Patience and remember to charge the power drill

This is a bit of a sappy post. One thing I have learnt from gardening (and Marge) is the art of patience. I’m not perfect at it, to say the least. But working on the seedlings (and giving them some space) then seeing the fruits of our labour (pardon the pun) is very rewarding. These last couple of years have tested my patience and I think I have done an okay job in staying positive. Margaret has done a stellar job at keeping up the optimism, even for both of us at times. This is definitely shown in her three raised beds over my one. Soon to be two though, as I’m just waiting for the drill to charge. I’m naming my carrot cot after my late grandmother, Joan. It was her bench after all. 

This is just the beginning. Margaret did most of the sawing. In fact, she did most of the sawing. I just painted on the non-wood paint which is now becoming very sticky and the drill is covered in white paint. It may not just be for carrots though. Today I got a bit carried away and brought courgettes (globe) and gherkin/cucumber seeds. I’ve checked the companion planting guides and apparently cucumbers do really well next to radishes because the radishes deter something called ‘cucumber beetle.’ I wouldn’t know what one looked like even if it invaded London. But I’m not taking any chances!

Patio planter and snazzy looking watering can

This is better than paper. 

Finger’s crossed!

I’m not sure how these seeds will do as they aren’t the most expensive. I’m going to have to find another pot for the courgettes because apparently they don’t go with much of what I have planted apart from tomatoes. But my tomatoes go in a long running pot with no room for another plant. Last summer I had great success with ordinary courgettes. I believe it was all down to putting the pots on the bench and having thick slugs in the garden who didn’t work out where the delicious courgette flowers were. But that isn’t an option now so I’m going to have to salt the rounds of the pots or put bowls of beer down. However the second problem is that I have cats and I’m not sure how I could explain a drunken Dorothy to the vets. Speaking of the cats; 

Tomato plants! (bit early)

Dorothy, looking unimpressed with the new watering can.

Angelica, the oldest. 

I’ll update this once I’ve finished the carrot cot! (which may include spring onions or chives to deter carrot fly).

Missing sunshine

So after my roadtrip (ok it was on a train....) to Kathy's, I was all geared up to get some work done in the garden. Then the sun disappeared. Vanished. And the rain came which made the hard soil even worse. But do not fear, all was not lost. I have found in these situations the best thing to do is to get a cup of tea, go on pinterest and get inspired for your next green fingered project. I've decided what vegetables to plant this year to give me some new things to try and also some of my regulars. I also found the RHS website is great for planting positions, varieties and when to plant things. This is important as planting things too early will mean they will not grow very well and too late might mean the cold weather gets to the plant before production of fruit or flowers. Can't wait  to get planting and finishing my third raised bed!

This is the story of two girls and their gardens. One started a couple of years ago and the other more recently. Marg (First flowerpot) started gardening at the tender age of five. Sunflowers were her first venture and now she ranges from raspberries to radishes. Too many radishes. And she does not like radishes. But we will come to that in a bit. Kathy is flowerpot numero dos and although a little late to the party is catching up with strawberries and courgettes. Or strawbs as Marg’s Alfy calls them. Or zucchinis as Kathy’s american friends call them.

We will be recording our success and failures over this next season, along with tales of our old triumphs and nobbled courgette flowers.

Enjoy! x MK x