I haven’t written a blog post in two weeks now and the poor allotment is slowly falling to pieces, it seems my gardening motivation is slipping away along with Summer and it’s a little sad…
Work has been somewhat hectic this year with all the garden shows that we booked up, along with working weekends we work through the week making metal work, sourcing vintage gardenalia and then cleaning it up for sale. Not that I’m complaining at all, we are so grateful to all our customers and thankful that our little business is growing. It’s just I miss spending long summer evenings up the allotment surrounded by homegrown flowers and vegetables, something that I’m lacking of this year!
The allotment isn’t growing to it’s full potential and this brings me down, all my big plans and ideas went out the window in April and the plot has been neglected. When I pop up there to do some quick watering and see the onions going to seed, broad beans blown over in the wind, strawberries eaten, potatoes not earthed up, borlotto beans laying lifeless on the floor, the shed roofing material ripped, the gate hanging down and all the weeds and grass as high as your knee it’s very disheartening. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like giving up.
I spent one rare afternoon up there last week with my Dad, he had brought up the lawn mower and strimmer to cut his own allotment back so I borrowed the strimmer to have a quick whizz round plot 15c. It’s funny how something so quick and simple can make a whole lot of difference, even though I love the wild look the allotment was looking a tad messy and unkept, now at least it’s looking a little tidier!
Whilst I was there I took the opportunity to dead head the rose bush which has been blooming beautifully for the past few weeks now. I have two varieties on plot 15c, one was a birthday gift 3 years back called ‘Katie’s rose’ (although I doubt that’s it’s real name!) and the other is a climbing rose called Penny Lane which is growing rather slowly near the back of the shed. The plan for this rose was to have it trained up the side of the shed and onto the galvanised sheeting roof… which I have but still need to put on, in fact it needs to go on pronto as the roofing material has a tear right down the centre!
I also planted out a gherkin into the trough which I purchased from the last garden show after mine had failed to germinate. Fingers crossed it will grow up a handmade trellis and give me at least a few gherkins to pickle. The squash I planted into the trough 2 weeks ago is growing really well and I’ve made sure to keep the soil in the trough well watered in this hot weather. It dries up really quickly in this heat and it doesn’t look like we’ll be having any rain soon.
Last but not least, as the sun was fading, I picked my one and only strawberry from the temporary strawberry patch. This one little strawberry gave me the hope to carry on with the allotment and that’s just what I needed. Even though the allotment isn’t looking it’s best right now it can still produce, even if the pickings are small and limited, it’s still producing and for that I’m thankful. Things don’t have to look perfect and I just need to learn to live with that for now. Maybe one day I’ll have my dream vegetable patch but for now I’m grateful for the small amount of time I get to spend up the allotment and all the harvests I can get in these busy times.
13 thoughts on “Lacking Motivation…”
Don’t give up Katie. Your allotment is still beautiful. And it will be waiting for you when your busy times have passed. Blessings.
Hi Katie, I think unless you’re retired, it’s very much a juggling act around working full time, home and family and the allotment. Don’t be disheartened though as I’m sure that “lottie” your little haven xxx
We were in a similar position a few years ago, the allotment was just getting the better of us, due to illnesses and bad backs. We sat back and reviewed things, and changed the allotment over the last two years to be more user friendly! We are so glad we did.
Been away a couple of weekends and mine too, looked as if I had never done a thing. I bought a strimmer on Monday and did much the same. At least a little control has been restored! It’s the journey that counts, not the destination! Keep smiling.x
Don’t loose Hart with your allotment, I think we put to much pressure on ourselves for everything to be perfect, I have been very disheartened, i brought a battery strimmer recommend by my friend it makes such a difference just keeping the grass cut. I will say hello at the weekend it’s Woburn garden show. Yipeee
Oh Katie… I feel your pain. I thought I was doing so well this year, compared to last year. Then summer came around, wedding, birthdays, garden visits and flower shows. And next thing you know, the weeds are back and it looks like you’re not growing anything at all!
During the week I can only muster the motivation to water - I have tried doing some work, but I’m so tired by the end of the day that I just want to go home and chill with a cup of tea. Weekends is when I do all of the weeding, etc. Sending you positive thoughts! xx
I think many of us can relate to your feelings Katie - it can be a frustrating business at times! Too much can get in the way of what we need to do, and I certainly always seem to be playing ‘catch-up’. It will never win any prizes, but my little patch absolutely refreshes my soul and restores my balance. And it is lovely to hear that a little strawberry can do the same for you! xxx
Sometimes I find the best way to cure a lack of motivation is to have a break, stand back and have a think then make a plan. You will soon be back on track.
Don’t put to much pressure on yourself lovely. Your probly feeling like you have to have the perfect plot, take lots of nice pics for instagram, weight a long blog post each week etc etc. As well as working! Take it one day at a time. Xxx
Sensed this… no. I saw this coming from across the pond. Your horizons have grown beyond your back yard, whether you want that or not. I’ll be waiting with your other fans at the purple shed for your return. In the meantime, enjoy.
Katie, you have so much going on in your life at the moment I guess you have to consider whetherbyou have time. Or spend this winter thinking up an irrigation system. Or perhaps aperture to share it with so that they can keep it tidy while you are gone x keep it up but keep it tidy and mowing goes along way and deceives the eyes of the committee members when you come casting their critical eyes. Good luck Lynne
Hi Katie,
I agree with the other comments here. Don’t lose heart. I have gone from 2 full allotments down to 1/2 a plot and am much happier now. I used to feel worn out by all the work not yet done. Now I concentrate on a few favourite things - salad crops, courgettes, broad beans, beetroot, Jack be Little pumpkins (wonder where I got that idea?!) and cut flowers and I enjoy it much more.
Having said that there is always a point around now when it doesn’t get all the attention it should. But you have to enjoy the best of the summer weather with days out and walks/foraging. Just enjoy it when you are there I say.
Love your blog and all your videos. Cheer me up when I feel fed up with other things.
Carole
Gardens need attention on a daily basis. you have alot on your plate. it’s pretty impossible to do everything 100 percent.