“No finical separation between flower and kitchen garden there; no monotony of enjoyment for one sense to the exclusion of another; but a charming paradisical mingling of all that was pleasant to the eye and good for food. The rich flower border running along every walk, with its endless succession of spring flowers, anemones, auriculas, wallflowers, sweet williams, campanulas, snapdragons and tiger lilies, had its taller beauties, such as moss and Provence roses, varied with espalier apple trees; the crimson of a carnation was carried out in the lurking crimson of the neighbouring strawberry beds; you gathered a moss rose one moment and a bunch of carrots the next; you were in a delicious fluctuation between the scent of jasmine and the juice of gooseberries.” (George Eliot – Scenes of Clerical Life 1858).
Yes, in only a few weeks time the growing season will begin again. Out will come the pots and trays, the greenhouse swept clean and seed packets ruminated over, checking that everything will be ready for the seed sowing hiatus. Visions of how the garden will come to life over the next few months full of colour, scent and delicious things to eat. There is a sense of anticipation in every gardener, to begin anew, full of ideas and planting schemes and praying that it will be a successful year without too much interference from the weather, pests or disease.
Courgettes, tomatoes, onions, rhubarb, eating apples, summer squash, plums, chillies, cooking apples, strawberries and redcurrants, peas, potatoes, curly kale, purple sprouting broccoli, rainbow chard, blackcurrants, gooseberries, broccoli, beetroot, carrots, cucumbers, parsnips, salad leaves, strawberries and runner beans plus a few more that I haven’t got space to show.My own garden is run loosely along the lines of a cottage garden, with fruit trees, currant bushes, vegetables, herbs and flowers ~ some would say, a bit of a jumble. But my ‘bit of a jumble’ produces plenty of vegetables for the table, fruit for desserts and flowers to fill all the vases. The collage above shows a small selection of the produce that was harvested.
This year will prove more of a challenge as I no longer have the extra growing space of my allotment but, I have had all winter to make plans, and hopefully will maximise the use of every bit of space I have. I look forward to sharing my progress with you throughout the coming year. Fingers crossed it’s going to be a good one.
Lovely post and pictures. I look forward to seeing how you fare this year, and as you say let's hope it's a good one. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder how I managed to get through George Elliot's Middle March, but as I recall, she told a wonderful story. We are weeks and weeks away yet from really doing any serious garden planning. With a chill wind and snow still on the ground, the garden sleeps silently. The vegetable garden has been tilled. It looks soft and ready ready for seeds in the places where the snow has melted. Your collage gives good inspiration to get thinking.
ReplyDeletePS I love the new look.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures of delicious vegetables and fruit. I am really looking forward how you are going to use every bit of space in your garden, mixing vegetables with flowers I suppose.
ReplyDeleteAnd indeed let us hope we get a good gardening year.
You had some fantastic harvests Elaine and here's hoping you have another great year of gardening and growing.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
I love that quote....I like things jumbled together too and let happy accidents stay where they seed. What a fantastic harvest you had, I'm sure you will get as much this year, as you say, a little thought goes a long way and it's surprising how much can be grown in the smallest of spaces.
ReplyDeleteI love this time of the year....there's a constant bubbling excitement as thoughts drift to seeds and I love popping out each day to see the heads of the bulbs appear. I have bluebells popping out now too....yes....spring aint too far away....bring it all on.xxx
All those pictures are such an encouragement to start planning the growing season. Wishing you a successful year!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
What a wonderful array of fruit and veg. I always buy way too many seeds and grow way too many too - anyone would think I'm aiming to feed the 5000! I really hope it's a good year too, I love the excitement of the growing potential at this time of the year!
ReplyDeleteI shall grow less this year (don't I always say that?). I shall keep all the summer stuff, some of which becomes bottled for winter, and put in just a few winter greenery essentials. I'm hoping it will cut the workload, but doubt if it will.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing how things progress.
ReplyDeleteIt's always enjoyable thinking about and planning for the new gardening year - although last year the excitement was dulled a bit by the cold spring. Hopefully this spring will be completely different. I love the photos of all your produce.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful way to display your harvest ~ like a well-stocked market stall :)
ReplyDeleteOh...it is times like this that i envy you in the British Isles...Your garden sounds wonderful. We are where winter takes a long time to let go.
ReplyDeleteA timely post, I'm just starting to think about what I want to grow this coming season. Definitely some squash, they are the basis for my winter soups. The mangetout variety that I grew last year will hopefully flourish from the seed that I've kept. Space is always precious, there is never quite enough. If you've any good veg suggestions do let me know.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for the new growing season and fingers crossed that all your plans reach fruition.
ReplyDeleteI love your fruit and vegetable collage. I don't know why I have never taken any photos of my veg, I just eat them,how unimaginative of me. it is good to appreciate them with the eye as well as the stomach.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this year's harvest.
Chloris
Yes it won't be long before we all get sowing, be interesting to follow what you sow and grow this year, as I'm sure you'll fit in as much in your garden somehow. Good luck for the new growing year.
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