Lovember: Growing Things

I'm deliberately not saying gardening as I'm no good at the vision, creating a space and plantmanship thing. And I don't have time to sit in a garden which has enjoyed those things.

I do love making the most of the space I've got and using it to produce fruit & vegetables. It's been a slow process: I moved into a low-maintenance garden of gravel and concrete which has taken a lot of hard work and a fair bit of persuasion and bartering to fill with growing areas, soil, manure, etc.

I love that it's a bit of a lottery: things thrive or don't, but it is a forgiving gamble. There's always next year to build on the lessons learned this year.

I love that the rewards are always significantly higher than the cost. One bulb of garlic planted this month will yield 12 bulbs next spring/summer... and will taste like nothing you can buy in Sainsbury's.

I love all the varieties and eating things that I can't afford or that I don't have easy access to.

I love that other people who grow things are nearly always friendly and generous and empathetic.

I love that Charlie loves it too.

I love that popping out into the garden for 25 minutes grows into 2 hours no matter what the weather.

I love the huge mug of hot builder's tea when I come back indoors.

I especially love that as of this coming Thursday I shall have my very own allotment!!! Jack and I are going to share. I think we will both benefit enormously.