David's Blog

Preparing for 2008 - Part 3

Posted on 8 Jan, 2008 0 comments

Work progresses well on this year’s Oz garden, with the online search for Oz-related plant names producing many surprises. While the major seed retailers can provide a few, it is the small, indepedent nurseries who carry the real jewels (emeralds and rubies, in our case), which, I thought, would be nigh impossible to find here in the Uk. in particular, at this moment, I would like to mention nickys-nursery.co.uk, sarahraven.com, and alanromans.com, for making it possible to obtain many of the seeds we are looking for. Alan Roman is famous as a potato expert and a regular writer on the subject in many publications. He is located very close to my home (same postcode) but I do not even know where he is, because he sells only online. He also sells many varieties of veg and flower seeds at only 50p/pkt and can source from Thompson& Morgan). Thus, I know that I have supported a local business in my small way, and saved many journey miles.The plan for this year’s garden is also in mind, allowing that our Scarecrow’s sweetcorn field can’t be in the same place as last year, due to the need for crop rotation, so we are all learning more at every step. In a lighter vein, I admit to buying today 2 pairs of thick tights – not for me to wear under my jeans while attempting to begin the garden at this time of year – but for the Wicked Witches. One pair is the traditional black and white stripes for the deceased Witch of the East, and the other is multi-coloured rainbow striped, for the Witch of the West (who will appear this year). Oh dear, the embarrassment I endure for the sake of “art” and “love” (of the kids) – and all for £1 each

p.s. Jan 11th. The order from Nicky’s Nursery arrived today. It
includes the dwarf sunflower “Munchkin” and leek “Tornado”.