The one with the nasturtiums, fake strawberry and a pine shelf

[sessifet]

I spent more time ripping out something that looks like mock strawberry (and it probably is), but has six or more leaves rather than three. It has eaten most of the pebbles and has to go. This is a laborious process (I'm digging around in the pebbles to get rid of the roots, disturbing no end of pillbugs, centipedes and earwigs. Yay) and occasionally I have mad visions of employing a flamethrower. This would upset quite a number of people, however, and I have so far resisted the siren call of flammable substances and raining fiery death from above.

Good gardening news, though: I have nasturtiums! I put seeds in the ground a week ago and now there are tiny little green plants poking up from the mulch! This is so awesome. I made the bed and planted the seeds and now there are tiny ickle plants! I am amazed. If I had gone to the shops on my own tonight, I can't guarantee I wouldn't have cornered random strangers to tell them about the magic happening in my bed and that could really only have ended badly.

The climbing variety also seems to be on the move. The poppies, on the other hand, have not made an appearance yet. The garlic and onion are also still lurking, but that's okay. I only planted those last Wednesday so they probably need another week of concentrated staring before they're ready to make an appearance. If it's not too hot tomorrow, I will plant my newly acquired coriander and mint (2 for £2 offers at Sainsbury's are evil).

I also now possess a pine shelf. It is very nice and already I am quite fond of it. I've always^* said a woman can go a long way with a good pine shelf. Once again, good thing I wasn't out on my own. Telling random strangers about the magic happening in your bed is bad enough. Adding pine shelves to the mix just pushes it into disturbing.

Fortunately, azekeil was around and bravely took the bullet and dealt with me babbling about plants, pine shelf^**, pasta and possession and lack of fear of usage thereof (and pine shelf). He is a kind man and probably deserves a medal of some sort. Maybe I should promise I won't ever get him a surprise giant metal chicken?

...

I think I possibly need to get out more.

^*Okay, okay. Since two hours ago.
^**Which was totally his own fault as he got me it.

Comments

[cherade9.livejournal.com]

I love the giant metal chicken. Although in my case it's just a slow sucession of parcels from ebay. I bought Martin a vintage Marks and Spencers bri-nylon jersey jaquard smoking jacket style dressing gown and a steel and teak butter dish for Fathers Day. Makes perfect sense.

[supermouse.livejournal.com]

Mint will take over wherever it is planted. It spreads vigorously and well. It can also be perverse: it is entirely possible that by this time next year, your entire garden would be mint, *except* the one single bed where you planted it and wanted it to grow.

For the mint, I suggest a large plant pot, if you haven't already done this.

[xidia.livejournal.com]

You can buy a cheap, deep plastic mixing bowl and poke 3 or 4 2p-coin sized holes in the bottom, then plant the mint in that. It usually makes it spread at about half-speed, especially if you're vigilant about pulling up its runners whenever they appear.

[swaldman.livejournal.com]

Chikkin!

[cat63.livejournal.com]

I have nasturtiums!

If mine are anything to go by, you probably have them for several years to come too. I planted them on the allotment the first couple of years, but now they just arrive by themselves :-)

[cwol.livejournal.com]

"Maybe I should promise I won't ever get him a surprise giant metal chicken?"

Nonsense - who wouldn't want a giant metal chicken!?