We had some fun at the allotment today trying to guess what sort of beans we’d planted … they’ve started coming up nicely, look a little smaller than runner beans though, so I assume they’re french beans – but having failed to label the rows I might have mixed them up!

This isn’t a major problem as we’ll eat whatever forms on them! I think what would be more difficult if you plant very similar sorts of things like mange tout and normal peas. Of course if you keep the packets you can look up what height they grow to and if they’re different this alone is enough to identify them… but what if they’re the same!

The answer of course is to label everything, or keep a plot book where you write down everything you grow. Plant labels make your rows easier to spot though which helps with first weeding when you’re not quite sure what’s coming up.
Plant Labels are available at thomson and morgan and are on offer at the moment so you can get two packs plus one free for only £2.98 This means you’ll be able to label everything you plant!

Neat rows of vegetables growing look so good with a nice label on! And it’s also good to label plants you grow in the greenhouse.If you grow from seed also label the trays of seeds – unless you’re absolutely sure you’re going to remember what you’re growing! Especially important if you’re growing leeks and onions from seeds as they can be so similar!

I’ve been picking some rats tail radishes today. Unlike normal radishes which are grown for their edible roots, these are grown for their edible seed pods. All radish seed pods are edible apparently, but these have been bred to make them bigger!

They look a bit like bobbly chilis. They’re delicately flavoured for the first bite and slowly the heat builds on your tongue. They are a nice flavour though and probably not as hot as the red radish roots you’re used to. Although the redder cases are supposed to be mroe pungent!

I’m now looking for recipes to store them and suspect pickling them will work well.

They are amazingly easy to grow though and both rows have sprung up easily and have flowered like mad and are now forming tons of seed pods. These will take some serious picking too! So many pods on one stem – whereas normal radish it’s one seed for one root… these work out really well in terms of plant value. Offered some round on the allotment and people liked them and had not heard of them which is always nice!

Carrots and parsnips are coming up well still, we’ve nearly got some peas and our second lot of beans are still ok – we’ve had some terrible slug damage with those. The broad beans will need picking soon and I’m looking forward to that very much as I adore them!

Huge punnets of raspberrys have been picked all week and now we’re picking for jam! I’ve never made jam but feel obliged to do some this year.

Reduced items at RawGarden

Chloe Armchair Cushion was £49.00 now £34.99
The Chloe Armchair cushion is specially made from acrylic, these cushions are outstanding in outdoor environments. They are filled with a resin fibre sandwich in the centre to ensure extra firmness and comfort, this is then surrounded by fibre and enclosed in a pull-out bag, then zipped so the cushions can be easily washed. The filling also ensures that if the cushions are left outdoors in downpours water runs straight through and doesn`t soak into the fibre. The acrylic material is rot proof and fade resistant. Cushions are 8cm in thickness and give a very comfortable feel.

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New products at John Lewis

LED Rope Light, White, 6M £40.00
This versatile rope light can be used indoors or out and is covered in flexible plastic so it can be bent to go around windows, parasols, fences or wherever you please. It has approxomately 3m of cable from plug to lit section. Suitable for sheltered outdoor use.

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Hundreds of new items at Gardening Direct

8ft x 6ft Greenhouse (Glazing, Frame and Base) £399.99
Click here to see how easy it is to build this greenhouse This high quality greenhouse comes complete with everything you need to install it and get growing. 3 packs combine the essentials: a galvanised steel base; a green coated long-lasting aluminium frame; twin walled UV treated polycarbonate glazing that combines good performance with safety – a concern in gardens with active children at play. Choose the size that best suits your needs. All greenhouses include a roof vent except the 4x6ft. Staging not included.

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New items added today at Jersey Plants Direct

Hardy Fern Collection 12 Plants £19.98

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Reduced products at Crocus

cranesbill was £6.49 now £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to AugustHardiness: half hardyAn architectural cranesbill with a stout, succulent stem and huge glossy leaves arising from a rosette to 100cm. This is the true plant from Madeira, raised from seed and culminating in a dazzling display of hundreds of large reddish-mauve flowers with darker veining. Monocarpic (dies after flowering) and not hardy but will happily seed around in frost-free conditions. Garden care: Protect from frost during winter with a framework of twigs or canes covered in fleece and stuffed with straw or bracken. If container grown, place in a sheltered, cool position and restrict watering during the coldest months. Collect seed after flowering to maintain stock.

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New lines added today at Crocus

kettler-garden-architekt-medium-obelisk £159.99
The Garden Obelisk, although simple in design offer real depth and structure to a garden.DimensionsMedium Obelisk – 195cmThe garden obelisk's undergo a Thermosint process making it imperviuos to wind and Weather and providing it with a 5 year manufacturer's anti-rust guarantee. A Thermosint coating is up to ten times stronger than standard powder coating varnishes. Permanently flexible and reliably weatherproof. As a finishing and protective coat for highly resistant corrosion protection.

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Reduced price on items today at RawGarden

Alexander Rose Broadfield 4ft Curved Back Mahogany Bench was £145.00 now £142.99
The Alexander Rose Broadfield 4ft Curved Back Mahogany Bench. Made in a quality hardwood that has all the natural attributes to create highly attractive and durable garden furniture. Mahogany can be left completely untreated so that the wood mellows to a silver grey colour. You can retain the deep red tone of the original wood by using timber treatments. Alexander Rose sources its mahogany from Ghana, a country committed to sourcing its timber from well-managed forests.

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Price reduction on this item at Crocus

bearded iris was £6.99 now £4.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to acidic soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May and JuneHardiness: fully hardyDeservedly popular, this variety has traditionally shaped purple-black flowers with standards that reach up and overlap at the top, while the velvety falls curl downwards. They are deliciously scented and have a touch of mustard through the beard. They look mouth-watering perched on top of fans of sword-shaped, grey-green leaves. This tall bearded iris looks stunning planted en masse in a sunny, well-drained border or as part of a cottage-garden scheme.Garden care: Bearded irises prefer full sun and neutral-alkaline soil but if you have acidic or peaty soils you can top dress with lime before planting for good results. Plant shallowly with the upper part of the rhizome sitting on the surface of the soil, incorporating a low nitrogen fertiliser in planting hole. After planting remove the upper-most third of the leaves to protect against wind-rock. In exposed areas stake with bamboo canes in early spring. Divide and replant about every three years.