Bulbs, herbs and plans

We're well into the new year and this is my first post for 2011! Where has the time gone? Even though I've been a bit quiet we haven't been neglecting Cowick Garden. Yes it's still cold and grim but it's time to prepare for spring. And the garden is getting ready for spring too. It's been unusually mild for this time of the year and we've noticed quite a few bulbs peering through the soil. Being the novice gardener I'm not exactly sure what bulbs they are but there are some lovely green shoots poking up through the soil around the fuscia near the kitchen.

This weekend we decided to get some herbs on the go for the windowsill in the kitchen so we planted some sweet basil, some chives, lettuce leaves and some wild rocket. Apparently basil can germinate within a week, chives within 2 - 3 weeks, and salad leaves and rocket within a few days. Covering pots of basil with some cling film keeps the compost damp and thus speeds up germination. We already have some rosemary on the window sill although he's not looking very healthy or happy. Maybe the company of some other herbs might help. The window sill is full of pots now so let's hope he likes the new company. There's not space for much else on there though it would be nice to find some space for a little chili plant... have to have a chili plant somewhere. ;)

In November we bought some hyacinth, tulip and crocus bulbs but never got around to planting them so last weekend - much later than we really should - we planted them in some pots which we're hoping to dot around the garden when they flower. Hopefully we haven't planted them too late and they will still grow. Fingers crossed!

I also got the garden planner out last weekend and we've decided on the vegetables we're going to grow this year. So, on the list so far we have:

Tomatoes, of course,  but a few different varieties. Last year we only grew cherry tomatoes but this year we'd like to have a go at some larger varieties.
Garlic 
Spring onion. Spring onion is relatively trouble-free and doesn't have any diseases or pests. As soon as we found that out we thought, yup, that one goes on the list!
Beetroots were very easy to grow last year and were also trouble-free so they went on the list.
Peas. They weren't a big success last year and withered up after the first harvest. Not sure what happened there but well worth another try.
Parsnips (Mmm yummy parsnip soup)
Potatoes
Strawberries for the hanging basket

Quite a list but not as long as last year's list - well almost as long!