - Strung up: 31/08 - First taken: 12/08 - August: 45 - September: 53 - October: 42 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: Big success. They were quite strong when fresh so started stringing them up to dry which worked a lot better. You don’t get much return for your chillies though - 43 made just enough to cover the bottom of a small jar.

Accidental Chilli

Planting: Started growing at barn end of first pepper row.

Notes: - First taken: 06/09 - September: 19 - October: 33 - Finished and dug out: 27/10. First frost killed them.

Comments: No idea where these came from as they look and grow in a different way to the other chillies. Bigger and longer and in bunches. Tasted very nice - they were my favourite. It’s a shame that they died off so quickly as I wanted to take some seeds.

Jalapeno Chilli

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: Botanika (last year’s). 54 seeds, 2-3 in 21 6x6 round modules. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office table

Planting: 07/07 14 seedlings across 1.5 rows (houseside), 33cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes:- - First growth (2): 25/03 - 12 coming. Still small: 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 14 into windowbox using compost sandwich and layer of existing on top. Office balcony: 25/05 - First taken: 25/08 - August: 10 - September: 61 - October: 76 - Finished and pulled out: 27/10. The first frost killed them off

Comments: Magnificent - big success. Get quite big and they’re nice chopped up when fresh, good balance of flavour and a little heat.

Cherry Tomatoes

Potting: 16/03 Seeds: City Garden. 42 seeds, 2 in 21 6x6 round modules. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Taken to Sofia

Planting: 10/07 16 seedlings across 2 short rows (former garlic area), 25cm apart. Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (3): 22/03 - 26/42 coming up: 24/03 - Dug out: 01/11. First frost killed them.

Comments: They didn’t thrive, mainly because they were overshadowed by the big tomatoes in the same patch (plus, we neglected them). I’m not sure there were even any left by the time we dug them out.

Cucumber (Crocodile)

Potting: 17/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 14 seeds in 14 6x6 round modules. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office table

Planting: 06/05 Veggie Patch (house side), back of wigwam. 10 seedlings, 56cm apart. Top and bottom with pinched manure

Notes: - First growth (6): 23/03 - All but 4 modules up. 10-15cm tall, jagged leaves developing alongside main 2: 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 10 into plastic cups: 03/04 - All have 4 leaves: 13/04 - 2 dead: 24/05  - Just 4 remain. 1 huge: 08/06 - Noticeably thinning: 22/09 - Finished and dug out: 01/11

Comments: We were unlucky when we planted these as it rained solidly for two weeks afterwards and we lost quite a lot. On reflection though, this worked out well as we wouldn’t have been able to cope with the volume of cucumbers if they’d all survived. We had a problem with bitterness for many of them which we couldn’t solve despite experimenting with different ideas.

Cucumber (Satsuki Midori)

Potting: 17/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 14 seeds in 14 6x6 round modules. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office table

Planting: 06/05 Veggie Patch (house side), front of wigwam. 12 seedlings, 56cm apart. Top and bottom with pinched manure

Notes: - 10 coming up: 23/03 - All but 2 modules up. 10-15cm tall, jagged leaves developing alongside main 2: 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 12 into plastic cups: 03/04 - All have 4 leaves: 13/04  - 1 dead: 16/05 - Noticeably thinning: 22/09 - Finished and dug out: 01/11

Comments: We were unlucky when we planted these as it rained solidly for two weeks afterwards and we lost quite a lot. On reflection though, this worked out well as we wouldn’t have been able to cope with the volume of cucumbers if they’d all survived. We had a problem with bitterness for many of them which we couldn’t solve despite experimenting with different ideas.

Crop (Both sets of Cucumbers): - First taken: 30/06 - June: 2 - July: 70 - August: 125 - September: 103 - October: 45

Chives (Bought as 'Leaf Garlic')

Potting: 17/03 Seeds: Mother Earth. 14 seeds in 14 6x6 round modules. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office table

Notes: - First growth (8): 24/03 - All modules coming. Very, tall very thin: 31/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Repotted 14 into windowbox using compost sandwich. Office balcony: 25/05 - Terrace (garage corner): 12/07 - Brought inside (office windowledge): 27/10

Comments: Need to take them very regularly as they come back even stronger

Alpine Strawberries

Potting: 17/03 Seeds: Fit Seed. Half packet in 2 small boxes. Soil: half veggie patch, half bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5). Office windowledge

Planting: 09/07 31 seedlings in 2 rows, Strawberry Steps (second level). Existing soil with clump of home compost

Notes: - First growth (7): 25/03 - Outside for first time (6.5hrs): 31/03 - Only 1 remaining: 19/07 - All gone: 19/08

Planting (again): 24/08 From seed. 0.25 packet, 1 row, alpine step and covered.

Comments: I want these to work so badly. Will keep trying until they do.

Georgian

Planting: 20/04 Herb garden. 3 shoots already established (from Sisley)

Notes: - Doing well: 19/08

Mint

Planting: 17/03 From seed (Re-green). Herb garden, half packet in 2 rows. Sandwiched between two layers of bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5)

Notes: - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - Gave up hope: 01/06

Planting (again): 23/06 3 clumps already established (from Sisley). Herb garden, end of already planted Georgian

Notes: - Established Sisley clumps dead: 19/08

Comments: Plant from existing growth next time which works a lot better in the herb garden. Other alternative is to grow in pots first and then transplant.

Chives

Planting: 17/03 Seeds: Re-green. Herb garden, 1 packet in 2 rows. Sandwiched between two layers of bought soil (лактофол, ph. 5.5-6.5)

Notes: - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - Gave up hope: 01/06

Comments: The chives we grew in pots thrived. We were taking them regularly all summer and they grew back stronger almost instantly. This is the way forward.

Thyme

Planting: 23/06 Herb garden in previous chive row. 3 clumps already established (from Sisley)

Notes: - Surviving: 19/08
- Looking well: 13/10

Strawberries

2nd Year Strawberry Steps

Notes: - Weeded & sectioned off: 17/03 - Covered with netting: 05/04 - Huge: 13/04  - First flower: 20/04 - Put straw underneath: 05/05  - Fruit forming: 18/05  - First eaten: 31/05 - June: 59 - First wave over: 29/06 - Weeded & tidied: 03/08 - Looking healthy: 19/08 - Very green and healthy with lots of runners: 15/09 - Still green and healthy looking: 01/11

Borovinki

Planting: 23/03 2 Saplings: фидус-плант, Strawberry Steps. Soaked in water for 30mins to free roots then planted in hole to depth of just above trunk. Soil: filled with bought soil (ph. 5.5-6.5), coffee grounds & needles from Scots Pine around trunk.

Notes: - Yellowing edges to leaves on front sapling: 02/04 - Still alive: 13/04 - No progress whatsoever: 28/07 - One appears dead: 19/08 - Not dead. Tentative new growth on both: 14/09

Spinach

Planting: 23/03 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Re-green. Less than half packet in 2 rows, 7cm apart, 1cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - Existing spinach growing wild replanted in end of 1st row. - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - First shoots: 13/04 - Doing well: 18/05 - First eaten: 24/05  - Starting to bolt: 01/06 - Finished: 04/07 - Dug over: 25/08

Comments: Left too late to take again

Rocket

Planting: 23/03 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Fit Seed. Less than half packet in 2 rows. 7.5cm apart, 1cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - First shoots?: 13/04 - Doing well: 18/05  - First eaten: 24/05  - Starting to bolt: 01/06 - Bolting: 09/06 - Bolting so clipped: 04/07 - Cut down to 3cm after beetle attack: 05/07 - Returning (but bolting): 31/08

Comments: Grew well but attacked by bugs that left all leaves peppered with small holes. Needs treatment if we’re to do this again - and we need to take them in a timely fashion.

Valerian

Planting: 23/03 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Re-green. Less than half packet in 2 rows, 7.5cm apart, 1cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - Growth spotted: 18/05 - Patchy but thicker at barn end - starting to bolt so clipped: 04/07 - Handful taken: 06/09

Comments: We didn’t take this in time either, even though it grew well.

Lettuce (May King Bio)

Planting: 24/03 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Re-green. Less than half packet in 1 row, 15cm apart, 1cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - First shoots?: 13/04  - Definite growth: 18/05 - Concentrated at barn end but bolted & clipped: 04/07

Comments: Too late!

Mangold

Planting: 24/03 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Mother Earth. 1 baggy in 1 row, 20cm apart, 1cm deep. Layer of compost on top

Notes: - Shallowed rows: 02/04 - First shoots?: 13/04 - 1 at house end: 04/07 - Leaves cut: 05/08 - 6 Leaves: 16/08 - 11 leaves: 30/08 - 17 leaves: 21/09 - 13 leaves: 13/10

Comments: Only one came up - which was fortunate - as this was more than enough for our needs.

Broccoli

Planting: 05/04 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Bavicchi. Less than half packet in 1 row, 30cm apart, on surface. Layer of compost on top and watered

Notes: - Potential growth: 18/05 - 2 growing at each end of row: 04/07

Comments: Never really got bushy like broccoli should be - mainly isolated strands.

Carrot

Planting: 07/04 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Bavicchi. Less than half packet in 1 row, 7.5cm apart. Layer of compost on top and watered

Notes: - Growth spotted: 18/05 - Patchy, mainly concentrated at house end: 04/07 - First taken: 31/08 - Remaining taken and row dug over: 22/09

Comments: Range of sizes but most quite small. Disappointingly, they were all rather tasteless too. Not worth bothering with for next year.

Beetroot

Planting: 07/04 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: лактофол (last year’s). Less than half packet in 1 row, 20cm apart. Layer of compost on top and watered

Notes: - Growth spotted: 18/05 - Patchy, mainly concentrated at house end: 04/07 - First taken (2): 31/08 - Another 5: 22/09 - Taken 12: 20/10 - Dug over: 20/10

Comments:

Very nice taste but it takes a long time to come up and we don’t really eat it that often. Worth another row next year.

Turnip

Planting: 07/04 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Bavicchi. Less than half packet in 1 row, 20cm apart. Layer of compost on top and watered

Notes: - Lots of growth: 18/05 - Good growth, densely packed in full row: 04/07 - First (very small): 09/07 - Finished & dug over: 27/07

Comments:

Came up fast but we didn’t take them, mainly because we didn’t know what to do with them. Although leaves were impressively bushy, there wasn’t much under the surface.

Curly Kale

Planting: 06/05 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Re-green. Less than half packet in 1 row, 20cm apart. Layer of compost on top and watered

Notes: - First growth spotted: 18/05 - Coming up well halfway down row: 04/07 - Dug out: 26/10

Comments:

It wasn’t actually finished when we dug it out but it was overshadowed and subsequently neglected by the courgette. Susceptible to bugs and we never ate it as we don’t really know what to do with it.

Courgette (Black Beauty)

Planting: 06/05 Veggie Patch (barn side). Seeds: Bavicchi (GEO). Less than half packet in 2 rows, 35cm apart. 10cm deep holes filled with pinched manure, seeds 1-2cm pushed in. Layer of compost on top and watered

Notes: - First growth spotted: 24/05 - Five clumps progressing well: 04/07 - First taken: 05/07 - Began cutting off male flowers: 09/07 - July: 10 - August: 22 - September: 8 - October: 4 - Cut back dramatically: 20/10 - Finished and dug out 26/10. First frost killed it off.

Comments: Big success. The plants are huge though so need to give enough space. Only 5 came up out of two rows and this was more than enough.

Nettles

2nd Year Barn wall, bottom of veggie patch

Notes: - Cut back & made into fertiliser: 05/08 - Returning: 25/08

Flowers

Rhododendron Simsii (or Azalea)

Potting: 18/02 Existing. Repotted with original soil & extra from veggie patch

Planting: 26/05 Topped up with bought soil. Between Pear Tree and Plum Tree, lawnside of garden

Notes: - Inside. Top of stairs - Outside (top of well): 02/05 - Struggling: 30/06 - Dead: 07/07

Comments:

I didn’t have high hopes for this as it was bought from a florist. Perhaps there was too much shade where we put it in the garden?

Succulents

2nd Year Rose edge of lawn

Notes: - Very strong: 18/05

Spanish Stonecrop

Planting: 03/03 Dug out from side of road to Venkovets. Rose edge of lawn. Garden soil & extra from veggie patch

Notes: - More added: 31/03  - Flowering: 09/06 - Finishing: 29/06

Aloe Vera

2nd Year: 18/02 Repotted (bigger pot)

Notes: - Back outside - office balcony corner: 26/05 - Terrace (veggie patch corner): 12/07 - Back inside (top of stairs): 27/10

Delosperma

2nd Year: Rose edge of lawn

Notes: - First flower: 06/04 - Lots of flowers: 13/04

Geranium (Pink)

2nd Year: - Windowbox outside: 31/03

Notes: - New growth coming (inside): 27/01 - Struggling (outside): 13/04 - Abandoned: 29/06

Geranium (Dark Red)

2nd Year: - Windowbox outside: 31/03

Notes: - New growth coming (inside): 27/01 - Struggling (outside): 13/04  - Abandoned: 29/06

Begonia

2nd Year: - Windowbox outside: 31/03

Notes: - Suddenly resurrected! 31/03  - Doing well (outside): 01/05 - Flowers coming: 01/06 - Back inside (top of stairs): 27/10 (looks dead again)

Ivy Geranium

2nd Year: - Windowbox outside: 31/03

Notes: - New growth coming (inside): 27/01 - Struggling (outside): 13/04  - Recovering: 01/05  - Starting to flower: 09/06 - Back inside (top of stairs): 27/10

Indian Blanket

2nd Year: Rose edge of lawn

Notes: - New growth: 03/03  - Flowers coming: 01/06 - In flower: 08/06 - Continued in flower all summer and autumn. Started to wane late October

Crocus

Planting: 15/10/23 14 bulbs (pinched from work). Rose edge of lawn between fir and first rose. Existing soil mixed with veggie patch & 1 spadeful of compost. 2-3 inches apart, 2-3 inches deep

Notes: - Nothing

Comments:

The ones at work didn’t grow either so probably bad bulbs.

Passion Flower

Potting: 02/06 1 packet (about 25 seeds) scattered across 2 flowerpots. Seeds: (Vilmorin, Exp: 2026). Mix of veggie patch and bought soil. Outer corners of terrace

Notes: - Growth (but likely weeds): 12/07 - Emptied out (they were weeds): 27/10

Comments:

Need more TLC

Treasure Flower

Potting: 04/07 Existing. Repotted into windowbox (side of begonia)

Notes: - Finished: 19/10

Garden Petunia

Potting: 09/07 Existing. Repotted into windowbox. Soil: mix of existing, veggie patch & home compost

Notes: - Finished: 19/10 - Emptied out: 27/10

Comments:

Never really recovered properly from repotting although we did neglect it a bit.

Geranium

Potting: 19/07 Existing in pot. Garage corner of terrace

Notes: - Brought inside (office windowledge): 27/10

Peace Lily

Potting: 19/07 Existing in pot. Garage corner of terrace

Notes: - In flower: 03/08 - Brought inside (office windowledge): 27/10

Pelargonium

Potting: 25/07 Existing in pot. Garage corner of terrace

Notes: - Brought inside (office windowledge): 27/10

Grass (lawn)

Planting: 08/09 Sowed in central runway that was dug up for watering system. Watered, raked top two inches, generously sprinkled seeds in a layer, loose soil covering, stomped down, watered.

Notes: - First shoots: 14/09 - Mowed mohican: 20/10

Inherited

Snowdrops

Events: - First out: 27/01
- Fully out: 05/02
- Peak: 10/02

Yellow Flag Iris

Events: - Tubers growing: 28/01
- Tall & flowers almost ready (yellow): 01/05 - In flower (base of cherry tree): 04/05

Oregon Grape

Events: - Flourishing: 28/01 - Flowering: 04/04 - Grapes: 23/06

Primroses

Events: - First flowers: 10/02 - Coming up: 18/02 - Peak: 16/03 - Added to bed: 17/03 - Leaves taking over: 31/03 - Done: 13/04

Wild Crocus

Wildside. Two purple, one yellow, one white

Events: - Out: 03/03 - More (purple): 16/03
- Finished: 31/03

Sweet Violet

All over lawn

Events: - In Flower: 17/03

Daffodil

Events: - Growth seen: 10/03
- Flowering: 23/03

Hyacinth

Wildside. Blue. Lots.

Events: - Flowering: 23/03
- Done: 13/04

Winnipeg Tulip

Wildside. Maroon markings on leaves

Events: - Growth seen: 10/03
- Flowering: 02/04
- Done: 13/04

Plum Tree

Events: - Blossom on tops: 23/03

Tulips

Events: - Leaves noticed: 23/03 - First flower: 06/04 - All out: 13/04 - Waning: 20/04 - Done: 01/05 - Cut down: 06/05

Tulips

Events: - Leaves noticed: 23/03 - First flower: 06/04 - All out: 13/04 - Waning: 20/04 - Done: 01/05 - Cut down: 06/05

Peony (x7 Clusters)

Events: - Leaves noticed: 23/03
- Big: 13/04
- Balls reddening: 20/04
- Flowering: 18/05
- Tied up: 18/05 - Dropping flowers: 24/05
- Finished: 01/06 - Cut back: 25/08

Corydalis

Top of lawn amid Day Lillies. Pretty bells shaped flowers, some white, some maroon.

Events: - Flowering: 25/03
- Done (overrun by Day Lillies): 13/04

Forsythia

Top of lawn by White Rose Bush. Pretty yellow flowers

Events: - Flowering: 31/03 - Flowers done: 13/04 - Cut down: 22/07

Cherry Tree (Big) (Top of Driveway)

Events: - First blossom: 01/04 - Peak blossom: 07/04 - Blossom finishing: 13/04 - Blossom done: 20/04 - Cherries forming (lots): 01/05 - First cherries: 15/06 - Peak Cherries (6 bags): 23/06

Cherry Tree (Small) (Bottom of Driveway)

Events: - First cherries eaten: 02/06 - Done: 15/06

Pear Tree

Events: - First blossom: 07/04 - Waning: 13/04 - Blossom done: 20/04 - Pears forming: 01/05 - Pears taken: 31/08, 06/09

Erysimum

Rose border just up from fir. Yellow flowers in a cluster.

Events: - Flower: 02/04

Lawn Roses

Events: - Tied up with poles: 01/04 - First: 18/05 - Coming into flower: 24/05 - All in flower 26/05 - Cut back heavily: 17/08 - Sprayed with anti-fungal baking soda mixture: 18/08
- Flowering: 31/08
- Flowering: 29/09

Gate Roses

Events: - Flowering: 18/05 - Flowering again: 12/07

Lilac

Events: - Flowering: 13/04 - Peak: 20/04 - Done: 01/05

Wild Anemone (Snowdrop Anemone)

Events: - Flowering: 13/04 - Still in flower: 01/05

Quince

Events: - Blossom coming: 13/04 - Blossom done: 01/05 - Fruit dropping: 06/10

Columbine

Events: - Flowering: 01/05 - Lots: 18/05

Wild Geraniums

Events: - Flowers starting: 20/04

Sweet Mock Orange

Events: - Blossom starting: 01/05 - Fully out: 18/05 - Peak: 24/05 - Finishing: 01/06 - Finished: 15/06

Carnations

Events: - Buds (lots): 01/05 - Out: 18/05 - Finishing: 01/06

White Rose Bush

Events: - Looking strong with buds forming: 01/05 - First flower: 18/05 - Peak: 01/06 - First wave over: 15/06 - First flower of 2nd wave: 12/07 - Trimmed: 21/07 - In flower: 05/10

Raspberry

Events: - Growth spurt: 13/04 - First flowers: 01/05 - Tied back: 18/05 - First eaten: 08/06 - Trimmed & tied: 22/07 - Fruit finished: 28/07

Blackberry

Events: - Growth spurt: 13/04 - Tied back: 18/05 - Flowering: 08/06 - Flowers over, fruit forming: 23/06 - Trimmed & tied: 22/07 - First eaten: 12/08
- Handful: 15/08
- Half a box: 31/08
- Handful: 06/09
- Handful: 15/09
- Virtually no time between being red and bitter to black and withered.

Yukkas (x6 Plants)

Events: - Cut dead leaves off, mainly around base. - Cut off dead leaves again: 20/10 - Flower stalk developing: 20/10

Orange Day Lily

Events: - Big leaves: 13/04 - In flower: 09/06 - Cut stems: 21/07

Walnut Tree

Events: - Deshelled and crushed those collected from last year. Some were rotten, some dry, most okay: 07/09

Elder

Back barnside corner of veggie patch

Events: - In flower: 19/05

Dog Roses

Back barnside corner of veggie patch & behind Day Lillies

Events: - In flower: 19/05 - Peak (everywhere): 24/05

Black Locust

Near bottom of wildside fence

Events: - In flower: 19/05

Wildside Rose

Halfway up - just down from lonely vine

Events: - Huge rose: 26/05 - Huge rose: 31/05

Corner Roses

Bottom corner of lawn, bordering neighbour’s garden.

Events: - In flower: 31/05

Secret Pink Roses

Behind blackberries/raspberries

Events: - In flower: 01/06

American Morning Glory

Behind blackberries/raspberries

Events: - First flower: 22/09 - More flowering: 29/09