Start of a new journal – Green Fingers

I thought it was about time that I started blogging again, and what better subject to write on to ensure some cadence than gardening.

Following our move to Broadstairs one of the things we’ve gained is a lot more outdoor space, and so I’m hoping to put it to good use. In fact may good uses;

  1. Save money by growing some of our own food
  2. Help the environment through composting etc
  3. Educate the kids on all things green
  4. Educate myself on all things green
  5. Foster the idea of outdoor activites
  6. Create a beautiful place to be mindful

The garden is currently in a bit of a state, we had a ground-floor extension added to the back of the house, and the to-fro of workman and diggers has taken it’s toll… but onwards and upwards, right?

The first task was to build a raised bed for some veggies. Raff and I did this together, though as with every task that a 5 year old helps with it did take longer. The structure is made from decking (that I brought down with us in our move) and it stands at 8ft x 3ft and 2 ft tall. It’s filled with homemade compost from the 2 gigantic compost bins that were left by the previous owners. Whether or not this is a good base for veggies I don’t know, we’ll just have to wait and see. I have also made a flimsy frame for the top that is covered with chicken wire, as a hopeful barrier to the birds getting at the goodies inside.

The bed has had an initial “sowing” of peas, carrots, onion and garlic. At this point I should make it clear that I really don’t know what I’m doing, but I am reading and trying things out – and of course watching Monty Don on a weekly basis.

As well as planting stuff in the raised bed I’ve also planted a couple of Nicola potatoes in a tub, and I really hope to have 20-odd new potatoes from this.

Other tasks were also completed at the weekend, including vigorously cutting back a buddleia in the front garden (it stood about 12 ft tall and was being strangled by ivy) and ripping out a load of ivy from the hedges that border our garden at the front.

 

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