Spring in the garden

Yes, it would appear that spring is finally here.  The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and the sun is shining, at least for the moment.  Our gardening started in earnest by planting seeds over the Easter holidays, courgettes and French beans, and these have been growing happily on the windowsill.  But they grew so much (as they do tend to) that they got too big, and needed to go out in the garden, whatever the weather decided to do.

I've spent a while trying to find suitable containers that don't cost anything and then planting out the plants.  So we have three bean plants in an old jute supermarket bag with the plastic lining removed, and three courgette plants in, from bottom to top, old tyres, a broken plastic box and a fruit crate.  They may not be the most aesthetically pleasing containers but they do the job.

The other things I've planted are potatoes.  I love growing potatoes and discovering all that potatoey goodness hidden in the soil when we empty out the tubs (so do the kids, it's like a treasure hunt).  We use plastic dustbins with holes drilled in them that we've had for several years now.  This year's variety is Maris Peer, and they are poking their leaves above the soil now and growing at a fantastic rate.  I am a bit behind, but they're second earlies so they'll just be a bit late.  I can wait.

Other things going on in the garden include fruit trees and bushes blossoming...

...and how could I forget the rhubarb.  Crumble, anyone?  I love spring!