A Surprise Harvest

I popped up the allotment yesterday evening after work to do a little bit of weeding as the weeds always seem to grow quicker than the crops! I did however, get a little distracted when I started picking my very first cut flowers from the plot…

It all started with the new dahlia that I bought at a local market, I couldn’t resist the rich pale pink shades of the petals and it was a bargain price at £2.00 (alas the only down side is I don’t know the variety!) Anyway the plan was to plant it out amongst the flower bed and cut the blooms to take home to make way for the new growth. This is when I started gathering bits and bobs from around the plot to add to my little cut flower bouquet. I picked some Verbena Bonariensis, Lavender, dried Poppy seed heads, a rogue Gladioli, some Dill and a little of the Yarrow that’s growing on the rubbish pile on the brassica bed and ta-da… I had created my first homegrown bouquet of the year and I was a little pleased with myself.

I didn’t think I would be harvesting any flowers this year due to neglecting the plot, I haven’t given it as much attention as I thought I would this year due to work and Wales so I haven’t really planted out any annuals or given it the time and love it needs. In fact I’ve recently been looking back at photographs of my first ever homegrown cut flowers back in 2014 with a hint of sadness because I thought I wouldn’t be picking any this year. I just adore flowers and think that every plot needs them, not only to pick but for the bees and insects to enjoy as well, plus the sure brighten up the place. I’ve been feeling a little down about my allotment this year because it hasn’t reached it’s full potential and it’s looking a tad messy, but my little patch of flowers were always there to reignite my love of gardening and to push me to carry on.

Before leaving and under the light of the moon I harvested my first gherkin from the trough and added that to my trug of homegrown flowers. It’s a little plump but a gherkin none the less, I didn’t get any harvests last year so I’m super pleased with this pick and noticed more growing on the plant too. I made a mental note to finish my homemade trellis for the vine to grow up before walking home with a huge smile on my face and a very happy heart.

It just goes to show you that not all is lost, even when you think you have nothing you find that you are surrounded by all the riches in the world, the ones that really mean something to you and make your heart smile. You can find beauty everywhere if you only look for it…

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