Wishful Thinking - Life Magazine: Gardening Diary

Weekly Inspiration - Summer is here and we have a tomato!

Summer is here and activity seems to have tripled among the birds, bees and finally the plants we have been lavishing with our affection over the last few months. This is the first year I have tried to grow any form of vegetable/fruit and I must say, I am very happy with the results so far. Along with tomatoes, sweetcorn, cucumber, chilli, lettuce, onions and a few choice herbs, we have been experimenting with a 'Nature Reserve' at the bottom of the garden. That is to say, I have let the weeds grow they are attracting quite a few butterflies! I was very excited today as during my usual morning water of the tomato plants, I found, much to my surprise our first real fruit! As you can see, it is not that exciting to the average human being but seeing the fruits of your labour in edible form can send a shiver down your spine! The next few months are going to be quite fruitful!!!

The day is 7th June and this is the yield so far! Our cucumbers are sprouting little antennae which I can only imagine will grow into my favourite fruit. the strawberries are flowering and sending off feeders (secondary shoots which grow roots and turn into another strawberry plant). The sweetcorn is the most exciting as I thought this would be most difficult to grow.It looks like another kernel is coming up through the stem. May be my imagination.

These have all been grown in a greenhouse, apart from the Raspberries, I would think that's why they're flowering so early. The 'normal' summer we are having so far is helping too. As my mother says, the birds are nesting high this year, must be a good sign. I'll let you know how it goes!