The survival instinct...

I hope I have instilled the survival instinct in my plants, gosh, I hope they have the will to live while I am not there nattering to them in the safety of my back garden. I have been gone for four days, what could possibly have happened? How bad could it be? Have they grown, have they fallen over, might they have drowned god forbid under my boyfriends over loving care? I am sure they are fine, they are thriving – does he talk to them enough? I think it helps you know, telling your seedlings and your little shoots about your day, I think they like it. How can I hold my Big Lunch if my plants don’t grow?

Actually, I am not being strange. You know how when you think of certain things you imagine how they work inside? It may be completely wrong, but you convince yourself that it is true and that it must be that way – even though you have never been told it. Like the TV, for years, I thought little people were transferred into TV boxes…. Obviously, my delusions were ruined when flat screen TV’s appeared. Well, talking to plants – in my head I think that the tiny little vibrations of my voice stimulate them, the little sound waves keep them motivated and growing, is it so wrong to deny yourself little delusions like that? It’s a bit like the think yourself thin theory – I am thinking my plants big.

I am writing this while sat on a train, I am very excited about seeing how much my plants have grown, I am keen to see if my row of leeks is growing bigger than the boyfriend’s row of leeks… it’s not a competition? Yes it is. Also, Cam and I are in competition as to how many of our neighbours we can get to agree to come to our Big Lunch. Some are a bit dubious - they want to know why we are doing this. I just tell them it’s because we can, because it’s lovely, and because I need someone to feed Megatron and Walter (my fish) while we are away, not forgetting asking someone to water our plants. (I hope they won’t drown them).

I am in Cornwall for two days then back to London for two days and then home for my birthday and then another week. I wonder if I will get that watering can I asked for… is it odd to want a watering can for your twenty fifth birthday?

When I left my sweet peas were standing up like little proud baby soldiers, I wonder if they have a uniform of leaves forming yet, or if they get chilly without coverage…. No frost – I think frost is bad, although if we had any I am sure I would panic, not to self – what happens when there is frost? Someone said actually that glass jars make great mini greenhouses, what a cute idea. I could have a city of green houses in my back garden.

Don’t get me started on green fly, black fly, purple and pink fly…. To be very organic you are supposed to pinch them out – but I think they hear me coming and hide….

I will let you know how they have all fared… what has not lasted… who was the weakest link…hopefully not my boyfriend, note to self, do not give him the silent treatment if he has murdered my plants… as of I would!

Cheerio

Jess x

Vegetable couture....

My gosh, maybe this is why I am alive. I am feeling like I am starting to fufill my reason for living... growing things! I have my first two shoots from my sweetpeas, it's more satisfying than a massive roast dinner, an open fire, a grand book and a fresh bottle of bubbly all in one. I have produced something wirth my tender loving care. Now I just have to keep my little shoots alive... this is where the hard work comes in.... (my designer clothes don't need looking after - but these plants certainly do). But actually, I am learning that growing your own is essentially quite cheap - once you have the gear (even if you have no idea) it's not that hard to sustain, I have my fingers and my hands, my eyes and my boyfriend... the rest is happening in little dribs and drabs and we are looking at a real great hobby to be taking up what little spare time I actually have. And what a way to spend it. Spreadeagled across the raised bed, mud on my face, knees rapidly sinking into the soil, mud up to my arm pits... and a big cheesy grin as I get as close to my sweetpeas as humanly possible, they must love me, they are growing.

Talking about designers, it's quite funny, I think that I am still making fashion choices even in the mucky business of being a virgin gardener. When I went to pick out my pots - I automatically wanted the most expensive ones, the massive terracota pots and the beautiful elegantly swaying urns. Even the twine I am using - instead of the nasty plastic looking green stuff - I went for the organically produced twine in natural straw.... gorgeous, hang on.... I am talking about string... organic string.

It's not just products that can be fashionable in gardening, the actual plants are too - sometimes it's just not trendy to be growing massive tomatoes, it's the dinky little cherry ones that are cool. Vegetable couture is becoming an obsession. I hope beets are 'in vogue' as my boss gave me some (along with a trowel and forky thing... thanks again boss) and mine are all lined up like a marching parade ready to grow big and strong.

I managed to get my hands on some free tomato plants today... I am so excited... hang on... I don't know what type they are... I hope they are fashionable....

Cheerio!

Jess x