My tweezers
are the tool of choice when thinning out seedlings and I keep them handy in an
old tin in the shed. It is great to park
the wheelbarrow and spend half an hour sitting in the comfort of the greenhouse
with some trays of seedlings on my lap and a cuppa at my feet.
Most gardeners
would like to grow on all the seeds that germinate but sacrifices have to be
made. If we reduce overcrowding and select
only the strongest seedlings, the results are far better. So, I always set
about this task positively, knowing I am being cruel to be kind.
This morning
I thinned out trays of Lattuga (Maravilla de Verano Canasta) and Misticanza Di
Radicchi. They are Italian seeds and I
bought them for 50p a packet in the reduced bin at the local garden
centre. I have no idea what they are but
the pictures look ‘lettucy’. I am
hopeful I have a bargain on my hands.
There is a
rhythm to plucking out seedlings which is very soothing. As I worked up and down the trays this
morning, I could feel the warmth of the sunshine on my back and there was sound
coming from every corner of the garden - and beyond. Sometimes, as gardeners we get lost in the riot
of colour and texture or the hurriedness of our work and we forget to listen to
our gardens.
The hens
chirruped softly to one another, with just the occasional squawk from Ginger to warn
the others that a cat was prowling in the long grass. Pigeons cooed lovingly, there was a bird I
could not identify, who rattled his call across the valley and all the time there was a gentle soundtrack of cars
swishing on the distant main road. I was startled when a bumble bee buzzed and tapped a window
pane rather crossly, as he looked for the way out and calmed by a
child laughing from the other side of the hedge. I could have stayed in my little sanctuary all
day but with the trays finished and my mug empty, it was time to get back to the real work. But it was good while it lasted.
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