Escape

Things are growing so fast now! Bursting into life with an unstoppable vigour.

My tomato seedlings have moved house into larger pots as they now have two pairs of true leaves and were jostling for space. From here they'll go into their final positions - grow bags or larger pots. All seven seeds have germinated - a hundred per cent success rate. As l only need three at the most l'm not sure what to do with the others.

Still no olive plants, or blue poppies. Patience is a valuable attribute when you grow your own. The poppies are going through their two week 'cold spell' in the fridge, but l check them every day.

The night-scented stock and white flowered annuals are sprouting like mustard and cress. A lovely surprise, as they had been languishing in their packets for a very long time - two or three years - and l thought they'd be dried up and useless by now. lt's remarkable how such tiny brown specks can evolve into living plants, full of scent and colour to delight us all through the summer.

My latest acquisition is a blackcurrant bush. l have visions of blackcurrant ice cream, apple and blackcurrant pie, blackcurrant jam ... but sadly l won't get any of these this year as it doesn't bear fruit until it's two, and even then l suspect the crop won't be huge. lt's an unpromising twig now, less than a foot tall, and apart from a miniscule green shoot it gives the impression of being dead! l was reading up about their cultivation yesterday, and l definitely do not like the sound of 'Currant Fly'.

Lily of the Valley are pushing reddish/brown shoots like little spears, through the earth. lt spreads like mad, and never seems to need feeding.

The wood spurge is in full flower. The blooms are a beautiful lime green shade and contrasts wonderfully with the dark maroon leaves. l'm tempted to take some cuttings later in the season, but l'm wary of the milky sap which can irritate the skin. l might take the risk - wearing gloves.