Hello.
I have a confession to make...I kill plants. No matter what I do they die.
I have however, over the past few years had a number of fruitful attempts at growing vegetables. Last year Andy and I even harvested a few super skinny carrots, a handful of ropey looking green beans and some miniature Maris Piper potatoes.
Following our previous (sort of) success I'm aiming big with this years crops whilst hopefully ticking number 13 off my list of things to pursue; Grow a Cucumber. I'm hoping to grow a few other lovelies too but this is the year that I WILL harvest and eat a cucumber that has been grown in my very own back garden by my very own hands.
When we told Isobel about our plan to grow vegetables in the garden she was ever so excited and quickly suggested that we grow eggs, burgers and coca-cola (I promise she has a varied and healthy diet). Unfortunately those things were out of stock at the seed shop (I am a terrible mother that lies to my child) so we settled for some of the afore mentioned cucumbers, a variety of lettuce, peas, potatoes, carrots, garlic, chilli's and red onions. These are all things that are on my shopping list every week and tot up to at least £40 a month.
Other than the obvious financial benefit of growing your own food, it's nice to know exactly where my food is coming from and how it has been produced, whilst feeling good about the fact that I'm reducing my family's carbon footprint and teaching Izzie a few things that I think are quite valuable too.
We potted the garlic, mixed lettuce and potatoes straight outside. The other things went into seedling trays or small fibre pots to go inside. The fibre pots are handy as they can go straight into the ground once the seedlings are big enough to go out. Easy peasy.
We used compost out of Andy's smelly compost bin for the first time today, and I must say I am quite impressed and amazed that our veg peelings, egg shells, leftover yoghurt and shredded paper has turned into all that lovely moist soil. So clever.
Isobel loved helping to fill the pots with soil, sow the seeds and water everything once it was planted. She especially loved layering up the soil and potatoes in their grow bag, saying goodbye to each potato as she patted down the soil on top of it. I think she's going to take a real interest in looking after of our little seedlings as they sprout and grow and will definitely enjoy tasting it all once it's (hopefully) grown and ready to eat.
Our garden currently leaves a lot to be desired but we have planned a make over for in a few months time, including a veg patch and a colourful butterfly attracting flower bed. Roll on summer!
If you have any tips on gardening or growing veggies please share your green fingered wisdom in the comment box below. I'll repay your kindness in pickled cucumbers later on in the year when I've successfully grown too many to know what to do with!
Jade x
No comments:
Post a Comment