This will be the last season at my plot. The field is being sold. The reasons are complicated and out of my control. It will be a sad day when I close the gate behind me for the final time. I raised hens and chicks, ducks and pigs and sheep and lambs and my beloved goats and kids up there. I have visited it every day for nearly twenty five years and tended the plot which has provided much of our food.
I will still have my small veg garden at home which has four raised beds and lots of container planting - but everything will be scaled down considerably – a quart squeezed into a pint pot. I’m thinking that this blog will be difficult to sustain under the circumstances – so perhaps I will close it down and just post veg-related pieces to my other blog ramblings from rosebank as and when they arise – I will give it a bit more thought and keep you posted.
Meanwhile, I missed my two year blog anniversary, which was in August. The first post here was in 2011, since then there have been 180 posts, 3092 comments and 63,806 page views. The most popular post was about tomatoes here which has had 1171 pageviews since it was posted. It seems any post about tomatoes is always popular. It has been a pleasure to read all your encouraging and entertaining comments – I should like to thank all of you who comment for sticking with me - particularly Flighty at Flighty's Plot who has commented on every single post – a loyal follower indeed.
‘Til the next time – maybe!
How sad for you, especially with so many memories.
ReplyDeleteWOT!!! I don't believe it. You can't just leave like that. I shall expect 'A woman of a much smaller plot'.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a shame Elaine after all those years. Congratulations on your second blogging anniversary. Am enjoying reading all your posts, gardening or otherwise.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
That's a real shame but at least you can still grow vegetables at home, albeit on a smaller scale.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on two years blogging here, it's been a real pleasure to read all the posts then comment on them. Thanks for the mention and link, it's much appreciated. Flighty xx
Elaine, I'm sure you will still find plenty to write about, even with a much smaller plot! I'll be sorry to see the end of this blog, as will lots of other people.
ReplyDeleteI feel so sad for you. What devastating news. Marion x
ReplyDeleteWhat a bad bit of news Elaine. You don't fancy having a new plot in a different location?
ReplyDeleteNo Sue - I couldn't face starting all over again.
DeleteOh Elaine what a crying shame :( I'm sure that though that you will have tales to tell of vegetable growing in different circumstances so please don't disappear. You will still be a woman of the soil. Meanwhile many congratulations on two years of blogging !
ReplyDeleteExactly said!
DeleteNoooo you can't go!! We all enjoying your blog posts (even if like me some of us don't leave a comment always) So sorry bout the loss of your field but what memories..... How about a book? That could be your next venture... You've such a lovely turn of phrase.....
ReplyDeleteVery sad, but things change and move on. Good luck with growing in a smaller space and I'm sure you'll still have lots to blog about. xx
ReplyDeleteI grow in a small place and still find lots to write about. You are a woman of the soil, that won't change just because you move from ground to a raised level. Keep up the good work but only if you feel up to it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame for you Elaine. Seems so unfair, I hope you hang in there. When I first started blogging, you were the first person to reach out to me and gave me good advice on promoting my blog, it encouraged me to carry on blogging. Thank you. x
ReplyDeleteThat is such a pity after all your hard work building up that plot. I'm sure you will still find lots to write about.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you are losing the plot,Elaine. Oops,didn't really mean it to sound like that ;) But you will have great memories and pictures. I too think you will still have plenty to blog about. I will still look out for you, xo...take care,
ReplyDeleteCatherine C.
Congratulations on your two year anniversary - I came to your blog late, but have really enjoyed reading your posts, it will be such a shame if you decide to stop writing here. A real shame about your field too - it's one thing to decide to stop tending a plot, but to have the decision made for you must be hard, especially after so many years.
ReplyDeleteI have learnt so much from you Elaine, over the last year. It's good to know that you will continue to write about growing, whichever blog you choose to use.
ReplyDeleteOh Elaine, what a wrench. It has been a great final summer - please try to enjoy the remainder of the season there and please, PLEASE don't stop blogging.
ReplyDeletesad news , I met your blog some time ago and I´ve learned a lot from you. Besos. Lilián.-
ReplyDeleteVery sad Elaine. Whatever you decide to do with your blogging (don't stop) we are still with you and you have all those wonderful photographs of your exploits, we won't forget. xx
ReplyDeleteHey Elaine,
ReplyDeleteReally sorry to hear about your plot.
Would be a big shame to shut this blog down, but can understand why you're thinking about it. Personally, I've found downsizing has me forever musing, much more than I did before. There might be loads of new material to come?
Sorry to hear your losing your plot. You seem to grow quite a bit at the house so maybe that will be sufficient. Or you could try to get a small space somewhere else. Good luck whatever you decide.
ReplyDeleteOh elaine, what a shame, such a huge change to be forced in to.
ReplyDeletePainful news, indeed, Elaine but it sounds as though you're resigned to the change. This will change the rhythm of your day, I so loved the thought of you cycling along to your plot in the early morning! I remember when you started this blog and quickly gained a loyal following - I shall certainly be continuing to read your adventures from Rosebank Cottage, even if this blog is closed. Life just ain't fair sometimes. My heart is with you. C xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Caro for your sweet words - now you have made me tearful - but you are right - I am resigned to it and am already thinking hard about how to adapt my garden at home so I can continue doing what I love. It will be a wrench but I was beginning to find it difficult to keep the plot going - so perhaps it's for the best. It will certainly be a challenge and hopefully will provide lots of new material so I can continue writing this blog - perhaps the end is not in sight after all - watch this space eh!
DeleteI am so very sorry to read you are losing your plot. It will be hard to close the gate after all this time but you know what they say...one door closes, another one opens, so hope that follows true for gates as well.
ReplyDelete25 years in one space. That would be incredibly hard to walk away from. Very sorry to hear this but I like your quote about new beginnings and painful endings. Sometimes we need someone else to make a change that forces us to change and then all sorts of good chaos ensues.
ReplyDeleteOh Elaine, so sorry to hear your sad news, it will be a massive change for you, but like everyone else has said I'm sure you will find lots to blog about with your garden at home, especially for growing veg in a small space and in containers.
ReplyDeleteYours was one of the first blogs that I followed and have been so inspired by your lovely writing, so please don't stop completely, I would really miss you. Its clear from the many comments posted that I'm not alone in thinking this.
I'm very sorry about the garden plot.
ReplyDeleteThose are very nice pictures and congratulations on making it though 2 years of garden blogging!
Such a sad story, but as you say, new challenges. Congrats on 2 years blogging. I'm sure whatever you grow and however you grow it will have a story to tell behind it, so keep up blogging in some form or another.....condense all into one! x
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you have to make this big change to your life. It is no doubt a sad parting; I know how much you will miss your plot.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your blog, sorry you are losing your plot after all these years. I keep thinking about downsizing but can't face losing all my plants and the wonderful soil I have created, let alone the wrens and robins that come every year. It must be very hard for you, but you will have learned so much over the years that your garden will get the benefit of your experience now. Looking forward to seeing more on your Rosebank Ramblings!
ReplyDeleteElaine,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the new you on a smaller scale, as it will be more relevant to me as a small scale gardener. Elaine
I'm really really sorry to hear this Elaine :( We too are having issues with our allotment's landowner so I really understand what you're going through. Are there any opportunities to start up at a new site?
ReplyDeleteMissing your posts here.
ReplyDeleteI have been away from the blogs for a while, Elaine. I am so sorry to hear about your plot. I will miss A Woman of the Soil, but I agree with your quote at the end of your post. Sometimes blessings are in disguise. Wishing you a happy new year! May we have our best new year yet! :-)
ReplyDeleteI really must look out for some sweet cicely.
ReplyDeletevisit my blod
http://bioskop-bagus.blogspot.com/
Hi i am also keen on gardening and have set up a new gardening blog. Just hope you take a peep at mine sometime. I am now following yours as i think its great.....xx
ReplyDelete