Wednesday 3 April 2013

Finally

I planted my spring bulbs in containers back on the 10th of November. They were a little late going in, so I was starting to worry that they weren't going to flower, especially when I saw lots of pictures on other people's blogs of their wonderful displays weeks ago. These are crocus - Cream Beauty, and what beauties they are. Such a wonderful buttery yellow colour. I first saw pictures of this variety on some blogs last year and fell in love with them, they're not the bright, in your face, yellow of many crocus varieties, they're much more subdued and I love them. They came in to flower on Easter Sunday, what a fabulous Easter gift.

I didn't get much gardening done over the Easter weekend as we were busy most of the time doing other things. Hubby managed to get down to the allotment and do a bit of digging, so another bed is now ready to plant up. The only thing I managed to do was to sow my tomato seeds. The varieties I've gone for this year are Ferline, Totem, Tangella, Gardener's Delight, Costoluto Fiorentino and San Marzano. I may start another couple of varieties too, as I'd like to have more bush type tomatoes this year which I can grow on the patio. Totem is dwarf bush type, so will be ideal to grow this way, but I'd like another variety or two. The seeds were sown in my heated propagator so shouldn't take too long to germinate, and by the time they're pricked out and have been growing for a little while on a sunny windowsill, I'm hoping that the weather will have warmed up. I also sowed a pot of spring onions - White Lisbon, and they're residing in the greenhouse.

We've had some sunny spells over the last few days, but it's still very cold. There's now news reports that we could have a heatwave in May, well, not before time is what I say.

Don't forget to enter my Four Year Anniversary Giveaway if you haven't already done so. You've got until Sunday to leave a comment on the appropriate post.

36 comments:

  1. Beautiful crocuses. I tend to go for subtle too.
    The mice are undiscriminating when it comes to colour.
    And a heatwave.. will we cope?

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    1. This is the prettiest crocus I've grown yet, the colour is super. I'll definitely cope with a heatwave, I'm fed up of feeling cold.

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  2. I have Cream Beauty and love them.

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    1. I think yours was one of the ones I saw last year. I'm really happy with them.

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  3. Gorgeous crocus .. might have to look out for these, though I don't have much luck with bulbs

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    1. I'm really pleased with them. I tend to buy bulbs and forget to plant them so I've done well this year.

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  4. They're the crocuses that I thought I'd bought, and I really like the look of them.
    You probably got as much done over Easter as any of us did.
    Fingers crossed for better weather. Flighty xx

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    1. Such a shame that your crocuses turned out to be something different to what you thought, though they were still pretty. I think it's about time that we got some better weather. It's been rather windy here today.

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  5. I have Cream Beauty, they are quite stunning. Gardener's Delight will always be my favourite tomato, Dad used to grow them and they taste just right.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I think I'll be growing Cream Beauty each year from now on. I know many people grow Gardener's Delight, as well as having a great taste, they're usually reliable.

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  6. I grow 'Cream Beauty' too Jo and it more than lives up to its name. Glad that you have discovered her. Have recently sown a second batch of tomatoes - the first are struggling. I have heard that it might be warmer next week but was unaware of a possible heatwave in May. Have forgotten what it's like to feel warm :)

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    1. I'm so pleased that I got the crocuses planted now, they're really lovely. I think many early sowings will be struggling, I don't think any of us thought we'd be having such cold weather for so long. Good luck with your second batch.

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  7. What a gorgeous crocus, one to add to my wish list!

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    1. Mine came from Wilkinson's and were only £1 I believe, such a bargain.

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  8. Jo, I strongly recommend growing the tomato variety "Maskotka". I have grown it for about five years now, and never been disappointed. I usually have it in pots on my patio, so it might be suitable for you. I'm also a fan of "Ferline" - not least because of its Blight tolerance/resistance capabilities.

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    1. I've just looked up Maskotka and it sounds like just the thing I'm looking for, I shall look out for some seeds. Thank you for the recommendation. I've grown Ferline before and they're usually reliable.

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  9. Beautiful crocus Jo,so creamy and elegant

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    1. I think these are the prettiest crocuses I've seen, I shall definitely grow them again.

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  10. Such a pretty crocus, I wish I'd seen it in my Wilkinsons as it definitely would have ended up in my basket!

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. They were such good value too. I think I'll be looking for some more this autumn.

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  11. I love the crocuses! Do we really have to wait until May though until it heats up?! I am freeeeezing!!! : )

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    1. I'm hoping that we get some higher temperatures this month, but I think we have to wait until May for a heatwave, that's if it materialises.

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  12. What a sweet little crocus, such a delicious colour. How lovely that it flowered on Easter Sunday, a gift indeed. My crocus have been up for ages but won't open as we haven't had ANY sun yet!!! A heat wave....goodness that would be nice. I'd settle for a glimpse of sun at the moment.xxxxx

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    1. We've had quite a bit of sunshine over the last few days but it's still been very cold, it's quite blustery today too. It's annoying when flowers won't open due to lack of sun, I hope you get some soon.

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  13. What pretty buttery crocus! Crocus and snowdrops are always so cheerful.

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    1. I have a few snowdrops in the garden but not many. I'm definitely going to get some more of these Cream Beauty crocuses though.

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  14. Speaking of blogoversaries, there's a message for you on my last post :) I'll head over to your giveaway post as well.

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  15. My favourite crocus - mine seem to have disappeared this year.

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    1. What a shame. I'm going to buy more of this variety to plant this year, I think I'll put some in the border as well as containers this time.

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  16. That's a lovely, delicately-coloured crocus! Hope your managing to do some gardening and having a good weekend! My husband likes to get some digging done in the allotment when he can, but also comes with me to take a break and a countryside walk!

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    1. I haven't done much in the garden yet this weekend, but Hubby has been to the allotment again. I've been making the most of the sunshine in other ways though, it's such a rare thing that we need to to advantage of it.

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  17. Those crocus are gorgeous. I planted some up in pots as well, although mine had come and gone before Easter. The idea of a heatwave in May is good, although I'm sceptical as too how they can know that. It was meant to be wet here all day today and it looks like the rain isn't going to come now until Tuesday night. Still we can hope, can't we.

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    1. I'm really pleased with the crocus, more of the same are on my shopping list for this autumn. I've learnt that weather forecasts are often wrong so I take them with a pinch of salt. I think a May heatwave might be wishful thinking, it's been such a long winter.

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  18. Ferline is one of the few tomatoes I grow. I grow them outside (no greenhouse) and most tomatoes aren't particularly successful, but Ferline do okay, as do Sungold. Let's hope it's a good tomato year!

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    1. I've grown Ferline before, but not outside. I'm pleased to hear that they do okay as I'm hoping to put some of my plants on the patio this year. I do hope it's a good tomato year as they were so late last year.

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