Being at the height of winter means that the garden looks wet, dank and drab. The Potager looks a little depressing and I admit I’ve been a bit put off by what’s really going on in there since it looks so unappealing. I did have to bite the bullet though yesterday and tie up the broad beans and peas again in readiness for another southerly blow.
What an idiot I felt. There I was writing off life in the potager when in fact small miracles of life are bubbling away under the surface. It warmed my heart if not my hands to see the garlic coming into life. There were little shoots along the ridges I planted. Look see what I was seeing.
Who would have thought such a small thing could make a such a difference to your emotional well being. I was both ashamed with myself for being so down on what was happening in the garden and also shocked into activity. Out came the weeder and in turn so did the weeds. There weren’t too many but I wanted to spoil their competition with the food that’s growing in there.
You can tell which way the southerlies are blowing on the peas and beans by the fact that the northerly side is growing stronger.
The plants closer to the ground at doing so much better and there are some fine culinary specimens coming through. This bok choi is tantalisingly close to harvest. For the first time you can see the spoon like shape of the leaves.
This mini cabbage is not ready for harvest. But this little vegetable’s neighbour has battled frosts and rain and is now winking at me to say, I’m ready for eating whenever you are. More time is needed for this one to grow big and strong.
The cauliflowers are now starting to grow every day. Their architectural development is amazing. Creating the strong centre where the cauliflower will grow and be protected by the outside leaves.
The carrots are starting to get bigger too. I did a second thinning recently as I was rather heavy handed with the seeds. I’m not confident that the transplanted seedlings will survive but I did my best to pack their roots tightly back in their new home. Only time will tell whether I’ve been successful. I’m keeping a realistic view on that since I know that carrots are not keen on being moved around. We’ll see.
All in all I’ve completely underestimated my garden.  But since this is my first real year of experiencing growing seriously it’s hardly surprising that I’m going to get a few things wrong. No harm done. It just goes to prove my point that whilst the garden books can tell you what to do nothing prepares you for your own learning.
Having just written that sentence I’ve just been struck by another note of doh! More politely in coaching parlance, I’ve just had an aha moment, an insight, a moment or realisation.
People only really get it, I mean really get what’s being said, read or seen, when they make the connection for themselves through learning, thinking and working it out for themselves. It explains why my bookshelves of gardening books are interesting, lovely to read and look at but are simply not making the difference to me in my growing journey. I’m only really going to get it through giving it a go or coaching myself through things as they happen and I start to have doubts or question what’s happening.
So new outlook, to have more faith in what’s happening in the potager and start to engage with the learning and thinking part of my brain more when it comes to growing.
And all this inner coaching at the end of the week. No wonder I feel so tired all the time!