seed stitch

I found these in my greenhouse. I like to make flapjacks and gingercake. I used to be given treacle sandwiches as a child. We have these tins around the house, filled with pencils, pens, plant labels and scissors. I was interested to see how they'd faded in the winter sun.

I cleared the greenhouse a couple of weeks ago and started to sow seeds. I would love to say that I am passionate about gardening. I am not. I enjoy the initial process of clearing and sowing, the hope and the anticipation engages me quite nicely.

I do not enjoy the weeding and nurturing demands of flower beds and vegetable patches. It's a time-heavy business and, frankly, who has the time?

Every year I nag myself to try a little harder and make a little more time, that the fruits of my sowings will be bountiful and useful.

This year is no exception.

I have sown tomatoes, squash, pumpkin, climbing beans, courgette, radish basil and pots of sunflowers as I'd like to create a summer hedge along our drive - just for fun, to see if it works. My seeds are starting to push through and I enjoy the patchwork nature of the seedtrays and the repeated patterns formed by pots and emerging seedlings. I have sweetcorn, rocket, parsley and beetroot and I am sure there will be plenty more. The months of April and May are my most enthusiastic (before the bindweed appears).

NRH (see projectforty) has fixed the waterbutt, cleared the base of the apple trees and is busy planning the new chicken run. He is an unexpected treasure in the garden. He takes on the jobs I struggle with, the edging, the digging and most energetically, the chopping without complaint as long as I have provided clear instructions and do not query the result (often quite drastic).

As you can see, I need all the help I can get. This is the allotment we share with my neighbour. It's right outside my kitchen window and it's big, and weedy and bumpy. We've had it for a couple of years and although we get some decent produce from it, it's always looked a mess. Our allotments are 200 years old this year so we're all agreed it's time to make a bit of an effort.

So, now you know, when I'm not knitting or sewing or thinking about knitting or sewing, I'm here, looking gorgeous in my wellies and my headscarf.