It’s time to calculate approximately how much produce the garden gave me last year, in 2021. The result is a disappointing Ā£180. When I see the results of other gardeners’ labours, it is clear that more could be done in my patch.
This year, the star was the apples. Having heard that it was not a good year for them in other gardens and orchards, I do feel lucky on this score.
Another surprise was my daughter finding a use for the fennel seeds. She believes that they are good for her skin, so now has a nightly smoothie which contains them.
On the other hand, the strawberries were on their last legs and none of the pumpkins survived. The tomatoes got blight and the beans, though better than last year, presumably because of the higher rainfall than in recent years, were still not terribly productive.
I still haven’t firmly decided what is going to be planted in the raised bed but should it survive and then produce, all we be noted in this year’s diary.
My mum started giving me an annual calendar which came with a pocket diary. The calendar company changed the way they were sold but my mum, realising the diary is of use, sources an alternative for me. So, what will I be writing in it in the forthcoming 12 months, I wonder.
For those of you who have gardens, I hope they will bring you joy, whether that be in the form of fruit and veg or flowers, or any number of other reasons one may wish to have one’s own outdoor space. And I look forward to reading about it all.
Growing out of chaos 
Apples did well here, and grapes. Yellow squash, peppers and eggplant, all heat lovers did well too. Our summer normally is dry and warm, but the trend is now excessive heat, drought and increased fire risk.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year, and a lush and productive garden and orchard in 2022.
Thank you, Lavinia.
I hope you won’t be affected by fires this year.
Oh gardening is always a challenge isn’t it. Well done on apples. We had very few. It wasn’t great year for us either, but there always the new growing year.
Yes, there is every chance this year could be a good one for growing!
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The challenge with gardens is that you can do everything “right” and still not come out ahead. There are so many variables. I think you should pat yourself on the back for the success you’ve had, Helen. I’m impressed. Happy New Year.
Thank you, Alys. The programmes on TV make it look so easy š.
Happy New Year!
Ha! So true.
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That’s a good idea to keep track of the garden. Possibly something I should do now I am Sole Gardener.
My records are a bit haphazard but it is interesting!
Pretty mixed, then
Decidedly so š
Every year some things do well and others donāt. I have no idea which is influenced by what. I have concluded that it is best to grow a variety of things and, if possible, more than one type of each to hedge my bets. Then to eat and enjoy whatever comes. I get so much pleasure out of gardening and it does me good in so many ways that the harvest is just a bonus ā though of course I would like to do better!
Nice philosophy š
Hope your garden brings you joy this year.
Thank you, Jackie.
It’s a great idea to keep a garden diary. My garden is like yours, very hit and miss and so be it but not sure what I will grow next season. At the moment my garden is waterlogged! Helen I thought that you did very well with your apples, fair play to you (like they say here in Ireland).
Thank you, Agnes. I hope your garden won’t be waterlogged for long.
It usually becomes dry by the late spring, so I have to be patient š
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