This is my first year of growing flowers.  I bought (or was kindly given) many ceramic Belfast sinks, filled them up with compost and off I went determined to have some colour this summer in our garden.

Things I have learned – height.  Some plants are taller than others, over-shadow and I have definite successes and failures.

But, overall, I love the colour.

My artichhokes are huge, totally dwarfing everything else. I ended saving the flowering pinks by picking them.  They smell beautiful and remind me of my grandmother.

The tatties, of which I possibly have a cash-crop, are going along nicely.  The strawberry plants have produced a handful of the most delicious strawberries. It took me a while to learn about the function of placing straw around each plant so some rotted before I could save them.  Learning, I am always learning.

Another cash-crop is the ragwort which continues to plague us.  We have nearly cleared this field.  I say that every day and then spend another hour and fill another bag.  We all chip away at this never-ending problem.

Monster is still pining for his “Dad”.

His appetite has not been affected, however. Phew.

Over to Turriefield, this afternoon to pack veg – our Thursday volunteer job.  Now they can grow veg!  Puts my handful of strawberries to shame.

Daisy and I weigh, bag and label.

And then there is the banter!

We always ‘ave a larf!  In my humble opinion that sign behind should read “free to a good home”! (I was dared not to put up this photo so obviously I had to)