The topsoil arrived. The neighbours asked if we were building a fortress!
Four tons looks smaller than it actually is….poor hubs….a shoveling he did go, and there were a lot of holes in that rusty old barrow!
One by one he filled the four raised beds.
One is now planted with potatoes, another sown with carrots. The pots to the left of this photo are fruit bushes and bay trees that will hopefully be planted out soon.
The veggie patch is now weeded, and a shed-load of strawberries have been dug up and potted.
Littl’urchin will hopefully enjoy them as her dad is now caring for them.
I added a few inches of topsoil and topped that with rotted grass cuttings. Now I just have to wait for my seedlings to grow.
More Armageddon potatoes were left in this wooden barrel, they’ll be up soon.
My herb garden, under the monkey puzzle tree has been weeded. I have parsley and chives growing that can be added here. Maybe a few rocket plants too.
Hubs has been busy cutting wood for our logburner….
Curly cat has been sunning himself while lounging in leaf litter…
and Buddy has taken to covering his nose when we cough.
On our walks with the dogs I’ve noticed animal prints in the mud. Usually there are only human footprints.
Fox? Bird and duck.
I’m thinking the small prints may be a hedgehog or rat.
Carrot, tomato and kale soup, complete with chipped dishes!
Like everyone else, I’m reluctant to shop until absolutely necessary, so constantly find myself googling things like….what can I cook with carrots, tomatoes, leeks and apple.
Yesterday there were no cars on the busy dual-carriageway by our house. It was somewhat unsettling seeing only police cars…
and an ambulance coming from the opposite direction.
And Finally…
a few other bits and pieces re these strange, strange times.
A group of seagulls have moved into the garden, coinciding with the lock-down. Their wheeling cries suit these times. They have become the sound of the Apocalypse for me.
Animals are returning to, now, quiet towns. Goats in Wales, and deer, in a inner city area in Kirkby. Unheard of!
Foxes will be roaming the streets next. I like that.
I’d like to mention that you cannot catch coronavirus from your pets. So many people are now abandoning them, at the worst possible time. Shelters can’t take them in, as they are all full, and unable to adopt animals out at the moment, due to home checks being too risky for all.
Today, a cat was taped into a tiny carrier, then put inside a bin bag, that was tied up, and thrown over a park fence. That cat would have suffocated, as that was the intention, but a chap in the park checked it out, and thankfully, she’s now in our rescue.
All along the hedgerow on the dual carriageway I see endless plastic gloves. Day by day they mount up. People are obviously tossing them out of cars after shopping at our local supermarket. Dear Lord, what is wrong with people. When will we EVER learn???
And, Finally, finally….if anyone would like to see what my friends and I are up to, The Whatever the Weather Girls, check out this link.
We’ve been writing for daughters’ online magazine.
Until next time, stay safe and enjoy each day, we only ever have the present.
Blogspot does the same! I haven’t had an email notification from them in an age! Oh yes, growing are own has never been more important, who knows what’s coming next! Thanks Chloris.xxx
I just found this post for some reason they are not appearing in my reader. WordPress has this habit of dropping people I follow now and again. Anyway, I like the look of all that top soil and of course you have to provide healthy lockdown exercise for Hubs, it was most thoughtful of you. We are all digging for victory and growing lots of veg. I like the look of that soup.
Whew, it looks like a lot of work to fill the raised beds. Your husband is a saint.
He sure is….at times! It’s wonderful having the raised beds in one place close to a hosepipe. Thanks Sheryl.xxx
On the other hand, there’s apparently a shelter in L.A. that’s run out of animals to adopt!
Glad to hear you are planting happily away. Well of course after that hero husband of your hauls that massive pile of soil to the new planting sites. Wonderful!
That’s wonderful! We can’t adopt without a homecheck sadly. It’s fab watching all the seedlings grow, and having all that topsoil to plant the veggies in, black gold it is! Hubs did a grand job and I still have lots left. Thanks Anne.xxx
Oh my goodness Dina, I was horrified to read about the discarded kitten and other animals being abandoned. I’m astounded at how cruel some people can be. The little footprints on your walks really sum up the lack of human activity at the moment. It’s the same here but with birdsong. Less trains, planes, cars and people have resulted in the birds here getting a lot braver. Blue tits and sparrows now stay put when I’m walking past or gardening, where they would have flown for cover before. It’s really rather lovely. Pleased to read you’re all still okay – and super impressed with your veggie garden! xxx
The rescues are now worried that people will start abandoning their animals fearing that they can catch the virus from them. Some people are utterly heartless. I’ve noticed the birds getting braver too, it’s good to see the positives in this situation. I love how the animals are creeping into human territory. Thanks Caro.xxx
Food experimenting going on here as well. How we have taken choice for granted! You will be well stocked up with produce come this Summer and all that hard work will have paid off. We have been sharing plants with local daughter putting them out in front garden for her to collect during this social distancing time. Thankful that she lives nearby. Neighbours also being helpful just by being there even if we are all in our own little world in our homes. Younger ones can help us older neighbours. Horrible to know what some people are doing out there being cruel, thoughtless, throw away attitude. Yet others are so kind and selfless. We have to cling on to that. Take care Dina and family, that includes your lovely animal companions xxL
I think everyone is getting creative with meals now. I’m hoping for a good harvest. I’ve been sharing plants with daughter and my neighbours, lots of swapping going on. It’s good to know you are being cared for. You take good care of yourselves too. Thanks Linda.xxx
That’s good news about catching coronavirus from pets. I wasn’t sure about that. That sounds like a lot of shoveling – I hope your husband’s back is strong. Sounds like you will be well-supplied with home-grown produce.
People can pass the virus onto cats apparently. There was a story recently about a zoo keeper passing it on to a tiger! Hubs seemed to escape any aches and pains after shoveling that mound, thankfully. I am hoping for a good harvest. Thanks Jason.xxx
Those raised beds look fabulous. So much work, but already some reward, I’d say — not to mention some sore muscles. I’ve learned that when I need some organic potting mix from our local nursery never to pick it up when it’s rained. They mix it in huge piles, and then bag it in forty pound lots. I would think that forty pounds dry ought to be the same as forty pounds wet, but if it’s wet, it seems to weigh ever so much more.
I spent some time thinking about our trash situation, and I honestly can say I’ve not seen any discarded gloves, wipes, and such. Of course, I may not have been in the right place to see them, since I prefer a smaller, independent grocery that doesn’t have nearly as much traffic as the big places. They’re not always as well stocked, but to be honest, I’ve done as well there with produce as in the big stores. Between my chicken-and-egg raising friend, and a good local meat market, I’m pretty well set.
Our lizard population is exploding just now. Your critters would have a wonderful time!
Oh yes, soil doubles in weight when wet! Hubs covered his mound in case of rain. It’s good to know discarded gloves and masks aren’t piling up in your area. It’s mainly on the main road to a large supermarket here. Some people truly are self absorbed! Thanks Linda.xxx
I showed Paul the photo of all the soil to be moved… he sympathises totally with Hubs. He does that every year.
You have both been really busy.. it’ll be lovely to see everything grow. We are also spending a lot of time in the garden ….SO glad to have a garden at time like this.. imagine being stuck in a little apartment!
In our area people seem to be buying cats & dogs for comfort & also because kids are at home more…Just hope this doesn’t lead to people abandoning them because it all gets too hard.
Love your article in your daughter’s mag .. great idea! 😀👏👏
I don’t think my hubs would shovel that much soil each year, I tip my cap to yours. It would be so much harder without a garden wouldn’t it? I couldn’t imagine living in an apartment, even a million pound one. Oh, people buying animals right now does sound worrying! Thanks Gerrie.xxx
Such a lot of major gardening work. Curly cat has the right idea, let everyone else indulge in exertions. Buddy seems to be following suit.
Horror story about the poor cat. So pleased to hear its distress was quickly brought to an end and it is being cared for at the rescue.
Are the seagulls overhead and settling In order to find food do you think? There will be a big reduction in scavenging opportunities for them.
Xxxx
I have no doubt that now people and their scraps have left the beaches the gulls have moved inland to forage bird tables and homes in pursuit of food. I am fearful that the horror stories may grow….Thanks Menhir. Love and hugs my friend.xxxx
I’m with curly cat, it’s exhausting reading all the things you’ve been up to!
Hahahaha….you have me laughing! Thanks AnneMarie.xxx
Oh. my goodness you have been wonderfully busy and think of the joys of lovely fresh garden fruit and veg. I grew up that way and must say that I hope one day to get back to having my own garden again.
It is amusing to see kitty Kat and doggy completely relaxed and enjoying being part of the gang, but doing nothing:)
As for the people who throw gloves, or anything else out of their car window….I think it is disgusting. When oh when will they every wake up??? I am hoping that this new way of being will change people’s ways, but when you see the gloves….I wonder.
Keep up all the good work….and as you say enjoy this day to the full. Janet XXXXXX
Thanks Janet, I’m hoping for a good harvest. It would be lovely if you got back to growing your own, it’s so rewarding. I think those who don’t care about others will stay that way. Hopefully the more enlightened outnumber them. Stay safe and enjoy each day. xxxxx
Your garden is looking wonderful, so much soil your husband has moved I hope is muscles are recovering well.
I am really shocked that people are doing such horrible things to their pets, how could they. I am sorry that you are having to deal with the aftermath of such cruelty.
And gloves on the verges? How thoughtless, where on earth do they think they are going to go?
Hubs did a grand job with that soil and seemed to walk away unscathed. Oh….I am more numb now re cruelty and seeing so much over the years. Re the gloves, that has to be a new high on the selfish level. Thanks Sustainabemum.xxx
This afternoon I was also in the garden… and I planted seeds of different vegetables which I will then put in the vegetable garden (as soon as it is warmer). For two weeks I had the “shift” in the afternoon, now for two more, that of 7: 00-12: 30. Damn. I have to get up at 6:00 am and 9:00 pm I am destroyed…
But life goes on. For now, all OK, apart from the apartheid of Emanuele Giousè who shows up only at meals.
And everything seems to be under control. We also had seagulls going around the house: out of our minds, we don’t have the sea nearby, but now they have become used to living near the lake. Love xoxo c
A big hug to everyone
Good to hear you have seeds on the go now! Oh goodness, you poor thing, those shifts sound awful! Hopefully you’ll get some sleep. ahh…poor Emanuele Giousè, what a grand job he’s doing. Hugs to him. I think the gulls must be missing all the food people dumped, now it’s gone they are all coming inland. Hugs to you and yours. Stay safe friend of mine.xxxxx
Now can anyone just abandon a member of their family especially in such a cruel way?
I have no idea Sue….it’s happened so often over the years, I’m almost numb to it.xxx
Wow, what a lot of hard work for you and Hubs! You’ll certainly be self-sufficient, come the apocalypse…xx
I hope the bugs and slugs and weather are kind this year! Hopefully the Apocalypse doesn’t really hit!!! xxx
Oh, my, such huge boxes, beds, bins, and barrels of promise everywhere! I can see it all in a few weeks and then, at harvest…yum!!! Does the earth in the raised beds smell as heavenly as it looks?
I do not understand the piggies being pigs, dropping potentially-infected gloves everywhere; our sweet trail is suffering the same litter and carelessness. Devastatingly depressing.
But sweet Buddy and Curly looking so content certainly warmed my heart. Kisses to all 4-leggeds. And the tracks in the mud: how sweet!
I love the photo of the horses on the hill, and your soup looks fabulous, Dina!
Be well and safe. I hope the call of the gulls’ cries won’t haunt you. I like the sound, but that it connects your heart to the pandemic may not be at all soothing…
Sending love to all. xoxox
Oh yes, that soil smells gorgeous, so earthy! Isn’t it disgusting how people are discarding gloves and masks, crossing the road with dogs is now a nightmare, trying to drag them around the debris is trisksy. Sorry to hear it’s happening in your place too!!! The gulls call will never haunt me, I just love any call of the wild, it soothes my soul, the more the merrier!
Love and hugs to one and all…stay safe friend.xxxx
Your raised beds are amazing, well done to Hubs for all his barrowing! You will certainly have plenty to eat over the summer and will be very fir too. This awful situation is bringing out the best and the worst in people, hopefully the best will win!
Thanks Pauline, hubs will be fit, I just titivate! I do hope we have a good harvest, weather permitting! Oh…here’s to the best people.xxx
What a lot you’ve done.I can’t believe how cruel people can be or is it stupidity?
Well,I suppose after what happened in the last century, we know must of us are capable of evil
I find that dreadful
Thanks Kate. I think most people are capable of great goodness and great cruelty. Some though are just plain evil or saints! Hoping all is well with you. xxx
Lovely post and pictures. You’ve certainly been working hard. The picture of Buddy made me smile. It’s almost the same here as I live alongside a normally busy main road which is now very quiet. Sadly I’ve seen discarded gloves and masks on the grass verges.
Happy gardening, and take care. xx
Thanks Flighty, gardening is an endless merry go round for sure! I must say, I am enjoying the peace and quiet and being able to hear birdsong instead of traffic. What is wrong with people??? You look after you.xxx
Your hubby will have muscles shoveling that lot but he’ll be well fed! I just can’t bear to hear about the cruelty to animals, you hear one thing and think you’ve heard everything but there’s always worse to come. Love the newspaper article, you Whatever the Weather Girls don’t let a thing like coronavirus stop you!
I think hubs was relieved when he finally shifted that soil! It’s always so sad to hear of animal cruelty, especially in such grim times when the shelters are struggling so. Thanks Jo.xxx
My, you have been busy in the garden! I love your raised beds but don’t envy Hubs having to shovel all that soil! You’ll be well supplied with veggies this year. We’ve had a few bizarre sounding meals too – the only real failure was a blood orange rice pudding when they were too far gone to eat normally; not to be recommended! Stay safe. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. There aren’t enough hours in the day to sort a garden that’s for sure. Ouch re that blood orange rice pudding, that had me laughing! I’ve had a few disasters too…lol. You and yours stay safe too.xxx