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Harvesting garlic and garden happiness

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garden

It’s that fine time of the year when my garden is incredibly lush and productive. The patio pots of annuals, encouraged by good soil and a little boost of 20-20-20, are stunning in their old favourites simplicity, the bird bath at the west fence needs constant refreshing because the birds love it so much, and the strawberries and raspberries are ripening daily, with the blueberries not too far behind.

In the veggie garden, the red Russian and Mexican garlics have flopped over and began to get that tell tale sign of bottom browned leaves which signals that harvest time is here. In the back of the garden, in her favourite spot on the twirling circle, my gardening companion Morgan is waiting for me to finish lifting the bulbs so she can inspect the harvest. And then, just as I gather my garlic on the little marble table and sit down, she jumps on my lap for a cuddle.

And I’m stuck! 😀

But what a lovely place to be stuck in. From the back of my garden I see a flicker calling from the peak of the roof of my lovely 1920s Craftsman cottage. The loft windows are open and I can see my grandmother’s old Singer. I’m thinking I really should use it more. I look across the veggie garden and realise that now there’s room to spread out the leeks, or maybe buy more kale plants, but for now, there’s a cat on my lap, the sun is shining thru the saved apple tree and catching the crystal leaves and glass globes, and there’s a lovely harvest of organic garlic beside me, which I grew myself. It’s happiness to be here.

And then, having had too much love, Morgan jumps off my lap leaving long-haired cat detritus behind and rolls in the leaves and sand on the twirling circle.

Comments: 13

  • June 16, 2015
    reply

    Morgan is such a lovely cat!

  • daryledelstein

    June 16, 2015
    reply

    does Morgan like garlic? i am told cats love garlic … mine, well all but Annie, love turkey, i cant have a sandwich in peace …thanks for sharing the lovely calm that is your garden … i always feel relaxed after ‘visiting’ you there ..

  • Rosemarie

    June 16, 2015
    reply

    It’s looking fab. There should be 2 Art in the Garden tours. It’s tempting to come by again. Thanks for sharing.

      • Rosemarie

        June 16, 2015
        reply

        Thanks so much.

  • June 17, 2015
    reply

    What a lovely post. It was filled with beautiful photos and you know I just can’t resist a gorgeous cat!

  • June 17, 2015
    reply

    Oh Veronica … what a beautiful post! You took me there with you. Such wonderful pics and your prose … Isn’t it great knowing when it is time to harvest things and be able to stand back and enjoy all your hard work. Lenny used to love to garden with me – or at least watch, but he is too old now which is a shame. And Grace our other kitty enjoys sleeping too much. Your cottage sounds wonderful. I loved reading about seeing your Grandmother’s old Singer – oh that brings back memories for me of my Mother’s machine and the smell of it as it joined layers of fabric. My mother was amazing on that machine … Thank you so much for sharing this with me .. I feel very lucky!

      • June 18, 2015
        reply

        My dad used to tell stories all the time of yesteryear, I used to tease him and say ‘you have told me that so many times many before’. I would so love to hear those stories now. The good thing is, I have his old fork and spades, so he is always out in the garden with me ????

  • June 22, 2015
    reply

    No idea where those question marks came from! Sorry …

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