In which Bert is bored and we put the whole greenhouse thing behind us
So forst tings forst, den (sorry), I suppose I should wish everyone a happy St Patrick’s Day. I’m not feeling particularly festive seeing as I had to drop Hubs into Dublin at 5.30am this morning (I got to Dublin in 65 minutes - a record… what? of course I wasn’t speeding). So staying on things green, I finally decided after the great flying greenhouse debacle, that I should force myself back in to the garden. And although I accept I’m not exactly green fingered (I like to think of myself as ‘chocolate fingered’, in fact), and indeed that I did allow my greenhouse to fly away, you really can’t knock me for trying. And so today was a ‘pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again’ type of day. I think we just have to accept that our particular little corner of Cavan is too windy for a greenhouse (at least any type we can afford), and so we’re having to pick our plants a little carefully. Let’s face it, we’re never going to grow anything gorgeous and delicate, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to feed ourselves. I’ve planted three shrubs that I got from the garden centre (nope, can’t remember the name, but they’re just sort of green and shrubby), that will hopefully grow up and shield the kitchen garden from the worst of the weather, and then there’s the fennel (already sprouting):
and parsley, which last year grew very large and acted as a decent windbreak, so hopefully with my sensible choices and wind resistance, something should eventually sprout. In other sprouty-type news, the rhubarb is definitely forcing itself into life (see what I did there?) underneath the terracotta pot, although the frost broke it in two, but both the chives:
…and my b-e -a-yootiful Japanese Maple are showing signs of life:
and my potatoes are chitted (steady):
and in the ground as we speak:
Sharpe’s Express are a ‘first early’ variety, ready to harvest in about June/July – they’re an ‘heirloom’ potato, much loved by Percy Thrower, doncherknow.
So here’s the state of play so far (go on, you’re impressed that I actually have a plan, aren’t you? I can tell):
Bert was seriously not impressed to have to stand (what, you want me to sit on this grass? Purleease) and watch me digging and planting. We even got an offcut of carpet out for the pampered sod to sit on, but no, it wasn’t to be. Yes, so he used to live in a shed and chase rabbits for a living, but he’s, like, totally moved on with his life, and doesn’t think one’s past should be held against one. He’s now an indoor dog and stood staring at me with that ‘will ye come on, woman, let’s move this along’ look that only a greyhound missing his sofa can muster:
I hope something grows. I know you can hardly bear the suspense, so I’ll keep you informed.
Bert is looking really pissed off, but not as pissed off as William who is sporting a rather fetching lampshade style plastic collar this week!
Not sure how, but he managed to tear a flap of skin right next to his eye when I let him out in the garden on Saturday so spent Saturday and Sunday at the vets (££££’s)
Firstly a big hug to Taffy for a get well gift!!!
And a big well done to you EM for attacking the garden. My very small area of garden is under consideration for a complete new beginning maybe starting this weekend if its not raining and you just know Hippie will be adopting that look too!!!
Kate: Excellent! Yup, greyhounds and gardening certainly don’t mix – although at least you can let Hippie off the lead to explore a bit – Bert’s not trustworthy
Nutty: Ah, don’t sympathise with him, he’s bad enough as it is! I’m thinking of buying him one of those zip up duvets that you can completely wrap yourself in – he’d be well happy then! x
Keiron: Harro! Wow, two generations of commenters – I think that’s a record. Actually, Bert could have started a whole new trend for carpeted gardens…!
Hahahahahaa!! That sums up an ex-racing greyhound to a ‘t’, doesn’t it? Our first was actually an ex-traveller’s dog and was found living rough. Rough!! Sleeping on concrete!! So we brought him home, and had forgotten to buy the mattress thing that goes inside the plastic dog bed. I thought I’d improvise, and I provided him with a foot deep layer of shredded newspaper, just the same as the dogs at the racing kennels sleep on every day.
He looked at it, and he looked at me. His expression seemed to say ‘What on EARTH do you expect me to do with that, woman?’ I was promised Home Comforts!’
And he refused to get in that bed until I found him a nice soft blanket to go on top. LOL!
Don’t worry, the next day we bought a cushy soft dog bed for him and he ended up with about six, all different types, so he could choose what he fancied at any given moment.
Spoiled? Only a little …
Ma: Ooh well done – and I bet it’s sunny there too isn’t it? x
I was going through your archives and saw the greenhouse mishap, yeesh! Who woulda thunk Cavan was so windy? Glad to see you’re picking yourself up and starting again.
I’ve got a fourth floor balcony in Dublin’s city centre and I have a few plants out there, as well as a pot of rosemary which is doing ok. I recently bought about 8 strawberry plants and put them in a big pot so I’m hoping by this time next year I’ll have at least two strawberries that I can munch on.
Best of luck with the new shrubs and spuds.
We went through a phase of thinking we were in the ‘Good Life’, we had two ducks, two hens (paxo and stuffing!) and planted a whole lot of veg.
We had our harvest and got the grand total of 5 pea’s, 2 spuds and a carrot….but we had very well fed slugs.
Ms Soup
Baino: I can’t believe you actually get frost there! And honestly, what’s the point in owning a tame horticulturalist (phew) if you can’t use him, eh?! x
Aoife: Let me know how you get on with the strawbs. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t live here, which is a shame…I’m a dab hand at frozen strawberry daiquiri too
Oh and thanks – I think he’s adorable but then I’m slightly biased x
Val: Oh dear. That was a bit like me last year – we got lots of leaves but not a single cucumber – well nobody told me it was a climber
TM: Oops sorry, that was a type – I meant William! (I knew it wouldn’t be Taffy, he’s too sensible compared to that nutter!) x
Growup: I’d love to grow some fruit – any chance in my windy location though? I think they need shelter don’t they? Oh and I think I overwatered my chilli seedlings because they’ve gone white and furry at the base as though they’re mouldy – told you I was no Alan Titchmarsh!!
Ms Soup – welcome! Ha ha: hang dog – that’s definitely what he is! Yes, I was wondering about some form of trellis or something to filter the wind… Trouble is, I’m not very handy with a hammer (or anything apart from a whisk, truthfully)
Oh, WOW! What a coincidence! I did a bit of pottering myself yesterday. The day was so glorious and the boys were nicely off my hands at a football match, so I couldn’t help it. Your fennel looks divine and those potatoes will be fabulous with good butter and home grown parsley this summer! Hmmmm? (hint)
You’ll have to get a Daybed for Bert though…
http://www.lilapaws.co.uk/php/products.php?id=40&product_id=
Gosh, another co-inky-dink here too. The chickenandthymepie-making Jamesy has sewn lots of things…lots and lots of herbs and also tomatos, carrotts and um peppers I think and other stuff I can’t remember. I reckon the three of you should set up a stall!
Your fennel does indeed look good I have to say. Would you beat me with a stick if I told you that I’ve never tasted fennell. I don’t think I have anyway. Would I know if I had?!
Yup, I’m hoping for a large crop, along with teeny baby carrots and fresh green beans. I’ve also heard that purple sprouting broccoli is very easy to grow so I’ll have a bash at that too. Hmm… daybed…Bert was thinking more of one of those portable stretcher things carried by four strapping fellas…or I was, anyway
Loving the daybed – I wonder if they do a leopard version. You know Bert has a penchant for prints… x
i can’t grow things either, shockingly bad at it in fact!
weeds, i forgot about those, i’m good at them too! hehehe. xx