After two full mornings in the allotments, a helping hand from our Son for 3 hours on Wednesday and the Potatoes are finally all in.. All 9 rows.. Three are earlies ( Arran Pilot) and the others six rows are main crop (Picasso) .
A rare visit from my Son to the allotments, saw big smiles from us, as he helped his Dad dig four trenches for the potatoes.. Our Granddaughter helped fill in.. Both worked very hard that day
Potatoes now all in.. Hubby spent most of Friday morning digging and earthing them up.. Here you see he just made a start.. 6 more rows to earth up .
Today Friday, my hubby earthed up all of the potatoes, all nine rows, Earthing up allows for the water to run down to the roots.. More information about this method and mulching can be found HERE
Remember the image I showed in the last post? Click onto smaller photos to reveal more about them.
This section is to be weeded.. You can just make out the young apple tree I had 5 glorious apples first time last year..
Now you can see the difference.. 3 hours work.
The Lime is added to the dug holes for the brassicas to help prevent club-root. The lime is left in the holes for a fortnight. Watered in. And after a couple of weeks we put the young plants in.
You can find out more about adding in LIME HERE.
But do please be aware Lime burns skin so avoid eyes and skin.
Watering in the lime. Leave for a couple of weeks before planting in your plants
Cabbage three types-Savoy-Spring and Golden Acre and Hispi Cabbag e. Curly Kale, Cauliflower-white all year round,, purple-Graffiti, and yellow_Sunset, Broccoli- Calabrese. Sprouts have been re-potted today and will come out later.
I almost forgot about the Rhubarb.. as I had a large compost bin upturned over it . As you can see it drew it up a little lanky.
But it was quickly made into a rhubarb crumble.. And more growing for more delicious deserts
Blackbird feast
As I dug out the strip of weeds by the side of the sheds, I kept having a rest, and each time I did, the black bird took the opportunity to fetch worms to feed his young.
I kept throwing the blackbird a few unearthed worms.. And he made several trips with beak full to and from his nest in the hedge to feed his young.
The home garden too is starting to bloom and below is a slide show of some of the new shoots and flowers in the back garden of our home.. Click on each one to see what is growing and what varieties we have used.
Happy Gardening
Tomatoes growing in the home greenhouse, these are getting strong plants now. There are a variety, we have Shirley Tomatoes and Yellow- Golden Crown. And no doubt we get more varieties as we often exchange plants with other allotmenteers
Sweetcorn and Butternut Squash are up in the spare bedroom.. Each window sill is a hive of growth 🙂
Sweet peas in our home greenhouse
Spring flowers on my rockery
New buds of the Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing Hydrangea
Fantastic update 👍
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Thank you so much Allotmental… for that thumbs up 🙂 Wishing you well within your own garden..
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Wow ballerina rhubarb. It is what I see them spinning when they are picked. Nothing like fresh potatoes from the garden to the table. Wow that plot or allotment is big. Yes to get help is always welcomed when the project is big. Hope you are having a lovely day.
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Thank you Joseph.. LOL.. love that, Ballerina Rhubarb.. It was quite sweet too.. I do not like to add a lot of sugar.. But the crumble I make with oats, nuts and maple syrup is deliciously sweet.. 🙂 I will have to add the recipe..
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Yes I made strawberry rhubarb jam and like you little sugar.
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🙂 Now that is a great combination.. 🙂
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Yummy too
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🙂 haha.. I am sure..
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🙂
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So fun seeing your progress in the garden. There’s nothing like the taste of home grown potatoes. Being one with Nature. That’s what it’s all about.
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I so agree Lorna.. when I am cultivating the garden All else falls into oblivion.. 🙂 ❤ Lovely to have you walking around our plot xxx
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That’s one of my dreams, to have a place to grow my own food. It’s fun learning from you, and seeing your beautiful lifestyle.
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Thank you Lorna.. I don’t think we ever stop learning. And I love it when someone teachers me new things too.. So I am sure we will learn from each other xx
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So glad your son could come and help you with the potatoes. You ambitious people. Ha Hope you get a big crop of potatoes later in the year. Enjoyed all the photos you enclosed in this post. Next week we are going to begin our planting – the cool nights are about over.
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Thank you, yes we so enjoyed his company.. He is not a great gardener so the effort was really appreciated that he gave his Dad and I a ‘Dig-out’ lol..
The crop last year lasted until the middle of March.. and we had given out some as well to family.. So the store saw us right through the winter.. 🙂 Good luck Peggy with your own planting..
We had temps of 22C in our home garden yesterday.. Cooler now today and a threat of frost mid week.. So those tender plants still to be protected for a while yet..
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And so the garden season begins – with a frost now and then. Good luck on your garden this year Sue. xoxo
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And you within your own Peggy… We will be kept busy for sure xxx 🙂
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What a lovely positive post Sue :). I never knew that about potatoes. Might have to start doing it myself. Thank you for a positive spring post. We are having a thunderstormy day at the moment and I might even light Brunhilda again. The weather doesn’t know what it is doing at the moment and can’t make up its mind whether it is going to be too warm for her or not. I fancy a Brunhilda powered shower so I think she wins 🙂
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🙂 that made me smile… I am always happy when we learn from each other Fran.. As to Brunhilda.. Big smiles.. A powered shower would always win the day with me too 🙂 ❤
Its warming up here.. 22c In out part of England.. Cooler though now for the rest of the week.. But a threat of frost still over nights.. So will not be planting out tender plants just yet..
The weather very mild for this time of year.. Which takes my mind back a few years to when we had a similar phenomena… And later at the end of April we then had snow.. Hope not.. but the weather is very unpredictable of late..
Hope your own storms clear… Sending love and Hugs xxx ❤
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The storm was a one dayer but it certainly settled the dust and made everything look lovely and green. We are getting the same sort of temperatures as you are at the moment and Brunhilda has been lovely to wake up to the last few days. There is something primally satisfying about wandering out of bed in the dark and stoking her flames and watching the fire crackle. I am so lucky that she lasts all night as I am not so sure that I would be feeling as romantic about her if I had to light her anew every morning. I hope you don’t get snow at the end of April. There is some snow on the mountains here as we just had a cold spell but otherwise, we have been promised a warmer and drier autumn than average. My broad beans are going mental though so at least I will have one good winter crop this year as it’s my very first time of growing winter veg. 🙂
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Glad everything is greening up.. and thank goodness for dear Brunhilda.. 🙂 And oh I so remember the days I had to get up to make a coal fire… Not nice on an icy morning. 🙂 We take Gas central heating now so for granted..
Another allotmenteer has broadbeans.. they are all in flower.. I have not grown any for a few years.. I only liked the first few boilings when they are nice and young. Even though they are good for you.. I prefer Kidney Beans and dwarf French Beans.. 🙂 Kale lasted all through the winter as did Rainbow chard.. 🙂 xx
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Thanks for letting us roll up our sleeves and be part of this gardening event! Everything looks lovelly, lovingly-prepared rows, equally-lovingly planted – or about to be, and in time, reaping with the same love nd appreciation….
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Thank you Lisa.. yes, the garden is now looking more ship-shape.. It’s tiring and each year gets a little harder on the joints and muscles.. I am still aching from my weeding effort..
But once we get back into the swing of it, our muscles will get used to it.. 🙂 Many thanks for stopping by Lisa.. I really appreciate it. 🙂
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Yayyyy, I got a post Sue 😀 I’m family again…lol 😀
And just in time for all this lovely Spring adventure 😀
And a lot of poor souls working very hard…but for much beauty to come 😀
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Haha… Yes hard work but very rich rewards Mark.. and Yayyyyy .. Lol that you got this update.. 🙂 Many thanks my friend 🙂
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Hurrah for nine rows of digging and potatoes! Son certainly looked hard at work at there. He must be a very determined person…or maybe he just wanted to get it over and done with – sooner he finishes helping you out, the sooner the crops will grow 😀
You are literally planting all of my favourite foods there – potatoes, broccoli, kale, cauliflower. All of which can make a delicious stew of soup either by themselves or combined together. So many kinds of plants – like your own cozy farm 🙂
Birds coming may be a good sign that the crops are tasty to begin with…imagine how they will look and taste like in a few months time 🙂
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He is not a gardener.. But he enjoyed his ‘Work-out’ in our garden.. And we were both very appreciative that he helped out his Dad.. Yes and I agree with you Mabel, all of those things make good soups and stews.. And we look forward to harvesting them.. 🙂 xxx 🙂 So lovely that you took time to hop over and walk among the potatoes 🙂 Lol
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I…love potatoes. Won’t hesitate to go near them. I think your potatoes are afraid of me now 😀
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Haha… 🙂 lol…. Yes the main crop are very creamy tasting when mashed.. 🙂
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Hehe.. mashed potatoes is such an easy dish to make. I hope you don’t get sick of eating potatoes in a few month 🙂
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No never get sick of them. so many ways to cook them.. Baked, roasted.. potato wedges with spices.. baked in the oven.. 🙂 lol..
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So easy to cook with potatoes. Unless you are making the thin fried crispy potato chips from scratch 😀
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Yes,so true. 🙂 🙂 ❤
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How wonderful to have your son home for visit! AND, the extra help in the garden! Sue, say a prayer for me, I ordered 12 varieties of heirloom potatoes, in variety of styles and colors – – a pound of each – purple, red, white, yellow – – wax, starchy, etc. – fingerlings to bakers size – 4 varieties each for seasons: Early, Mid – Keeper (late) season – that’s not what, (in my mind) I need the “Please, Mother Nature, protect her from her own insanity…” prayer for –
I’m ALSO gonna try out massive “Let’s get ‘er done! This year!” garden bed project – in area that has green, buffalo grass sprouting up here and there, etc….. past years, well, um, the weeds kept the ground from eroding, dont’ ya know, I
‘m an experimenter – and I purchased extra clothesline today to make my ‘Egypt, circa Pyramid Builders” boots on the ground, tools to map out – LOL –
And, taking a trip on Monday to a place far away ( 53 miles) to get the mulching supplies (instead of dirt trenches/hilling) I’m gonna try – – If it works, I’ll let ya know – if not? Well – I’ll get the trenches done, next year, cuz, after all…You DID TELL ME SO! LOL
But, after all, if Dreamwalker says a little prayer for my insanity, THEN, It’ll turn out okay, right? LOL – (I won’t hold ya to it, honest! Unless it turns out okay, then, figure, you deserve full credit for the missive, “Sigh, she’s trying…let her have one win….we’ll train ‘er up right, next year…..” LOL
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Big smiles as I read all this dear Tamrahjo.. LOL.. and you know prayers are free… and given freely.. lol.. I am sure your potatoes will do just fine.. Sounds like you have got yourself a PLAN… 🙂 LOL.. Happy Gardening 🙂 xxx And you know when you put your mind to anything.. It gets done.. ❤ xxx
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I sure wish I still had a garden, Sue. A lot of work, but a wonderfully delicious payout in the end! You have such a lovely garden at both sites.
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Hi Angie.. yes lots of work but well worth it in the end when you get to eat fresh veggies ❤
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I can’t say I miss the work part (actually I really do miss most of it), but the fresh organic veggies I grew would sure taste good right now. Maybe this year I can sign up for the produce deliveries I got from a local farm again. It will all depend on how this current relapse goes, and I’m hoping it will just all go away! You probably already know all the gardening tips I tried, but if not, I always put rows of marigolds every two to three rows apart to keep out the bugs that loved the veggies as much as I did. They hate the flowers and leave it all alone, while I enjoyed bouquets placed in a mason jar on the windowsill all summer and autumn. Just the thing for a pre-civil war farmhouse, circa 1858 from information I got from previous owners. Enjoy your garden for me also, Sue. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Angie.. You should see the Marigolds in my allotments.. LOL… a great bug repellent.. 🙂 Loved your comment Angie.. xxxx Take care of YOU xx
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I should have known you already used the Marigolds, Sue. Great for bug repellant and even prettier as a cut flower bouquet!
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Yes, you can even eat the petals in salads.. a good all round wonder of nature.. Happy Easter Angie.. Love and Hugs your way xxx ❤
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I’ve eaten several of the edible flowers before, but not the marigolds. I’ve heard they are bitter tasting so I just never tried them. Love and Hugs to you also, Sue. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Yes I choose only the younger flower head petals though.. A list of edible flowers is found Here Angie xx
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/edible-flowers
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Thanks for the link, Sue. I once had several books about all herbs and edible flowers, but the last time I moved the books failed to move with me. Apparently someone else needed them more than I did.
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🙂 my pleasure Angie.. 🙂 xxx
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Snow is almost gone … ground is still frozen and so is the lake, but my rhubarb is sprouting, friend Sue !!! I love Alberta spring and summer … smiles … Love, cat. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6RBa_vwYFgM?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0
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Glad to hear your Rhubarb is growing Cat.. And I so thank you for that lovely video.. I have been to Alberta.. As I flew back from Calgary in 2000.. After our amazing trip from coast to coast.. 🙂
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Most impressive. I hope you will be able to eat it all 🙂
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What we do not eat we share among family and friends, and other allotments Derrick.. Hope you both had a relaxing weekend.. With the Bonus of hot weather we enjoyed xx
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I knew that would be the case, Sue. 🙂
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🙂 Yes, nothing much gets wasted in the Dreamwalker house and gardens lol
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What a lot of work but I know you all enjoy it and look forward to the harvest… thanks for sharing all the goodness… I’ll know where to come if ever we get a shortage of food x much love barbara x
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Haha.. Always would you be welcome Barbara.. and share we do.. 🙂 Plenty to go around 🙂 lol.. Many thanks, I appreciate your stopping by the allotments.. ❤ xxx
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Beds look amazing Sue – hope you guys had a good feed and drink afterwards 🙂
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We did… and were ravenous 🙂 LOL… ❤ Thank you Ina.. 🙂 ❤
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I’m impressed. Hard work that pays off.
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Thank you.. Yes rich rewards come harvest time.. ❤
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🌻
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Ohhhhh, that is indeed a lot of hard work done!!!!!!!!! ….but it all looks so beautiful! Well done everybody! Sending you love and many hugs and my wishes for a beautiful week and full moon ahead! 🙂 xxxxxxxxx
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Thank you Marina.. Sending Love and Hugs your way too… We had a chilled out weekend xxx
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You have such rich and beautiful gardens, Sue 😀
I’m impressed, how you have the needed energy to create such beauty. It is wonderful to grow your own vegetables.
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Thank you Irene.. Our muscles ached for a couple of days.. Resting up today and going to start again tomorrow on another piece that needs attention.. We were going to go a Hike yesterday.. But we visited relatives and rested in the afternoon instead.. LOL.. Sometimes you have to know your limits lol ❤
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Exactly Sue and good that you listened 🙂
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🙂 Yes… We sometimes need to listen to what our body tells us xx
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I took a big sigh as I read the title for your post. Then, in the end, all i could think besides “Wowsers!” was how happy you made that Blackbird 😉
Good work, Sue & Family. You will have lots and lots of potatoes and tomatoes. Yum! I’m definitely impressed. Your grandaughter’s hoe is adorable, it matches her boots. 🙂
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Yes the blackbird was around my feet again today. 🙂 He is now getting very brave.. And his brood should be a plump little family by the amount of worms he found .. He went home to roost I expect very happy, as he swallowed a lot of juicy worms and beetles himself.. 🙂 .. And yes, the rake did match her wellies.. Unintentional lol.. We bought her the boots last year and she only just squeezed into them as we keep them at home for those times we take her to the garden.. SO more need to be bought a bigger size.. She slept well, as did her Dad no doubt 🙂
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:o) 🙂 🙂 🙂
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And it’s going to grow BIG and BEAUTIFUL!! Can’t wait to see. WOWOW! ❤
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Yes it is Cyndi.. 🙂 Thank you … It is satisfying work 🙂 xxx
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Sue, your entire family are very industrious. I love reading your posts filled with human enterprise and hard work to yield a lovely lot of crops. What do you do with all the vegetables – it seems like more than two people can eat?
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Thank you Robbie.. Yes it was so good of our Son to help his Dad..We were both very grateful.. You would be surprised how much veggies we eat.. What we do not eat fresh, and what comes all at once, we share, give to family and neighbours.. Flowers too.. The rest we freeze as we have several freezers.. This keeps us through the winter.. The potatoes are stored. Last years crop lasted us until the middle of March.. :-).. The fruit I make into jams, or freeze for smoothies, puddings etc.. 🙂 we do not waste a lot.. 🙂
Lovely to have you in my Allotment Robbie xxx 🙂 ❤
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Hello Sue — Good on you for all your industriousness! It’s still way to wet to dig much or plant anything outside here but we’ve got things going in the greenhouses and a few things in raised beds. I just discovered some seeds that my son and daughter-in-love-to-be gave me for Christmas. I may be able to get the peas started in one of the raised beds. For now, I’m happy to join in with the Garden Parties and assist with the pre-planting prep work — lots of that. Sending cheers to you and yours, Alia
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I am sure the weather will soon sort itself.. And yes the peas you should be able to start.. The peas I set are already through though there are a few misses.. So I intend to plant a few more where they have missed.. And in about a months time I will also plant another fresh row. So they don#t come all at once.. Where would we be without our greenhouses.. 🙂 xxxx 🙂
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Hi Sue, compared to my bijou plot yours looks like a commercial operation! Love that you managed to clear that weed covered bed in 3 hours, gives me hope for one I have that looks a similar size, and similar level of weed coverage. Debbie x
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Once you get your fork into it, and lift the longest embedded roots its not so bad.. It getting all the twitch/grass roots out bending up and down that takes its toll. So I know you will get there Debbie.. And thank you for coming to look around the plot.. More updates to follow later to day 🙂
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I am forever amazed with your garden Sue, the amount of work that you and your husband put into it is fantastic, it is always neat and organised and the results are indicative of your efforts, still believe you both should have your own gardening show on TV.
Cheers
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Haha… to that gardening show.. LOL.. you should see us flake out when we return on home.. haha…. Our ages now telling.. But now the heaviest is now done.. We just need to keep hoeing now.. And planting, and pulling up weeds between the new rows .. The cabbages are now in… 🙂 And more pictures will be taken soon.. 🙂 Hope you and Ana had a good Easter.. Lots of Hugs your way xx
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