Well I will get off and go do the washing up, take care and I will see you again soon.
Bob.
After.
Also today at work I planted out my climbing french beans, its a bit early yet really but they are starting to wrap around each other in their pots so I thought it better to risk planting them now than have them all get tangled up. If it looks like being frosty I will have to put a bit of fleece around them. I also sowed my row of Alderman peas, these are a tall variety so they are going on the bean row to climb up some netting - thats if I can get the darn stuff untangled. So as certain people were moaning last year at having to top and tail runner beans I've split the bean row in to three parts this year, as I say one third is climbing french bean, another third are the Alderman peas and then there is one third of ordinary runner beans for the non lazy. If you remember back to last summer I used to go and pick a few to eat raw for my lunch, they are really nice if eaten that way, you have to pick them young though.
By the way, I will just point out to any would be thief that the earn isn't worth stealing, its been all patched up at sometime and would most likely drop to pieces if you tried to move it. There is another one right on the corner of the lawn, I don't know why someone put it there, it frightens me to death every time I go near it with the lawn mower in case I happen to catch it. I would like to move it but dare not risk it for the reason stated above.
The family came to visit at the weekend and much to her ladyships delight I was able to provide them with new potatoes and fresh lettuce. I also sent my mum and dad packing with the four tomato plants and a stray Fuchsia.
Talking of which, Tippy is highly delighted to see that Matron is going to be able to make use of her tomato cuttings tip. Matron mentions using a rooting compound which you can do. I didn't mention this because I was trying to keep it simple and didn't want to put off the people with brown thumbs. So if you do have some then by all means use it but if you don't have any rooting compound don't worry as you really don't need it. I didn't use any and all mine were rooted in 10 days.
Then fill a pot with ordinary potting compost and stick the cutting down the side of the pot to the depth of about half an inch to an inch and then water in. Then stand it somewhere warm and light but shaded from direct sunlight.
Then in ten days to a fortnight you will have roots forming like this...
...and extra plants to grow on or give to friends.
Polyanthus are a hardy perennial so will grow for many years and more plants can be obtained by splitting the plants in Spring or Autumn. Just lift the plants and wash off the soil so you can see the rooted off shoots and then just take a sharp knife and cut away the off shoots and plant on as a plant in its own right. They will thrive in any garden soil but prefer one that is rich and moist. If possible they also like some shade although the ones I have in are in full sun at the moment but these will be moved for the summer to somewhere a little cooler.
