Being sociable

One of the most pleasant surprises about having transformed our front garden has been the social aspect. I've lost count of the number of conversations I've had with passing neighbours. All are interested in what I'm up to, and many have expressed an interest in buying any excess produce later in the year! Today I got chatting to the couple who deliver our parish magazine each month; when they offered me a thorn-less blackberry plant I couldn't say no!


When the garden was mostly lawn and shrubs, I'd be out there for a while and would wave to anyone passing, but this has brought it to a whole new level. Lots of people talk about the social aspect of allotment growing, but I say try front garden growing!

Planting plan

Amy has claimed Beds 1 and 4 as "hers" so these are likely to have strawberries, sweetcorn (lots!), potatoes, runner beans and the broad beans she planted at school.

Bed 2: Cabbage, Lupin, Sprout (but no Dumbledore ;-)
Bed 3: Beetroot, Parsnip, Carrot
Bed 5: Courgette, Onion, Lettuce, Spinach
Bed 6: Potato

I came up with this plan after consulting websites such as http://www.allotment.org.uk/ and the book "Reader's Digest - Food from you Garden" which I inherited from my maternal grandparents, published in 1977. I've used this book many, many times since I've had it as it has excellent, old-fashioned tips and recipes for cooking and preserving fruit and veg. I recently saw a reprint of it (available here) and would thoroughly recommend it to any would-be gardener or cook.