Hello again. I’m writing to you today from my cold, but very green conservatory. I’ve used this space to start sowing and growing this year. I wanted to give you guys some updates on progress since my last blog. I hope you can learn something about my flower growing escapades, or, even better, try your hand at some of the techniques I’ve been keeping busy with. Start sowing yourself - it’s worth it!

Excitingly, I also have a new Instagram page to share which will allow any interested readers to stay up to date with the growing process. And, in case you were wondering, it’s Mothering Sunday next weekend so I’m pleased to announce my plans for the special day.

Grab a cup of tea and enjoy x

I don’t know about you, but the better weather starting last week has warmed my soul and given me increasing confidence to continue the sowing, hardening off, and choosing of flowers and veg for future months. Although today doesn’t feel like it, spring is on its way. It is such a beautiful time of the year and really makes a difference after a torrid, frosty, wet few months. A change is coming. Having grown so used to winter weather and being locked down inside, we can really experience the sensory explosion of spring and feel all of its blessings; you can almost taste the air. I don’t know about you, but I get a warm feeling stepping out into the garden or walking around the block and picturing all of this fresh natural beauty springing up again, reminding me of this time last year, and the miracle of the changing of the seasons…

Blossom is appearing lovingly, daffodils are blooming, tulips are gaining strength and peaking through.

I was in bits at my allotment a fortnight ago looking at a bed of daffodil bulbs I’d planted which were struggling to survive squelchy, waterlogged ground. But as the days have lengthened and the ground grows firmer, the sun has revealed its face and they seem to be in a better place. This winter has made me come to terms with the emotional rollercoaster of growing. I’ve had to accept that things don’t always go your way or grow as planned: some winters are wetter, frostier, some autumns and springs are windier and damper. And sometimes, for absolutely no reason whatsoever, things just don’t happen quite as you plan. Having said that, what wonder and experimentation there is in trial and error! And the journey is all the more rewarding. Here I can update you on my progress so far.

Last October I decided to try something new. I’d been inspired by seeing others sow hardy annuals in autumn to ready their plants for spring, so I did the same. In the last few weeks my October seedlings: Foxglove, Ammi Majus, Cerinthe Major and Larkspur have grown so big and strong. Larger than I could have dreamt, and looking as though they want to march right out of the conservatory (which had proven a brilliant growing home) and plant themselves. Such a joy to see they have survived a tough winer and like the rest of us, I’m sure they are probably looking forward to a more immersive 2021. See pictures below:

I have also taken this warmer weather opportunity to dig my own garden, which had taken a backseat to my allotment last year. My partner and I completely ripped everything out and have decided to start from scratch, a good place to keep a close eye on my seedling children!

A tip to share. You can never be too prepared with gardening. Make a small plan for autumn 2021 now. I highly recommend buying the two easiest seeds I have found to grow, and two of my favourites - Ammi Majus & Foxglove (images below). They’re hardy, easy to grow, and a perfect addition to the garden plus an excellent cut flower. You can buy these seeds easily, my go-to seed shops are Chiltern Seeds, Swan Cottage Flowers and Sarah Raven.

This week I’ve returned! It is the first time in 2021 that my seasonal bouquets are on offer to my customers. I have now set in motion my locally grown offerings which will be here until our growing season finishes in late autumn. And what great timing, Mothering Sunday! Bouquets are available for order now, which you can do here.

Here’s hoping:

That the waterlogged allotment ground continues to dry
That my back garden thrives with newly planted Foxglove, Ammi, Cerinthe and Larkspur
That as spring beckons it brings good news
And lastly, I hope you will join me in marvelling at the beauty of British flowers

FOLLOW

I will be documenting the growing of flowers in my garden and allotment, to stay tuned in and see my progress you can follow my new dedicated Instagram account for green inspiration @growing.stories

What you would you like sow this week and which flower arrivals are you most looking forward to? Share your comments below.

Growing stories