Haddock's always was the Vegetable Garden for our house. We bought it about 30 years ago, to return it to its rightful ownership. It was simply a small D shaped piece of land, that was overgrown with Brambles; it took a lot of hard work to return it to a useable plot.
Over the years it has provided huge amounts of produce, and our Winter stocks were made from the excess; mostly in the form of bottled Ratatouille. There was hardly a time when we weren't eating its produce in some form or other. Below shows the plantings at the beginning of 2021.
Sadly, this year will be its last as far as vegetable growing is concerned. The light has now been totally blocked by serious growth from next door, and without light and air it has become unviable. Things simply aren't growing. By mid July I had become totally disenchanted, and I abandoned it. I still harvest the few things that are growing, and have left the rest to nature.
I'm not sure exactly what I'll do with it, but in the meantime I shall simply mow all the grass, and keep it tidy. I shall leave the fruit trees, the soft fruits, and table grapes, but any future vegetable growing will move elsewhere.
I shall be very sorry to say goodbye to Haddock's, but I have no alternative. It will continue to produce Plums, Grapes, Figs, Tayberries, and Artichokes; but no Veg'.
Perhaps I'll make it into a Party Venue, with Pergola, BBQ, Fire Pit, Table-n-Chairs, etc. It deserves to have a second life.
31 comments:
I'm sorry to hear about the end of Haddock's. It's been a fascinating part of your blog and I was often in awe of what it produced.
I'll miss it too, but it will evolve and become something else. In future, vegs will be grown at Haddock's II.
I'm sure your creativity will find the right solution.
I hope so. Things will be different, but OK.
Sad news, Cro. Over the years I have been reading your blog Haddocks has become part of my guide to the seasons and, by proxy, to the worries that gardeners endure (as a humourist once said: No wonder they are such a miserable lot). Dare I mention tomato blight? Yes, I know, sore point.
I am surprised at the problem with light since, at least in that wonderful photo above, the plot seems positively bathed in light. And what of the neighbours is encroaching? Still, I suppose, in reality, you are probably right to wind down a bit before old age catches up with you. Don't say my bedside manners aren't immaculate. I apologize. Well, you know, no self respecting gardener would call a spade a spoon.
Hug,
U
I am sad too Cro. I've enjoyed reading about Haddocks and seeing the pictures of the delicious food you have cooked from its produce. Do hope you find somewhere new to call by a 'fishy' name - what about 'dolphins'? It certainly needs at least two syllables.
It's sad when dreams have to change for any reason, but your Party Venue idea sounds good and at least you will still have the grapes and other fruits.
Oh shame. Are the neighbour's trees situated in the spot behind the camera angle? I suppose if they are very tall they would certainly cast long shadows to stunt the growth.
You will see in the lower photo that behind the actual growing areas, there is thick growth. In early afternoon I now have no light; or very little.
Well that piece of news seemed to creep up out of nowhere. I suppose with you coming to England for at least part of the year Haddocks was bound to be less important and need a new life as something else in any case so perhaps the timing of it all is just right.
It will be used for something or other, and we have plenty of areas for a new patch.
There are Plums, Apples and Grapes there at the moment. So I still amuse myself there.
Yes, I think he's leaving them to hide my garden. They serve no other use.
I'll still be growing stuff when I return each Spring, but not there. I have plenty of open spaces where things will grow better.
The end of an era but, the opportunity for something new and you will still have the fruit and artichokes. Also, would it still be viable as you have to come back to the U.K. for part of the year ? ( just looking for the positives !! ) XXXX
Well, trees are needed and it's easier and quicker to start a veg plot again than trees.
Best of luck with Haddock's II
I shall have 6 months growing season here, which is all I need for the Summer vegs. I shan't bother with Winter vegs in future.
Yes, it's really not a problem; simply the end of an era.
We are in a similar position. We have lived here for 14 years and our veg plot beyond our patio has over the years become surrounded with everything that has now matured in the garden. A huge climbing rose being one of the main things. There are too many roots and too little sun plus we have an allotment plot so veg is no longer needed at home. We have decided instead to make it a fruit plot with strawberries on one half and raspberry canes on the other. For some reason the few we have seem to do well so we will extend them. Sometimes things just have to evolve don't they!
That is sad but what can you do? Is it possible to find another sunny area to grow produce?
I understand the pull
When I went back to work full time the animals and the allotment had to disappear
That sounds very much like my situation. Things change, and we have to accept it.
Yes, we have plenty of land for another veg patch. We'll simply have to decide where we'll place it.
As long as we can grow Tomatoes, Courgettes, Aubergines, and Peppers, we'll be fine.
Farewell to Haddock's
Many's the hour you laboured there
Hands in the earth and breeze in your hair
Though the world's news was bad, you didn't care
When you were digging Haddock's.
You remembered the life that you have known
And thought of your children now fully grown
Never minding a jot about being alone
When you were digging Haddock's.
Thank you for that YP. That's quite a tribute (to Haddock's, not me). Merci!
Our summer vegetable garden in France used to work very well, just some intense rotovating and planting when we arrived back each spring.
Yes, I don't see a problem, it's simply a matter of changing location.
He'll be sure to cut them down as soon as you want a secluded secret garden.
Change is the only constant. A new location will bring life to the Haddock. The old Haddock will evolve.
That is what I am hoping. Fingers crossed.
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