When I was growing up, my Mum and Step-Dad took on an allotment (and then another) at the local allotment site. From the age of about 8-11, my sister and I went over to the allotment site with my Mum to weed, water and do allotment things.
I loved walking round looking at all the different plots. There were certain magnificent ones owned by certain people that I loved to pore over.
One particularly fine one was owned by Paul and Eddie, I remember. Later in years, I met Paul in a different, musical capacity and always thought of his allotment. They grew Patty-pan and Custard Squashes which I thought marvellous.
At the time, this meant my diet was largely made up of stews, casseroles and soups involving plentiful veg. At the time, I didn't enjoy this so much whereas now, as an adult, I relish plates full of vegetables!
I am grateful for those years of fresh-air, doing something real and down-to-earth, literally.
Even now, to these days, I get excited seeing any allotments or anyone's gardens involving vegetable plots. I love Sophie's allotment updates! One house we almost bought had a wonderful allotment section at the bottom. I wish this house had that but then it is a wonderful house so I can't have everything.
This Summer, having worked hard to try and succeed with my courgettes and tomatoes, I think back on those halcyon days of growing.
My favourite garden to visit is my Mum's of course.
We have enjoyed lots and lots of Cavolo Nero cabbage and Swiss Chard courtesy of Mum.
Look at those enormous plants she has below
If I ever visited your house, please do show me your garden! I am super enthusiastic! I'd love to see anyone's posts about their gardens!
I have serious home grown envy!
ReplyDeleteHome grown veg is so much nicer than plastic wrapped supermarket offerings. Thanks for mentioning me! These days it's making a real come-back having an allotment, but often people totally underestimate the time commitment. Super glad you cropped a courgette or two! xx
ReplyDeleteWow look at that kale!
ReplyDeleteDoes your mother cook the kale, or put it in smoothies? I cooked some of that type of kale with its ribs once -- big mistake!! I like Red Russian kale best...
ReplyDeleteOh, I do wish we might visit each other's gardens!! I feel the same way about looking at anyone's vegetable plots or flower beds!
Be careful: gardening can be addictive ;-) I'm sure you must have inherited some of your Mum's talent, so I won't be surprised to find more home-grown veggies among your flowerbeds next year! I'd happily show you some photos of my garden, but it's been quite neglected this year. Yours is looking lovely, though! xxx
ReplyDeleteIf you ever visit me I will show you my balcony. That's the best I can do. It does have rosemary and parsley on it...
ReplyDeleteAll that yummy food! We are leaving behind a garden that hosts apples, pears, damsons, figs and redcurrants. In previous years we have grown lettuce, chard, sweetcorn, tomatoes, carrots, garlic and courgettes. The new garden is tiny in comparison butbthat is fine because the existing one is way to big for me to manage!
ReplyDeleteOr garden is a work in progress, veg hopefully next year...definitely tomatoes. I too loved the times spent on my mums allotment until it got too much for her and she gave it up. Her small back garden is crammed with plants and I always come away with a pot of something to put in my own garden! Xxx
ReplyDeleteLike you, I've changed so much since childhood in my appreciation for fresh veggies. We don't have the word "allotment" and I don't think we have the idea here either so I'm not sure what you're describing (public gardens?). I'll look it up.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun to have a vegetable garden! I loving going out there and seeing what is ready to be picked.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super veg plot your Mum has! My veg growing has always been hit and miss. My greenhouse was just too hot for anything to thrive this year. I love eating something that is home grown, it always tastes so much better. I've just started to write a post about gardening, not that our garden is much to look at... yet.
ReplyDeletexx
There's nothing worth looking at in my garden, haha! Your mum's garden is fab! I'd love to grow all that in my own garden. Thanks for your comment by the way - you don't need to send me anything, but I will email you my address, along with the photos I've been meaning to email for ages from when we moved... it's on my to do list for this week!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a big garden and I would invite you to see it. Right now our garden is quite small, but I'm still happy with it. Allotments sound great to me, but I don't have any close to home and I'm not sure I would manage it on my own. My husband is not keen on growing stuff, he likes other outdoor pursuits.
ReplyDeleteYour mum certainly has green fingers, everything looks so healthy. She must spend a lot of time and energy on her allotment to reap such good rewards.
ReplyDeleteLisa x