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The problem with my gardening obsession, is that every year I add more plants to the list of things I want to try growing. Not a bad thing in itself – it’s always good to grow something new. But these new plants need space, and the garden just doesn’t get any bigger. So far there has always been a pot or a bit of ground to accommodate the plants on trial, but it’s only a matter of time… Luckily not all the new plants will be a success, there have been a fair few disasters – flowers that looked fabulous in the photos but were nothing like in real life, and veg plants which just couldn’t cope with the Yorkshire climate. These plants can then be struck off the list – curiosity satisfied, leaving more space for something else next time. Just as well really, because this year there are more new additions to the garden and greenhouse.
First up for trialling in 2013 are cucamelons. I hadn’t even heard of this vegetable until I read about it in Homegrown Revolution, (you can read more about them here). Promising to be easy to grow, I’m looking forward to trying the grape-sized fruit which should taste of cucumber and lime. Any taste test is some time off yet though, because the plants are still very small and resenting the cool turn in the weather over the last week or so. More of that warm June sunshine should encourage them along… at least I hope it does.
Also in the greenhouse, and doing pretty well so far, is the tomato variety ‘Tiny Tim’. The plants are small, but that’s how they should be, healthy looking and with lots of flowers. This variety was grown through the summer in Melbourne by Liz who blogs over at Suburban Tomato. Inspired by her success with the plant, I found a UK seed supplier stocking this heritage variety (Seedaholic.com if you want to get some seed for yourself). Fingers are definitely crossed for a good harvest of tasty cherry tomatoes from these neat little plants.
Next is something I’m wondering why I’ve never grown before – phacelia. It’s a plant usually grown as a green manure and dug into the soil before flowering. But with lovely, ferny leaves and pale purple flowers, phacelia is already earning its place in the cut flower patch just by looking pretty. I’ve read that the flowers are good for cutting and brilliant for bees. So far, I’m not sure about either of these, as I haven’t cut any and the bees seem much more interested in the knautia flowering nearby…
Finally, and I know here I’m running the risk of becoming a bee bore… but a quick update on the bee house. Three of the tubes have now been capped with mud – and the fourth is nearly done. Look, here’s the mother bee putting the finishing touches to her tube this morning –
And while I’ve been writing this, she’s been back to finish the job.
So, those are some of the new additions to The Garden Deli. What’s new in your garden this summer – or indeed this winter if you’re reading this in the southern hemisphere?
I wish I had a green thumb, all thats new in mine this year are new varieties of weeds. I am doing some containers of herbs, thai basil, sweet basil, chives, thyme, lemon thyme. Hope they make it, can’t plant in the ground too many bugs that chew them up and critters too. Your plants look beautiful and healthy. That bee is busy too!
I have a fine collection of weeds too! Your herb collection sounds interesting… they make great container plants, don’t they?
Your cucamelons (aka mouse melons) are looking a lot healthier than mine!
Thanks – I’m not sure what they should look like, not having grown them before. And from now on I’m going to call them mouse melons!
Cucamelons sound like they’re just waiting for a jug of Pimms!
Now there’s an idea – just need to hurry them along a bit!
I hope to hear more of the Phacelia Sarah, as I was hoping to sow some this year but couldn’t find any seeds! There was a whole field planted with it near us last year and it smelt wonderful. Apparently it is ploughed back into the ground as natural fertilizer after flowering… Those cucamelons sound intriguing too. Hope they get the sunshine they need!
I haven’t noticed a scent from the phacelia, I’ll need to have a sniff of the flowers next time I pass!
Those curcamelons sound intriguing…haven’t seen them around here, so I’m looking forward to watching yours!
New this year (for me) will be a short-season watermelon, and some different winter squashes. I feel your pain on the Space problem – the new beds in the back field didn’t get built as planned, so now we’re scrambling…
Wishing you much and more lovely June sunshine!
Thanks Marie – hope you’re still getting good weather so that eveyone can get outside and enjoy the garden.
I think almost every gardener has the same space problem. I also prefer plants is largish drifts so even more space is needed, lucky I am restricted by which plants will survive the hot summers and cold winters here in Lazio. The curcamelon sounds intreaging, I love lime flavours and perfume and normal cumcumbers grow well for me outside so I might try to get some seed for next year. Christina
There’s never enough space or time in the garden!
Love the idea of lime flavour from the cucamelons, making me even more determined to get a greenhouse. In the meantime, growing phacelia as a cut flower sounds great, will definitely be trying that. We have bumblebees in the wall, just outside the kitchen. They seem to be loving the comfrey flowers, nepeta and the yellow flowers of red mustard and PSB that I haven’t got round to clearing.
Sounds like you have some well fed bees in your garden at the moment! I’m going to try cutting some phacelia tonight to see how it lasts in a vase, but I can confirm that bees do indeed love the flowers, they’re all over it just now.
cucamelons! Wow, never heard of them before either! Very interesting indeed
I hadn’t heard of them either until earlier this year – it will be interesting to find out what they really taste like.
Aha! I will be interested to know how you get on with your cucamelons. I am trying oca, yacon, Japanese wineberries, asparagus peas and sweet potatoes for the first time this year. They are all rather pretty – even if they don’t crop, they have their merits. I will be interested to hear how you get on with Phacelia.
I’ve been wondering about trying sweet potatoes – wasn’t sure if the climate was right here. Tell you what, we could swap notes on our new trials later this year!
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