My babies

Rain came this weekend, and now the ground feels like butter against my garden fork. All the plants are looking happier, even the babies in the greenhouse (pictured). The French beans, in the foreground, have only just popped up today. Wonderful. The sweet peas and sunflowers are progressing too. Unfortunately a squirrel has discovered the dahlia bulbs (grrr), and my chicken-wire contraption around them has something of a horse-barn-door-bolted feel to it. But never mind, the aquilegia are superb.

Sunflowers this year

Today I sowed some sunflowers: Russian Giant, Velvet Queen, and some non-specific freebie ones from a publisher (strapline: Grow Your Research). Sunflowers are great - cheery, bold and beautiful. I didn't get around to sowing any last year, but a spectacular plant shot up in the front garden without any input from me. Here it is, with bee. I enjoyed it immensely.