This is what it looked like this morning...
It is a work in progress.
He often escapes to sit in there and listen to the radio while he pots plants, etc.
It is amazing how quickly it has become 'his' space, already I feel like an intruder, an interloper. That's ok, just so long as he lets me in to harvest the vegetables, in due course.
apple trees are in blossom, the strawberry plants are flowering and everywhere is green and lush.
The parrot tulips are still loud and beautiful.
Like many men, he has a particular fondness for pruning and cutting back things.
Many years ago our daughter wrote a poem about the plants in our garden,
how they react when George approaches..
how they react when George approaches..
this morning I remembered a small part of it...
"When you step in the garden
All the plants quake
They recall poor old Ivy
And remember her fate"
 |
| Beware, Ivy, George is on the prowl! |
Luckily, the plants in the poly tunnel haven't heard the poem.
Put the secateurs down and back off from the honeysuckle hedge, George!
Hello Elaine....I won't let my handyman near my pruning shears. I let him pick up what I have cut. That may sound terrible, but he has a tendency to go over-board when pruning. I love the poly tunnel. What a great place for George to call his own.....I'm laughing.
ReplyDeleteHello Meggie, That all sounds very sensible to me - George seems incapable of moderation when it comes to pruning! The honeysuckle hedge will be in flower soon, I'll take some photographs. Ever since we came here he has been trying to get rid of it. It is one battle he won't win!
DeleteA man after my own heart! Chris says that I am from the "no prisoners" school of pruning. I say everything can be improved with a chop here and there.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hello Jane, Well, I say that about my hair - my hairdresser disagrees. I must make sure that George doesn't read your comment, he'll take that as a green light.
DeleteIt's certainly coming along. It seems George is a natural with a trowel. And forms for plant beds. And filling them in with lovely dirt. I'd let him off the hook on the shears.
ReplyDeleteHello Joanne, He is doing brilliantly with the poly tunnel, it's all starting to come together now. I'm still not going to let him loose with the shears though!
DeleteI agree with Meggie when it comes to pruning--less is better. I have actually cried over the excessive hack-job done to beautiful trees and shrubs!
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note: Whenever the subject of English sheds comes up, I am reminded of "Cold Comfort Farm" and the shed in the woods.
Hello Ms Sparrow, George, and my son-in-law are both guilty as charged. I know that some plants benefit from it, but those two just don't know when to stop. I must hide the shears and secateurs.
DeleteI last read "Cold Comfort Farm" almost thirty years ago I am long overdue to read it again. The library van should be round next week...
Your poly tunnel is coming on really well.
ReplyDeleteHello Molly, George is really delighted with it and, given how back the weather has been, I am so pleased we bought it. The plants are doing really well in there.
DeleteHi Elaine....I am smiling....your daughter's poem is very apt. I've no garden ( I really miss that) but I have my plants on my balcony and Sr P being retired now has taken to watering them and taking care of them and the other day he got my sewing scissors and hacked back my miniature orange tree...what is it with these men...what happened to snip this and that only!
ReplyDeleteAmanda :-)
Hello Amanda, The poem was very gentle, considering some of the 'gardening crimes' he has committed over the years! Your poor little orange tree - will it survive? I'm guessing Sr P doesn't keep Bonsai trees then!
DeleteWe did have a Bonsai.....it died!!! Need I say more )-:
DeleteI am giving my mini orange tree a lot of TLC now and guarding it diligently.
Amanda :-)
at Crafty in the Med
Your daughter's poem made me laugh. A polytunnel is an unlikely man cave, but George has definitely made it his own. I tend not to prune enough -- I have yet, in 5 years trimmed my roses (although I do dead head it.). Still growing quite well.
ReplyDeleteHello Janet, That is how I shall now consider the poly tunnel - his man cave - it has power and lighting, so it is very comfortable. Your Don Juan roses seemed very happy with the way you treat them, they were beautiful.
DeleteThat's EXACTLY the size of Poly-Tunnel I need. I've got the chair and radio, all I need is the money.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should read Cold Comfort at least once a year. Probably my favourite book.
Hello Cro, Money? We used Green Shield Stamps. Go on, treat yourself, it will pay back the cost in increased food production over an extended period.
DeleteI think 30 years is about right. No matter how much I enjoy a book, or a film, I don't like reading/watching them a second time. 30 years should ensure that I will have forgotten enough that it becomes interesting again.
I think I would like to hide away there...especially with lovely music.
ReplyDeleteHello Karen, The interior of the polytunnel is wonderful, warm and pleasant, even on a cool day... both of the cats and Toby, my dog, love to stretch out in there. Apparently they are welcome...
DeleteHi Elaine,
ReplyDeleteI’m loving the idea of George as ‘New Poly Tunnel Man’ and instead of pacing a cave armed with a club he sits in his chair and listens to his radio...
Hello Green Dragonette, That's my boy! I should also say he also wages a war in there...against slugs. I don't want to know how he disposes of them, but I am grateful that he does; they have already destroyed a couple of plants.
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