A spring of cool air warmed by the sun and now rain, deserve at least a mention in all this compost, compost, compost talk. May your ideas bloom as well, Tom.
Brilliant work, Tom - I'm in awe of all your fabulous produce!
The rest of my family are accomplished horticulturists, and I'm the non-gardener. Despite my feelings that I won't get to harvest anything, so far I've got some four-inch high runner bean plants, seedlings of rocket (which you guys call arugula over there) and lettuce, AND - not grown from seed this time, but accepted as a ready-made freebie from my mum - a summer squash plant. Fingers crossed they haven't all turned up their toes by July....! 🤣
And I would have figured you a gardener! Truth is, I wasn’t much of a gardener until the last couple years when I’ve finally had time to be more deliberate about it.
LOL! Actually, perhaps it's time and maturity (although even writing that word down in reference to myself always makes me laugh!) that have made a similar difference to me in that respect, Tom. This winter we rejigged our front garden to make space for me to park on our own property rather than in the narrow lane we live on, and sorting that out has left us with a lovely - and thankfully pretty small! - area for planting up. I haven't (yet) killed anything that I've put in - so perhaps I'm improving at last! 🤣
As far as the veg is concerned, we have (on purpose) just a single raised bed - any more space would have me putting myself under too much pressure in terms of gardening performance. Sad but true! 🌱
Love this post, Tom. Your new beds came out great! My wife and I started gardening and composting last year. I think it’s something we’ll continue to work at for the rest of our lives.
Love it. I think that’s more accurate, haha cause I totally cook my books for like a month in between edit stages, no stew gonna simmer that long! It’s a fermentation!
Lovely. I moved recently, and now I have a yard for the first time in my adult life. I've always lived in cities. I want to plant some stuff, but I have no idea what I'm doing. Also, every houseplant I've ever owned has died.
We had these old neighbors (both dead now) who really helped us learn the ropes. Phyllis loved to say, “if you don’t like it, pull it out.” We just watched them and learned.
That was May, and then we hit June and we have what we call here the “June gloom.” It seemed to have just peeled away, but it’s the price we pay for a good May. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
I love your marigold border! Lovely garden. I had a compost pile that I was turning and cooking for about a year, then I had to abruptly remove it from its location and I never established a new pile. It was fascinating to watch lettuce butts and orange peels turn into black gold in just a few months.
It's true! I'm envious that you're already harvesting.
Can’t believe it! Thanks are to the warmest May on record, I’m sure
Love a good marigold... well done Tom!
Aren’t they great? I tell myself they chase away the aphids, but I don’t even know that it’s true.
Composting ideas! Great. Nice photos as well.
A spring of cool air warmed by the sun and now rain, deserve at least a mention in all this compost, compost, compost talk. May your ideas bloom as well, Tom.
From a non-gardner I give you a big brown thumbs up! I'm looking forward to your composted ideas, Tom, because I know they'll be fresh.
I think they’ll be well-aged! Thanks Brian
Brilliant work, Tom - I'm in awe of all your fabulous produce!
The rest of my family are accomplished horticulturists, and I'm the non-gardener. Despite my feelings that I won't get to harvest anything, so far I've got some four-inch high runner bean plants, seedlings of rocket (which you guys call arugula over there) and lettuce, AND - not grown from seed this time, but accepted as a ready-made freebie from my mum - a summer squash plant. Fingers crossed they haven't all turned up their toes by July....! 🤣
And I would have figured you a gardener! Truth is, I wasn’t much of a gardener until the last couple years when I’ve finally had time to be more deliberate about it.
LOL! Actually, perhaps it's time and maturity (although even writing that word down in reference to myself always makes me laugh!) that have made a similar difference to me in that respect, Tom. This winter we rejigged our front garden to make space for me to park on our own property rather than in the narrow lane we live on, and sorting that out has left us with a lovely - and thankfully pretty small! - area for planting up. I haven't (yet) killed anything that I've put in - so perhaps I'm improving at last! 🤣
As far as the veg is concerned, we have (on purpose) just a single raised bed - any more space would have me putting myself under too much pressure in terms of gardening performance. Sad but true! 🌱
Wow, that's going to be quite the bounty. And fresh veggies are the best.
Aww! This post is an honor!!
Your 'Stack really has inspired me Cass. If you ever doubt that anyone reads or cares, doubt no more.
Also envious! Barely have sprouts thanks to a wet and unpredictable spring so far. Can’t wait to read the essay that’s cooking in the background, too.
We had such a warm May it really helped.
Love this post, Tom. Your new beds came out great! My wife and I started gardening and composting last year. I think it’s something we’ll continue to work at for the rest of our lives.
Nothing beats fresh veggies from the garden! 🥗
We've been married and attempting to garden for 33 years ... and I'd say it's only worked in the past 4 or 5. Slow learners!
But it sounds like quite a fun journey. I hope I’m lucky enough to someday say “33 years”!
Wow! So cool! Very impressive. I think of my ideas like this too, but I say they’re simmering like a good stew.
Yeah, a stew works too. I think I chose compost for this one since it's taking so damn long to age!
Love it. I think that’s more accurate, haha cause I totally cook my books for like a month in between edit stages, no stew gonna simmer that long! It’s a fermentation!
Aging like a good Scotch maybe!
Enjoy your break, mate.
Lovely. I moved recently, and now I have a yard for the first time in my adult life. I've always lived in cities. I want to plant some stuff, but I have no idea what I'm doing. Also, every houseplant I've ever owned has died.
We had these old neighbors (both dead now) who really helped us learn the ropes. Phyllis loved to say, “if you don’t like it, pull it out.” We just watched them and learned.
I have serious compost envy. That is some of the richest I've ever seen. Damn. Great photos, too - you've had some beautiful weather over there!
That was May, and then we hit June and we have what we call here the “June gloom.” It seemed to have just peeled away, but it’s the price we pay for a good May. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
I love your marigold border! Lovely garden. I had a compost pile that I was turning and cooking for about a year, then I had to abruptly remove it from its location and I never established a new pile. It was fascinating to watch lettuce butts and orange peels turn into black gold in just a few months.