Chocolate gardening

Sounds like a Viz euphemism for something not sanctioned by the Vatican, but no.

This afternoon, to ward off incipient daylight saving depression, we planted some tulips (many colours) and some narcissi (white) in our newly beshrubbed front garden.

Then mulched the whole lot with amazing Sunshine of Africa cocoa shell mulch.

It's organic. It's a by-product of the cocoa industry. It helps the soil retain water (much needed out the front of our house). It adds nutrients. It looks much prettier than bark (too municipal), gravel (why have a garden?) or slate (ok for minimalist urban but not edwardian terrace).

And, unlike manure, it smells of chocolate. Really quite a lot like chocolate.

I am very impressed with myself.

joella