I'm not enjoying the cold snaps we've been having. Like fellow painter Liz, my runner beans have been ruined by frost and not one has survived. Luckily I've got a few more in pots behind glass and I'll get those planted out maybe in a few weeks. I've a couple of hanging baskets planted up that are in the greenhouse for the time being, and a few outside tomatoes that are still indoors until I'm pretty certain they too won't get taken by the cold nights. Yet, my strawberry planter is looking lovely with a few fruits and plenty of blossoms. Our 3 grape vines are really springing into life now. This year I really must make Warak Aynab - a Lebanese dish of stuffed vine leaves, delicious. My peas are slow to grow but at least they are alive still as are my pots of sweet peas. Whilst on the subject of gardening, I was recently given the most delightful Burgundy Ice rose bush. It's been sat in a pot on my patio for over a week. Today I found the ideal spot for it, slap bang in the middle of my front lawn. The label says it thrives in most soils and needs an open sunny position - well, that's just what it's got. (It also says it will bloom throughout the Summer - so fingers crossed).
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