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When you've been a Veg' grower for as long as I have, and it suddenly all comes to an end, it leaves a gaping hole in one's life. This was Haddock's 10 years ago, when it was still in full production.
I see Red Onions, Caulis, Red Cabbage, Aubergines, Peppers, Tomatoes, and probably Broccoli in the background. There are also a few Hens in the ramshackle run. It was the sort of garden that all country folk aspire to.
In a lower section (out of sight) there were Courgettes Pumpkins and Butternuts. And elsewhere there were Apples, Plums, Raspberries, Cherries, Figs, Globe Artichokes, and Rhubarb. No space was wasted.
It was amazing how much I grew from such a small plot of land. One doesn't need several acres in order to be self-sufficient (or almost). One simply needs to be well-organised, and prepared for a lot of weeding!
One of my greatest pleasures of living out in the countryside (in S W France) was growing things. I still grow fruit, but not vegetables. With only three months at our home each year these days, there really isn't time, although I do intend to ask Kimbo to plant some Tomatoes for us, and I shall grow some Bok Choi; which I believe grows quite quickly. We shall see.
I loved seeing my cupboards filled with preserves; we made everything we possibly could. It must have been a very good year for Cepes (top, pale jars). What better in Winter than a Cepe omelet! Also plenty of Tomato based preserves, and Jams, with two other cupboards filled.
Sadly my veg' production is now over, and Haddock's has been given over to fruit growing. I shall plant some Peach trees there this year; and maybe build a small Pagoda/Summer house. Already it gives us plenty of fruit for jam in the Summer months, but you can never have enough Peaches.
Meanwhile we enjoy our 2025 jam; which seems to be disappearing very quickly.
It is a special pleasure to nurture vegetable plants from seed to harvest. In this modern, urbanized world many of our fellow citizens never know that satisfaction. Haddock's was clearly well-maintained and productive. Is your real name Percy Thrower?
ReplyDeletePercy Thrower II. Yes, it was a real pleasure. The weather was good, almost anything would grow, and visiting Haddock's before deciding what we'd eat that day was invigorating. I really miss it (but not the digging).
DeleteI remember those wonderful days of yours and how much inspiration it gave me, even though I haven't done much since. Finally, I buy my vegetables at the little shop here.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the above picture again brought back wonderful memories.
Deleteyes I remember you growing all your veg. Surely this will be the year your tomatoes will thrive! Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI usually rely on my lovely neighbour José, who grows far too many Tomatoes, but it'll be good to have our own again.
DeleteNice to see a well stocked cupboard of home grown produce and your past news from Haddock's was alway interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhen we came here I planned to have "exotic" fruit trees and grow all manner of veg. Local gardeners cautioned me that whatever I grew would ripen at the same time as locally grown commercially produced varieties. It was something I hadn't considered, so I didn't bother, and in a hot climate watering is something that has to be done very sparingly.
It's true that things do tend to ripen at the same time as locally grown, when there's a glut, and everything is cheap. That's life!
DeleteA lovely sight - a garden veg plot bursting with all manner of good things.
ReplyDeleteWe only have space for a few tomato plants and courgettes plus a strawberry patch. Something to look forward to each summer.
To me there was nothing to compare to harvesting fruit and vegs. Digging up Potatoes was always such a pleasure.
DeleteYou got so much satisfaction from Haddocks, endless fresh meals and preserves. I too remember those posts. Hope you do manage to grow tomatoes with Kimbo help. You always make the most of what you can harvest. May you have another fruitful season
ReplyDeleteI used to spend a lot of time at Haddock's, working, or just relaxing. It was my 'second home'; I loved it. And, of course, it provided everything we needed.
DeleteThis brought me a flashback memory to my grandmother's garden and helping her preserve tomatoes, green beans, corn, and apples. Thanks I needed that.
ReplyDeleteThe preserving is even more fun than the growing.
DeleteYour gardens are beautiful and extremely productive. The cupboards show excellent growing and preserving. Eating fresh home grown produce and fruit cannot be beat.
ReplyDeleteThere is huge satisfaction in growing and preserving your own vegs. I just wish I was still doing it.
ReplyDeleteSad how it all panned out. You can't count on anything really in life.Nice memories anyhow which you shared with others..
ReplyDelete