It's Plant Sale time

Peace at twilght - see item on Ukraine
towards the end of this episode

It's Midsummer Day tomorrow, so Codger is determined to get this edition out before we turn this particular page on the horticultural year. If you check out Wiki you'll find that the the occasion is celebrated in surprising ways (even hair raising ways) in different cultures - trying clicking here if your appetite is whetted

Speaking of whetted appetites, I'm glad to report that our first harvests have taken place already. So far, we have enjoyed delicious broad beans, juicy strawberries and delicious cucumber. Excuse me if I have said this before but I think broad beans are well worth growing as a) they are rarely in the supermarket, and b) they taste infinitely better when cooked on the day they are picked. There's a further advantage - they tend to crop early leaving the opportunity to re-use the growing space for another vegetable crop - or flowers if you prefer

Our strawberries have been sweeter than ever this year. I've a few plants left if anyone is interested. Oh! - just remembered - we've got raspberries and loganberries, too. The latter good but the raspberry patch was replanted in the winter and the new plants are a bit disappointing

We have had our first cucumbers from  a variety not previously tried - Socrates. Perhaps brain power will be enhanced. There are still quite a number of cucumber plants available - mainly a German variety called Delicatessen. We also have quite a few squashes of various sorts

AND - dare I say it - we can still help you out with some really nice tomato plants. Not all the fourteen varieties we planted this year but quite a few you might try to your advantage

Quite understandably, flowers are popular
However, we are keen to promote veg as well
Much easier to grow than you may think
Beat inflation - grow your own!

A big Thank You

It has been good to welcome many friends to our garden - to the extent that our plant stocks have been halved. That includes the crates we have sent to the annual charity plant sale that Codger supports - please see the next item

All of our visitors have made generous donations to the funds we are about to send to Poland for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Those donations in cash are carefully logged and safely stashed away. Other donors have kindly agreed to transfer funds online and are waiting patiently to do so. The technical issues mentioned previously (and completely outside Codger's control - though we chase!) have still to be resolved - please bear with us, we know from your messages that you are keen to give!

Calendula - I've sent some of these to the sale

The Charity Plant Sale

Folk who have supported us from the beginning know that the Codger project was inspired by the plant sale organised annually by Angela Webb with help from her husband Keith. Together they have raised thousands of pounds to support the work of Birmingham City Mission. If you are a new reader you can read about BCM here

This year's plant sale takes place on Saturday 2nd July from 11:00am to 3:00pm. As well as a vast range of plants, you'll find lots of tasty goodies, too

We always return laden with cakes, marmalade and chutney. As a one-off, this year, there will also be a plentiful supply of genuine Nike football shirts!

A tip from old Codger - the early birds catch the worm. If you need the address of the plant sale (Angela does the sale from her home garden) - then drop me a line. (Bots are at work so you have to decipher the gmail from Garden Codger - but without the space - just supply the monkey tail. Got it?)

Squash large and small available
reay to grow on at home

Codger's Nursery

If cannot see what you want at the sale - just give me a call. There's a wide range but we also gets plants to order. In addition to the usual range of perennials and annuals I'm making up some grow-your-own squash - including cucumbers and courgettes. See the photo (right) for the set-up. Why not have a go?

Helping Ukraine

Readers will know that, plant sale apart, we are raising funds for Ukraine. The money will go to friends in Poland who are staging a magificent effort getting relief out to where it is most needed in the East - as well as supporting many Ukrainians who have relocated to Poland

Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas

You may have noticed that the conflict in Ukraine has dropped down the news agenda - 'Ukraine fatigue' Boris calls it. And, true enough, those under the greatest pressure are fatigued, frustrated and depressed by the awful suffering inflicted upon them. But so many reports continue to emphasise the utter determination not to capitulate to tyranny. Their fortitude is absolutely remarkable

Do you remember the bit of history we did a few weeks ago where I mentioned the 1.7 million forcibly deported from Poland to the Siberian gulags in 1940? Soon after researching this piece my ears pricked up when the premier of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, gave a forthright speech referring to the experience of her own country. Not only were there forcible deportations during the WW2 but after the war as well. Taken together, thousands upon thousands of nationals were removed by the Russians from the Baltic states. (If you wish to check this out yourself at gulagonline, click: here). Or you could watch the introductory video, which will also give you access to a 30 minute documentary:

The Estonian Prime Minister's point was it is possible to seek a peace that is not peace. It is salutary to note that many of these treacherous expatriations took place in 1949, that is, long after the peace delared in 1945

I am reminded of Churchill's words: the farther back you look, the farther you can see into the future. I understand that this quote is favoured by our own Queen - or so I heard during the Platinum Jubilee

Well, much more could be said. But for our part we are glad to support the people of Ukraine at this momentuous period in their history. Gardening must seem a strange way of doing so, but we will press on. Thank you for your kind support. For now ...

...best wishes from Garden Codger

PS. I'm still getting ready for the plant sale so just a few shots to close off this week. Hope to see you at the plant sale

Codger (aka Captain Birdseye) was delighted to be invloved in the Brigade Awards at our church recently
The image of an anchor is associated with Brigade - perhaps you know why (?)
Anchors were once forged in Tipton - this one can be found at the aptly named Neptune Health Centre

It is possible to grow some tomato varieties in hanging baskets. As you can see, this is Garden Pearl and already in fruit

 

The rose Peace has been prolific this year

Here's a tip. During high summer you can move plants into what might be shady areas at other times of the year
These are positioned at the front of our house - the variety of the pink/white geranium is Apple Blossom
(a few still available - well worth having)