New bed

In my last post from the allotment, I mentioned digging a new bed. Well I decided to make it into a hotchpotch bed of chillis, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce and beetroot. I was thinking, since it's so hot at the moment, the chillis may do quite well, and like a good sunny site like the tomatoes. The tomatoes are a bush variety with small cherry sized fruits that are in flower already, they were donated from my mum who planted enough seed to supply the south of England with tomatoes for a week! At the back of this bed I have planted 9 cauliflower seedlings. I've never grown brassica before, so this will be a real test for me, I've read they can be a bit of a labour of love due to their long growing season, they need lots of tlc. They are well netted so fingers crossed they will do ok.

..and the month of May flaps it's glad green leaves

"And the May month flaps its glad green leaves like wings,

Delicate-filmed as new-spun silk"

Thomas Hardy, Afterwards

Despite not being May, everywhere in the garden I see glad green leaves, with the sun shining through like tissue paper parasols, it really lifts the spirit. My peas are showing dark shadows in their pods, promising their sweet little explosions of summer. My broad beans are now hanging down under the weight of fat beans inside. Ruby red and fresh green lettuce leaves flutter exuberantly in the breeze, like petticoats. Then if you look closely you will see small flowers appearing, on potatoes, cucumber, courgette, tomatoes and more, teasingly promising their swelled future selves. I think July will be a month of enjoying the garden and it's spoils, interspersed with a lot of watering!

Some changes afoot

I've decided to start a couple of new blogs, one for my family life and another for my arts interests. This blog will remain exclusively about my gardening adventures, from the allotment to eating the spoils. This way I can concentrate exclusively to each subject.

In the meantime, let's pray for some rain!

Endive

Sadly my choices of lettuce have been a bit lacklustre this year. My cut and come again, and Franchi varieties have turned out surprisingly similar, and I've been left lacking any crunch or tang. I think i'll have to get some endive seeds. I've just bought some romaine seeds but am thinking it will be a fair while before they are mature for picking.

Today I have...picked fruit and visited a country fair

Gone fruit picking for the first time this year. I'm very chuffed to have beaten the crowds and got my sticky fingers on some gooseberries, and of course I couldn't leave without a trug of strawberries too. When we got home, I quickly knocked up a beautiful (if I don't mind saying so myself!!) gooseberry fool, by steeping the said berries in a little water and a good generous couple of handfulls of my vanilla sugar, and a large elderflower head then left to cool. I whipped up a carton of cream from our local Northiam dairy, to soft peaks then gently folded in the syrup. Topped off with some lightly crushed strawbs. Delish.

Later in the afternoon, the family went to Goudhurst fete, on top of a vertiginous hill overlooking the weald, with voluminous clouds all around, threatening rain, but fortunately delivering none. It was a quintessentially English affair, with coconut shy, tombola, dog show and carnival wind up organ. Due to our late arrival, most stalls were packing up shop, but not so late that Hugh couldn't go nuts on the bouncy castle with a troop of young girls and Mike take the obligitory and embarrassing turn at trying to upend a coconut (only to be showed up by an under ten who neatly demonstrated a hatrick in fine style).

A day which felt strangely satisfyingly successful as a family day out. Finished off with one of my favourite dinners that always goes down well with the kids, squid linguine. Aaaah. :)

Plot update

Left: I have added two rows of potatoes in between the raspberries, beyond that I have roughly dug a new bed, not sure what for yet! past that is my 3 sisters bed, beans squash and sweetcorn.

Right: Broccoli has been netted

Looking from the back of the plot (from someone's overgrown site)

From back to front on the left: Broad beans, peas, franchi beans, dwarf beans, berlotti beans.

This is my kiddy area, originally I had a bed dug here just for Hugh, but I've moved that elsewhere now. I've planted some salad crops, carrots and beetroot, and since put tomatoes at the back (not shown here)

Can't wait for it to look a lot greener than it does now, and for all my wildflowers to grow - if it's even a smidgeon of what dad's plot looked like I will be happy :)

Dad's plot

Mum has been saying for a while now, that I should go to her and dad's allotment and look at the flowers. About a week before dad died (bearing in mind he was in sound mind and full health as far as we knew) he sprinkled wild flower seed everywhere. This seems particularly poignant in retrospect, since his plot is now like a living memorial. I knew I would find it a little upsetting as it would be beautiful, and it was, I felt sad and proud in equal measure. Slightly sad as he kept his plot immaculately and now it's a little shabby and wild, it's like nature has taken him back. It is beautiful, but he never got to see it, it's was his last masterstroke.

A break through?

It was only at the weekend I realised it had been ages since Hugh had thrown a full blown tantrum, could it be true that he's finally got past the worst of the 'terrible two's'? If yes it will be a huge relief. I went through a period of desperation a few months back when everything I said was met with resistance, and with Freyja being too young to understand anything I felt really useless and wondered when it would ever get better. Thank goodness it has, and I can honestly say they are become a delight, rather than a chore to look after. I'm hoping that Freyja will not suffer with the TT so much as Hugh has, I have high hopes as her language skills are way ahead of Hugh's at the same age. Freyja is now almost parroting most words that I say which is lovely as I recall my frustration and worry when Hugh didn't barely utter a word until nearly 2 years old.

Picking Bounty

Got down the allotment today for a sizeable chunk of time, about 4 hours, but didn't get much done apart from prepare one new bed, it's quite exciting though as it's the only bit of the allotment I haven't really planned for. So I could put anything there, it's like being given a blank sheet of paper again, there is something more pleasing in that than carrying out steps on a long preconceived scheme. One part of it is actually set aside as a garden for Hugh, he can do what he likes there, probably just dig with his toys knowing him, but I'm going to try and encourage him to grow something there.

It's next to the kids bean shelter, so should tie in well with that area. Around the edge I've scattered some wild flower seeds, and there's a giant sunflower growing well (in shot).

I was also pleased to be able to leave with a small bounty, two lettuces and a handfull of broad bean pod which I will cook up tomorrow.

Chelsea chop

I just wanted to add a note that I employed the Chelsea chop in my garden this year, everything is looking a bit bare and stark now as a result, but want to keep track of progress to see if I get a better show of perennial flowers and annuals, which normally go all floppy in my bed by the time July arrives!

Things to do on the plot

Plant the last bag of main crop potatoes (very late, but they may as well go in between the raspberries)

Net everything, need to take a saw to chop up some wood stakes and bottle tops to stop the net from sliding down.

Plant chard, spinach and lettuce

Prepare a new salad/herb bed and area for Hugh's garden

Note to self about watering

I keep reading about this tip, and forgetting to apply it to my plot, stick in some empty flower pots around the plants, so when watering, the water is delivered down to the roots, not just to the surface of the plant.

Broad beans and peas setting

I'm very excited, everything is really coming on apace in my small veg plot in the garden. See our peas and broad beans are setting, feels like only a week since they flowered, so the rain has accelerated their progress:

Elderflower Cordial

I noticed that the Elderflowers are now out in our area. I'm going to make some cordial this year. Found this recipe on the allotment.org forum:


Tastes like summer!

You'll need:

A kilo of sugar; a zested, sliced and diced lemon; citric acid or more lemon; 2 litres of hot water; sterile bottles; muslin; about 20 elderflower bracts, sorted for insects but not washed!

Dissolve the sugar in the boiled water, add the lemon, stir thoroughly, add the elderflowers.  

Cover with cloth, leave for 3-4 days in a cool place, stirring 2x daily.

Strain through the muslin.

Bottle and refrigerate, or freeze. 

Will keep for about 6 months in the bottle, or ages in the freezer.  Lovely in summertime with fizzy or plain water as a cooling drink, or in winter with hot water

House Viewing #5

Ok so we've only had 4 viewing in 6/7 weeks, and I'm already a bit fed up with it all. Apparently this is quite good going, but since last week we dropped 10k off the price and still not much action. Strange corrolation between me ringing the agent for a progress update, and the fact they call about 30mins later with an appointment. Perhaps I need to be ringing them every day to stick a poker up there bum to drum up some interest? Anyway, after my most recent attempt, we have a viewing tomorrow. Fingers crossed they will at least be slightly interested and put in an offer. Time to bring out the Feng shui tips!!

Oh my

I was just checking my blog list and chanced upon Elspeth Thompson's page, I was horrified to find she'd taken her own life in April. It's such a shock, I think we all feel we know someone when we read into people's lives. She was a fantastic writer and fanatical writer, what a talent cut short. I feel so much for her daughter, how sad. Her obituary is in the Telegraph. I shall feel strange when I see her book by my bed tonight.

Lunch out for the parents

Mike and I were lucky enough to get out for lunch today at Apicius in Cranbrook. We often try to push the boat out for birthdays and anniversaries as we both used to eat out a lot when we were 'courting' well, before the sprogs arrived anyway and made it more difficult to do so. There's a bit of a growing list of venues I'd like to visit before we move south, but to be honest we are not exactly spoilt for choice in Kent when it comes to top notch restaurants. Fortunately we did visit one today though! Apicius received a good couple of reviews online, and my better half was particularly drawn to a review of a pork dish served here, which he duly ordered and did not disappoint.

Mike and I always try to tag team when it comes to ordering, so we can sample the widest range on offer! I was tempted by the pork, but since it was his birthday lunch, I backed down in favour of the sea bass. I don't often opt for fish either as it always leaves me feel slightly cheated, but that's a personal thing as I think you can do so much more with meat, whereas fish is best treated simply. I guess I feel ordering meat justifies the price and show of skill of behalf of the chef. Anyway today I am ordering fish because my expanding waistline needs expanding no further, but I must say I fell down on dessert (details later) To start I opted for a jelly of guinea fowl, chanterelles, candied orange and pistachio with salad leaves. It was basically a light and fresh spring terrine, with a soft texture reminiscent of the victorian's take on a savoury jelly. It had a pleasant gaminess without the rich punch you might find in a wintery pate, cleverly offset with the tart candied orange that cleansed the palate. I washed this down with a glass of Riesling, primarily chosed for my main course, but it suited perfectly well. Mike chose the veal sweetbreads, with celeriac puree, very simply described on the menu, but came surprisingly breaded and deep fried. I think this was a pleasant contrast of texture, as had they not been , the softness may have become cloying with the rich puree. The flavour was smooth and satisfyingly meaty without being over offaly, the portion generous too.

Despite the fact we chose Cranbrook's Family fun day to eat, the restaurant was only half full, and with only 9 tables, I suppose that's pretty quiet. There was a pleasant patter of chat and an easy ambience to the place, and the service friendly and well timed between courses. So after a short wait and time to digest our starters, the mains arrived in timely fashion. My seabass was a little on the small side, but perfectly cooked, aside from a small criticism, if you include the skin, it should be crispy not wet. The flavours complemented perfectly, the crushed new potatoes were lifted with a little vanilla  oil, the cherry tomatoes perfectly tart and sweet in equal measure and the fennel beautifully braised. Mike's pork dish was very good, but did not quite meet to incredibly florid and complimentary review given by the Arbuturian. The small portion I tried seemed quite rustic in flavour, smoky with paprika but tender and slow cooked. The croquette was expertly crisp and beautifully formed, but I did wonder whether the contents justified the difference in treatment, just more shredded pork? Perhaps this should have been sausage meat or something like a crispy pig's ear? Anyway this does sound quite critical as overall the dish appeared well balanced and executed to a high standard.

The high point for me was dessert, I had to have the chocolate fondant as I'd been so virtuous up till then! What a superb fondant it was too, perfectly cooked, sumptiously rich with an oozing unctious centre, flanked by a refreshing vanilla icecream, and a shot of the most concentrated raspberry drink I have ever experienced. Lovely! Mike had the coffee panna cotta with mint tea, and Baileys icecream, equally good.

Overall I think it was a fantastic lunch, the high points being the dessert for me, and perhaps Mike's starter for surprise factor. We'll definitely be considering going back one day, as the owners were so friendly, it would be rude not to!

Peony Sarah Bernhardt

My Peony is up and in action, not sure whether it will flower this year, but any growth is progress in my opinion

Finnish artwork

Found a lovely website from a Finnish Illustrator and Photographer called Krista Keltanen, she also has a beautiful blog with washed out photos of nature/children. Her shop is at Etsy.

Sultry day

Had a pretty lovely day today really. Spent the morning with the kids in the garden, they stripped off and splashed around in the paddling pool, whilst we mooched around drinking coffee enjoying the fact we could do so at 9am in the garden without shivering. After lunch we went to a couple of local pubs, which is something we rarely do, and should do more because I always really enjoy it! I was surprised how deserted they were, in fact I'm always a bit perplexed where people go in my area when the sun shines, down rabbit holes perhaps? I shouldn't complain as I'm usually trying to escape crowds.

Down to the fact I'd let Mike have a couple of pints while I drove, he suggested I go to the allotment after dinner. He never suggests this unless I've done something good! So I went and planted some of my home grown sweetcorn (in my squash and sweetcorn bed, as the Mexican's recommend), scattered wild flower and marigold seed around there too. I finished off the dwarf been row, and planted some asparagus peas at the end, not many, maybe four plants, just as an experiment to see what they are like. I have to say they were incredibly hard to germinate, so it will be interesting to see if they turn out to be good plants. Last of all I planted the first of my berlotti beans, I have some more coming up at the moment, but thought I'd get the first lot in to give them a head start. I must say I feel incredibly proud of the progress I've made in the last few weeks. About a month ago I was wondering if it was all worth it as the thistles threatened to take over! but now, I think yes when I look around I just know in a few weeks time it will all be taking off and looking fab.

 

Chard, onions, parsnips

Dwarf French beans (bought from Orchard farm shop)

Sweetcorn -Franchi collection, MAIS SWEETCORN ZUCCHERINO 

A slightly dusky pic of the plot as I left

I also earthed up potatoes, watered everything, especially the broad beans, still trying to revive them after the blackfly infestation. Progress in general is good, all but one asparagus crown is now growing; comfrey settling in; parsnips thickening up; peas and planted french beans coming up; wildflower seeds around shelter have germinated; squash and courgette getting established. Broccoli and cavalo nero have been eated probably by slugs.

Arts Hut Herstmonceux

For a while now, I've been passing this relatively new gallery in Herstmonceux (where I grew up). It was previously a sweet factory owned by one of my sister's friends, and a beautiful building which I've always looked at and thought 'ooh what a great shop/studio space'. Looks like someone else thought so too! as that's now what it is. I feel sad and happy this has been taken over for this reason, in equal measure. Sad that I didn't get around to it, and pleased someone has made a good use of the building without it having to become another estate agents of empty cafe.

Anyway, the lady who owns it is exhibiting as part of the South East open studios for artists project. Check our her blog here and website here. The also house a graphic design studio called the Electric Pencil where I found this great designer and illustrator, Nina Peterson

Country Fairs

One of the dreams I had when living in town, was visiting the many country fairs that spring up at this time of year. It's just not feasable to pop down to one from London without quite a bit of planning, also you just don't get to know about them, unless invited by a friend, as many only advertise locally. You might get lucky from a mention in the Guardian days out guide, but it doesn't happen often. So to pop to one locally is a real treat, to sample some great local food and watch a dog show.

Unfortunately the Kilndown Bank Holiday Music Festival was a total washout this year, so I'm hoping the weather will hold out for these little gems.

For the past couple of years, Lamberhurst has run a country fair in aid of the Bonfire Society which kindly puts on a show for free in November. This is the first year we are able to attend, and I'm very excited!

I'm also keen to get a visit to the Wealden Times Midsummer Fair, which I've also missed each year up till now. It's actually next weekend, so I should get my tickets soon.

And the Goudhurst country fete looks lovely, especially as they do maypole dancing which is fantastic (a big fan as I used to do this at my primary, Maynards Green)

That's it for now, but there is also the Lamberhurst School fair at the end of June, and many more coming in July I'm sure, I'll keep you posted.

The Big Lunch

I love this idea, basically a campaign started by a chap who runs the Eden project, who would like us to visit parks, or close a street and have a party with your neighbours. Everyone chips in and gets to know one another. I wish our local council wasn't so stuffy about this sort of thing, as it would be great to have a party on the Down which never gets used for anything.

Discover artists in and around Bewl

The open studios is on again. Some great trails to follow,might do this weekend!

TW Photo Walk

I've just stumbled upon an event in which a group of people, no knowing each other gather to have a walk around Tunbridge Wells with their old fashioned film cameras, taking pics which then get entered into an exhibition in which you could win a prize. Great idea, I'm going to have a go.

http://twuttle.com/2010/05/12/film-photowalk/comment-page-1/#comment-181

More digging by moonlight

I'm starting to enjoy my late nights down on the plot, the sun drops over the trees, the earth turns pink in the late evening light and the moon rises above a low lying mist in the meadow....like a scene from Tess of the Durbyvilles. Tonight I prepared a new bed tacked on to the end of the roots bed, I was all set to add more carrots and snips, but when I opened my allotment bag, I noticed that Hugh had emptied all the seeds to the bottom in one mixed up mess! oh dear. I managed to salvage something, which looked like more chard I think, I'm not really sure, but I stuck it in anyway. I made up the rest of the area with cornflower seedlings and cavalo nero plants. At the back I stuck in a couple of globe artichokes, and in my squash area, there is now a new butternut squash plant. I found a great selection of veg at the Orchard Farm Shop on the A21( that's where I found the artichokes. All the seedlings look vibrant and healthy, and there are some unusual varieties too, I was quite tempted to pick up some black potato plants! I found a red gooseberry plant, a dessert variety, to replace my recently deceased one, I'm not sure whether to plant it in the same place as the old one, or find somewhere new?

Tonight on the plot I have:
Planted broccoli in place of the rotten potatoes
Planted Butternut squash, and two other squashes (mixed Italian varieties)
Planted Cavalo Nero
Planted Sunflowers
Planted Cornflowers and some mixed wild flowers

Sowed rocket

Weeded and watered

...and at home...

I planted out the courgettes into the half barrel tub, and the yellow beans (italian variety) too. Lettuce has gone in the potager, along with marigold and basil. Planted more berlotti beans, penstumen and dill

First casualties

Ok so I think I lost my gooseberry bush. I decided to dig it up and do some diagnostics. To be honest there wasn't much to see, apart from one wireworm, which I have been aware of on the plot, but wasn't sure whether it could do that much damage. I've removed the bush and stuck it in a pot at home and will see if I can revive it for next year.

Next problem, all my first earlies (pentlan javelin) have rotted, I thought they were taking a long time to come up, so check a few, then the rest, they were all rotten and smelly. Not sure why but have dug them out and now have a space there. I might grow spinach there as I don't think that will be affected by blight or any potato disease. So now I only have two very small rows of spuds. A bit upsetting actually as I was looking forward to fresh new pots soon! ...and some gooseberries for pudding :(

On a plus note, my asparagus has just started to push up, so next year I will be able to cut it!!

Toady

Saw a little toad on the plot today, it was hopping around my beans! Haven't seen a toad since I was a very small child, surely a good sign? this year is turning into a nature spotters dream after my sighting of a great crested newt in the garden last month.

Living shelter

Back in March I talked about having a living willow arbour or chair for the kids. This wasn't possible this year, as it was a bit beyond my budget and I wasn't sure how long we'd be in the area, so I didn't want to buy something I might not be able to take with me. As I haven't yet got around to making a seating area on the plot, I've instead erected a slightly shambolic lean-to for trailing runner beans. I don't actually like eating runner beans that much but they are reliable climbers, so I'm using them in an ornamental way, no doubt I'll end up eating some beans too! I also threw in some sweet peas I had left over from home and some wildflower seed around the edge. This area isn't dug particularly well, so I'll have to keep pulling thistles as they come up. I also added a small patch of alpine strawberries that I want to naturalise.

Busy busy bee, that's me!

Today we went from this

To this

Perfect colour combinations

Some lovely ideas from Fennel and Fern

Fashion fix

 know my blog is mainly about the garden, allotment and my family but there are just so many more aspects to me than I really express here. Since having children, most of my creativity has been chanelled into gardening, home keeping, cooking and crafts. Yet it has to be said sometimes I yearn to be cool again! I once (not so long ago) was a designer in London, wearing the height of fashion, frequenting cool bars and clubs and generally swanning around thinking I was the bees knees. Now that might sound very pretentious and it was, but hell did I enjoy it and it doesn't mean I don't miss it a little. Having spent a good 15 years living in various cities, travelling and working left me for a deep yearning to return to the country and be a bit of a bumpkin, but I'm not acting it out, it truly is an integral part of my being. Enough of the philosophising, the main point of this post is my deep depression of the state of my wardrobe, which was once my pride and joy. These days I have even taken to borrowing some of my mums cardis in the winter as this house gets so cold sometimes, which could be chic in a kind of vintage knits way, but to be honest, it's looking more like frumpy 30's mum really. I'm in a quandry as I have no real connection to what's cool anymore, even though I trawl the internet for inspiration, there's so much choice, I don't have an instant idea of what to wear like I used to. When I lived in Bristol and London, most of my fashion finds came by seeing what other people were wearing on the street, and this isn't an option anymore.

This is the best I can come up with for my summer wardrobe, and I'm bookmarking it here to refer back to.
I think to suit my style best and bodyshape (good legs, terrible waist) For hot days I'll wear mid thigh denim shorts, white, khaki and dark navy with smocks and blousons over the top, with gladiator sandals. For weddings, I'll go for a mid range maxi dress from Monsoon, with some kitten heels (I have a Sept wedding only this year) and I quite fancy the idea of a couple of summer/tea dresses, one midthigh to wear with leggings and a belt, and a longer more fitted fifties style number for weekend events/trips. To top it all off I'd love a suede bomber jacket.

Well actually that wasn't so bad, big sigh. All I need now is a cash windfall and I might look like this!!

Picking up the pace

Went back to the plot last night as I want to get as much in as possible as everything is growing now at a rate of knots. Felt still slightly depressed by the amount of thistle plants rearing their heads everywhere, even in areas where I have double dug into the sublayer (and am still suffering with back pain as a consequence). Those roots must go down a mile. I've decided to just try and pull up as many as I can as I go along, giving the veggies a fighting chance against their enemy. Manage to pick up the last of the free horse manure from Sami's so took it down last night and made a new bed for my Duchy Organic french beans, which I've had in pots in the greenhouse. I also made a couple of pits, filled them with muck and planted some courgettes too.

Ok here is a little inventory to date what I've planted in my Brewer street beds!

Onions
Garlic
Carrots (nantes)
Parsnips
Asparagus
Broad Beans
Peas
French Beans
Potatoes (early salad, and maincrop)
Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Comfrey

...and at home...
Strawberries
Broad Beans
Peas
Lettuces
Cavalo nero
Sweet peas
Radish
Carrots
Potatoes

..to plant..
Beetroot
Tomatoes
Berlotti bean
Asparagus peas
Flower mixes
Courgettes

...to sow...
more french beans
sweet peas

I'm not growing any winter crops now in case we move over the summer, seems like a waste of time unless we are going to enjoy them!

Late night digging

I went to tidy up the plot last night, as I was feeling a bit guilty having neglected the plot lately. Actually I took Hugh to the allotment earlier in the day to plant some peas and dig in some manure, so got a bit of work done. I managed to tackle some of the overgrown areas, by chopping down the new growth on the thistles and taking the top layer of grass off in preparation for digging. I don't think I will dig these areas properly this year, just add some manure and grow courgette and squash here. I've got a feeling that the frosts have finished now so if I risk putting in some young courgette plants I may get fruit by early/mid June? a big maybe.

My gooseberry bush has wilted, I haven't googled the reasons why, so I'm perplexed as the raspberries and currants look fine. It's well watered and has been growing healthy looking leaves up till now, so not sure what to do about it?

No growth from the asparagus yet, but I haven't watered it that well so I'm going to have to make sure I get down to the plot a few times a week now to check on all the watering to be done.

Potatoes, first earlies, no sign???? main crop are up.

Freyja's 1st birthday

Last Sunday we celebrated one lovely year of knowing our little girl. Thinking back over the last year, it's been a real roller coaster, such highs and lows, losing my dad and gaining a wonderful baby girl in our family. I'm sure this is the way things happen, just when you think everything in your life is tickedy boo, you loose something precious and the whole experience of life is altered, almost enhanced in a strange sense. I've certainly felt that since losing dad, I'm more acutely aware of appreciating everything I've got in the present rather than dwelling on the little irritations, or wanting something hypothetical.

So we celebrated Freyja's first year by having a little party, I don't think I realised quite how time consuming and costly even a small party could be, but I tried to 'keep it real!', although I'm quite guilty of getting carried away with nonsense decorations and party nibbles. The forecast for that afternoon was terrible, but by some miracle it failed to rain as promised (perhaps down to my fierce praying the night before) We had a bouncy castle, numerous outdoor toys and a few token party games like pass the parcel. I think we had just the right amount of toddlers, 4 boys and a couple of baby girls. The saving grace was the awning, which I sent Mike out for in the morning after a minor panic over the looming rain, it added a real focus to the garden almost like an assembly point. Anyway, all in all it was a huge success and everyone loved it, and the garden looked wonderful. I felt truly happy!

William Cobbett

I'm currently reading a book I picked up at the library called 'The English Gardener' by William Cobbett and I'm really enjoying it. I can't believe how much useful advice is in there despite the fact it was written sometime in the 19th Century. I guess gardening doesn't change much with the times. The words are still ringing in my ears about planting peas, which apparently dislike cold, wet soil immensely and should only be planted outside when the risk of this has passed. Following this advice, I have held off planting my peas directly into the soil on the allotment until today, which I did with Hugh this morning. I actually think we are heading for a little heatwave now. I also heard on the news that 'unofficially' we are expecting a particularly hot summer this year, and  I have to say I think we are due one!

Sap is rising

Hugh digging for victory

Looking over the allotment plot (this was taken on Election Day) everything has sprung to life. I love that unadulterated lush green growth that almost seems to be moving it's shooting up so fast!. Well apart from the fact most of the growth is from weeds not plants! When the plot was just dusty mud and some dead grass stems it seemed all the more manageable, now the true colours are showing, it's quite evident what was lurking beneath the crust. But I'm not defeated. Despite a slightly poisonous overheard comment from a neighbour of my plot (well I said to me husband 'I don't think I can cope with all this', and he replied 'well dear I will rotivate it for you' 'I'm so glad I did as otherwise mine would be all weedy too....' glancing around in my direction) , I will continue to tackle a small bit as I go, and plant something in place of the weeds. My next task will be to plant some beans, either french or berlotti, I haven't decided yet. I've also got some courgettes and squash growing nicely, so it would be great if I could clear and area for those to go in as they will hopefully romp around and suppress some weeds. I'm also planning to drop by my sister's stables to procure some manure (a poem?) for the squashes to wallow in.

Lilac

Our Lilac tree has come into bloom, and it's fabulous. I don't think I truly appreciated this tree when we moved in three years ago, now each spring I look forward to it flowering even more, as it signals the start of summer to me. Shame the blossoms don't keep well once cut.

My little man Hugh

Hugh has come on leaps and bounds in the past few weeks with his speech, what a relief as I was beginning to get a bit worried about it. I can pretty much have a broken conversation with him now and understand 2/3 of it. Although now I sometimes wish I didn't always know what he wanted as I'm now subject to repeated demands of whatever he fancies at various points in the day. It's quite strange that since he's had chicken pox, he's much clingier and whingier. I hope he grows out of that soon, and the tantrums as they've been quite a feature since he's been about 1 and a half. I put it down to his frustration at not being able to talk, but no, it's just when he doesn't get his own way! Pretty typical toddler. But, he still astounds me on a daily basis by remembering something from months ago, or forming a really good sentence, that makes me think 'you really are developing a little personality there'.

Rushed update of jobs done today

I went a bit balistic in the garden this evening. I thought 'I've got to plant more seed' as it's May and it's fast approaching the time when it's too late to get a crop of things like tomatoes, squash, sweetcorn etc as they need a longish season. So a super quick fire list here of things planted in the greenhouse:

Meraviglia di Venezia Yellow Beans
Minette Basil
Chives
Oregano
Sweetcorn
Wild/Alpine Strawberry
Lupin
Sweet Williams
Cornflower Blackberry Fizz
Dwarf Aster
Brompton Stock
Potted up Chilli and brought them inside (chilly nights here)
Brought in some tomatoes, nicotiana and sweetcorn

Planted in my veg patch are
Radishes
Carrots (in a fetching circular formation, hopefully to be flanked by sweet peas eventually)

Phew, what a mammoth planting session, I feel very virtious now, apart from forgetting to do my online food shop, I think I did really rather well :)

May day hols

Ok so Sunday was a washout, we did little but lounge around, visit B&Q and bake some scones. Hugh is a culinary genius, I haven't tasted such light,well risen scones. I think it was down to the quick assembly as a tactic of damage limitation to the kitchen! We promised Hugh a birthday party as he'd spied us buying a bouncy castle in B&Q for Freyja's party in two weeks time and wanted to go to a party right now (he doesn't have a concept of waiting) So we had a birthday 'tea' at home, in the kitchen instead, which basically meant sausages, sandwiches and scones!

Pink for girls

When Freya was born I made a concerted effort to buy clothes that weren't all garish pink. Then the other day I noticed some of her clothes piled up, most of which were... pink, yes. It is quite hard not to buy pink as if you want to save money and buy in bulk, inevitably two out of three options will be pink so you are kind of forced into it. I have recycled a lot of Hugh's clothes, but I cannot deny I'm a sucker for a pretty dress as Freyja is a butch kind of girl, it's the only way I can make her look more like a girl!

French Gardening

I found this site through Green Lane blog (thanks) what an inspiration. Beautiful kitchen gardening on a grand scale

As my dad would say...Odds and (*)odds

I haven't been posting much this month, as I've been concentrating on the house. I've decided to rest a bit, as we've had the house on the market for about 10 days now and not one jot of interest. The agent said it's early days, but now I'm wondering whether we have done the right thing? I'll hold off till after the election, if it's the same situation after 3 weeks, we may have to drop the price. Even though we've been planning this for a while, it still felt almost like an invasion of privacy when the 'For Sale' went up.

We have enjoyed a couple of lovely sunny weekends, a rare treat since the winter. Last weekend we took a trip to Hasting, had fish and chips on the beach and a walk along the seafront. Hugh loved the trampolines, and desperately wanted a go on the crazy golf, but we had to save that for next time as it was getting cold at that point. It makes me even more certain that our planned moved to the coast will be the most wonderful life.

Lots of time has been spent in the garden, I've cleared the patch under our giant conifer, covered with bark and made a rudimentary seating area (pic to follow) I'm really looking forward to Freyja's party as I've bought most of the decorations, and have planned to have fairy/cupcakes and sandwiches with tea and Pimms for the grown ups. The kids (mostly boys Hugh's age) can play on the assault course, bash the pinata, and I may do some games like pin the tail on the donkey and pass the parcel. If I can find a cheapish bouncy castle I may get one too. Here's a pic of Freyja enjoying her Mr Men sunglasses