Nine months is an acceptable time between blog posts right? In my defence I had writers block, and a few other things happened. I was trying to write a post about eggs, but there was just so much to write because they are so interesting, and there is so much you can do with them. Basically I just really like eggs, and should probably get out more.
But, it’s January (erm, now February and if I’ not careful it will be March before I know it!), and 2020. I’m not really into that whole new year, new me business, so I tend to go with New Year, New Plans! Now that could relate to a lot of things with me, but for the purpose of this blog it’s going to mean one thing: write more.
So if I’m struggling to write about eggs, one of the basic, stepping stones of cooking, what am I going to write about? Well for years my parents have talked about having a vegetable patch but, being busy busy people, have never got round to doing anything about it. So I have decided to take it on myself, not having any clue about gardening. I can’t believe it’s going to work straight off the bat, however I have an issue with starting things without them being a success immediately. I like to make plans until the sun goes down, but following through with them is another thing entirely. Because I want it to be perfect, but I’m learning that nothing is ever perfect when you first start out.
So it probably needs to be: New Year, New Plans, New Actions. Maybe that way I’ll get things done.
Now as a chef who enjoys food and fresh ingredients, and as an anthropologist who sees some major miscommunication about food, farming and diet in the media, the idea of growing my own food is very appealing. However, as I write this I’ve realised that I planted some chilli seeds the other day and have since completely forgotten about them. So they are currently stewing, forgotten and unwatered in my mothers airing cupboard. Not the best start, but hey ho.
Right, I have a patch of land, quite big actually but half of it will be for chickens and ducks when we eventually get them. And I don’t own it, it has been generously *gifted* (hijacked more like) by my lovely parents.
Now, building and growing a vegetable garden isn’t as easy as I first thought (duh). There are many different factors that you have to think about before you can even put your beds down, because they’re quite hard to move once you’ve filled them with soil funnily enough. I am also currently debating the pros and cons of a no-dig bed as well as raised ones. So I might have a play around and see what works. Or I might do a hybrid and have no-dig raised beds. Is that thing? I’m making it a thing.
I’ve been reading a lot of books, making a lot of plans (as I said before, this is my forte) and I’ve decided that I need four veg beds, two others for the berry canes which we already have (currently planted right next to hedge), and one for the potatoes. Which I have started chitting…whatever that means.
However, the very first thing I need to do is find a potting shed. I mean, it probably isn’t but I really want one so I’m making it the first thing I need. Now let me tell you, I never realised there were so many different types, shapes and sizes of potting shed. I have spent hours looking at all the different ones, but eventually found a nice one, its 8ftx6ft and is one of the only ones I’ve found which reaches an internal height of 7ft. This part is very important if my 6,4″ dad is hoping to stand up in it properly. Now the second thing I need to work out, is where I’m going to put it – does it need sun, is there a convenient water access, will the horses use it as a scratching post? All the important questions.
So this week, I have graph paper, and I have my measurements. So I’m going to figure out what and where everything is going in a handy little diagram that involves cutting and sticking. I will also investigate more about no-dig beds. Apparently all I need is some cardboard and plenty of well rotted manure or which I have oodles.
So follow along for my adventures into amateur vegetable gardening, and cooking tips and tricks.
RAJ
