I feel I’ve been encouraged from every direction recently to get outside and do something with the garden. What with The Big Allotment Challenge recently shown on the BBC and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week, inspiration seems to be everywhere.

We don’t really have much of a garden, just a little yard and a few flower beds at the front of our cottage, but we decided we wanted to try growing-our-own anyway. There’s a nice sunny stretch of wall down the side of our house so we’ve bought a couple of pots to start with. Strawberries and peas seemed like a good starting point as we thought they’d be easy enough for even complete garden novices (I’ve never really grown anything before, just sunflowers and cress when I was very little!)

We’ve put some netting over the pots to keep out the birds and the local cat population. I could already see a glint in my cat’s eyes which said ‘Ooh brilliant, you’ve bought me a new luxury toilet” so it’s probably best they’re covered. Hopefully they’ll grow nicely – I’ll keep you updated on their progress!

I’ve also been drawing some fruit, veg, and flowers this week. I’ve tried out using watercolours instead of my usual method of adding digital colour. What do you think? I quite like this slightly different style. I’ll be bringing a few prints of them to the Treacle Market on Sunday, which feature the illustrations and also the slogan ‘Let It Grow’.

I might add them to my Etsy or NOTHS shop if they seem popular. What’s your favourite kind of flower? I know it’s quite traditional but I think mine might be the good old Rose.