johnadams.org.uk

I’ve just planted three rows of potatoes in my Mum’s garden.

These are the old varieties I remember my Dad growing:

• Home Guard
• British Queen
• Navan

I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow with minimal interference!

Snowdrops

Originally uploaded by John The Geologist

The first snowdrops of the year appeared a couple of days ago. A sure sign that spring is on the way.

It’s been mild so far, hasn’t it?

The family of field mice that have been resident in our garden for a couple of years have now started to burrow under the garage, leaving big mounds of soil in on the greenhouse floor.

So, despite them being cute, it’s time to stop them. We have bought two traps, loaded them with Fruit and Nut, and in two nights we’ve caught 4 mice.

I’ll keep a running tally here….

Update: 21/01/2008 Days: 6 Mice caught: 6

None for the last 2 nights. I wonder is that it?

It’s been a lovely few days of an early summer heat wave in the west of Scotland. The thermometer in the garden read 28°C on Saturday. Perfect weather for mooching around the garden. The courgettes went in this weekend, and the tomotoes are all staked up in the greenhouse, with lots of flowers.

My father, John Adams, was a wonderful gardener, but sadly died 9 years ago at the age of 64. On his last day he spent over eight hours in his garden. Not a bad way to go.

The garden has been kept tidy since then but has not had the same effort, love and care lavished on it. Nature is trying to take over again.

For example, this Belfast sink was planted by Dad with a series of perennials and annuals. Now the perennials have taken over and have reverted to type.

His shed is still in the same condition as he left it. My garage (i.e. large garden shed) looks much the same, maybe it’s genetic!

I often wish he was still around to share gardening tips and stories.

More pictures are in my Neglected Garden set on Flickr.