Veggie Plot (Part 2)

Easter Weekend is renowned for being the biggest gardening weekend of the year here in the UK. 

But we've actually been busy since February, when we decided to finally tackle the land at the side of our house, that had been left to nature and untamed for the last 20 years.

I know crazy, but I needed to give my hubby a mission now that he's retired.

(Click on the link if you'd like to see the first post about The Birth of our Veggie Plot)

But we didn't just grab a spade and start digging...oh no...hubby had to measure, draw and cogitate for a few days before any of the garden equipment saw the light of day. 

See... this is what happens when someone retires...they have time to do all this preparation and every conceivable connotation.

But there's no need to rush into anything....just so long as we actually manage to grow something before the seasons disappear.

Below is a photo of his plan. 

He insisted that I include it in the post for you.

My answer was..."you should start a blog of you own and write your own posts about the whole journey"

At this stage he appeared to go deaf!

(cough)

Anyway...let's get started.

It's been hard work, but hubby has loved being out doors every day.

I'm afraid I have to confess...I'm a fair weather gardener.

I need sunshine to inspire me.

 Here's hubby measuring the drills for the early potatoes (or tatties as they call them up here) 

I have mentioned before that he has a touch of OCD haven't I?

Here they are... the early potatoes, but he's a little disappointed because there's no sign of them now and they were planted on 1st March. 

He blames me for nagging putting pressure on him, saying that they needed to be planted as time was getting on. 

But we are in the North East of Scotland and so the ground has hardly had time to warm up yet.

Patience is needed and fingers crossed!

So with the ground bed dug, it was time to move on to the raised beds.

We liked the idea of using reclaimed timber sleepers for the raised beds.

It was a good job that our son was available to help with the muscle work. 

I have tossed a caber in the past (now there's a whole new story and not one for today) but I thought I'd let the guys flex their muscles on this lot.

Once again measurements were meticulously executed with spirit levels, tape measures and string.

And things started to take shape.

Thank goodness that we didn't do the three layers of sleepers that we first thought would be ideal. That would have taken a huge amount of soil.

At last planting could begin.

Initially carrots, garlic and onions (both red and white)

The centre cones are very technical...they're empty toilet roll holders!

Hopefully, they will protect the precious little carrots from the elements until things start to warm up a little.

The rest of the seedling are cosy and enjoying the sunlight in our study! 

Isn't that where they're supposed to be?

(I'm making a case for a greenhouse...so seedlings are crammed onto every window sill, all over the house)

See I wasn't kidding...they're everywhere!

I'll be sure to give you a progress report when these little darlings head out into the big wide world of our veggie plot.

In the meantime... enjoy getting outdoors and having fun.
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Frivolous Friday

I was going to post and link up with Paint Party Friday today, but alas I'm a wee bittee late.
I don't know about mixed media... I've more mixed emotions today. 

Basically, I've ruined my new 'white' Ralph Lauren jumper by splattering coral acrylic paint over the front of it! I'm devastated and would have thrown a tizzy fit if my kids had done such a foolish thing. But I have to admit that I'm also pleased because it proves that I've spent time in the art room dabbling. 

(Don't ask me why I didn't take off the jumper in the first place, because I just wasn't thinking straight perhaps? I was so keen to get into the art room... I just couldn't wait to start painting so all rational thinking flew out of the window)  

Maybe if I splatter a little more paint over it, I may come up with a new exclusive design for Ralph? 

I've been busy playing host to visitors this past week, but they left yesterday plus phase one of the renovation work here has been completed. The army of tradies have left for a while so this means there's a little window of opportunity to complete some artwork at last... and I'm going for it! 

Unfortunately, even though it's nearly the longest day here (tomorrow is the official summer solstice) and incredibly light for this time of night, I didn't manage to take a photo of my painting in time to post... so I'll do that tomorrow.  

In the meantime, let me show you my new babies... as you can see I've been very busy today.

Since I visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show I've been adding to the garden regularly. 
I'm thinking that if I can fill the borders then it'll keep the weeds at bay.
I also must let you see the results from my bee mat soon because the wild flowers have come on brilliantly. 
I've been very distracted from my blogging lately, but I hope to remedy that soon. 
Just before I head off for the night I thought I'd show you this Primula. 

(Primula viallii)

It's been making me smile for days. 

Each day another row of buds open. Slowly working their way up the stem.

It reminds me of a smurf's hat or perhaps it's from Dr. Seuss' Whoville. 
What do you think? 

Thanks for popping by...I'd love to hear from you and I promise I'll catch up with all my outstanding emails and replies as soon as I can. 

In the meantime...keep smiling everyone