I often get reflective as a I muddle in the mud. My question - irrevelent really, because it can never happen - but if it could, and I could live my life again, would I be a gardener?
When I'm sowing seeds, cutting back and pruning, the answer is a definite 'yes'. Then I run into couch grass and other serious perennial weeds and I have my doubts.
Gardening is easy when there's stuff you enjoy doing to do. But when it comes to clearing weeds, or it's cold and wet. . .
Ideally, to be gardener of my liking I would have to be independantly wealthy so I could garden when it's fair and have enough time to do it. Not gonna happen anytime soon.
Enough philosophy.
Yesterday, with my 3 year old daughter in tow, I dug up the remainder of potatoes and carrots I'd left in the veg bed from the back end of last year. I dug about 3lb of useable potatoes and a few carrots. I threw away almost as many.
Managed to clear three beds in preparation for the new season.
Also discovered the cold weather has encouraged some unwelcome guests into the veggie beds. Rabbits!
I usually get deer, pheasants and pigeons during the winter. First time for rabbits.
My brussel sprouts fell firstly to cabbage white caterpillars, then what left was consumed by some or all of the above. Insect netting is a priority for this season.
Today I cut back our lemon balm.
A great wadge of trimmings for the shredder, then to make compost.
Behind the lemon balm, I discovered a plant I'd forgotten I had. Couldn't identify it. Just a few shoots peeping out of the soil.
A small piece of rhizome came away with some lemon balm,
so I've potted it up and stuck it in the greenhouse to see what emerges. One of the joys of gardening.
Speaking of the greenhouse. This week has been the first it has been in full sun. Albeit for a short time. Firstly because the sun ain't shining very much, and the days are still quite short.
The inside temperature reached an acceptable 14C.
I've had Heuchera's and Lavender
under cover in here over the winter. Most seem to be in acceptable nick, despite the cold, -9 at times.Can't wait to start seed sowing.
I always start too early, and have to heat the greenhouse to protect the seedlings from frost.
Post winter enthusiasm. Expensive, but the joy of seeing tomatoes, courgettes and peppers makes it worth it.
What must it be like to live in a frost free part of the country. (Sighs!)
