Well, that's it then. The Christmas season is over. The tree has been taken down and the fragile ornaments carefully packed away for another year. Cards that were suitable have been made into present tags for next year. The foliage brought it to decorate the house has dried up and berries fall to the floor, they too will be removed shortly. The house is back to normal, another Christmas season swept away leaving only a few uneaten chocolates behind.
Now it is time to start planning for the next highlight of the year - the beginning of the new gardening season. Seed catalogues to be pondered over, choosing what we will be eating from the veg garden over the next year - wondering how we are going to fit everything in - wishing for more space - until, that is, weeding needs to be done -- then feeling a smaller garden would be better.
Preparing the soil, mulching, manuring, fertilising - making it ready to take the vulnerable seedlings and plants that will be soon filling every available space.
Flower pots and seed trays washed and waiting , new packets of labels standing by, waiting to be written with the new varieties we will be trying this year.
There are still a few weeks to go before the soil warms up enough to be able to plant anything, but there should still be enough veg left to pick for the odd meal.
There were a few florets on one of the Purple Sprouting Broc plants at the weekend, that I picked for Sunday lunch, together with a Savoy Cabbage. I still have a few Leeks and Parsnips still in the ground, and of course, the inevitable cabbages.
Will this year be more successful that last - will mistakes made last year be rectified in this. Who knows? For me, personally, the end result isn't always important - it is all that goes before that I enjoy, the sowing and pricking out - the transplanting and potting-on. Watching the seedlings come through and the anticipation of whether or not they will all survive, is all part of the gardening pleasure. And being able to blog about it. BRING IT ON!
Absolutely...bring it on! :)
ReplyDeleteWow it made me tired reading - we've just finished our seed selection - no doubt we will have forgotten something!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to getting started again, though I've still got quite a bit left in the allotment and the freezer at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI have only one question to ask: what are "uneaten chocolates"?(and don't say "the Strawberry Creams, which no-one likes"!
ReplyDeleteFlower pots and seed trays already washed and waiting AND tags already made for next Christmas, you're putting us to shame Elaine :)
ReplyDeleteYep, bring it on I'm ready as soon as the rain stops (or not).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Elaine. It's nice to be reminded when its cold and grey that it won't be long before all the gardening activity will start again. I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post to remind us all what we have to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteFlighty xx
Yay! I'm excited for 2012 too. I've got many pages folded down in my seed catalogues and I'm narrowing my choices down today. Looking forward to seeing your garden this year!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm ready to go at it again. Weather is not co-operating though...very windy and wet here...ground is saturated.
ReplyDeleteoh I can emphasise with your post. I have been busy planning away and organising my seeds for sowing.
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year so much expectation and promise
I cant wait to get going,I think I am more organised this year than I ever have been!
ReplyDelete(getting brought Garden center vouchers may have had something to do with it!)
BRING IT ON indeed!!! I can't wait to get back outside too! x
ReplyDeleteThe preparations and planning only add to the sense of anticipation. It sounds as if you are itching to get your hands dirty again Elaine - me too. Ridiculously excited yesterday to see seeds reappear in Wilkos along with other garden related odds and ends.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the enthusiasm in your words. It was a snowy day here in Nova Scotia, but my thoughts were turning to seeds and there, found your post!! Just great. Thanks for following on blog. Fingers crossed, a great garden new year ahead
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blog to cheer us all up and get us excited about the upcoming gardening year! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAnd from reading all your comments I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels a childish excitement about the new season.
I've already started ordering plants and buying new pots for my patio container garden. What are those pink beans in the first picture? That would be a fun pod to shell! :o)
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening!
Hi Elaine; Yes I did see your comment on my gardening philosophy. It's good to know that we think along similar lines.
ReplyDeleteYour veg photos look great. Some good gardening thoughts too (not just the end result but the process of getting there)!
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