I've had quite some time to mellow out and De-stress myself.
I gave up my job to help my wife with her business looking after children. Some days can be quite stressful and I do wonder if it was the best choice.
Then I remember everyday was stressful helping people with computers, I sort of understand the need people have for their computer and for some it can be like severing an arm if they break.
I was once like that myself - many a time I had spent most of the night working on my PC unable to bear the thought of it still being broke in the morning.
Things have changed so much for me, I can honestly say I don't like computers anymore. In fact I'd go as far as most technology.
Don't get me wrong tech has its uses, without my computer I couldn't write my blog, or my digital camera I wouldn't be able to keep a record of my garden and my ps3 - watching blue rays whilst I drink beer :)
I found gardening by accident, not a match made in heaven - plants that take time (a lot of time) to grow and need to be looked after - then there's me, someone who needs everything yesterday and gets bored very easily.
I still don't know why I love gardening so much, but things have evolved so much from getting my first plastic greenhouse - measuring 4ft x 2ft, I now have 108 square ft under glass (its all polycarbonate but glass sounds more professional).
When I think, Do I still have the same passion for gardening? the answer has to be yes! more so than ever, my impatience is still there - again more so than ever! but I kind of micro manage it. All my little projects reward me daily with something new.
As for growing season over - It should be but again my much hated tech should see the end of seasons all together (these plans to be revealed later).
Has this season been a success? All those who know me would definitely say yes. but for me its a huge resounding no.
My goal of self sufficiency fell well short of the mark. So far in total perhaps
30 cucumbers, 1kg assorted peppers, 10 marrows, 5 courgettes, 3lb of strawberries and 10kg of tomatoes.
Herbs - coriander, 3 types of parsley, chives, sage, rosemary, 5 types of basil, 3 types of mint, dill, chervil, Tarragon and oregano.
Out of all this we have bought fresh herbs a couple of times from the supermarket and salad leaves perhaps once a week.
The two mains reasons why so bad - 1 the English summer (a Thursday this year) and 2 my constant over watering.
Next years goals - water less and total self sufficiency.
Saturday 17 September 2011
Sunday 11 September 2011
I really have to stop having Hamster days.
With the threat of tropical storms and the back end of a hurricane hitting the UK, I decided it would be a good time to move my existing greenhouses and build the new one that has been sat in my garage for a week.
So over a 2 day period I completely re arranged my garden. The first task was to remove all of the plants in my way, Mostly consisting of a few hydrangeas, some test annuals that I had grown other bushes that I don't know the name of and one mammoth Hosta that had been driving me nuts for a long time.
Yes the flowers on the Hosta are nice but regardless of the amount of organic slug pellets I put near it that plant was like the slug equivalent of a Travelodge with build in restaurant.
The Hosta wasn't going to give up without a fight and it took nearly 30 Min's to remove in the process I also snapped my digging fork, but It was time well spent and I was so please to get rid.
The tomatoes also got cut down, I'm not complaining I made my first ever batch of green tomato chutney today.
Next job weed fabric and 25 bags of pea gravel, I'm kinda thinking if I get rid of the grass near the greenhouses it will cut down on moisture and bugs.
Moving 2 greenhouses, the plastic 6x4 tent thing - me and my wife - no big problems really. Then on to my 6x6 greenhouse - took 4 of us to lift and the amount of creaking and groaning it was making - I nearly had a panic attack lets put it that way.
With the news of very strong winds on the way, I was really struggling to decide to build my new greenhouse or not.
I kinda got to the thinking that if it survives 80mph winds it will be around for some time, We started building about 2 in the afternoon - 7pm it was getting dark the wind was picking up, it was starting to rain and I had about 7 glazing panels to snap in.
Also 1 door to build and a window, the good news was I really couldn't risk leaving them till the next day for fear of the wind getting in a causing damage, so another hour was spent by torch light (still raining) finishing the build.
A small review for the company who made the greenhouse - really simple instructions, excellent design, good build quality, easy to construct and amazing value for money.
The negative - please find another way of securing the glazing panels, they are held in place by plastic strips that click in place (with brute force). I have blisters on most of my fingers, the last few panels almost brought me to tears (I need to add I'm no wimp - 6'2 tall and lots of muscles).
But with all that pain there is pleasure and I can grow a lot more plants now with so much more space.
If my maths is correct I now have 108 square ft under cover.
So over a 2 day period I completely re arranged my garden. The first task was to remove all of the plants in my way, Mostly consisting of a few hydrangeas, some test annuals that I had grown other bushes that I don't know the name of and one mammoth Hosta that had been driving me nuts for a long time.
Yes the flowers on the Hosta are nice but regardless of the amount of organic slug pellets I put near it that plant was like the slug equivalent of a Travelodge with build in restaurant.
The Hosta wasn't going to give up without a fight and it took nearly 30 Min's to remove in the process I also snapped my digging fork, but It was time well spent and I was so please to get rid.
The tomatoes also got cut down, I'm not complaining I made my first ever batch of green tomato chutney today.
Next job weed fabric and 25 bags of pea gravel, I'm kinda thinking if I get rid of the grass near the greenhouses it will cut down on moisture and bugs.
Moving 2 greenhouses, the plastic 6x4 tent thing - me and my wife - no big problems really. Then on to my 6x6 greenhouse - took 4 of us to lift and the amount of creaking and groaning it was making - I nearly had a panic attack lets put it that way.
With the news of very strong winds on the way, I was really struggling to decide to build my new greenhouse or not.
I kinda got to the thinking that if it survives 80mph winds it will be around for some time, We started building about 2 in the afternoon - 7pm it was getting dark the wind was picking up, it was starting to rain and I had about 7 glazing panels to snap in.
Also 1 door to build and a window, the good news was I really couldn't risk leaving them till the next day for fear of the wind getting in a causing damage, so another hour was spent by torch light (still raining) finishing the build.
A small review for the company who made the greenhouse - really simple instructions, excellent design, good build quality, easy to construct and amazing value for money.
The negative - please find another way of securing the glazing panels, they are held in place by plastic strips that click in place (with brute force). I have blisters on most of my fingers, the last few panels almost brought me to tears (I need to add I'm no wimp - 6'2 tall and lots of muscles).
But with all that pain there is pleasure and I can grow a lot more plants now with so much more space.
If my maths is correct I now have 108 square ft under cover.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Before and After pics
Just a few images, It still amazes me how quickly the garden has changed.
Taken 31-05-2011
you can see the space marked out for my first greenhouse
Taken today 06-09-2011
Just over 3 months if my maths is correct.
Taken 09-06-2011
Everything is so small and neat and tidy
Recent 05-09-11
I know its progress and I'm enjoying the crops but - welcome to the jungle
Inside the plastic greenhouse that you can just see in the pic above
And finally the front garden
Sunday 4 September 2011
Pics as promised - 4 - 09 - 2011
I thought these were Golden Wonder Peppers - Turns out there way too hot for that so I've no idea.
My first pea plant - Kelvedon Wonder - in 8 weeks now is 6ft tall
Lettuce crop number 2 :)
Temp plastic greenhouse number 2 6x4 ft
The runt of my tomato plants - hes doing OK really :)
Chili peppers Cayenne
More tomatoes - Moneymaker I think
A new front garden :)
After some hassle with the neighbour demanding money from me (about £400) because he was getting damp across the front of his house.
Apparently it was the soak away that was broke and it was my fault for parking my car on it.
Things got quite ugly :(
so my resolution was to dig up the front garden, which to be honest i was using as a parking lot and wasn't pretty.
I do need to publicly state that the reason after investigation the soak away had failed, was due to - drum roll - nothing to do with my car - but due to about 30 years of muck being washed off a flat roof.
He never did apologise :(
Total cost of the project - was a lot of hard work on my part and £35 paid by the neighbour.
I decided once I had finished to make some alterations to the front wall and then, a new lawn perhaps. :)
that did cost me lots £12 for the seed.
The plants I used were ones that I had in my greenhouse, grown from seed I was going to keep then until next year and try my luck at selling at a car boot sale. (oh well needs must)
My front garden as it stands now :)
Apparently it was the soak away that was broke and it was my fault for parking my car on it.
Things got quite ugly :(
so my resolution was to dig up the front garden, which to be honest i was using as a parking lot and wasn't pretty.
I do need to publicly state that the reason after investigation the soak away had failed, was due to - drum roll - nothing to do with my car - but due to about 30 years of muck being washed off a flat roof.
He never did apologise :(
Total cost of the project - was a lot of hard work on my part and £35 paid by the neighbour.
I decided once I had finished to make some alterations to the front wall and then, a new lawn perhaps. :)
that did cost me lots £12 for the seed.
The plants I used were ones that I had in my greenhouse, grown from seed I was going to keep then until next year and try my luck at selling at a car boot sale. (oh well needs must)
My front garden as it stands now :)
Not a bad result, neighbour off my back, a new garden and a saving of £350
Update - 04 - 09 - 2011 growing season nearly over :(
It's been a a very busy few months, personally and in the garden.
I can safely say that my intention to keep a weekly blog didn't quite work out, well I've just got back from a weeks Holiday in Paignton, Devon. I absolutely loved it.
There is a massive BUT though, seems my garden for the moment is not the only thing that has taken up roots. I missed it and was pleased to come home.
I do think the plants had missed me too :) a weeks worth of crops were waiting to be harvested.
loads of cucumbers, tomatoes, courgette, marrow and chillies.
When I get some time I will post some more pics.
On a side note, I bought another greenhouse today, 8x6 so bigger than my other "I have no idea how I'm going to fit it in my plot"
I have to wait for my tomatoes to ripen and then it can probably go there "Yet another test for me I will have to wait for something that I really want yesterday :( the irony is the tomatoes would ripen faster if they were in the greenhouse that I'm waiting to put up.
Lesson learnt container pots from now on.
I can safely say that my intention to keep a weekly blog didn't quite work out, well I've just got back from a weeks Holiday in Paignton, Devon. I absolutely loved it.
There is a massive BUT though, seems my garden for the moment is not the only thing that has taken up roots. I missed it and was pleased to come home.
I do think the plants had missed me too :) a weeks worth of crops were waiting to be harvested.
loads of cucumbers, tomatoes, courgette, marrow and chillies.
When I get some time I will post some more pics.
On a side note, I bought another greenhouse today, 8x6 so bigger than my other "I have no idea how I'm going to fit it in my plot"
I have to wait for my tomatoes to ripen and then it can probably go there "Yet another test for me I will have to wait for something that I really want yesterday :( the irony is the tomatoes would ripen faster if they were in the greenhouse that I'm waiting to put up.
Lesson learnt container pots from now on.
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