101 Organic Gardening Hacks - Book Review

Well I have been either living under a rock or the Americans have been keeping Shawna Coronado away from me; she's huge with 7 thousand + followers on You Tube, almost 3 thousand followers on Instagram and nearly 20 thousand on Twitter. That doesn't even include those who love her blog and have bought her books (yes she has written two).

She describes herself thusly...
"Wellness, garden, & foodie author. TEDx speaker, photographer, blogger, travel adventurer with spinal osteoarthritis & a passion to make a difference."

Pretty impressive already, eh? And then, I get her latest book published by Cool Springs Press (sent to me by Quarto Publishing plc to review) as it launches here in the UK. And yes, I too have fallen for her no nonsense, fun and actually do-able gardening ideas.

So above is the book, please do not be put off by the word 'hack' by the way, her publishers simply say it is a word for 'a great idea that's come to life'. I have been flicking through this over the last week and really getting into over the past two days. It is so photogenic, so cute but most importantly, I found it to be inspiring and a friendly read, with practical ideas that are actually useful and easy to replicate. 

The publishers blurb is so on point...

In 101 Organic Gardening Hacks, you'll find the top tips, tricks and solutions unearthed by Shawna Coronado. Some are practical timesavers; others offer clever ways to 'upcycle' everyday items in your garden. Every hack, however, is completely organic and unfailingly environmentally friendly!

I suggest to take a wee look at the contents page pictured below, it covers everything from the beginners needs to inspiring ideas for the allotment, garden and even unused spaces. There is literally something for everyone and nothing is too expensive. Even those with little room can't get away, there are no excuses :)

As a bibliophile, the feel, text, layout and beauty of this book makes me very happy. It's easily going to fall into a coffee table book by it's looks but honestly don't let that fool you - it's got great ideas. We are certainly going to enjoy using it. Oh, and the cover is wipe-able, which is great as I'm also the muckiest allotmenteer out there.

Of course this book is for the organic grower, which I do strive to be, but the section on pollinator hacks really got me interested as it's maybe one area were we could try harder, especially with the terrible decline in bees these days. Shawna is also an advocate for the no-dig gardening style we have adopted over the past couple of years and seems to be just as in love with composting and manure as we are, haha.

101 Organic Gardening Hacks

Eco- friendly Solutions to

Improve Any Garden

by Shawna Coronado

January 2017

£12.99 | Paperback

Published by Cool Springs Press

If you go to her blog, which I know you will - http://shawnacoronado.com/ you will see those words again 'wellness author' and she truly seems to be. Inspiring in her fight over spinal osteoarthritis, a seemingly great cook and someone who sees the garden area as a place of therapy and joy. Her ideas in up-cycling see a creative desire mixed with growing food and beautiful plants. I find her quite the exciting find, even if I am way behind everyone else.

Stay cosy this weekend

Hugs

Carrie

A New Year and a Winner!

I thought it would be wonderful to start the new year off with a blog post, a sort of sign of my good intentions to write more in 2017. I also have a longing to get more in touch with my readers so I have also set up a Facebook page for the blog (I do hope you'll join me there). 

AND of course I hope I can do more giveaways!

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A new year, a new day and the same horrid battle with my poor mental health. An ill brain doesn't care if you wanted to go for a cobweb blowing hike in the Mournes or a few productive hours at the Allotment. So here I am, still in my pyjamas sort of watching TV at 6pm.

I'm so lucky though as Toby has been asleep and ever so cuddlesome all day, up on the sofa with me. He stayed up really late for a pup and saw in the new year; he's paying for it now.

Andrew has declared today to be an official films and pyjamas day with much herbal tea and naps. He demands I do as little as possible. What did I do to deserve him? - he's so understanding.

And then there's my giveaway and giving gifts lifts my spirits. Thanks to those who entered!

Here we go with our winner -
Drum roll please!!

CHELSEA

I'll be in touch xxx

Hugs and best wishes

Carrie x

Sarah Raven Journal Giveaway

So, you want to own the lovely Sarah Raven's 'Cutting Garden Journal'? Of course you do, you're only human and lo, I WANT TO GIFT A COPY TO YOU!

So sorry, this is only open to UK residents but I'm thinking selfishly about the cost of posting a lovely hardback book and I think the speed at which the lucky winner gets it it paramount - there will be planning and dreaming to do 😄

I wrote a little book review of this tome when I received it from Frances Lincoln pre-release way back in 2014. By the evil quirks of the internet the photos I included in that review have disappeared into the ether but trust me, it's gorgeous. I shall find them again on my external hard drive. I do have the text of my review and here it is in edited snippets....

"I may have fallen in lust with this fabulous Sarah Raven's 'Cutting Garden Journal'. Sarah is a goddess of all things cut flower and I just love that she has written a easy, go to book helping people like me to be more confident in her area of expertise."

"Not too much reading, gorgeous photography, plans, projects and inspiration for next year's flower patch."

"It is an absolute joy to the senses; the touch of the paper, the layout, the photography. It is sort of a cross between a coffee table book and a how to manual, so stylish but full of great know how and precise instructions."

"A guide to getting your beds right and full of exactly the right plants. Raven even tells you the best variety of the best plants to grow; how to grow them, where they'll grow best and how long the stems should be cut for the best look!"

Now it's over to you. Just leave your name in the comments section if you want to be entered. All names will be placed in a pot and one shall be plucked out (with my eyes closed tight!) to be the happy recipient. Then I would just ask that the winner contact me with an address.

Go, dear reader and good luck. The winner shall be announced on New Year's Day.

Hugs
Carrie

Allotment Undergardener

Are you aware that I don't really know much about allotmenteering? I understand the principles and even some technical stuff but I don't use my knowledge ~ I'm too scared to even plant my own seeds or pot on a healthy plant. I always, and I mean always feel I'll do something wrong, it won't be perfect, I'll fail. And conversely...I might be good at it and then, like so much in my life, I'll lose the skill or the confidence and all will be darkness in my soul.

Just a little selection of our gardening books

Not in a nasty way, Andrew said to me, as I was trying to take 'before' photos, that I may well be a blogger but he was a gardener and I was simply getting in his way. It made me think. I'm not a gardener, I've never thought of myself as one, I'm an under gardener and that's ok; it's how I like it.

I have too much time on my hands!

I like to weed, in fact I love to weed and tidy. I thoroughly enjoy harvesting, even the gooseberries (when I end up looking like I have been in a fight with a crazed flock of sharp taloned birds and my arms are all scratched and bleeding) or even picking all the blackberries and looking like I have just committed mass murder myself... Ah let people think want they want....It's the quiet ones you have to watch....

Weirdly, I also like to be told what to do; what's happening with this section of the plot and what I can do to help. Basically Andrew is the Allotmenteer- I'm there to take photos, do manual labour and then write about it so we can see and fully appreciate what we have been able to do, working with nature.

**************

Well that's not entirely true. The allotment is therapy for me and just like physical therapy, it is bloody hard work and takes a lot of drive and courage. I do feel good clearing a bed, getting it ready for the real gardening to get cracking; I feel good with the sun on my back and my hands in the soil; I love bird song (butterflies terrify me - go figure that one out!) and the sound of distant chat and laughter.

But for me personally, there is the fear of having to socialise, of being asked advice or for help. I get myself so worked up at the very thought of having a panic attack there and embarrassing myself and Andrew that they inevitably happen. I cry a little every time I go and blame the wind in my eyes or my hay fever, often I want to hurt myself with the tools. Ecotherapy isn't easy! Yes, if no one else is there, I can sometimes really enjoy it and it feels right, so right, to be working with my hands, back to basics.

But either way - gardener or dog's body, panicky or not..

'In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt'

~ Margaret Wood

and we both have been :)

Love and hugs

Carrie

Book Review - Kitchen Garden Experts

My luck runneth over as Frances Lincoln Publishers has sent me May book release: Kitchen Garden Experts by Cinead McTernan, photography by Jason Ingram.

The blurb....

Kitchen Garden Experts features the chefs and gardeners at twenty of the UK’s most exciting restaurants, hotels, pubs and cafés, focusing on how they produce the best fruit and vegetables to appear on their menus. With this book you can:

* Explore the kitchens and gardens of twenty celebrated chefs, from Terence Conran and Raymond Blanc to River Cottage and L’Enclume;
* Gain extraordinary access to 20 recipe books and 40 signature dishes;
* Discover key ingredients and special growing methods that help these chefs win awards for excellence;

* Follow the simple steps from plot to plate, learning new growing skills

*****

This is one heck of a book for real foodies, grow you own people and anyone who like to consume food! It has been by my bed and at the Lottie with me; leading to dreams of travel, of really nailing this whole allotment thing and of food, delicious artistic foody joy. I even look forward to winter as my favourite recipe is the uchi kuri squash soup.

The foreword by Raymond Blanc contains these words which I love...

'I believe it is our responsibility to embrace sustainability and to reconnect with our land.... By working qith the seasons, we can all enjoy superb tastes and textures - inexpensively'

This is not a textbook, not merely a recipe book and much more than a coffee table book - this is inspiring. Ok, I shall not be making dishes like these masters but a girl can dream (and heavily reduce the trickiness of presentation), they are do-able :)

Each section is split into the 20 gardens around Britain with each head gardener talking of their space and giving some tips. Then they go on to give detailed knowledge on two of the main elements of their associated chef's two chosen recipes. As well as this each section contains a page with that places 'kitchen garden secrets' surrounded by a collage beautiful enough to frame.

Maggie wants to own the book herself...

Kindly, for my readers there is a discount available :)

To order Kitchen Garden Experts at the discounted price of £16.00 including p&p* (RRP: £20.00), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG130. 

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Hugs and love
Carrie

Foraging for dinner

Those delightful people at Frances Lincoln sent me another lovely new book to review and I read it last Friday, front to back...once I started I could stop reading.

Rosehips on the Kitchen Table is a husband and wife collaboration; a photographer and a writer duo with lots of experience ~ Chris and Carolyn Caldicott. I adore the photography of Chris; just gorgeous and each one a beautiful print I could happily frame for the kitchen. But also, Carolyn's writing; her knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious!

This foodie couple owned the World Food Cafe in London's gorgeous Covent Garden for many years where they shared their passion for vegetarian food and recipes collected on their travels. Sadly I didn't know of them until this book - goodness they had written another 5 already!

I have a couple of other foraging books and do love to use wild garlic and other herbs found in the wild and am highly protective of the location of 'our' sloe berry tree ;) Now I need to find a good source of elderberries and rosehips etc..let the foraging adventures commence!

However, the Coldicott's provide a great many recipe ideas that make me want to do much more with, say nettles, preserving, making cordials... Many food stuffs talked about are things we grow on the plot already but there's something about new interesting ways serving them and in coping with gluts (rather than give so much away) that really pleases me. I am ready and willing to try their tips and meals myself. I sense that this spring and summer are going to be much more productive and fun.

* Readers' dear, I have another discount code for you, if this book tickles your fancy.....
To order Rosehips on a Kitchen Table at the discounted price of £7.99 including p&p* (RRP: £9.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG97. 

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to: 
LBS Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3RB. 

Please quote the offer code APG97 and include your name and address details. 

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

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I was in England for three days last week, in Haydon Bridge, visiting Roman sites along Hadrian's Wall. Andrew had many archaeological places in the area worth a looking at for work and I am so grateful that his employers recognise that he is my carer as well as my hubby. I don't think I would cope with him gone that long as my depression ( partly to do with the weather and time of year) has been bad as you know. It came with me (haha) but I had a really interesting time and will share a little later this week.

******

Even more exciting is the news that I was at the lottie yesterday!! Oh YES, happy happy March and an afternoon without rain :) Naturally I have lots of photos and again, this week, my friends, I shall share xxx

Hugs

Expert No-Dig Advice - A book review

Charles Dowding's Veg Journal

(published by Frances Lincoln (www.franceslincoln.com | @Frances_Lincoln) 

The hype about this book by Charles Dowding has been hitting the web-asphere for a little while now and I think the praise is well deserved. I received my own copy a good while back from the lovely people at The Aurum Publishing Group but having double vision means reading is slow, plus the flu = I simply couldn't find the energy to write a review before now. But never fear dear reader, the release date isn't until February 6th so this is still a valid pre-release review :) Plus I have a coupon code for you..

So what's it like? 

Well anything that purports to make growing your own easier, helping you 'become an expert mulcher and weeder', 'produce the sweetest-smelling compost', tackle those pesky enemies and 'understand..intercropping, companion planting...and crop succession' to say the least, is good by me. Plus it has great quality photography, colourful pages, authoritative writing and feels lovely in the hand.

Shame on me, I didn't know who Mr Dowding was before this book but seems he is rather famous in the organic gardening world and is actually a pretty darn respected. The work is condensed down into a very easy to use monthly journal with checklists and step by step guides. The concept behind it all is little and often and saving yourself unnecessary and ultimately unproductive work. All of this can't be bad, right? 

Being a journal it naturally has pages left for your own notes, as many allotment books do these days, and this is great for those of us who do things and forget the details such a seed names and dates planted. Being hardback it is sturdy enough to be thrown in with the wellies etc and taken to the plot each time. However, if you're like me and have a blog for all that and a camera constantly attached to your hand you  may not need this part, hehehe.

An utter delight of a book I am happy to say :)

To order Charles Dowding's Veg Journal at the discounted price of £12.00 including p&p* (RRP: £14.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG69. 

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to: 

Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, 

Littlehampton Book Services, 

PO Box 4264, 

Worthing, West Sussex 

BN13 3RB. 

Please quote the offer code APG69 and include your name and address details. 

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Hugs and Love

Garlic! and a book review

I love garlic, garlic, garlic-y garlic :) And we have just planned a new batch for next year from some of this years bulbs - oh the circle of life :) I am in such a cheery mood as I write this as there is something so incredibly exciting about the start of a new year on the plots, new hope, new adventures to be had...plus this garlic is our own strain (it being grown and replanted 4 times now on our plot) - what's not to love?? Okay, so the weather is stinky, really quite depressing but close the blinds, put on the daylight simulation bulb and read a book or a blog :) How many smiley faces are going to be in the post!! :)

Photo courtesy of Andrew's smartphone

Speaking of books - I was given a couple oh about a month, maybe 2 ago, from The Aurum Publishing Group to review and naughty me I completely forgot. You'll most likely have seen them in other bloggers' blogs by now but better late than never eh??

I will do one now and one later in the week.... I want to make sure you know this - these are my opinions alone.

This one is 'The Allotment Planner' by Matthew Appleby (with a forward by the ever fabulous Alys Fowler). You can buy it in all good bookshops and online retailers but why not get money off and use my coupon code?? I'll share it a bit further down the page...

First off this book feels beautiful, the texture of the front cover, the great quality paper and font, the photography and little drawings - oh I love it. Plus I am a complete sucker for elasticated straps of which that pink line you see above is. 

It is divided up into each month (complete with lovely quotes - I love a good quote) and what you really ought to be thinking about and maybe giving a go, with space at the end of each chapter for your own notes. Plus each month has a little list of things you could be sowing or planting or harvesting now (like Monty does at the end of each Gardeners' World show and you find yourself going 'Ohhh yes..').

Throughout it is drenched in tips and ideas about such necessities as how to plant, how to get the best out of your space and your soil but also things you may not have considered, like visiting other gardens, thinking of wildlife, taking on a new skill or even simply learning to enjoy your plot as a social space. It's not all work and no play! It's most certainly not a dry book as the eye is drawn all over to photos, drawings, tip boxes etc...

I love the sections about how to make your produce into something super tasty, create a stylish plot; a fun place to be for you, your friends and family and wildlife!  Oh there are some really good present ideas ie. old gardening tools and books, making jam, Christmas wreaths and a piece on how to blog and take photos! 

For someone just starting out this book would be ideal. For people like Andrew and I there are things in it that we needed to be reminded off and the overall feeling of 'have fun' comes across so clearly that I really do see this coming year as less of a chore and hard work (battling the insects and getting low due to failures) and more of a gift. What joy it is to be able to grow your own and share the bounty!! However, I feel we are a good bit more advanced at allotmenting and the information would suit us better if it was in much more detail  - but that's why we have so many books on different aspects.

I do recommend this book but more for it's ethos and how pretty it is. There are parts that simply do not apply to us; we are not allowed to have chickens or bees, ponds or to make money from our produce but it is still interesting to read about. The part about joining your Allotment Committee made me laugh out loud - that was a disaster for us! But I am sure it will be used on the Gault plot this coming year and also as a sweet coffee table book to dip in and out off - even if it's just for the photos or those quotes....

*****

To order 'The Allotment Planner' at the discounted price of £12.00 including p&p* (RRP: £14.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG34. 

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to: 

Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, 

Littlehampton Book Services, 

PO Box 4264, 

Worthing, West Sussex 

BN13 3RB. 

* Please quote the offer code APG34 and include your name and address details. 

* UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

I'll put this info in a box at the side too so you can see it at all times - maybe this could be a great Christmas Gift?! and with money off you can't go wrong :)

Namaste

 

Remember Book Tokens?

So sweet gardening pals, are you the same as me, is the weather killing your dreams and plans for the plot? I am seriously fed up with the dull and damp and dreary skies and sodden ground - really Mother Nature is not playing fair. So I offer you a more comfortable alternative in this post - gardening books.

Remember when you did well at school and you got a book token? Oh how I miss those days. We didn't get a single book on gardening from Santa this year. Not that we really need any as Andrew has this habit of visiting a glorious second hand book shop close to his work and bringing home fabulous finds, even some from the 50s, which I love because they have detailed drawings over the often style-over-substance photography books we get now.

So here I would love to share with you some of my favourite gardening books from the Gault library.

 

First I feel I ought to do a little review on an equally little gift book I was sent to look at from Summerdale. Dig for Victory (Gift) is a fun little book that would have been perfect as a stocking filler for anyone. It costs less than a fiver and is beautifully bound with a cool retro cover. Basically it's just sweet with little one sentence facts and tips about growing your own interspersed with encouraging quotes. For a novice the hints would prove very interesting and sometimes rather quirky so for all the price it is I would definitely give it a thumbs up. (They also do an adorable looking 'Make Do and Mend' partner book which I think I would like too).

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However, if it's the more involved book you are looking for with that War Era Ethos then you simply can't beat Digging for Victory: Wartime Gardening with Mr Middleton. I bought myself a copy of this about 2 years ago and think it's fabulous. It takes you by the hand (remember the original version was designed for home owners to grow their own in their own gardens out of necessity and Government decree) and guides you through the growing year with a charm that is so very BBC and 'proper'. I delight in it as an educational tool but also as simply an entertaining read to dip in and out off.

****

For Veggie growing in particular I have a super duper soft spot for The Allotment Book by Andi Clevely, it's the first one we bought specifically for the plots :) For a novice it is a life saver but we have found it still is a go to book and that is us in our 5th year, so I think it's  must have. I especially love the sections at the start of each chapter which detail so simply what you could sow now, plant now and eat now even throwing in a few easy recipes - it really makes the whole thing such fun, which is exactly how it should be!

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Lastly for me the must have books are those written by the River Cottage people. They very cleverly mix knowledge with stylish photography, layout and gorgeous paper and covers like no other people I have seen yet. Yes I am one of those people to whom the texture and density of the paper is exciting. These could easily be coffee table books, so I like them okay!? First up for me is Veg Patch: River Cottage Handbook No.4 by Mark Diacono who is basically a genius. Who else can make soil types, pests and compost so interesting and bring out that inner geek in you? I love his personal twist on how we all have favourites and dream veggies to grow and he helps to calm you down and tell you what is best for where you are = I want him to live in my shed and just tell me stories whilst making me totally organic and knowledgeable; heaven.

This is one I shall be using this year a lot so you'll see loads of it - Preserves: River Cottage Handbook No.2 by Pam Corbin.... oh and this one  too- Hedgerow (River Cottage Handbook) by John Wright. I have my eyes set on making more of the food we grow and the berries etc that we see whilst out walking. 2013 is going to be a good one!!!
So I hope this inspires you to read up on new techniques, get cool recipes gathered together and prepare of an AWESOME new year. Here are some of the others that Andrew will be reading and I shall looking at the pictures in, lol. We sort of love books in this house :)

Love and Hugs x

Update
Andrew has asked that his favourite book be highlighted and naturally I have had to comply :) He loves Grow Your Own Vegetables by Joy Larkcom as shown here >

He feels it speaks to him and has the most comprehensive, practicable and simple information on individual vegetables. Ms Larkcom has travelled the world and gained much knowledge on the topic of growing your own which she shares here with obvious enthusiasm. It naturally covers the areas of soil type, pests and tools as well. It's main ethos though seems to be getting the most out of the space you have and who doesn't like the sound of that?!

It's basically just his cup of metaphorical tea :)

"comprehensive and covers everything" - Mr Andrew Gault

So...Winter, we meet again......

I hate it, I utterly hate it, I was not meant to deal with Winter, like a bird I am supposed to fly away to a warmer climate and forever live in Spring/Summer. Yet here I am, cold, miserable, with the heating on and can you believe it - getting the sniffles again!

The lottie is just too water logged to do anything and there is an icy gale blowing through the field away = I would be dying of pneumonia within seconds and Maggie would never forgive me for taking her out there in the first place. Basically, it's just not worth it.

So I have been making flowers (seeing as I can't get to plant any), and reading lots.

Last night I didn't sleep and turned to my current novel 'The Tiger's Wife' by Téa Obreht; this is an adaption of page 92. It spoke to me so powerfully, not in the way it was intended but I thought I would share my version of what is being talked of here; a Tiger in a zoo trying to cope with the noise and confusion of war, bombs and destruction. It is just like me at the moment, trying to cope somehow with my depression.

A grey sun rises and falls each day in what seems like matter of minutes as I sit within the walls of my own private enclosure; strong steel bars seen only by me, mess everywhere that I just can't seem to get on top of. Alone but not; I have the consistent low mumble of that voice behind me urging to be to give up, give in; a deep rumble creating a kind of awareness of my own death. I can neither dismiss it nor succumb to it - it leaves me fragile and constantly exhausted. I am too weary to move, to make a sound, think clearly or react in anyway. Inside, the real me is always screaming. There is so much noise.
What is it that drives me forward everyday, what is it that says ' get up!...it will be okay.....it will be okay'.

******

On a happier note, I was blessed by the gift of another book to read - 'Minding my Peas and Cucumbers', by Kay Sexton. It was sent to me by the ever beautiful Debbie (Ms J) after she had borrowed it from the oh so adorable Flighty. It was a surprise and a heart warming item to receive and I look forward to reading it. I guess that is one thing about Winter - I get to snuggle up and feel miserable joined with everyone else and drink warm drinks and read about other people's adventures. There is always a better world in a good book or at the very least, I feeling that you are never alone.


And with that I must also thank everyone for their comments and emails xxxxxx

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars

....though not me.

Things have hit a new low, I'm in a bad way and at the moment I am laying here full of sleepy pills waiting for Andrew to get home and watch over me - the little voice in my head is telling me it's time to say 'goodbye cruel world!'. I may come across as glib but it isn't funny at all and is in fact very frightening.

I still haven't been to the lottie nor do I really give a damn, which when I see it written down like this is a wake up call in itself. I haven't even taken a photograph in almost 3 months. I'm just not right. Though it's not as if I get a hell of a lot of encouragement from my best pal Maggie - she doesn't do rain, hates, the cold and after 20 mins of lottie time without being tickled and fawned over she fakes shivers. Honestly - drama queen!

Oh I can talk the talk if that's what you want. I can tell you that the splendid Mamma G was here last night for dinner and we had a gorgeous meal - all non- lottie stuff though :( However she took one of our huge Jack O'lantern pumpkins home and we're getting pumpkin scones - never had those and I love a good scone, me.

I could tell you how at the market I was praising lotties and growing your own to everyone who looked at a print of mine that had something to do with our plots or produce (of which there are a good few) but it was all an act, frankly I sort of missed the fact that my voice wasn't gone anymore and I am all better from that flu.

*****

I moved  the majority of our gardening books into another more easily accessible bookcase on Friday. I love to see all those spines and think of all the wonderful words and pictures, the effort and love that went into producing each book. I adore the older ones with detailed line drawings and some advice that all gardeners would choke over now, just as much as I love the new books, bright with computer aided design and amazing photography. But I haven't picked up a single one; I feel somehow I don't want to be here next spring anyway.

Of course I will be here next Spring, unless I get run over by a bus, struck by lightening or spontaneously combust - I'm just so bloody stubborn I don't know if I could will myself to death at all!

****

Andrew was at the lottie for a while yesterday and I had 3 hours on my own at the market, it was the first time I'd tried it alone and I coped :) He was really pleased to finally get the weather and some time to work on the Broad Bean bed; sowing some directly into the soil and others into modules. Maybe its that special joy of seeing seedlings poke their tiny vibrant green tips through the soil that I am in need of, a bit of hope.

Like this popular photo that makes some people cry

'Hope in his Hand' - taken at the allotment on the day of the first pea sowing last year.

I'll write again, Andrew has plans and you deserve another one of my (even though I say it myself) truly excellent plans of the plots detailing what needs to change.

Hugs xxx

A shiny new Gardening book what I love :)

A while back when we were firmly ensconced at Mamma G's house I was very fortunate to receive a copy of a new gardening book, way before it's publication here. Asked for my humble opinion of the tome in return for a copy to keep, I said 'well, count me in, my good man!' Only today did I learn that this very publication has been released early (not like a crazy criminal more like a happy gift onto the world) and thus my review must be posted forthwith :)

Soil Mates is a delightful book even just to look at and hold. The cover has a lovely texture that feels just like the soft burlap it intimates, the paper is thick and the stunning layout on alternating red, yellow and green pages is lovely. Never mind the beautiful full page illustrations (over 20) that make you to tear the book apart so you can frame them (note to self - maybe I should do that and then buy another copy to actually use as a reference).

This is a book that is more about sharing knowledge than talking down to you.The intimate and fun style is infectious; we're talking about Matchmaking not merely of 'companion planting'. There are 20 'Love Matches' with detail about how and where to plant the seeds/seedlings, giving space for each plant, a fab table with all their foibles - their 'turn ons', 'turn offs' how 'needy' they are, any 'stalkers' and  the drama of 'love triangles'. It is written like a mother dropping the children off for a sleep over, ahaha.

In fact, though it does teach us and teaches well I think, it proves that veggie gardening is not just for stuffy people but those who love a giggle as much as the next person, and darn it, it helps me to remember facts when I think of how ' Beet - with her bright disposition and cheery colour - just lets Mint roam. She knows he'll always be there when she needs him'. To use a modern term - this is a book about' friends with benefits' *blush* Plus as we all know organic is the way to go, and this book is all about the organic. It is easy to see that it is written by a fellow lottie holder who has an appreciation for the best in horticulture, the best for the kitchen table.

But not only is there info on the matches, the foibles and details on the veggies (their healthy goodness and how to grow them) but there are recipes. Easy recipes that you will want to try, with the main ingredients being the lovers themselves and a whole load of other things you'll either have to hand already or have no trouble getting at the supermarket. For once I am sitting with a gardening book that makes me want to grow and cook (I don't cook - ever).

The last section is maybe more what we are used to in our usual gardening books. Lists of family names, who belongs where, what temperature is best for germination, crop rotation, and what soil each veggie prefers etc. But even here, the fun element comes into play; compost and manure (which all allotmenteers have a dubious lust for) are called 'aphrodisics', working that soil is 'bed making and TLC' then we keep the 'stalkers' at bay and welcome the nice helpful insects. Don't get me wrong, the light-hearted style belies sound knowledge essential for the first timer and equally helpful for anyone (everyone) who needs a little refresher.

You  know I didn't want to love this book so much - I sound so sycophantic and I don't generally do things like this. My blog is about my thoughts and my allotment and my mental health etc. But I love this book and think it would make for a fabulous Christmas present or indeed a gift for yourself once the mayhem of looking after everyone else's needs is over (ie Boxing day). 128 pages all for you to curl up with and eat the last of the chocolates and mince pies - you know you deserve it :)

'Soil Mates' is written by Sarah Alway and is published by Quirk Books.

Amazon link - here

The Mystery solved.

The grand idea had stemmed from all those years of reading Agatha Christie's Poirot novels. I was going to get 'the little grey cells' working overtime and I was going to discover who the 'Phantom Book Leaver' was (not a great name I admit). DNA swabs were going to be taken, Maggie was going to be put to work as a sniffer dog and, darn it, lie detectors had been ordered. There was to be a grand finale where all my suspects were gathered in our shed (highly implausible as barely 2 people can fit it there on a good day, but a girl can dream) and Andrew would get the radio wound up and tuned into Classical FM ~ for drama. Then.....I would reveal, to the shock and awe of everyone, who the mystery benefactor was. My moment of glory, my close up and my reputation on the lotties cemented for good.

That was the idea. In reality things were much more mundane, as life tends to be. Andrew and I were walking up to the car park and Phil came over for a chat and just casually asked me during conversation if I liked the books he had left me. I was dumbfounded!

He did receive my thanks and a big hug, but something in me can't help but be a little disappointed; my moment of glory, stolen (before I even had a chance to get those grey cells in gear and teach Maggie what sniffer-dogs do), and the news broken beside the manure heap as well!! What would Ms Christie think!

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I've had a horrible day, full of shakes, pure panic and an unsuccessful visit from my Social Worker. We're just back from a quick trip to the Lottie, which wasn't a good idea really for me today, yesterday it was nice, we had a BBQ and it was fun but every day is different...This has been the first time today when I have felt comfortable; Maggie is sleeping on 'her sofa', Andrew has done some dishes (bless him) and is now reading another second hand veg book he bought today, the decaff coffee is brewing and for once I am able to communicate to others without stuttering all over the place.

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One more thing, Thanks Stephen for putting a link to your (slightly embarrassing photo) of Andrew and I litter picking at the Spring Clean weekend. May I just point out that once that picture was taken I went off and filled my black bag with rubbish, where as you and Andrew chatted to Bill. Behold the evidence.... shame on you! x

Second hand Books

My husband has a terrible addiction....to second hand books. Actually, I believe Political Correctness has gone so far as to re-brand them as 'Pre-Loved' - when will the madness end??

There is a fabulous, cavernous place near to his office in Belfast that he can't help but go to often. He's taken me to it, as I too must confess my overwhelming love for books. This slightly dank, fusty place is fabulously Tardis-like and has books of every type, literally floor to ceiling. It's run by (as far as I can tell) an elderly gent who seems to have his mates sitting with him to keep him company and to go out and get the chips for lunch and make the many cups of tea they consume. It would be a great way to spend your retirement.

Anyway, Andrew is forever coming home with a new/old/'pre-loved' gardening book from this place (which I don't think even has a name sign above the door, so I can't tell you what it's called). He just can't help himself. But to be fair - it's full of fantastic finds. He has many out of print RHS books and famous gardener's books that you just can't get anymore or if you can, they're expensive. Recently he came home with a great one on Fruit growing with hundreds of photos and drawings - he says it's the best book he's ever had on the subject (and we have quite a few books - Amazon makes it all too easy!) and it cost a whopping £2!!!!

So just wanted to share the 'pre-loved' love, with you all. It sort of fits in with the hippy, cheap-sake, alternative viewpoint people have of us Allotmenteers - so I say embrace it. Save yourself a bundle of money and go Vintage - they're always doing it in the Fashion Magazines. And we all know Allotmenteering is far sexier than wearing someone else's old clothes - right?

Reading frenzy

Last night I went a little overboard on the reading and wanted to know EVERYTHING about Allotmenteering, all before bed. It was nuts. I was reading the delightful Mr Middleton's book (which I asked Santa for, for Christmas), the chapter entitled 'January' aptly and trying to visualise his crop rotation plans, learn about the different nasties that attack Apple trees and how to prune Gooseberries, also laughing a little at the use of the lovely word 'sundriesman' and 'Petroleum Solution' and burning twigs in the same paragraph - danger!!

On top of this I had spent a while flicking through other books in the afternoon, desperately trying to retain everything I read (it's all gone now) so I could be 'the best'. Silly, I know that now. I ended up in a tizzy having to get up and drink a wee peppermint tea (the Hubby got up with me - what a darling).

One thing I did notice though, in the magazine Andrew had been reading in bed (yes, I was trying to glean information from that whilst reading Mr Middleton) was that our dear friend Alan Titchmarsh is releasing his own Dr Hessayon style books ~ you know special, smaller books on particular aspects of gardening so as to make it all that bit easier to get the information you need. You may remember my comments on these 2 wonderful men back in October. Here is the link: http://growourown.blogspot.com/2008/10/gardening-books.html

Well, now I just don't know what to think; I'm sure Alan's books will be exceptional but will they overtake the Dr?? We shall have to wait and see, they're supposed to be out in April and seemingly at a good price ~ around £7.

Oh, one thing I do remember, now is a great time to clean your tools and tidy the shed ~ see what you need for the coming weeks. Have a good weekend!

Gardening Books

It's a lovely day today, very cold but quite bright. However, the kids (who are off school) are also finding that the weather suits them down to the ground as well. Hence they are outside doing what 3 brothers and their friends do best - making a lot of noise and arguing with each other. So, I'm inside; my nerves are fragile (as they used to say in Jane Austin's time).

So instead of being out there I'm in here with my books about out there. Makes sense? Andrew bought some 2nd hand gardening books yesterday (books are our downfall, oh and chocolate and red wine) and I am looking through them. One in particular has me gripped, its 'The Pocket Garden Troubles Expert' by Dr. D.G. Hessayon and it's pretty icky. Loads of photos and pictures of maggots and aphids and all sorts of diseases. Gross, but like road kill - I can't stop looking. It's a great wee book and one that we'll get a lot of use out of for years to come - that £1 fee will be worth it! I looked it up on Amazon and it's currently unavailable, but there are some 'used and new ones' for sale on the site. Starting from £0.01!!!!!! Ridiculous

I really like Dr, D.G. Hessayon's books, there are loads of them, about every aspect of gardening and they all say 'Expert' on them for a reason, is far as I can tell. I love Mr Titchmarsh (that's why we called our ironic gnome Alan - actually he's Alan II, the first one had a terrible, fatal accident) but sometimes you just want a good old fashioned encyclopedia of all things leafy, fruity, grassy and flowery etc. Alan is like asking a trusted friend for advice - the Dr, well it's like asking a Doctor for advice. I'm not making much sense am I. Time to lie down and look at more gross pictures, my brain is fried.