From little seeds...

They're never going to be mighty oaks, but my beans are looking very healthy and happy. I planted the seeds in an electric propagator (a birthday present from Bob and Pam) one Sunday a month ago and now look at them:

Photo 19: French beans and peas in the garden

The electric propagator has an amazing effect. Here are some more French bean seeds planted three days ago:

Photo 20: French bean seedlings yesterday afternoon

Photo 21: And the same two seedlings (the tall ones in the centre) this evening, 24 hours later

We didn't go to the allotment this weekend, or at least not to do any work (we've been visiting a couple of evenings a week to check everything out). Instead we dug over some flower beds for my grandparents on Saturday and on Sunday we dug out the bed at the bottom of the wall in the garden. It was filled with all the usual rubble left by builders and also Japanese knotweed, which we carefully removed as much as possible. 

Photo 22: Rob removing a large lump of concrete

We are going to spend some time at the allotment this weekend, planting the main crop potatoes, the beans and peas, and sowing carrots, parsnips and beetroot. In the meantime, here are some photos from the house and garden which I hope you like.

Photo 23: Pumpkin seed in the propagator

Photo 24: One of six tomato seedlings which I'm really pleased with

Photo 25: Another French bean seedling

Photo 26: Strawberry flowers in the garden

Photo 27: Falstaff, our apple tree, in blossom