I’m nearly there. I just have beans and zucchini, squash, herbs, cucumbers and melons left to go into the garden. The good thing about the cucumbers is their bed is ready and waiting and the frame is up, ready to support outreached tendrils as they grow towards the sun. The only thing holding things up at this point is the cucumbers themselves. I’d like them to be just a little bigger before they go out into the world. Besides it is still a little too chilly at night and they do like to sulk if it isn’t warm enough.
The other ones actually still need a full renovation of their soon to be luxury homes, but now it is a tad warm in the middle of the day – it is the thought of doing the reno, working up a bit of a sweat that is putting me off. I need to just get in there and do it. Maybe bright and early tomorrow, then I can say it is done.
The thing is – it isn’t done – not yet. It will only be done in context of a set of tasks in a moment. I could give you a huge list of what is still to do:
- There are sunflowers to go in along the fence – oh it will look so pretty
- The wildflowers need a home – still not sure where but I need to get on to it
- I need to repot the peppers into bigger pots because they aren’t going into the garden until the garlic comes out and that is about 8 weeks away
- The melons also need to be repotted as they aren’t going in until the onions come out, but they will be quite happy in the greenhouse in the warm until then
- All the left-over plants need to be repotted into polybags so I can give them away without losing my pots – I nearly didn’t have enough this season
- I should really wash the pots I have used now. Washing pots in cold weather is not very enjoyable
- I think I have a few more seeds to sow… I’ll know what is missing once everything is in or given away
- I need to build a frame to protect my strawberries from the birds – although they don’t seem to be bothering them at the moment.
- I need to rescue my Jerusalem Artichokes – they are currently choking in weeds
- Everything could do with a feed
- The peas need a bit of love – they are in a right old mess.
- The shed needs a tidy up and so does the greenhouse, while we’re at it
- The grass needs mowing… again
Actually – to see it all written down makes me feel a little better. It isn’t really that much to do at all. Sometimes it can all get a bit overwhelming and you can’t appreciate all you have managed to achieve in the face of all that is still to be done. I do remember receiving some great advice once that said:
“when you are digging or weeding, work with your back to what is still to do, so you can see how far you have come, you aren’t overwhelmed by how much is still to do and the end comes as a wonderful surprise.”
I am learning to stop and be still in my garden and just sit for a while and just notice the small things. It is a really great way to recharge and be ready for the next push to get things done, without overdoing things. Gardens can bring great joy, so long as you stop being busy in there and start looking around.
Come again soon – the weather is leaning more towards summer than winter, which is about time too!
Sarah the Gardener : o)
Blessing in sharing have a blessed day
Thanks Linda – You too. : o)
I loved the sentiment in this post. Also, do you sow shallots from seed or starts? And if seeds, where do you get yours?
Thanks – I was hoping it didn’t come across too moany. I’m at the point were I just want everything planted and the though of doing just one more bed is exhausting! But I’ll get there.
With the shallots I have starts and seeds. The seeds were started in early winter – we don’t freeze over here and planted out in late winter. The starts were kind of a bit naughty. I couldn’t find good quality ones in the garden centre that didn’t cost an arm an a leg so I grabbed some locally grown ones from the supermarket. It was taking a bit of a risk A) that they’d come up at all and B) I didn’t know that they were free from disease. But most of them came up and I won’t be growing onions in that bed for another 7 years! So far they look good. : o)
I grow my sweet potatoes and fingerling potatoes from organic groceries!
Enjoy seeing you have berry fruit growing.
I send your blog to a penfriend in the USA who had a stroke at 40 and is in a wheel chair aged 56 and she just LOVES reading about your garden, keep it up.
She’d like to know know what’s happening in the orchard.
Hi Selina. Thank you so much for you kind words. I am so pleased my garden brings enjoyment to more than just me. I will try and squeeze in an orchard update this week.
Cheers Sarah : o)
Sarah, what gorgeous photographs. You’ve accomplished a lot, and yes, there is more to do, but I’m so impressed. Things are coming together.
Thank you so much. I’m nearly there. There are just a few more large tasks and then I can settle down to the gentle ebb and flow of early summer in the garden – before the harvest kicks in! : o)
I’m in awe of the size of your garden and all you do, especially with disagreeable weather getting in your way.
Thanks Alys. That means a lot. : o)
You’re welcome!
Judging from your berries, things are progressing fast now, aren´t they?
The weather is still all over the place – the overnight temps last week were positively wintery so our poor plants are a tad confused, but it won’t be cold forever and they will take off in no time. : o)
Beautiful photos Sarah, and a great list, looks like you are enjoying yourself plenty 🙂
Thanks so much. The garden is always a wonderful place to find inspiration. : o)
Yes it is, nature is wonderful and ever inspiring.