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I bought a soil testing kit at SW2005 and had a go with it today. I followed all instructions carefully and the results are pictured below. I now have scientific proof that my soil: - has a ph of 5.0 (must be nearly acidic enought to etch glass) -
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Nitrate reading from my veg plot. This could explain a lot...
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Soil sample from my border
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Yesterday I rammed my garden fork straight through the buried pipe that supplies the water tap at the end of the garden. No excuse -I knew exactly where it was because I buried it. So the water to the polytunnel is off, and I need to figure out how to
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I've always shied away from pink. Hated it as a child (wasn't expected to wear it so that was OK). Think candyfloss pink, shell-suit pink, old lady's lipstick pink - nothing there I'd like to associate with. But I've lately
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More pink beauties. A David Austin, and I need to find out which one as I'd like more
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Geranium sanguineum var. striatum. I can see why this is a favourite - a beautiful clear pink with delicate markings
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...and we have it. Over 80C again in bright hot sun. Outside it feels like Florida, or Nice. The youngest had her final GCSE today and we're all relieved for for her that it's over. Why we still put 16 year olds through this condensed assault-course
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Naturally the first handful or three got eaten straight off the plants, but there was a bowlful today and it would have been sheer greed to eat the lot as I picked them. Summer joy.
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First bowl of raspberries.
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More plants from the ever reliable and very helpful Penlan Perennials - thanks Richard. 3 x geranium sanguineum var. striatum - for me probably 3 x Geranium 'Mary Mottram' for the neighbours, to go under the Pittosporum 4 x Comfrey - Hidcote Pink for attractive composting.
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My new arrivals, three for the neighbours and the rest are a summer solstice present to myself!