Doggy Disaster

The long suffering agreed to babysit her friend`s new puppy and guess who got lumbered with the flea ridden mutt as she went to the shops?

yep muggings here.

I was watching the mutt in the garden when the phone rang- when I returned the mutt was having a right old chew of my tomatos. Never seen anything like it in my life!! .

I tried to get him out of there quick but it was too late he had knocked four of them over splitting the stem right through.

I ve pinched out the end of the stems and, fingers crossed, there will be no lasting damage

Summer - at last!

You just cant beat it can you?

Another month with us but, at last, the flippin' summer has decided to make an appearance. There's nothing like the sun on your back to give you a bit of confidence and the Long Suffering has encouraged me to "spend a bit of time in the garden - whilst you can".

You won't need to ask me twice!

So, here's my little list of jobs for the week.

All the pretty stuff is in full bloom, so I'll be pruning our wisteria and the two apple trees. That'll take me a pleasant couple of hours and I'll work up a thirst for that bottle of cold Spitfire sat waiting for me in the fridge.

Whilst I'm doing that, The Long Suffering usually potters around removing any dead flower heads to make room for new flowers.

Mind you, despite all this wretched rain we've been having, it's important to continue watering the plants and that's usually my last job of an evening - and with the recent weather, I can tell you, I got plenty of the wet stuff! My butts are overflowing if you pardon the expression!

I'll also be doing a spot of remedial work on my tomatoes and will pinch out the tops of the plants - and the runner beans – to increase the yield! Looking at both, we could actually be in for a decent yield - thanks, of course, in no small way, to good old Rootgrow!

Finally, I want to clear a largish patch of my garden to make room for a new enlarged spud patch I want to have in place for next year - and then there's the repair work to the greenhouse and the shed .....

And do you know? I think that little lot will keep me busy this week!

But at least I'll be smiling!

Quiet satisfaction!

There's nowt like a feeling of quiet satisfaction is there?

So, the Show is over. And whilst normally I'm not given to boasting - I have to say that I had a pretty good day. I managed to pick up four first prizes and a second (harsh, in my view) and pipped Pete the Plumber and Ron to collect the shield for top overall marks.

I was most pleased with my potatoes - they picked up a first and I really thought my old mucker Ron might have the beating of me there. But no - the judges obvioulsy know class when they see it! And my beetroots? "Classic" said the judges!
My tomatoes were also show winners - as were my onions. And, in fact the only blotch on the day was only picking up a second with my cucumbers - and I'll go to my grave believing that to be a travesty! - and I got nowt for my celery, but I'm not bothered about that.

So, it was a pleasing afternon and I won the raffle to boot - four 75g packets of flippin' Rootgrow which I'd donated!! The Long Suffering also did well with her Bakewell Tart picking up a first prize, together with some knitted thing and a photo of a balloon!

So, last night we sat in front of the fire (yes, I know - in July!!) and watched Casualty with a plate of Bakewell Tart and a bottle of Speckled Hen.

Bliss!

Big day today!!

Forget the Cup Final. Forget the Ashes. Forget the Queens Birthday!

Today is the big day!

It's our local Horticultural Society Summer Show today - and if you think competitive spirit is restricted to the sporting arena then think again!

Of course, as I'm considered something of a Garden Expert, the pressure is on me a bit and I have to admit, between you and I, it's got to me this year.

The problem is, all this flippin' weather we've been having has played havoc with my plans - and there's a couple of people in the village who seem to be revelling in my discomfort! It's got a bit tetchy this year with one or two things being said that maybe shouldn't be said. I've even taken to checking the greenhouse before going to bed - well you never know do you?

Mind you, come half past three this afternoon, when the judges have made their decisions we'll all be back to being good friends again. But until 3.30 I ain't speaking to them - they're not speaking to me. There's an element of jealousy in all this though. You see, just cos I work for Rootgrow, one or two of them seem to think I have a bit of an advantage - you know, like I'm cheating or something. Mind you there's hardly a murmur out of them when I'm at the AGM with free samples of Rootgrow to hand out - they're OK and best buddies then!

I did have a sneaky look at Ron's beetroots - he's not a chance! Mine are like footballs! And as for his cucumbers - his are like pea pods compared to mine! And I know I've got the beating of his plum tomatoes. But I have to hold me hands up - he had a nice plate of spuds when I popped down to the Village Hall this morning to set up. His celery looks neat too - but I've always though of celery as being a bit of a non veg - can't bear the stuff!

Pete the Plumber had also made an effort too and I think he could be favourite in a couple of categories. And my mate Burkey's missus won't be happy till she's picked up a clutch of awards. She's not what I call a proper gardener mind - but she does enter stuff in all the categories going including jams, cakes, knitting and all them other women categories.

Not that I'm against the women taking part though - me and the Long Suffering are a good team when it comes to the Summer Shows. I grow 'em and she cleans them up for me to plate up!

But right now I'm a touch on edge - and I will be for the next couple of hours!

I'll be back tomorrow and let you know how I get on!