Category Archives: Uncategorized

#NABLOPOMO: That Patch of Earth

That patch of earth has seen a number of changes over the years. From being entirely covered in weeds, to having dips and depressions that needed to be filled, the topography of the plot has changed a great deal.

All of that has been a process. Nothing has happened instantly or over night. The process is actually on going, and will always be; there is always something to be done on the plot.

It is not always easy to go there, and spend lots of time there. Real life, as it were, does take priority. However, spending even half an hour walking around is incredibly valuable. There have been days where I have been doing planning, marking; and simply walking up and down through the roses bushes has helped to alleviate stress and tension. This makes me a great believer in gardening being valuable and a tool for mindfulness.

 

Guest Blogger Punam Farmah on why she wrote a book!

Reblogged guest blog from Michael Perry’s Planthunter blog. He does know his gardening stuff…

Mr Plant Geek's avatarMichael Perry - Mr Plant Geek

Book worm, Bollywood gardener and now Book writer.

“I would like to write a book over this summer. An e-book.”

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#NABLOPOMO: Diwali and the armistice

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Today it is both Diwali and Armisitice day. With one, the nation pauses at eleven AM to remember those who have fallen in conflict. The other, a festival of light celebrating the triumph of good over bad.

Divas, lamps, lanterns and candles are also lit to guide home loved ones, family and friends. With the armistice, we consider those that may not be coming home. It is for them that the candles, divas and lamps burn that bit brighter.

Petal’s Potted Preserve: A pledge for Warriors

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Petal’s Potted Preserve: A pledge for Warriors

This is a pledge for warriors and all veterans of conflict across the globe.

Petal’s Potted Preserve promises to support and honour all warriors and veterans of past and on going conflicts.

Petal’s Potted Preserve would like to spread awareness of both the visible and invisible signs of conflict and how they impact upon warriors, veterans and their families.

In doing so, Petal’s Potted Preserve would like to say a thank you to all warriors and veterans and remind them that no matter what they might face; they will always have a friend and someone to walk with them.

Warriors and Veterans, Petal’s Potted Preserve salutes you.

#plantpottales go paperback

Whilst ‘playing with plant pots:tales from the allotment’ was initially released for distribution via a kindle. It is now also available in paperback.

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Ultimately, I rather like books. I always have. There have been phases of my life where I have collected great piles of books; and have had to send them-after a while-to a new and loving home. I still have a pile of books that I refuse to part company with.

There is something about having a book between your palms and leafing through the pages. You can still leaf through and kindle, a highlight things. But you can’t use a pen, or make your own detailed annotations. I do draw the line, however, at highlighting in day glo pink vast swathes of a book. In my mind at least that is something of a no-no.

As mentioned previously on blog; writing the book was about sharing. Sharing my trials, tribulations. The successes and the failures. A physical book is another way of doing it. In addition, gardening books exist, in one shape or or another form. Now there is another one.

I mentioned previously about how you can at least write in your own copy of a book. You can own it and properly. You can engage with it. There is space enough in the book for that to happen. I encourage readers to do that; and even spot my typos if they so wish.

The very first, and in fact only, gardening book that I ever bought; is littered with my own notes and post its that are sellotaped in or further glued in so that they don’t fall out.

As with the kindle version, the book also has Mum’s recipes. Now you can the book into the kitchen. Again, you can annotate these and record your culinary experiments.

All the original images are in there; so the full colour vibrancy of plot produce can be experienced. I am yet to see a grey flower or pixelated produce.

The links for access are as follows:

http://amzn.to/1UPENaT
U.S. link for Kindle

http://amzn.to/1FxpUTU U.S. link for paper back

http://amzn.to/1MOju5o

U.K. Link for kindle

http://amzn.to/1KLaqrl U.K. Link for paper back

Potatoes, peppers and prepping Apples

Potatos and prep were the key words this week. As mentioned previously, we have had an abundance of Pink Fir Apple potatoes. This week we harvested the last batch. These have been by far the most productive potato that I have ever managed to grow. My potato growing adventures have not been without incident. so to have such nice good quality potatoes from the plot is something of a surprise. All of the spuds this year were in raised beds, and either in compost or farmyard manure. This does appear to have paid dividends.

In the poly tunnel, we have a mass of six foot triffids. Would you believe, that whilst I was away, Ma harvested a red tomato. Yes, I was upset too. You can also see her picking glads, some of which were as tall as her.

Grapes are on the turn, and whilst there is not many of them this year, they are rather sweet. The autumn raspberry cane has kicked off with lovely large fruit, whereas the blackberries are still somewhat thin amongst the boughs.

Ma has taken up the cabbages, as she was about to declare war on the critters that were nibbling on them. She has shredded them and frozen for winter saag dishes.

Then came the apples. Having spend ages chopping, coring and peeling. I have found a new gadget! This was tested in the falstaff apples, the worcester pearmain are too small as are the home grown concorde pears. if only I had thought of this two weeks ago! Would have saved me six hours of work!

That other creative project…it’s live

horticultural 'Obbit's avatarhorticultural 'obbit

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Playing with plant pots: tales from the allotment

I once read that if you were going to write, you should write about what you love. I took this as inspiration to put pen to pen, finger to keyboard and write. As much as I like Star Trek, Shakespeare and the Whedon-verse, I am not about to write any of those on huge worldwide scale. Also they have all, strangely enough, been done.

Writing this blog is incredibly enjoyable, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can. What I had in mind, was to write a book. Or more specifically, an ebook. So I set myself a challenge. To write one by Christmas. And about my experiences on the allotment, of growing my own, and to build on what I have learned and documented through this blog. This blog seemed a good starting place as any,

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floral ‘obbit seedbox by @loldeantimber

flashback post: That floral trug, and the matching seedbox

horticultural 'Obbit's avatarhorticultural 'obbit

You are all aware of the floral obbit trug made by https://www.facebook.com/Loldeantimber?fref=ts and now they have matching seedboxes too!

The trug was brilliant last year and the matching seedbox is a welcome addition. Now contains some seeds, so already been put to good use. The seedbox was a fabulous welcome surprise when it arrived the other day. Complements the ‘obbit trug beautifully. The same colour and the same pattern, I am really very proud of them both.

The floral ‘obbit trug was a commission made of https://www.facebook.com/Loldeantimber?fref=ts last year. Hand made, with the unique floral petal, the trug has paid for itself over and over in courgettes and goodies. It’s evidence of a small British Business growing and going from strength to strength. The hard work, commitment and passion of @loldeantimber is evidenced beautifully in their hand made GYO products.

As with everything on the blog, if I like something…

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Gardening goes Bollywood….!

Another guest blog written for World Radio Gardening. And no I don’t wear that to the plot

Mr Plant Geek's avatarworld radio gardening

“I will help you with your allotment. But you should grow Indian food.”

My mother’s ultimate directive. And my leverage, when the plot needs digging over or the weeds suddenly try to start a revolution.

So the plot is a bit Bollywood.

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