Gardening - a bit of history

My gardening started in early childhood, where my mother helped and encouraged my interest - initially growing veg, helping out with soil preparation and sowing seeds. Eventually I took over the majority of the sowing, tending and harvesting. Typical veg being carrots, beetroot, parsnips, potatoes and runner beans.

I now appreciate where my love of gardening originates.

At the moment I tend my own garden at home together with my wife Lynne. The garden isn't large, but it's got a good mix of perennials, pear trees and a plum tree, a small pond, patio, deck and lawn area. I also have an allotment too. I've had the allotment now for 9 years, and after the early years of battling rabbits, rats, mice and cows... yes cows once broke through the allotments boundary fencing and ran amok, large holes in fences and in the plots too... I now feel in control of the plot.

The plot is on the Nortenham Allotments, on the North West of Bishop's Cleeve (near Cheltenham, England), close to the busy A435 road.

Over the years I've managed to improve the soil, and keep the majority of the weeds in check. I suppose I get down to the plot once or twice a week on average, though, with the bad weather in November and December 2010 (really very cold and frosty with a touch of snow) thoughts of winter digging and tidying up take a back seat. I have some broccoli and sprouts growing currently and I'm hoping they'll provide some tasty pickings for Christmas..

I've included a few pictures taken in November 2009 to give an idea what the plot is like - quite empty of produce at this time of the year. The plot is about 50 metres long by 8 metres wide and it's separated into smaller fenced off areas, mainly as protection against rabbits - the theory being that if one area is 'broken-in-to' by a rabbit it can't have full run of the whole plot. So far it seems to be working.... the area covered by plastic sheeting in the first picture has been left for about a year, killing off weeds and preventing new weeds from growing. I cultivated the majority of this area in early 2010 and planted potatoes and courgettes.

Covered area to stop weeds growing - prior to cultivation

Island beds, so that I don't have to walk over the cultivated areas - I can reach all the crops from the paths

My pride and joy - 3 Espalier Apple Trees grown from maiden (1 year old) trees - and very productive