I love gardens - there is something uplifting about greenery and flowers. It is also very pleasant to be able to cook with home grown produce. Years ago I used to do my own garden, but I have someone to do it for me now, and so I have more time just to enjoy it. We have a courtyard garden that is a bit scruffy as it contains five bicycles as well as much building paraphernalia, and various plants destined for Christopher's allotment. However there are some very pretty plants in it.
I would never have thought our garden was big enough to open to the public until I visited the London garden of Rooftop Veg fame. This manages to pack in raised beds, a shed and a greenhouse in a space approximately the size of a spare bedroom. It is about six floors up just round the corner from Oxford Street and it really is the triumph of hope over adversity because everything has to be carried up six flights of stairs.
I can't help thinking that there must be easier ways to get a courgette on the kitchen table. However, it is a very pleasant place to enjoy a cup of tea above the hustle and bustle of central London.
My husband Christopher has been an allotmenteer for many, many years. This is largely a solitary occupation involving him disappearing on a Sunday morning so that I can get on with the housework, and then him bringing home a lot of dirty vegetables that mess it all up. So I was amazed to discover that he had a secret life on twitter where he was communicating with like-minded individuals. I was even more amazed when he then went off for the day to meet up with all his twitter buddies that belong to the organisation of Old Horts. This sounded like he was having far too much fun without me, so although I never lift a trowel or handle a rake I have joined Old Horts too!
We had a lovely day on Sunday, meeting up for lunch before we went to visit Ascott House Gardens, and raising money for charity by wearing something green.
My husband Christopher has been an allotmenteer for many, many years. This is largely a solitary occupation involving him disappearing on a Sunday morning so that I can get on with the housework, and then him bringing home a lot of dirty vegetables that mess it all up. So I was amazed to discover that he had a secret life on twitter where he was communicating with like-minded individuals. I was even more amazed when he then went off for the day to meet up with all his twitter buddies that belong to the organisation of Old Horts. This sounded like he was having far too much fun without me, so although I never lift a trowel or handle a rake I have joined Old Horts too!
We had a lovely day on Sunday, meeting up for lunch before we went to visit Ascott House Gardens, and raising money for charity by wearing something green.
The Old Horts are a very pleasant quirky bunch of people who share a love of gardening and plants. They are also extremely knowledgeable - all except me, but after my photography workshop I am used to taking part in activities about which I know nothing. You can hear all about the Old Horts and their book - How to Grow a Gardener - because they will be on Radio Solent on 28th September.