Having a different point of view is what often makes one photograph stand out as more interesting. I was inspecting the kitchen garden and started to wonder what it might be like to see the garden from a basset’s point of view. But I didn’t follow through on the assignment on account of the sharp flinty stones of the path. That may make me an unadventurous photographer but I can live with that knowledge rather than I can live with painful knees.
It’s been a while since I posted an update on the garden. It’s still packing some punch for our table although we’re getting through much of the winter vegetables now and all the time I’m learning the critical path of how to have a sustainable backyard pantry all year round. I’ve also been experimenting with some mini tunnels – a fleece tunnel and a shade tunnel both of which still allow rain in but keep the plants protected from wind and frost. I’m tempted to invest in some industrial size tunnels for next winter and may even grow my tomatoes under poly until they get well established.
The start of Spring beckons a new beginning for my growing adventures. I have more packets of seeds than you can imagine and will be starting planting this coming week.
There is plenty of harvest yet to anticipate. The leeks and broad beans are doing well as have the cabbages (including those that are more ornamental value now they’ve gone to seed!). I’m already gathering a hord of recipes for leeks.
Little Basset was my deputy inspector in the garden. He likes to get up close to all that I’m up to. Offering a helping paw and snout even if they aren’t strictly speaking required. I can tell you that basset paws tip toeing through the garlic patch is not a dainty action and can be life threatening to the garlic sprouts.
Thankfully he hasn’t worked out the entertainment value of sneaking through the cloche tunnels. It is of course only a matter of time. I’m experimenting with rocket and salad leaves under one and protecting my cauliflower and cabbages under the other.
The good thing about when little basset is preoccupied with other things is that I can sneak up on him and take some portrait shots. Admittedly it isn’t long before he knows what I’m up to and he goes all camera shy and starts to try and hide.
For the first time this year I’ve eaten swiss chard and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how tasty it is. Since it’s easy to grow and gives the garden a lot of colour I can see that this will be a staple for our winter crops from here on in. The bassets are also partial to a little raw chard self harvested from the beds themselves. Pesky dogs.
If you read gardening books you’re left with the distinct impression that growing over winter is for hardened experts. Here where we have a more temperate climate there is still plenty that can be grown all year round. That is of course if you get your planting timing in sync so that’s the challenge for next year with of course some close supervision from the bassets to make sure there is plenty for them to scavenge an illegal snack.