One week on since planting my first seeds of Spring, I’m discovering that gardening requires a lot of patience, and a lot of belief. While I knew that nothing was going to spring up overnight, there is still a certain anti-climax felt when watering brown, mucky compost. But I’m using this time usefully, doing research on watering techniques and getting ready for the next stage of the cycle. I’ve enjoyed following the progress of everyone on r/gardening, who also gave me some tips on my own small garden.

GrandmaGos replied to me with “Your wee pots look lost next to the fence, and are being shaded by it. Put them up higher, on blocks or a stand or a table or something, because ergonomics (your back will thank you), and put them out in the middle of the yard. Plant pots aren’t furniture that you have to shove back against the walls. Plants in pots always get dibs on the brightest sunlight going, and if that means they have to sit right out in the middle of the yard, then so be it.

All plant containers must have holes in the bottom for drainage, so if your coffee cup doesn’t have holes punched in it, get in there with a pencil from underneath.”

So I heeded her advice, got myself a sharp stick, and prodded some holes in the bottom of my takeaway Greggs cup, as so:

I’ve noticed the water dripping down at the moment soon after, so I guess they’re doing the job. I’m thinking of doing another takeaway cup soon, maybe with some tomatoes, and get them started off on my windsill!

I was also told about moving my pots into the center of the garden, an easy job which I did pretty much as soon as I read the message. Here goes:

You’d have noticed too that it’s also the season for putting out the wet washing! I’ve tried to keep my pots out the way of that just in case something falls off or it causes unwanted shadow! These photos were also taken early in the morning, so the sun is not yet at its peak, meaning only the carrots at the moment are getting any sunlight.

I’m going to start tracking the sun as the day goes to hopefully find where is getting the most sun, and move everything there. But so far, so good, and any more help will be thoroughly appreciated!

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