Friday 3 February 2017

Dog days of winter










I'm enjoying these last days of winter before the spring madness begins. Eating up last year's harvests from the freezer and planning what to grow next year.

I found an inspiring allotment book at the library, all about a group of villagers in Devon who found their own piece of land and started an allotment group. It's in a sublime position, looking out over the sea. They've worked so hard and created some really gorgeous productive plots.

The seed order arrived from the allotment association. I tried very hard not to go overboard. I still have a box full of things, and no doubt I'll go to the seed swap too. I'll probably sow tomatoes later on this month, and then it will all begin again.

In the meantime I'm sticking close to home though, avoiding the wind and rain when I can and writing and doing the usual busy things. I always wonder in the winter how there is ever time to tend a garden in spring and summer, but somehow I always seem to make a few hours here and there. I do love having a break from it all though.

Outside it is sodden but I can see a few buds beginning to swell. It won't be long now before things are moving. This is the month that the swans head back to Siberia. The natural world can feel the world turning back towards the sun. But for now I'm quite happy inside, just for a bit longer.

25 comments:

  1. Did you grow the cavolo nero? I love this green. I already had my annual 'must get stuff for the garden' frenzy, visited the Sarah Raven website and ordered a few dahlias, which will be delivered at the end of the month. I am staying clear of seeds as I am utterly unsuccessful. Wishing you a dry weekend xx

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  2. I feel that you may be just a bit premature about these being the last days of winter.
    That looks to be a good book, so happy armchair gardening. Flighty xx

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  3. The hazel catkins have unfurled properly in the last couple of days here- the hedges look blond with them. I do wonder if we're in for another cold blast yet. Happy sowing xx

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  4. I was interested in the book about the village and the piece of land -can you tell me the title please. Always enjoy your blog. We are still very wintery here. Jean/Winnipeg

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  5. It's been nice for a few days here but I'm not rushing spring. It will get cold again and it will only feel harsher if I get my hopes up too much. Nice to see you getting the seeds ready, you'll be all set to go as soon as it's time to plant them.

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  6. this is the time of year when all of the spring photos start popping up from all of the UK blogs i follow.....at which point i grow wistful and petulant that we're still up to our eyes in cold and snow and will be until April. at least.

    i enjoy the break, too....so i'm actually not in any great rush. ;)

    xoxo

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  7. Your title fooled me, I thought that you had succumbed and acquired a dog.

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  8. I can see you're chomping at the bit to get started with your seed sowing. I got my daughter a grow light for her birthday to get her seeds going. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. I had a sniff of spring in the air this week when I picked the first purple sprouting broccoli and saw a pair of frogs mating in the pond. I'll sow a tray of broad beans and some early pots of sweet peas before the end of the month but everything else can wait until April. Right now I'm enjoying watching the snowdrops unfurl under the pear tree and like you enjoying some armchair gardening, in my case it's a library copy of Joan Morgan's 'The Book of Pears'.

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  10. There was a tiny hint that Spring is round the corner here yesterday but today is miserable - dark and wet. Perfect for curling up by the fire with gardening books and planning/dreaming. Have a good weekend x

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  11. It's a beautiful day here, so mild- certainly Spring is on its way!

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  12. It's great to see a few signs of Spring and start planning for the new season. That looks like a very interesting book. Viola's must be the superheroes of the plant world, despite wind, rain and freezing temperatures they still carry on flowering.

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  13. I love you dreaming of Spring, here it is warm, a little too warm for my liking. We do have a wedding to attend today so at least it is beautiful weather for the bride and groom. Sending you a hug.

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  14. I could feel a change in the light today too, and i even felt inspired to do a little gardening for the first time this year. January did seem a long month, but I wonder if I'm really ready for spring yet.
    Have a lovely Sunday CJ
    Jacquie x

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  15. Thank you for sharing. I'm so looking forward to Spring!! I would like to plant and grow something in the garden this year. It will have to be something easy to begin with - any tips? It must be so rewarding to harvest something home-grown. Enjoy your day.

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  16. I can feel your excitement! Just a warmer day (like today) makes me think of what I'd like to grow this spring...what I will change. I agree we need a break like winter to regroup and do more quiet and calming activities. Some times it doesn't happen easily!

    I enjoy your pictures...beautiful!

    Jane x

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  17. Oh that allotment book definitely looks inspiring! Good times.I love your frozen harvest and the dreams of the harvest to come. I'm excited for you. Is that a plate of kale? It makes me want oven kale chips!! My husband makes them most delicious. I like to sprinkle some Parmesan or Nutritional Yeast on them. That's not too weird, right?

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  18. That book does sound inspiring! We noticed that it is beginning to get so much lighter in the evenings. I am longing to get outside again at the moment it is too cold or wet! Sarah x

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  19. I wished I liked gardening... I really do. I like gardens... so I'm yearning for spring too!

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  20. That looks a good book will make a note of that one. Yes I'm exactly the same and making the most of this time and pottering a bit in the garden but no it will be so busy in a few weeks that just enjoying this slower time. I always end up with far too much seed!

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  21. I keep hoping winter will really show its face sometime soon. Feeling a bit cheated, if I'm honest.

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  22. I love reading about farming and growing and eating domestic harvesting.
    This book sound pretty impressive!
    Hope spring steps in your land soon and you feel better to go outside

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  23. Yummy looking berries! Looking forward to seeing your allotment this year.

    Dee

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  24. I really appreciate the break from garden chores in the winter, and you must even more so with your allotment to look after as well. But it must be fun to start planning for the coming year. X

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  25. Sometimes the planning for a growing year ahead is the best bit... all the anticipation & none of the work and pain.

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