You've reminded me of our first year in Portugal, only three things really worked - tomatoes (though many of them split due to inconsistent water during drought), courgettes and oregano. After working on soil building before planting again, we're doing better now.
Its a huge learning curve isn’t it… We arrived here from Ireland (obviously water was never a problem) I brought cuttings and seeds and favourite potted plants with us when we moved… the potted plants didn’t last the first summer, all bar a winter flowering jasmin! The rest, little by little, I realised were also equally unsuitable for climate and soil type. It’s taken me years to accept there are some plants that will never grow here, my veggie garden is still evolving, every year a little better but damn it’s hard work!
It really is! I'm still trying to get used to the phenomenon of having a couple of weeks of summer-like weather in January or February, seeing lots of spring growth, so you get excited about planting, only for there to be frost which follows. Aargh!!
Odd, isn’t it, how our opinions on our parents change over time. I really enjoyed your writing about that, it made me smile and understand your perseverance with the veggie patch… ☺️♥️
Thank you JoAnna - I guess when we become parents ourselves or see others struggling with their children, we suddenly réalise what we put our parents through… I am not sure I was an easy daughter for my parents to understand, I was too adventurous and too outspoken ! It’s only now I understand that though… and yes, all my efforts and joy (and disappointment) is for my dad - I hope he’s watching me and having a good giggle 😘♥️🍃
I am sitting in my garden reading this Susie..and my thoughts are similar to yours! It’s hard to know where to start, and every year it seems to get harder!
I really enjoyed reading this...my father and mother were brilliant at growing things too! There’s nothing for it but to delve in again!
Well we must send each moral support across the ether Mary, honestly, I am in despair... I look around and not only see so much that has perished in the last 12 months but also I see cracks in the ground, which is already as hard as concrete and summer isn't even close yet. I listened to a national radio channel this morning which detailed the hardest hit areas in the country in terms of water deficit, Rodez, was one of the worst, we have not had a drop of rain for over a month which is an all time record for this time of year... I keep asking myself what is the point but of course, I'll try anyway, how can I not..? X
Every year I know there will be battles darling, sometimes I win them, sometimes I don’t, and believe me, I really have been so close to just giving up but always my dads handsome bearded face flots before me and the battles continue - for him, because I couldn’t stand for him to be thinking I lost! Maybe this year will be a good year - who knows? I can but pray 🙏🏽🥰
I now have a better understanding why you battle with the decision to grow a garden despite the hot temperatures and lack of water. Perhaps you can find a way that coincides with Nature’s. I hope so Sweetie because I know how much you love the process and the goodies you yield to provide food for your family 😘♥️
I can just see you there in the field...but my first thought was, downsize and move the veg patch to another place on your hill. Conditions change and so does the energy in the land. But what do I know ☺️ Courage Susie!
Bless you Elske, over the years I have downsized but sadly we have no other area suitable for starting again, it really is just a matter of trial and error… and a prayer to the garden gods each year! X
Me neither Pip, its been a battle fore the last five years here! A dilemma indeed, but... my dad's watching me, so I have to try! I know he'd have thought of something!
You've reminded me of our first year in Portugal, only three things really worked - tomatoes (though many of them split due to inconsistent water during drought), courgettes and oregano. After working on soil building before planting again, we're doing better now.
Its a huge learning curve isn’t it… We arrived here from Ireland (obviously water was never a problem) I brought cuttings and seeds and favourite potted plants with us when we moved… the potted plants didn’t last the first summer, all bar a winter flowering jasmin! The rest, little by little, I realised were also equally unsuitable for climate and soil type. It’s taken me years to accept there are some plants that will never grow here, my veggie garden is still evolving, every year a little better but damn it’s hard work!
It really is! I'm still trying to get used to the phenomenon of having a couple of weeks of summer-like weather in January or February, seeing lots of spring growth, so you get excited about planting, only for there to be frost which follows. Aargh!!
I do love this story of your dad and his garden and your changing reaction to it over time.
I’ve spent most my life trying to cultivate a garden like my dad Debs, I’ll probably die trying but at least he’ll know I did my best… xx
Odd, isn’t it, how our opinions on our parents change over time. I really enjoyed your writing about that, it made me smile and understand your perseverance with the veggie patch… ☺️♥️
Thank you JoAnna - I guess when we become parents ourselves or see others struggling with their children, we suddenly réalise what we put our parents through… I am not sure I was an easy daughter for my parents to understand, I was too adventurous and too outspoken ! It’s only now I understand that though… and yes, all my efforts and joy (and disappointment) is for my dad - I hope he’s watching me and having a good giggle 😘♥️🍃
I am sitting in my garden reading this Susie..and my thoughts are similar to yours! It’s hard to know where to start, and every year it seems to get harder!
I really enjoyed reading this...my father and mother were brilliant at growing things too! There’s nothing for it but to delve in again!
Well we must send each moral support across the ether Mary, honestly, I am in despair... I look around and not only see so much that has perished in the last 12 months but also I see cracks in the ground, which is already as hard as concrete and summer isn't even close yet. I listened to a national radio channel this morning which detailed the hardest hit areas in the country in terms of water deficit, Rodez, was one of the worst, we have not had a drop of rain for over a month which is an all time record for this time of year... I keep asking myself what is the point but of course, I'll try anyway, how can I not..? X
Every year I know there will be battles darling, sometimes I win them, sometimes I don’t, and believe me, I really have been so close to just giving up but always my dads handsome bearded face flots before me and the battles continue - for him, because I couldn’t stand for him to be thinking I lost! Maybe this year will be a good year - who knows? I can but pray 🙏🏽🥰
I now have a better understanding why you battle with the decision to grow a garden despite the hot temperatures and lack of water. Perhaps you can find a way that coincides with Nature’s. I hope so Sweetie because I know how much you love the process and the goodies you yield to provide food for your family 😘♥️
Sweetie I did reply to this… I just forgot to hit the right button… look just above the last comment from Debs… I’m such a noodle 😂😘🙏🏽
I can just see you there in the field...but my first thought was, downsize and move the veg patch to another place on your hill. Conditions change and so does the energy in the land. But what do I know ☺️ Courage Susie!
Bless you Elske, over the years I have downsized but sadly we have no other area suitable for starting again, it really is just a matter of trial and error… and a prayer to the garden gods each year! X
Me neither Pip, its been a battle fore the last five years here! A dilemma indeed, but... my dad's watching me, so I have to try! I know he'd have thought of something!
In spring yes... after that and through mist of autumn virtually none..!