FelixLeiter wrote: What sort are you growing, Richard? The pot marigold (Caldendula) is hardy and seeds itself, but the tender ones are French and African (Tagetes). These need bringing on under glass. They readily tend towards purple if they get too cold,.
I'm growing both Felix, I didn't know which to choose and both are mentioned for complimentary-planting. Certainly the pot marigold sprouted more quickly and looked more healthy than Tagetes.
After just 24 hours in a new compost mix Tagetes is now looking better.
I just checked my broad-bean plants last night, all looking healthy, roots filling the pots to the point they need to go in the ground but I noticed that one of them had half a leaf nibbled-away. I did a big search for slug but didn't find any.
It's started, time to get the armaments out.
Oh-yes, the sea-buckthorn looks as if it's happy with lots of buds sprouting and it's already acting to slow the wind down because I close-planted. Sometimes four plants to the metre and at least three. Each bare-root plant was at least two foot high above the soil level then each plant has one or two canes helping to support it. Most definitely slowing the 20 knots plus southerly wind (We have forecasts for 45 knots gust-speeds) down this morning and helping to protect my garlic and onion some of which are nine inches high.