My UK pictures

[stowie39]

Not Spanish, but thought I'd share a picture from my allotment this year, it one of the only plusses from this whole lockdown, Ive been able to devote more time to it.

[freddo]

Wonderfull to have fresh garden produce

[Retire1day]

Very inspirational. I have purchased books on poly tunnels and when I had a year's holiday in Spain I did preserve a lot of produce, tomatoes in jars etc. When I have grown food in Spain, or should I say when my Spanish neighbour grew it on my land and I watched, it tasted so good when you pick it and eat it straight away, 5 times better than in the supermarket.

[stowie39]

We've just eaten, courgette soup with garlic crutons, a chicken salad with pickles, and yoghurt and black current compot, apart from the chicken and the yoghurt everything came off the allotment.

The global pandemic restrictions have meant I have had much more time there. I have had the best year ever.

[Rosiemac]

WELL DONE STOWIE! Well done. Isn’t life strange? Here you are growing and eating your own home grown produce and enjoying working on the land and all because of a pandemic which almost put others over the edge. The joy of gardening is unimaginable. When we plant seeds or bulbs or cuttings, waiting and watching for growth is like caring for a young child. We have a large garden which has always looked well but since lockdown last year and the wonderful weather we were blessed with, we care for the garden ourselves instead of waiting for the gardener to arrive.Kevin doesn’t care as he is now doing other exciting things. I asked him to create a patio area in the middle of the lawn for me. We went over to London when finally allowed to travel to see our baby granddaughter, We ordered all the necessary flagstones, curbing, sand, cement and gravel and off we went.We returned to find a beautiful patio surrounded by three beds of pink stones and plants intermittently placed around it. It’s absolutely fantastic compared to the boring paved area we had and still have! Kevin has since done 5 patios for other people. I never thought I’d ever fall in love with gardening but the end result is so rewarding. Keep up the good work.

[stowie39]

Thanks for your kind comments Rossiemac. You are absolutely right, growing plants and flowers really is my "happy place'. I only have a small inner city garden at home, which I really try to make the best off and the allotment is my escape. To be honest it's not about cost, Lidls probably would be cheaper all round but with not so much satisfaction.

I made the decision at the beginning of the year to give up half the allotment, it really is huge, probably twice a normal plot, so it's been fun dividing it up and moving and setting up stuff.

Again the travel restrictions have given me time to focus , and work out what I really want to grow not just trying to fill every bed.

A couple of photos from yesterday

[reddragon]

A year on - any updates?

[stowie39]

Well you asked for it.

A strange year, almost drought conditions a d spending six weeks in France and Spain during May and June have meant not so much fruit and veg this year. Still got toms, peppers and the like but missed all my strawberries. Planted a lot more bee friendly plants before we left which survived. These were taken in July, just to give an idea.

[stowie39]

[stowie39]

I am getting myself confused trying to enter multiple pictures is there an eazy way?