Ouch, lots to do

Well, it may have been a mixed start (see previous blog); but the gardening business has taken off. Almost binary in nature. Mid/late February nothing much, now mid March, my diary is full with returning customers, National Trust work, and some new customers all wanting a ‘Spring clean’.

I’ve had to turn away two jobs; one was just too large a task and the other, a spring clean, I just couldn’t fit  it in. So I’m very pleased that the gardening year has started this way – though my body is telling me different!

I bought a pressure washer this week, to use at home and perhaps for some cleaning jobs too. Managed to set it up today and give the van a blast and then had a go with one of the mucky waste bins. Finished off by cleaning the side path paving slabs – so no more moss or muck, looks like new (almost) concrete – Lynne not impressed…  But, I am impressed by the power of the washer (a Karcher model), and if called upon to clean patios I shouldn’t have to get on my hands and knees anymore, and it’ll make a better job of it too!

Allotment is just about up to scratch now with all but one small area dug and prepared – this will be for outdoor tomatoes so there is plenty of time to do this. Planted some shallots and first early potatoes this week. The soil is in pretty good condition, though drying out too fast in this warm weather. At home I’ve pre-planted loads of onion sets in trays prior to planting on the allotment. I’ve found over the years that it’s better to start them off this way as it helps prevent birds taking the sets out of the soil.

Next few jobs to do will be to sow leeks, parsnips, beetroot, basil and carrots.

On the church front, I’m organising a plant sales stand at the Woodmancote May Day event, with all proceeds going to County Community Projects. Last year was a really good success story (apart from the useless marquee I purchased especially for the event); with almost all the church community taking part. We sold loads of plants, many of which were grown by folk from the church, and just as important, we met lots of local people and had the opportunity to make new and renew friendships. Let's hope the weather is fine and our plant stocks are high..

A 'mixed' start to the year & working season

Having had some time away from the gardening business over the winter; which was expected, some late winter / early spring activities are starting up.

Obviously the weather plays a large part of what I’m able to do outside. So some unseasonably mild and stable weather in late February enabled me to tackle a fairly large crab apple pruning job which took the best part of 6 to 8 hours to complete. I was keen to ensure it remained attractive to look at after its prune and not just to leave a set of stumps in the air.

A couple of returning customers are welcome too as I get back into the gardening working pattern again. Winter tidy ups - getting ready for the Spring growth.

Our daughter was married in late February, so this was a welcome event in the family, and we enjoyed a fabulous afternoon and evening, especially with the reception location being Hestercombe Gardens – with very fine weather; plenty of warm sunshine and blue skies too.

Following the wedding I went down with a sore throat - initially thinking I had talked too much (what me?), which subsequently developed in to a particularly nasty chesty cold; really fed up with coughing after 5 days of it.

I was pleased to be successful in getting the National Trust’s Snowshill Manor holiday cottages gardener job this week and look to start later this month. I’m looking forward to making some improvements and changes this year, to build on all the hard work from last year.

Due to some recent poor weather and my cold I’ve been set back a bit with the plans and activities for the allotment. I still have fence posts to replace and a gate to make. Also some weeding needs doing before I make attempts to plant the early potatoes and create seed beds. Today's rainfall should help the soil though.

Having signed up a while ago for Twitter, I have found some useful information sources and other ‘twitterers’ of interest. Following the Guernsey Walled Garden produced a link to the Sarah Raven ‘birds, bees & blooms’ programmes; whilst following Snowshill Manor revealed that the gardeners have a blog too. Following Monty Don has revealed his recent travels in France – so maybe some interesting gardening programmes might be in the offing.