So, despite the rain and the cold and the slugs… the beans are in. As are the tomatoes, florence fennel, courgettes, squashes and lettuces. Also more lettuces and a new row of celery, courtesy of my friend Julia. In fact, there are now precious few spaces for anything more to be planted. Amazing how fast the ground becomes filled. I always underestimate the eventual spread.

A surprise new addition has been a lovely present from Rosie Rose in Spain – from her wonderful secret garden which includes 100 different tomato plants, mostly heritage varieties! It looks like a delicate miniature pink agapanthus, smells pungently like a cross between wild garlic and pongy onions and will, I hope, take comfortably to its new home alongside the red sorrel.

Rosie’s huerto includes a fabulous ancient olive tree around which she and Paul have planted a delicious little garden. If it had been exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show it would certainly have won Gold!