I'm clearly growing in my gardening skills - Christmas gifts included this wonderful trug, another Black Dog plaque [my favourite Morris print, Strawberry Thief], a gorgeous gold leaf with a Jekyll quote [weatherproof so it can go outside],, new secateurs, and a seed catalogue [sent to Bob but he has no use for it!]
Thank you so much to my friends and family who continue to encourage me in this. I hope this year that the veg I grow will have an even more positive impact on my health - both from what I eat and from the exercise out in the fresh air.
If you are a gardener, do you have any new ideas to implement in the coming months? What worked in 2024 which you will repeat?
[and what failed?]
Nice gifts! I have no idea what I'll be doing this year! Probably should plan better! X
ReplyDeleteAs a newbie gardener, I have found it helpful to keep a journal of my successes and failures, which has helped with future planning
DeleteI love the Gertrude Jekyll quote. Her house and garden Munstead Wood which we used to visit regularly when it opened for the National Garden Scheme (NGS or yellow book) is now owned by the National Trust and I’m hoping it may open to visitors this year. Gertrude gardened on very sandy soil (just like me here and it can be really challenging - my grassy areas and wildflower meadow
ReplyDeleteThe NT site says Munstead is still being renovated, but thank you for the reminder.
DeleteLooks like you are ready to plant that garden of yours! I'm looking forward to seeing what you plant and how it grows. I am not sure what I might plant this year. We haven't had any measurable rain (defined as over 1/10 of an inch) since May and we are 4 months into our "wet" season. 2024 was one of our driest years and we might be in drought mode by summer. It costs more to water my vegetables than to buy them from the store, so, I don't know if I should even bother to plant anything.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you some of our rain, very plentiful right now!
DeleteI used to grow chinese cabbage in late summer/early autumn because the are 'short day plants' but the last couple of years I have had much better results growing them in the spring. The seeds geminate quickly and they grow fast. They tolerate cold well too. https://www.kingsseeds.com/30501-Chinese-Cabbage-Wong-Bok-PPP-A-Brassica-rapa-BGB40557-C-lot-see-pkt-DGB?srsltid=AfmBOop8kXOUM0L2lXjaVBKSqv8Dx2KiysPUQ4yNXZdhaEAWFvaYOamM
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Philip. We like Chinese cabbage, and I didn't realise they could be a spring crop. A useful tip!
DeleteWhat great gardening gifts - I do like a little alliteration! In a small village only 8 miles away is the home of the Sussex trug. There has been a truggery in the village for many, many years. The people who currently own the business do lectures and demonstrations at local museums and groups. We have a few drugs all different sizes and find them very useful. We didn't have a very good growing year with several failed crops except for courgettes! A bit too wet on our flat soil. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteTruggery is a fabulous word!! My trug arrived "bare" but is now oiled as per recommendations, rendering it a glorious golden colour. I'm still cogitating about what to plant this year 🥔🥕🍅🫛🥒
DeleteWhat wonderful gifts and I especially like the Gertrude Jekyll quotation. I’m still waiting for my amaryllis bulb to flower and hope it may be soon as it’s now very tall and I’m just waiting on it to fall over! Happy planning for the garden. Catriona
ReplyDeleteWatching the amaryllis on Facebook...
DeleteI’ve gardened for years but at 77 with poor mobility it will be a case of what survives this winter. Must haves are Autumn Rasps, Gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes, you never see that fruit in shops. No brassicas as butterflies just massacre them but a few Tom plants in g.house and I shall take herb cuttings, they sell well at fundraisers and cost little to raise. Sandra.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone's tomatoes do better this year
DeleteChinese cabbage in the spring... I'll take note. Potatoes grpwn in containers did well for me, even supermarket ones from the fridge. I'll try rainbow chard, broad beans, other beans and peas again... 🐌 🐌 🐌 🐌 🐌
ReplyDeletePotatoes in tubs did well for me too
DeleteWould you mind sharing the name of your lovely calendar?
ReplyDeleteI loved the pages you shared with us last year but have been unable to find out where to buy one so far.
Thank you for sharing so many ideas and thoughts with us.
Sue
Hiu Sue,it is "My Painted Bear" by Naomi Horner. You should be able to order direct from https://mypaintedbear.co.uk/ ,
Deleteor ask at your nearest Christian bookshop who may stock them. I am glad the pages bring so much pleasure
Oh dear, I have just discovered they have already sold out online. I will do some more research - please can you email me Sue L
DeleteI'm enjoying looking through the plant catalogues that have arrived through the door. Now we have a much smaller garden and no greenhouse, I won't be growing as much. We are having 2 raised beds built and in amongst the shrubs and flowers I'm hoping to plant tomatoes and lettuce at least. Happy garden planning. Hugs Xx
ReplyDeleteRaised beds are much easier to manage. I'm grateful to my SIL for my mini greenhouse against the wall, where I grow my tomatoes
DeleteI can just envisage you as the lady of the manor with a large shady hat, and trug on your arm, snipping roses for a vase! But I suspect that you will be filling the trug with some lovely veggies instead.
ReplyDeleteOh I could walk round looking so elegant ! But the carrots and lettuces might spoil the effect
DeleteMy tomatoes were a big fail last year. I'm not sure why but I shall grow some again this year.
ReplyDeletePotatoes in an old dustbin with holes in for drainage, did very well. I have quite a few raised beds in my garden - easier on my back and I usually get good crops whatever I sow. Happy gardening.
I will be watching with interest as I need to learn to garden. That plaque looks amazing - you have great taste.
ReplyDelete