Here’s the latest news from Thingwall Park and some of it is as vague as ever. Sorry about that.



Sheds and “things”

It’s the end of August and we have reached peak “thing”. It’s less than five weeks until it all ends and there’s oh so much to do.

The dream to have my own private drinking establishment/potting shed is slowly becoming a reality. Both shed health and plans have been scrutinised by “thing” legend (some of you have guessed who already) and a professional joiner (my mate Foxy). The general consensus is that it’s going to be tricky, but not impossible, and I’m determined to make it work. The only things standing in my way is budget and lack of skills/ability. But as readers will know, that’s never stopped me before!

The shed is a priority, and a major part of what I’m trying to achieve in relation to the “thing” and let’s be honest, for myself. This whole business (not just the “thing” – that’s just an extremely happy accident) is part of a rebuilding exercise. Not that long ago, and I won’t go into detail now, life went a bit tits up, really tits up.

So apart from being a fantastic hobby, this is way of creating a space to improve and strengthen my health, both mental and physical (the “thing” came dangerously close to becoming like one of the emotional bits from DIY SOS the other day, but if I hear even a chord of Coldplay, I’m walking).

Anyway. Shed. The key is to source cheap materials. So if you know someone who might know someone in the Bristol area then let me know. That’s cheeky isn’t it? But if you don’t ask….. etc, and a bit of free advertising on prime time TV is quite a nice incentive, right? (I’ve said too much – ssshh).

Cuttings

When I think about where I was when I started writing this blog, the amount I’ve learned really is quite something. I literally knew nothing, and now I know at least four things.

One thing I have learnt this week, thanks to a certain someone, is how to take cuttings. We practiced on lavender and rosemary. I think I understand the principles now, but feel that it’s going to take a bit of practice before I get it right.



Growing

The weather for August has been both amazing and awful, which has had a remarkable effect on crop growing.

The downside is that the weeds have been having good times as well. But I’m used to it now, and find weeding a lot less tiresome than before.

So where are we? Courgettes are coming on well, and I may even have a marrow on the cards. Swiss chard and radishes are ready to eat. Beetroot isn’t far off. My brassicas, for the most part and rather amazingly, have survived the pigeon onslaught. And my runner beans are running up their wigwams nicely.

I’m planning on picking my plums this weekend, well, those that aren’t infectected with what I think is brown-rot and maybe make some plum jam (this paragraph contained a double double entendre, well done for not sniggering).

That’s it for now. There’s so much to do so I’m going to be taking a pretty business like approach to my little plot until the end of September.

And then I can finally explain all.