Change Comes with a Price

Every victory comes with a price. Mine were these cuts and scratches inflicted upon me by a violent and barbaric race. Of vines.

Students of comedy will remember the Black Knight from Monty Python's Holy Grail and how he accepted a loss of a limb as "just a scratch". Sadly, this was not the case. These bloody hurt and I cursed the damn plant all night long and especially every time I rolled onto my arm. A warrior in the garden lands I am, albeit a sensitive one.

A View for Change

The Sun came out over the weekend and I didn't feel like moping around in the house any more. "Attack!" came the cry, "To Battle!", "Finish them!". My father and cousin had strong views on the matter.

This all began a few weeks ago with the spring clearing of the Mews; I hacked and toiled almost a day but it was of no use, the vines could not be defeated. The ordeal had drained my energy and it took nearly two weeks to regain it.

So I stand surveying my Kingdom with a sense of achievement that we managed to fight back these barbarian vines, but also with an uneasy feeling: that we haven't seen the last of them.

Neighbours are Green with Envy

The Radishes, Beetroot and Leaf Salad are the talk of the Mews (or at least they should be) as they continue to turn this barrel into the gardener's version of the Evil eye. This object of good fortune brings good luck and prosperity to the bearer as well as protection from evil spirits. Me, my barrel can't do that, all except for the prosperity that is. Next week I'm off to the farmers' market with the smallest radishes you've ever seen. Wonder if I'll win a prize...

Look Who's Hanging Around on the Corner...

It's Nasturtium! These little seedlings will some day explode into colour and brighten up an otherwise rather dull corner. Here's hoping the Kong will reach 4 metres so these flowers will have someone to talk to. Nasti buggers.

A Slice of Life OutBack

Since we planted out the corridor that passes as the back garden, otherwise known as the OutBack, everything has flourished. And even more so after it was named "Kingston Road - John Innes Conservation Area" (John Innes being the benchmark in gardening that gardeners aspired to). On either side of the sign we planted a Clematis, one has white striped flowers and the other purple striped, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. None more so than my latest bud-y, who really has got into his groove in partial shade.

Seek & Destroy

 To the right is one of the most amazing sights in our "garden" right now; the growing tip of a runner bean. Having exploded out of their pots inside and forced my hand to plant them out, they have well and truly rooted and now proceed their unending assault on the sky. This menacing tip is climbing fast and will hopefully, one day, end up at the dizzying heights of my mouth!

Oh You'll Never Get to Heaven...

...On this vine, but you can give it a damn good go. This solitary vine is all that is left in the Outback. Having taken it for dead when I hacked at it to clear the back wall, new life began to trickle out of it a few weeks ago and we now have these wonderful autumn red leaves. You may not be able to get to Heaven on this vine (yet) but you can certainly admire some celestial beauty just at the top of the wall.

Cutbacks Hit the Upper-Class Fat Cats

Here we see the big man, the Mews bully, the damned Buddleia! Below a lowly Palm immigrant who just can't get a break. Thankfully the Lord Emperor of the Mews State (me) hit back at this social menace by reducing its monopoly on this space. Although these cutbacks have stripped the Palm of many, if not all, of its assets, Mews experts expect it to grow back stronger than ever. Watch this space.

A la Monty Don!

All hail Monty Don, that wonderful earthy man that tells me how to grow my garden all in the comfort of my home. So as a tribute to my germination guru I have started 2 pots of Sweet Pea (sorry Monty, I don't know what variety they are). Problem is... I don't know where to plant them!

Tiny Tomatah

The new Brit sensation Tiny Tomatah has been taking the windowsill by storm. Moving up the potting charts just two days ago, this juicy fruit is tipped to be RED hot for the summer.

A lonely Courgette!

This is the only courgette to make it from the seed tray to a pot. It may be a lonely specimen but it is strong, pushing through the growing barriers quicker than a glacier. Wow that's quick! No doubt there'll be more to come.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Voila the eager chilis sitting above the bed. Since I fed them they have taken off. I potted them up a week or so ago... Looking forward to May to get them outside and get some fruit.