My first Globe Artichokes

I hadn't been to the allotment since last Thursday and there wasn't a sign of an artichoke then, so today I was excited and amazed to find lot's of little artichokes popping up on the plants that only got sown and grown this year. I can't wait to cut them and cook them.

Aren't they amazing plants ? I love them and need to find a recipe to pickle the hearts in oil and herbs.

I also have lot's of fruits on the cape gooseberry.

And the chillies are doing well.

Lots more potatoes and garlic

Runner beans are forming and there seems to be two different varieties, so I must have sown the ones with the white flower by mistake. I've no idea what they are.

French beans are forming as well. I have 'Fasold' and 'Blue Lake' and another mistake that's got sown which I think a neighbour gave me seeds from her dark bean crop last year. They look beautiful I can't wait to try them.

There are loads of flowers and still more to come such as the 'Astor's' the bees and hover-flies are loving the plot at the moment and the Cosmos and Lavender are a favourite.

The 'Echinacea' grown from seed last year are doing exceptionally well. So all in all the visit today was really worthwhile as it's all looking productive and pretty.

The Dahlias are in at last.

Do you remember my Dahlias that I grew from seed ? well today I planted some of them out in the cutting bed on the allotment. Now I can't wait to see them flower. I grew 70 plants, and lost about 5 to the frosts in the cold greenhouse. I gave lots away to family and lottie neighbours and still have many more for myself.

I grew 2 varieties: Disco Dancer -mixed, and Fireworks -mixed

Dahlias starting out.

Three views of the bed the Dahlias are in.

In this bed are Cosmos,'Sonata Dwarf mixed' , Echinacea, 'Pink Parasol' , Cornflower, 'Polka Dot mixed', Dahlias (as above), Cerinthe major, and Atriplex hortensis var. Rubra which is really a herb, but a very beautiful plant, the colour is fabulous. I bought one at the Hampton Court flower show last year and it self seeded dozens of little new plants for free !! (see photo below)

Dahlia seedlings

A few weeks ago I bought a little triple, windowsill propagator that was reduced by £5 because one of the lids was cracked. Luckily I had a spare lid that fitted at home, so it was a bargain !

Anyway, on Monday I planted some flower seeds in it. I sowed -Dahlia "Disco Dancer",
Dahlia "Fireworks Mixed " and Echinacea ,"Pink Parasol", I was amazed to see that the Dahlias are up already, I couldn't stop peeking at them. I have never grown Dahlias before, but as they are a traditional allotment flower, I thought I would have a go at growing them from seed.

As always I have grown far too many, so goodness knows where I will put all these plants when they need potting on. I am waiting for the Echinacea to appear now, these are for my garden.

I also had Some purple sprouting broccoli seeds " Rudolph" in the post today from Anna over at "greentapestry" she kindly shared her packet with me. So a big thank you to Anna. As I said before in another post, Bloggers are the loveliest people.

It's been a lovely spring like day today, but I didn't do any gardening or go to the lottie, as I was busy sewing ( the Pooh Bear embroidery) and doing housework. I may go up on Sunday if the weather is fine and see how the ground is as I would like to dig a trench for my beans. So I might just have an allotment post next week.