Over the past couple of weeks with the seasons changing from winter to spring, and the hours of daylight growing increasingly longer I've felt inspired to get out in the garden again. I started doing all the usual things like mowing the lawn, clearing leaves out of the pots, planting bulbs all the usual stuff, but my eyes kept getting drawn to the very back of the garden which was fenced off and completely over grown with brambles. It got me thinking about clearing it out and growing some fruit and vegetables. It looked like a lot of hard work but with the motivation of wanting to eat more organic foods, the reality of fast rising food prices and the resolution that we weren't going to be moving house, I knew it would be worth the effort.
So armed with some secateurs, sheers and some (rubbish) gardening gloves I went to work attacking the brambles (though I've got to say they did their fair share of attacking me!). With the offer of an opportunity to grow some fresh vegetables for their table, I also roped in the kids and a couple of friends to help.
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| Half way through |
As I was working away, my mind wandering pleasantly, I thought of writing this blog with the idea of showing that anyone can start from scratch in their garden to become more self sufficient and in tune with nature and the changing seasons. I don't know about you but this year I really seem to be feeling the importance of being in harmony with nature and becoming less reliant on the mass production of superstores and the corporate machine.
In perfect synchronicity Saturday 19th march was the equinox full moon, and happened to be a super moon (in its closest elliptical orbit to earth) appearing larger as it rises and sets. Perfect night for a bonfire and a spot of moon gazing!
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| Plum trees emerge! |
As the super moon rose over the horizon glowing orange and extremely bright, my friends and I grabbed a few beers and some toasted marshmallows to help along the way and we had the ground clear by the morning.
Next day was the spring equinox the official start of spring, it's an important time of year as it means the hours of daylight and night are equal, literally over night all the trees and plants burst into life! So we planted all sorts of seeds like lettuce, beetroot, cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli and leeks, my children chose to plant a sunflower seed each, then we all made a wish that they grow into a healthy bountiful harvest (best to stay positive!).
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Lots of space to grow in
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I started taking pictures half way through to record the changes along the way and hope to keep you updated as I go.. as a complete novice.. kind of have a feeling there's going to be a lot of trial and error here! So far the beds have been dug, the potatoes, onions and garlic have gone in the ground, and some of the seeds in my make-shift propagator are starting to shoot. When I haven't been digging in the garden, naturally I've had my head in all sorts of gardening books figuring out when each seed needs to be sown, what plant should go where and when. I've got a lot to learn but am definitely getting there, I've found out interesting information that I never knew such as not to grow root vegetables in recently manured soil and about companion planting to keep pests under control, for instance you would plant garlic with carrots to keep carrot fly at bay, basil with aubergines to keep off aphids and nasturtiums with cabbages to attract beneficial insects. so armed with some newly acquired knowledge and a spade I've got some more digging to do... watch this space ... It's a great project for us all as a family and we're having lots of fun and fresh air in the process... So what are you waiting for? If we can do it.. you can too!!!
