26 March

Fine breezy day, hence dry washing, but it was a bit chilly out there when I was pricking out seedlings: about 70 rudbeckias are now set to grow on in bigger trays. With an eye to giving the seedlings some protection without roasting them in the conservatory, I went out looking for a baby greenhouse that our local garden shop had been plugging. Sold out, alas, but I picked up a couple of cold frames instead, so they ought to do the trick, and they'll be easier to accommodate. Elsewhere in the garden, a couple of Celia's hostas are starting into growth, and will need planting out soon. Lupins bought the year before last are sprouting vigorously, and last year's seedlings aren't looking too bad - even those over-wintered in pots outside. It'll be interesting to see whether we get any echinaceas. I grew a lot from seed last year, and their performance was pretty feeble. Penstemon cuttings have survived - just as well, since I think we have lost one of the parent plants we brought with us from Smith Towers as cuttings in 2007. The moribund plant is in a place where it conflicts with the clothes line, so a replacement in another place was on the cards anyway. The seedling penstemons and achilleas are looking healthy, and the bidens continue their sporadic germination on the kitchen window ledge. And I think we have enough oriental poppy seedlings for us seriously to contemplate a cash crop to rival Afghanistan's!

My new desk chair arrived today, and is now assembled. It's very comfortable, and seems robust. Given the amount of time I spend at the computer, I decided to spend some money and get a professional chair, designed to be used for up to 8 hours a day. I've had so many cheap chairs, from the likes of IKEA, Staples, Ryman and Argos, and none of them stood up to the incredible bulk for long. I took the Ryman one (bought in January) back on Wednesday and got a refund without quibble. I shall take the floppy Argos job (bought on Wednesday!) back tomorrow and see what they have to say.

I came out today with my secret project. For a few weeks at art class I've been working on a copy of a print of which Martyn is fond, but which has faded badly. I noticed this morning that I hadn't hidden my copy away last night when I turned in, so on the (mistaken) assumption that he'd seen it, I thought I'd better come clean. There are a few bits of fiddling I need to do, but I'm hoping to send it off for framing after next Thursday's class. Haven't decided what to tackle next, but a couple of weeks in the Languedoc next month ought to provide inspiration.