A row of potatoes stuck in the dirt is perhaps not the most photogenic subject in the vegetal world, but I am so bursting with pride and satisfaction at this new bed that I could not but share it with you all.
I worked for hours on this garden bed. When I first started whacking away at it I had only intended to turn the soil in preparation for potatoes (which in itself is far more than I would usually do), but when I came across all those horrid rats I went a little berserk with the enormous mattock I found in the garage and dismantled the entire garden bed.
And then of course I had to put it back together, albeit in a more accessible to me, less so to the rats configuration.
When I really got into it, I found it lovely and calming and soothing. I knew I was doing a good job; the soil was lovely and composted and rich, and beautifully light and fluffy. Mindful of the neat rows of fellow bloggers (that's you Mark) I worked the soil to a loose and crumbly tilth; a lovely bed that any potato would be happy to snuggle into at night.
And what is more, I braved the rats head on (with a very large mattock), picked out cockchafers for the chickens, and rowed my potatoes.
And I did it all wearing a dress.
Ladylike with a mattock was the look I was aiming to achieve.
ps thank you Hazel for the most fabulous bug word I have ever heard in my life. I am now happily intending on dropping it into casual conversation on a daily basis.
21 comments:
Awesomely brave. I like your straight rows, I am yet to master these.
I feel particularly good when using the maddock. It just makes things happen so quickly that at present its my favourite get it done garden tool. I haven't tried it wearing a dress though. :)
Did you have your blunnies on as well with your dress?
I do hope you had lipstick on, my mother said never to leave the house without lippie on....especially to plant potatoes....as for that 'word', I cant help thinking that an application of some sort of soothing cream is in order ever time I hear it...
Phoebe I had on my flowery wellingtons, which through no fault of my own are now a bit of a fashion accessory around the globe. I believe that it may be Kate Moss at Glastonbury and not myself in Brisbane that the masses are imitating there.
Elsie, I have gone a bit row crazy and now have several other things planted in rows... Rowing is addictive. Try rowing in a dress, a dress slows you down a bit and makes you think, it's a fabulous combination.
Suzanne your mum would not be proud of me, not a lippy wearer am I. I'd like to be though, so if it's the thought that counts...
I can't even remember if I own a dress lol! I think I'd probebly trip all over myself and fall in the mud if I tried to wear one gardening! I'd be head over heels with garden clogs flying every which way, duck!
Ali, the potato is beautiful. You too. I've only grown them once, and got maybe a whole bagful, but they were of course the best imaginable in a foot plot. Keep rolling! Ken
Hmmmm; I'm all for neatness in the garden, so sowing / planting in rows works well for me, but I'm just hesitating a bit about wearing the dress. Is it compulsory? I'm worried about what happens if the Style Police catch me at it...
Ali,
A lady in a dress, planting spuds and attacking rats with a mattock....now there is an image that will stay with me today! lol
Ali, I have been wondering if I could adopt you? It would be great to have you around ... just for the entertainment value.
I have a neighbour who gardens in her nightdress, you have to watch which way you're looking when you leave the house for fear of seeing what cannot be unseen. I imagine your neighbours must find you equally amusing! :p
Hazel I am fully adoptable and all I would require would be to be kept in pavlova, sans passionfruit of course.
Gary there are worse things to be running around in your head!
Hmm Mark, I hadn't really thought this through. A kilt perhaps?
Ken, with that fabulous comment you are now my new favourite person. Anyone who finds me on the same level of attractiveness as a potato is way up there on my list.
And Nickie get out there and get yourself a dress! What are you thinking?
Kat my dress is not see through! Hee hee, my neighbours should be so lucky :p
Fantastic! Go lady! If you garden in heels you'll be aerating your soil too! :)
You made me smile Ali with your delight in the new word of the week and I also noticed you used the word "tilth" and it is wonderful to see you giving it a revival too.
Oh how brave to wear a dress; I'd be thinking jeans with string tied round the bottoms to stop rats running up your legs! :)
Beautiful fluffy soil. You did good with your tilthing.
Hope the rats keep away now :D)
Beautiful shape and colour. I had to read the post twice though because, first time round, I thought you had been attacking rats with a mattock. That did sound fierce!
Esther
Euwww Esther, if I had accidentally chopped one up I am not sure I could carry on. At the very least I'd be selling up and buying an appartment.
Susan, I worked to get that tilth for hours, thank you so much for appreciating it!
LBM I was wearing some pretty high boots and was poised for flight at all times.
Tanya it was Hazel who gave me the word, and really, what's not to love about it?! And tilth is a bit fabulous too. I will try to use it more often. Actually I'll try incorporate it into my gardening more often.
Ali - I wish you had include a photo of you in a dress taking that first potato photo! The things we do.
included a photo sorry
Post a Comment
comment here!