Vivi's Kitchen Garden

The seeds I sowed in mid Feb and mid March are romping away….it’s time to see how they’re doing. They need some attention but until I can find some compost they’ll have to wait……but, while we’re here, I natter a bit about some of the terminology relating to seedlings and processes at this time of year for our new friends who are beginners to gardening.

It’s the beginning of April and the most glorious day (weather wise) of the year so far………now it really feels like the garden and the growing are about to get going! I feel behind in many tasks but there’s time yet, in the next couple of weeks, to catch up…. Hurrah for Spring.

I let the herb garden simply be over winter…….it got straggly and ugly but it was providing habitat for insects and food for all sorts of lovely wee critters. Now that the rest of the garden, and the surroundings, are coming back to life it’s time to get on with some tidying and pruning. I also start the rose ‘tree’ prune and talk about a great mnemonic for doing it……the five ‘D’s.

It has certainly been an odd month, a challenging month……and it isn’t over yet……but I’ve learned that I am up to the task…..and even if I am not on a ward as a nurse I can share my knowledge and care (here I share some hand washing knowledge) and contribute to the effort of getting as many folk through these uncertain times as possible.

Ahhhh……..time indoors…..the weather is crud but I can enjoy each day all the same…..today I am trying to narrow my music collection to my top 10 albums…..and then I think about the next few books…….with all the usual distractions along the way. Grab your knitting and come sit with me.

Finally I’m back in the garden…and it’s a beautiful sunny day to be getting on with the jobs. I ‘prune’ the Taunton Deane kale and plant a companion for it……and catch up with some of my plot neighbours.

At a time when folk might be forgiven for turning their backs on the world and hiding it seems that people in their droves are jumping at the chance to help each other and offer their time and kindness. It is a beautiful thing. I chat a bit, too, about some of the fantastic on-line resources which are popping up to help keep our children (and us) entertained and occupied.

Another quickie update to address your questions about my great aunt, about me returning to nursing…….and, the big one for many,……..can we go to our allotments?

Things are changing quickly, almost on a daily basis….we’re bound to be feeling some shock about this….and it’s going to take some time to adjust to a new way of living…. A quick little catch up with my thoughts on this.

YAY!!!! It’s time to start the seed sowing proper for the 2020 self-sufficient garden! It has been an odd year until now and in many ways I feel behind and disconnected…….but the simple act of putting some seeds in the dirt has got me going again. Despite my failures with Loofah (Luffa) over the last couple of years I’m having another go……but with a few changes……. Let’s get those seeds in and dream of summer!