Today I sowed my first seeds in the new (well rather old actually) greenhouse in my annexed allotment. It's a very characterful greenhouse. It has moss on its frame, and lots of cracked, bowed or completely missing panes of grass. It still does a good job of keeping the rain out and the warmth in though.
I cleaned and oiled the door frame the other day, and it now opens and closes like a young greenhouse.
I've started to put plants in there for overwintering, and today I sowed some medlar seeds. It was a kind of greenhouse inaugeration ritual. The medlars were very interesting. I was rather taken with the smell of the decomposing flesh. It had a musty smell, rather like linseed oil. It reminded me of my art studio. I wonder what type of creature would find this smell appealing enough to eat it. I couldn't really think of one, other than the thing that lives under the greenhouse, and perhaps myself.
That made me wonder if the flesh was actually to aid germination of the seed. So I've done an experiment. I've planted one medlar straight in the pot with the flesh still around the seeds. I've also taken the seeds out of the flesh and planted them separately in compost. It was rather delightful squishing the seeds out of the medlar. I also enjoyed labeling the seed tray with a little tag with medlar written on it. I feel I've established myself as the guardian of the greenhouse.
We'll see what happens...
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