Overgrown!

Back in France now after a month away, and indoors I was pleased to discover that one of my two avocado seeds had produced a root. Outdoors we've discovered just how fast weeds can appear and develop when there's no-one here to take control! The border down the east side of the garden in particular has not looked this overgrown since we first created it. Mostly it seems to have become the home for some very fast-growing vetch - so fast growing that most of the roses and shrubs in the border have disappeared under a carpet of green.

Only the rhubarb stands out from the weeds!

On the positive side, the fruit trees are beginning to show promise; the quince is covered in blossom, as is the central apple tree; the other apple trees have some blossom too, and the medlar is covered with buds. The mulberry is just coming in to leaf, and the citrus fruits have survived the winter. I still worry about the pomegranate, which has already suffered serious wind damage and really needs a stronger support, but we're not sure how to provide one.

I have more or less given up on my hopes of creating an asparagus bed. Of the ten crowns planted in 2010 some never grew at all, and now only two remain alive - and those very weedy shoots are not going to feed anyone! It's my own fault; I didn't check what soil conditions are needed for success, and our old vineyard clay is definitely not what they require. So I've decided that corner will have shrubs planted instead. I've cleared out the weeds and transplanted a single choisya shoot from the front garden; the rest awaits inspiration at the garden centre.

One task which has been needed for a while is the lounger cushions. These were bought some time ago, were quite cheap and backed with a fabric which is beginning to disintegrate. Instead of replacing them I decided to recover them - after all, the foam padding is OK. Now they are resplendent in new striped slip covers which can be removed in the winter for washing. Now we need some time and good weather to relax on them!