Cougettes, Coleus and Rudbeckia seed sown

Rudbeckia planted out

I was a bit unsure about planting out the rudbeckia during a heatwave, but was also afraid they would begin to suffer if I waited much longer.

I also cut back the oxalis.

Hardening off commenced

Good weather is forecast for the next few days so a good opportunity to start hardening  off.

Rudbeckia and Coleus potted up

Rudbeckia seed sown

Rudbeckia and Gaillardia sown

The gardening year starts here!

Rudbeckia potted up

Sweet William and Rudbeckia update

From seed sown on 05 April.

Sweet William, Pennisetum and Rudbeckia sown

Only a couple of the sweet william sown on  19 March have germinated, and none of the rudbeckia sown the same day have come up (all of which were seeds saved from last year), so  I've sown some more. I also sowed some pennisetum seed that I saved when I cut the pennisetum back on 15 March - no new growth showing yet).

Courgette, Sweet Wiiliam and Rudbeckia sown

Rudbeckia seed sown

Sowed some seed that I collected from last year's plants.

Rudbeckia update

Sown on 15 February.

First seeds of season sown

I sowed some red rudbeckia seed today.

More Rudbeckia seed sown

I decided to sow some more Rudbeckia as only 3 (possibly 4) of those I sowed on 1st April have come up.

Rudbeckia sown

Sowed red Rubdeckia seed.

Lawn bed planted up

This year I bought some begonias and pelargoniums (sold as geraniums), as I couldn't get any phlox or asters to germinate. I also planted out rudbeckia, antirrhinum and cornflowers which I grew from seed.

First sowing of the season

Yesterday was my traditional first seed-sowing day of the year, so I sowed some tomatoes (using the same packets of seed as for the last 3 years or so, so varieties are Marmande, Gardener's Delight and Moneymaker).

I also sowed the seed I saved last year from the white polyanthus (which have all since died), and some marigold and rudbeckia, all of which also came from plants I grew last year.

I hereby declare this year's gardening season open!

Rudbeckia potted up

Lupins

The lupins have gone to seed. The problem with them is that they have become large and are overshadowing the rudbeckia and marigolds (the fact that the wisteria throws shade over the flower bed doesn't help). I have cut back the lupins, and I'm thinking of digging them out in the autumn.

The lawn is very dry as we haven't had significant rain for weeks.

Phlox and rudbeckia potted up

Phlox in the square pots, rudbeckia in the round ones (I potted up more than are shown here).