Nailsworth Gardener: On The Plot

WELCOME TO MY POTTING SHED

You can't beat a dollop of mud a day to keep the Doctor at bay.

Why not follow me about as I garden for money and just for fun in beautiful Nailsworth and its' environs.

What's it all about?

My gardens, that's all and any gardening related stuff I guess you might be interested in.

Where do I garden?

My house is in the centre of Nailsworth. With the wind in the right direction, we get a strong whiff of curry as it floats out of the Passage to India and into our front garden. We never get this smell anywhere else on our premises, which is either a good thing, or a bad one, depending on your point of view. As you now know we have a garden, a small rectangle, at the front of the house, and a triangular courtyard garden at the back. Then there's the Garden Plot, right down in the heart of Nailsworth, which I rent from a local business. This is new as from Autumn 2009 and will take a lot of work to help it become productive. I try to garden for veges at my friend Debbis house and for fun with my next door neighbour.

It adds up to a lot of work. For a relaxing hobby, it's proving stressful at times, but, mostly it's heaven.

There are customers who like me to work for them right through the year, and others who I see during the summer months. This working more days a week in the summer than in the winter, of course. The way to keep the finances stable for me has been to teach on the days I don't garden. Works really well for me. The bills get paid, we haven't starved to death yet and we get to have fun ... sometimes!

Tuesday 19 July 2011

On The Plot

The terrace is getting there. Soon I'll be able to press gang some helpers into building the POLY TUNNEL with me!

Just another third of the distance to dig.

So yesterday Gerry came over and got stuck in. Pretty much finished it!!!

I dragged the loosened soil from it's high place onto the low area.

Now it's almost level.

Today I had a go at getting out the ONIONS that are ready for lifting.

AND the SHALLOTS - just the ones that look like this. If the stalks are still upright and green, leave them in til they fall over and whither.

The ones I dug up had to be laid out to dry for a few days.

I cleared the ground and then put LEEK SEEDLINGS into dibbered holes.

The leeks are a bit floppy at the moment, and will need to be checked regularly, because the birds like to pull them out - I guess they think they're worms.