Call of the garden

The sun was out today and for the first time this year, the children spent all afternoon outside. While I made marmalade in the kitchen, they excavated some garden tools from my shed and started digging the kitchen garden. They collected chicken manure and added it to the soil. They cleared the last of the sweetcorn stalks that I had left for the birds. Now spent. They left the teasels. Goldfinches are still visiting those.

They have decided that they want part of my kitchen garden to grow their own crops, together. They are willing to surrender the little patch I gave them two years ago. They’ve tested the soil and this is the best spot. This is where they want to start their gardening enterprise. They’ve started a list of the veg they want to grow. The children are feeling the call of the growing season already.

Looks like its back to my little farmers leaving their work boots just outside the door again. Oh yes. Muddy boots are back again.

12 comments

  1. Hooray! You’ve reassured me that spring is coming. And I love marmalade. Your blog is always such a happy place. I wish we were neighbors.

    1. I think they are a bit ahead of themselves, but maybe they really do sense something that I don’t. They’ve inspired me and the seed packets and trays are out. Oh the marmalade! Making bread this morning to crack open the first jar. Bliss….. I wish we were neighbours too. Then I could invite you over to try the first batch. 🙂

  2. Yes, tis the season of seed catalogues and chicken poop…………joy, bliss……..I am to have a small veggie patch this year for the very first time, I may need some tips from your clever little gardeners……………..I love marmalade too, they’re like little pots of sunshine on a dreary winter day. x

    1. Sun has gone today. Mighty glad I captured it in the jars yesterday.

      The gardening was totally their own idea. Along with the collection of chicken poo! I love the way that they just know what to do now, without me giving them instructions. Years of shadowing me in the garden has paid off. I am so excited that you are growing veg in your own patch this year. Happy growing! 😀

  3. You have Grass and can see your garden…how lovely !!!!
    I loved the planning stage of gardening..it really makes you feel Spring is on it’s way doesn’t it :0)

    I love the photos :0)

    1. I do love the planning stage. Getting out the seeds and working out what gets planted when. Dreaming of getting more than spinach and turnips out of the garden, which are still going strong. I think the children are a tad optimistic. A bit more winter to go yet. 🙂

  4. What a happy sight! How lovely to be able to get out in the garden and dig the earth…I must admit I still have a hankering for some snow but the chance to start spring a bit early also appeals! 😀

    1. Me too! Me too! I think I need one more flurry of snow at least, otherwise I shall feel winter passed us by. One good frost does not make a winter!

  5. So wonderful that you are already working on your garden so early in the year. Here in Canada all we can do in January and February is plan so when April comes, with luck, we’ll be ready to put ours hands on the soil! I already look forward to Spring!
    Luciana

    1. Too early here really. Specially with the chickens still roaming the garden. We’ll be putting seeds in pots in the greenhouse, but not much more. The children are a tad enthusiastic.

  6. Loving the muddy boots picture! It brings back memories of when my two were little. Now we just trip over electronics cables and clothes! I admire you for hand quilting your lovely hexies, although I love hand sewing I couldn’t manage quilting by hand. Good on yer girl!

    1. Ah. Things to look forward to. I guess it will be a sad day when I have nothing to trip over. I’m almost finished the quilting stage and am looking forward to making my first continuous bias binding for the edges. To be honest, I’ve reached the point when it needs to be finished otherwise it never will!

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