The beginnings of a tiny victory garden. Herbs, tomatoes, strawberries and veggies!
We’ve been back 10 days.. and I simply have not stopped.
I’ve pigged out on proper large portions of chip shop chips, and ate many of the British junk food items I had missed for 9 years (like Twiglets and crisps) and drunk wine, beer and cider and FINALLY I think I have got it out of my system and am ready to knuckle under and get back to my 1940s menu.
I’ve always wanted a little push mower and now I’ve got one. It does a great job!
One of the things I’m liking about being back in the UK is the fact that I can be in the garden once again. In Canada, where I lived for most of the 9 years I spent there, summer enjoys copious amounts of hungry black fly and mosquitoes, especially if one lives out in the countryside near the water. So I’m starting to enjoy gardening again and have the beginnings of a tiny victory garden.. really tiny..just a few containers of vegetables and herbs tiny..BUT there is a back end to the garden that is overgrown and it looks like clearing it may reveal space for a small veggie patch! So my job in July is to get this area cleared and see what I’m left with. Maybe if I do it quickly enough I’ll have time to sow some mixed lettuce..
The overgrown back end of the garden I’m going to clear for a small veggie patch
Tonight I’m planning my first proper new 1940s recipe so currently looking for something that involves the use of sausages (I have found some really good veggie ones I can use instead of meat ones)..
THANK YOU so very, very much for the messages of support. It’s made me feel supported and not alone in this current life journey…
C xxxx
Been busy decorating my pin board in the kitchen.
My house.. it dates back to 1780 I believe.
The 1940's Experiment 
Best of luck, Carolyn! Will be watching for a book from you.
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Glad you are settling back in Carolyn, been thinking of you . what a beautiful house…happy digging!
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Absolutely LOVE your house! Good thoughts coming your way 🙂
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Good luck. Your house is lovely and I am looking forward to see how you progress on your Victory Garden. xx Jaime from Canada
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Hope you settle quickly into life here in the East Midlands! blessings in your new home xx
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from what i’ve read peas, radishes and some other root veggies can also be planted late season for a fall crop as they like the coolness of spring and therefore, also flourish in the fall. it may be worth researching. many well wishes with the house and the garden!
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Excellent! I’ve always done the garden first wherever I’ve lived. I even started a compost bin in my first student house. Enjoy!
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Thanks!!!!!!! I forgot about the milder winter climate and am excited about crops over winter! The garden will give me a project to start right now and keep me busy and burn off a few cals.. so what should I be sowing now to get veggies in the autumn and winter and early next spring? xxxx
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I’m no gardener (as I have no garden) but I did have a look at some of the original Dig for Victory literature a while back and of course they encouraged people to grow food all year round. This looks like a good place to start:
http://www.earthlypursuits.com/AllotGuide/AllotGuide7_1.htm
Welcome home!
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You could still plant now and get loads of veggies – I’m planning on another round of carrots, beets, spring onions, cabbage, kale and herbs this and next month 🙂 (cabbage is for next years spring greens)
This site has some good ideas:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/plants/vegetables/8565624/Telegraph-Gardenshop-Fast-growing-vegetables.html
and don’t forget to harvest seeds to plant next year!
Good luck with everything!
(you’ve picked a good week to move back – the weather’s lovely!)
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How weird. Haven’t checked out any comments for ages and then I find that you’re here in the UK. Welcome and good luck.
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It looks like you have a lovely place! And you can grow your own vegetables and plant what flowers you enjoy. I’m pea-green with envy 🙂 Sounds like you are enjoying your time back in England.
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I am.. I feel very lucky to be renting this house and hope I can continue to do so. I keep having moments of sadness and missing friends back in NS already- the thought of not seeing some friends again saddens me and I feel upset for my eldest daughter, but on the whole, I’m looking forward and enjoying myself! xxxxxx
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Good to see your settling in. Now stop typing and get out in the garden!
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It all sounds wonderful. Please keep us updated as time allows. Good luck with the victory garden.
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Nice to see the posters again. My kids liked the children in Gas Masks one. I found it a bit disturbing. Luckily the masks wern’t needed in WWII. I wonder if Hitlers memories of them in WWI stopped him from using them in WWII.
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I laughed when I read your comment about the black flies and mosquitoes. In rural Canada this is no small issue! How lovely to be able to garden without fear of biting insects, and West Nile Virus!
Your home looks lovely, a happy place.
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House looks absolutely lovely! Post some pics of the inside! I’m sure it’s cozy. You’ll be so set with that garden. We have a greenhouse here in CT and I bought a book about cold frame gardening. They said it essentially makes our winters feel like England’s. I’ve been able to grow lettuce all winter–it’s wonderful! I’ve also done spinach, broccoli and kale. You should be able to get that all year round. You could also build a small cold frame to cover them when it gets particularly cold. Good luck! Loving reading and being a part of your adventure!
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Thanks for the update and info on your garden plans. I made the Potato and Lentil Curry the other day, and the Meaty Gravy and thought of you. I have so enjoyed the recipes. Hoping for some new ones soon.
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