The plan was to have 4 quarters.....1 with tulips, 1 with Alstromeria, 1 with annuals and one with something else.
I ordered some "Florists Favourites" tulip bulbs and Alstromeria plants from a garden catalogue and some Monarda (or Bergamot) from ebay, and picked up loads of cheap flower seeds from a car boot-sale.
The tulips are gorgeous, I've had two vases full indoors already.
Col raked in the flowers seed - mainly Cornflower and Corn Cockle a couple of weeks ago. Some have appeared.
But after the bed had been snowed on,frozen, rained on, dug up by the cat and walked over by ducks and pheasants(on their way between bird feeders, where they sit and wait for crumbs to drop) this is all that's left of the 6 Alstromeria plants. That tiny little green bit ought to be a big clump or even one of 6 big clumps.
And as for the Monarda - vanished - dead- kaput! They didn't look good when they arrived and didn't last very long at all . Serves me right for ordering cheap stuff off ebay
So the posts in the corners are ready for a bit of wire netting to make a fence to keep the wildlife off. I've sent for some more plants and there are lots of sweet pea plants growing slowly in the greenhouse ready for the 4th quarter.
By hook or by crook I hope to have more flowers to cut later in the year.
Thank you for comments yesterday, apologies for not replying I'm having a busy week
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Lovely to be able to bring flowers indoors during the summer, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJ x
A shame about your losses, but plenty of time to get more started and the annuals will soon be up and away.
ReplyDeleteMy cut flower bed was a flop last year, I was using seeds straight into the ground. This year I have seeds growing in my greenhouse, I will plant out healthy plants next month.
ReplyDeleteIf at first you don't succeed as they say x
ReplyDeleteWell, at least 1/4 of it is operational so that is a bonus.
ReplyDeleteAnimals have little appreciation of a garden except eating it’s contents. I hope you have better luck on the second try. It is early so you have plenty of growing time.
ReplyDeleteReally lovely tulips. I can't have cut flowers in my home because my cat eats them and then gets sick. I miss having the beautiful colors.
ReplyDeleteThe last couple of months I have bought a magazine called Garden Answers and there were lots of free seed.There were three which needed starting in my mini greenhouse but the rest go straight into the soil.It is still too cold up here in North Wales so I shall wait a couple of weeks but like you I hope to have a cutting garden.Fingers crossed we both succeed!!!!
ReplyDeleteI tried growing flowers for cutting but couldn't bring myself to cut them as they looked so beautiful in the garden. One day if I should be lucky enough to have a big garden I will try again.
ReplyDeleteI am a little embarrassed to admit I hadn't heard of a garden grown just to cut the flowers for inside! It's a wonderful idea. Good luck with replanting.
ReplyDeleteThe tulips are gorgeous! It is nice to have a special bed for cut flowers. They always brighten up the house!
ReplyDeleteThe tulips look so pretty. I love them but they don't like our garden and always grow stunted and odd. Maybe one day I will remember to plant some in a pot and just pop them pot and all in the border.
ReplyDeleteHugs-x-
I never have luck with direct sown flower seeds so use a tray to sow plugs with two or three seeds in each. I can then space them out when they have germinated and look healthy but not too big. I am sure later soon seed are better as well. Good luck.
ReplyDelete