Thursday 31 May 2012

The Garden Today 31 May 2012

Looking good today...the blackberry plants are in blossom!


And I saw a bee gorging itself on the flowers earlier....this isn't a photo of that exact flower and bee, but it gives an idea of how it looked!





Just delighted with the apple blossom, too!!


Hope to be able to make lots of apple and blackberry tarts during the Autumn!!





Thursday 24 May 2012

The Garden Today

I am so happy with the garden! Some of my roses have flowered......these are called Countess of Wessex, and their scent is delicious!





And the red rambling rose  (rosa gallica var. officinalis)   is about to flower.





Today I planted the lilies I bought at  Chelsea Flower Show - they are called AFRICAN LADY, and should look like this when they flower.



And yesterday I had the first radishes....I made a salad of radish and mint - the mint was also from the garden - it was delicious! My peas and beans are coming up and I'll soon be able to harvest the first of them. It's just so delicious to get fresh veg and herbs from the garden! 
I planted tomatoes and marigolds together the other day.







I am also very happy with my Delft Blue violas.



Tuesday 15 May 2012

The garden today

Some lovely pink petunias have appeared in the garden recently!!


Sunday 13 May 2012

Caroline Lucas to stand down as Green Party Leader








Caroline Lucas Opens Door to New Green Party Leaders
13 MAY 2012





In September 2012, Caroline Lucas MP will reach the end of her second term as national Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, and has announced today that she will not be seeking re-election for another two-year term, in order to broaden opportunities for the range of talent in the Party and to raise the profiles of others aspiring to election.

Caroline Lucas said: "I'm hugely honoured to have served as the first Leader of the Green Party and I'm proud that during the four years of my term, we've moved Green politics forward to a higher level, with the Party by far the most influential it has ever been. We've seen significant breakthroughs in winning our first seat at Westminster and gaining our first ever local council in Brighton and Hove. These were followed by further breakthroughs onto new Councils in the recent local elections, which were among the most successful we've ever had, as well as establishing ourselves as the third party, ahead of the LibDems, in the elections for London Mayor.

"I look forward to continuing to do all I can in my very demanding role as the MP for Brighton Pavilion, representing my constituents and defending them against the Coalition Government's disastrous economic policies and its refusal to accept its environmental and social responsibilities. I will also be able to dedicate even more of my work to the political frontline, putting the Green case for change in Parliament and in all circles of national political debate."

Cllr Darren Johnson, London Assembly Member, said: "Caroline has made a huge impact in her time as Green Party Leader and has helped shift Green politics from the margins to the mainstream of British political life. She will be an extremely hard act to follow but this is an ideal time to allow new talent to come forward."

Jenny Jones, London Assembly Member and recent Green Mayoral Candidate said:
"The Green Party has made some massive breakthroughs in the past two years, since having Caroline as our Leader, in Parliament, in Brighton and most recently in London, where we are now the third party behind the Conservatives and Labour. Caroline's decision not to seek re-election at this point is entirely in keeping with Green principles: it's a strong move, allowing other talented people to come through and to take the Green Party even further forward. She has set a superb example of how to lead. Whoever is elected in her place has a tough act to follow."

Nominations for leadership candidates are now open within the Party and will close towards the end of June. The new Leader (or Co-leaders) will take up the two year post in early September. No nominations have yet been received.

Caroline Lucas added: "We're lucky to have a wealth of capability and experience in our Party. Now feels like the right time to step aside, to allow more of that ability to come forward and help the party to grow. I offer my very best wishes to the next Leader, whoever they may be." 






The Garden Today

Very busy in the garden recently, now the rain seems to be holding off for a bit!! (My partner said that gardeners always moan about the weather...why aren't we ever satisfied???!!! Well, because if it becomes waterlogged, the roots of the plants are in danger of rotting.....!!)

I am very proud of my black violas!!!




I also have some lovely blue and white violas, they are known as Blackcurrant Sorbet.







In the vegetable garden, the radishes, garlic chives (images here of garlic chives!) and rocket are flourishing, so I can have some salad for my lunch.  The potatoes are not yet ready, but am looking forward to my first ever potatoes!