New beginnings

I've always thought that one of the greatest bonuses of being a keen gardener/veg grower is the fact that the winter months seem to pass so much quicker when there's so much to plan and look forward to in the new year's garden/plot.

I know of few gardeners who do not relish the sight of the new seed catalogues bursting with glorious colour and the promise of bounty to come!

Last year was our first full year at the new plot and most of that was spent attempting to transform the meadow into a semblance of order. We have always implemented a bed system which makes for easier rotation & planning, also several nearby plots unfortunately suffer with club root, which we are naturally, hoping to avoid - so far, so good.

Having managed to organise the general shape of the plot & start the bed system off last year, this year is all about improving our soil (fine, sandy) and looking to improve our mulching in case of another very dry summer. We now have almost two full compost bins full of leaf mould on the go as well as our newly aquired pile of well rotted manure.

Also, we intend to carry on adding to what l term the more exotic/rarer veg, fruit & herbs as well as the fabled "seaside" raised bed which will feature a selection of veg/leaves which l feel compliment fish dishes. I will blog about this project in February.

Finally, the front of the plot features two smaller beds which are the designated bee, wild leaves & herb areas. Again, these will be listed in more detail in February.

Happy gardening!

Adam

As well as being on Twitter, l also have a Facebook account. Mostly l connect with old work colleagues, but also l follow a page "Urgent part 2". For those animal lovers amongst you, it's truly a mix of the best and worst l honestly consider humanity has to offer; the animals (mostly dogs, but also has been known to feature five week old kittens) are all on a 'death row' roll call in a shelter in the US due for euthanising the next day. The list is issued just hours before these animals are doomed, in a last, desperate attempt to save their lives.

Each list posts photographs of beautiful, wanting dogs & cats with no other crime than being abused, abandoned or dumped to die. Photographed in a little room with the slogan "adopt me" emblazed on the wall, the race is then on for the truly remarkable team of fosterers, non kill shelters etc to network through the night, to "pull" these tragic creatures before the carnage can begin, the next morning.

I mentioned at the start that the page showcased the hell so many animals have and will face in this place. To see the list is heartbreaking, gutwrenching...but to then see the frantic crossposting, sharing, donating and physical contacting that ensues by the caring, compassionate souls who are prepared to stay online right through the night if they have to, to shorten and eliminate, if they only can, the entire list before daybreak, reduces me to tears. Every time without fail. So much so, that l was inspired several weeks ago to paint one of these dogs.

His name: Adam

- and this is his portrait - as l work on it.

My mini trial "seaside" garden featuring rock samphire seedlings (crithmum maritimum). I found out from extensive web searching that rock samphire grows wild on cliff edges and is mentioned in Shakespeare's King Lear. Not to be confused with marsh samphire (salicornia europa) this little plant has an interesting and unusual taste - supposedly great for aromatic pickle and a rather fine and unusual garnish for fish - l think this could work well with scallops.

Dreaming of new summer days with his woofness! :)

For a 'non nightowl' last night was a very long one! Anyway, 2011 is upon us and like many avid allotmenters and growers 'seed packet frenzy' time beckons eagerly!! As soon as l can master the art of blogging l will do my utmost to post the plethora of grower's links etc that l have found in my unending search for exotic leaves & tasty veg ;-)