April and sowing and growing are very much on this English gardener’s mind. So far it’s been too cold to think of putting much in the ground, but impatience inevitably triumphs over common sense. In the last few days I have given in to inclinations to plant some first early potatoes. I’m trying a new technique as suggested by TV gardener Monty Don, growing them in a raised bed, and popped into a deep layer of compost a foot or so apart. But after I’d done it, I grew worried about the poor little tubers being subjected to Siberian icy blasts, and covered the bed in horticultural fleece. Now it’s down to ‘wait and see’.
Otherwise, it’s been mostly ‘housekeeping’ chores at the allotment: the first mowing of paths, turning compost heaps, edging beds, putting up climbing bean and pea canes, weeding, sowing stuff in the polytunnel. And dreaming of delicious produce to come.
Here are some crops I grew earlier, and all eaten long ago:
And of course the allotment plots don’t feed only us humans. Most of the gardeners grow flowers too – i.e. besides the flowering fruit and vegetables. And there are always plenty of flowering weeds on the abandoned plots, and so therefore lots to keep the bees, bugs and butterflies well fed. Deliciousness all round then.
copyright 2019 Tish Farrell
This week Patti at #Lens-Artists asks us to show her ‘delicious’.
Tish Farrell 
It must be very rewarding to see them growing so well. I used to grow veggies in raised beds (I had three).
Love these beautiful flowers, butterfly… captures.
Thanks for sharing, Tish! 🙂
Much to come for sure! What wonderful pictures 💗🐝🌻
Thank you, Lisa.
Glad you liked these, Amy 🙂
I long for spring. I had just started prepping garden beds when we got hit with an April blizzard, so now everything is under a foot of snow. Your pictures are gorgeous and inspiring!
Many thanks, Michelle. And you’ve stopped me grumbling about our weather – at least we don’t have a load of snow. Chin up – your side of the pond 🙂
It is always best to grow enough for Nature too.It is coming…Spring that is …just taking her sweet time. We are back down to 39 degrees tomorrow morning. Ugh!
Yes, these backwards cold spells are a bit dispiriting.
Good growing! I hope no more cold spells this spring.
We’re told it’s getting warmer this coming week. Fingers crossed (green ones especially) 🙂
You’ve got me with the berries and he butterflies.
And the plot grows the berries pretty much without my help 🙂
Hi, Tish. What a perfect choice for “delicious.” You make me wish I had a garden again! Your photos are marvelous. May the gods of the harvest watch over your crops this year! I hope you have a wonderful season of growing and harvesting.
I am inspired to start farming.
Really, Mak!?
Yes. When I see your produce or Ark’s I feel like just going to the countryside and farm
But then we wouldn’t have Mak the architect!
Oooh, you green-fingered lady!
🙂
These photos make me happy and hungry, Tish. (Those in the first section, at least.) The ones in teh second section make me happy but not hungry. 🙂
We just got a huge amount of wet, heavy snow. Sigh. Spring on hold for a few moments.
janet
Beautiful food but I have to hand it to your pepper plant. If those are HOT peppers, you’ve had inspiring food to eat! And red pepper powder doesn’t get old, either.
My hot peppers have been a bit disappointing heat-wise. Our climate is a bit of a challenge. Am having another go this year though.
Wow, wonderful photos, Tish. Those are very happy bees.
Last summer the bees in the raspberries were amazing – positively deafening with bee hum.
That’s something to look forward to then. 🙂
Your produce looks incredibly mouthwatering, Tish. I’m sure it tastes even better than it looks, what a treat on your dinner plate! Lovely photos, once again, too!
Thanks, Debbie. It’s become a bit of an obsession, my allotment empire. But yes, it’s good to have so much fresh produce. Even through the winter there’s usually something to pick.
Delicious indeed 🙂
Despite the cold, it seems like your plants are thriving. But I guess they were last year’s crop…
Yes, Otto. Last year’s stuff. But thoughts of harvests to come 🙂
There is nothing more rewarding than food you’ve nurtured yourself! Those peas look fabulous
I love peas, and the ones in the pic are a heritage variety that grow 8 ft tall. My first time growing last year. Hoping for a repeat performance 🙂
What a wonderful still life that first image is. And I love seeing productive gardens. My deck garden at the moment contains one dead lettuce (my first attempt to buy seedlings rather than depend on gifts from Joe); two spindly misuna plants; and one struggling mint plant (whose mint ever struggles??) I’m not even envious of your luxuriance: I relish it
So generous, Meg. Thank you. You even have me feeling sorry for your mint 😉
Reblogged this on Hutt's New World Order.
Many thanks, Pete.
the waiting ….
and nice pics to help remind what is to come
You’re right. The pix are good for spurring one on – to get all the prep done in good time. That’s the theory anyway 🙂
So fun to have spring upon us. My husband is growing stuff this year – has his own little
Raised bed –
Happy growing to your other half.
😉
Thriving garden, Tish, in your hands. Love, love all the berries…long for them to come. Last year everything was lost in the drought. Tempting shots!
Thank you, Ann-Christine. Today at last it looks and feels like spring 🙂
It is the same here. Warmer winds.
I’d love to pop by for some early spuds, Tish 🙂 🙂 Damp here today so I’ve been busy as a beaver. Well, sort of, apart from watching tennis and trying to get caught up around here. Off out for drinks and supper soon 🙂