It was a bit of an impulse. We thought we'd finished going around to local plant nurseries for the season, that everything was planted that we meant to have done. But then, gardeners are never finished. There's always a little nudge inside that informs, no, there's a bare spot that calls out to be filled. And no, there's a place that needs a little extra colour and texture. So why not respond?

Yesterday was cool and overcast, perfect for planting. And for doing the odd chore in the garden, as well. All gardens require a little bit of tidying up, cutting back; from branches of shrubs and ornamental trees that haven't come back over winter, to dead-heading flowers to encourage the bloom of follow-ups. And of course, tying things up that grow on the vertical, just to give them a little help.

Off we went to one of our fairly local growers, one whose stock is always in great shape, and coincidentally they also ensure that when that stock is sold it's at premium price. And even at that their guarantee is nothing like other garden centres; a mere three months, not the usual year. But it's been a favourite for decades, so that is where we decided to go.

Of course since we'd already done the bulk of our spring plant purchases, it would only be for a few add-ons. Truth to tell, we went more for the pleasure of moseying about in their greenhouses than actually intending to buy much of anything. Never know what you'll see there since they do have many specimens not seen elsewhere.

We ambled about in a light shower, with dark clouds overhead informing us that much more was yet to come in the hours to follow. We ended up buying only a flat of burnt-orange gazania and another flat of bright red zinnias, along with a new hybrid petunia with a buttery-pink flower that fascinated my husband. There was a lot more we might have succumbed to, but didn't. We just have so much of pretty well everything. And we still have to give the seeds I'd planted weeks ago time to present themselves from their currently timid seedling state.

Still, it was fun, and it was fun as well, planting them here and there wherever fancy took. It also gave Jackie and Jillie the opportunity to race madly around the front lawn to their dark little hearts' content.