Killed my cucumber plant!

And the aubergine pots were knocked off the window ledge. More sowing of seeds. Third time lucky.

Some good news though. My coleus canina plants have been dispatched. Here's hope they deter the cats. There is always something to do with this gardening lark. My salad leaves look good and I am looking forward to tasting them soon. I think I may well have bought too much compost but better too much than too little.

I am looking forward to filling the beds with plants soon. They look rather barren at the moment. I have been trying to swot up on companion planting. I hope that my little polyculture will thrive.

I now have gardening chats with my neighbour, instead of just a brief hello or comment on the weather, which is nice.

Scarecrow wanted

Work was busy but that's me for the week. I have a busy week planned spring cleaning. The clutter has built up again. We are definitely not a minimalist household.

I need a scarecrow. In view of the bad hair day I am having (think Iggy Pop), I think a photo of me on a stick should do it. I spotted bird prints next to the seed I sowed yesterday. Will have to wait and see if any survived.

Time for the evening madness.

Where is the sun?

I hope this sun comes out again soon. It has gone into hiding. I have an afternoon of pottering and potting planned.

Eldest son is heading off soon for the anti cuts march. I hope there is no trouble and he isn't 'kettled'! Having decided to stay home and do my gardening, I am feeling slightly guilty. I don't think my marching days are behind me, but am I turning Tory! No, that can't happen. But since no-one has convinced me there is an alternative to the cuts, I'll stay home today.

Census form submitted. So many questions.

Spring, glorious Spring!

The clocks spring forward. Farewell dark evenings.

Busy morning cleaning plant pots. I have run out of compost and don't think I can wait until tomorrow to plant more seeds! Might just pop a bag in my trolley on the way home from school to keep me going.

Meeting with Master Gardener went well. I have planted the spuds correctly which is good to know. So far I am doing things ok.

Not much to see but making progress. Youngest son is very pleased to pee on the compost heap for me. Older boys not so keen. At least they can't miss it, unlike the toilet bowl.

My veg and fruit box has arrived. I am perplexed by the beansprouts in the box. Adzuki bean? Mung beans? This is a job for Gillian McKeith. Perhaps I could put them in a vegan cake? Or more likely, on the compost heap.

Fingers crossed this weather last until next weekend. We are taking five 9 year olds to Southend to Adventure Island. Standing in the rain while they go on rides is not appealing.

Still haven't completed the census form. Will get round to it tonight, I think.

Time to go off and enjoy the day.

An early start to sort wayward hair

And not my hair. Fourteen year old son was upset about his wayward fringe, prompted by teasing from his older brother. So we rose early and I tried some of my hair products to tame his cow's lick. He is not convinced it looks any different but I assured him in a few days it would be trained. Any mention of a haircut was met with an emphatic 'no'.

It is going to be 18 degrees today so the garden is a must and Mount Ironing can wait. I have to dig the beds yet again. Being a complete novice to gardening, when I dug up the lawn, I simply turned the soil. Now I have patches of grass coming through. It never occurred to me that this would happen so I have to get rid of all the turned turf. I don't want to look like a complete tube when my Master Gardener arrives to give me advice on Friday. I am pondering asking how you keep your nails look glamorous while toiling Mother Earth. My nails are crying out for a manicure. But since I have developed a seed and compost habit, there are less funds for pampering.

On the cooking front, I am attempting a curry again. Try as I might, I cannot seem to make a decent curry since my one success which the husband missed. Today could be the day I crack my spicy nemesis.

Oh and it's budget day. The day the Condems extract more money from us. I will not be tuning into not so Gorgeous George.

The school run beckons and then back to dig the beds, after removing all the cat poo. Next door's cat think it is a giant litter tray. I fleetingly considered scattering chilli powder as a deterrent but that's too mean! Will try teabags soaked in olbas oil until my cat deterrent plants arrive.

Hasta la juego!

Unsuccessful sortee into green living

I did some volunteer at th elocal tree nursery run by the transition town movement. Thanks to Google and Aly Fowler I have become interested in permaculture. (Google it - too tired for explanations). This led me to transition towns and I found a group near me. I helped out at the tree nursery last week. Met some colourful but friendly people. I was invited to a social event on Saturday. The highlight was a meal of food they had foraged in the afternoon.

To be on the safe side, I ate before I went. Thank goodness! I cannot enthuse about the hogweed and chickpea stew. My offering was a banana and apple loaf. Unfortunately, it was not vegan friendly. I was not feeling relaxed and wearing my leather jacket was a definite faux pas. When some non- vegans chucked some meat on the barbecue, it was about to kick off, so I did a Ross Kemp, viathe bastion of hell (Tesco) for a bottle of wine.

Next week, I am trying a new transition group, hopefully less hard-core. I am now a bit nervous about the permaculture course I have booked for May. Another task for Google - vegan friendly biccies for the shared lunch. Only real issue is what to wear.

How does your garden grow?

I am now totally addicted to garden. I am itching to start planting. I am aiming for a polyculture. Through my research I have found an abundance of resources in my area. It has opened up a whole new world. I can barely contain my excitement when my seedlings pop up. I am looking forward to my new project. It is a very peaceful past time which helps minimise my hormonal meltdown.

I have been hibernating for the winter. I have little interest in going out. I look forward to the clocks going forward.