THE IRON GRIP OF WINTER Ground is like iron out on the plot. We’ll not be lifting roots for a while yet, save pot-grown carrots which are in the greenhouse to keep off the worst of the frost. I walked down the allotment field to the tinker-chime of feeding goldfinches in charming flocks. They love [...]
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21 December 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman THE IRON GRIP OF WINTER
Monday, December 21st, 200918 December 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman DORSET TO SUSSEX BY TRAIN
Friday, December 18th, 2009DORSET TO SUSSEX BY TRAIN Less than half a dozen hardy souls braved arctic weather on the platform at Gillingham Station to catch the 05.37 to London Waterloo. With blanket coverage on last nights media about heavy expected snowfall in the South and East, I wonder how many took this opportunity for family time at [...]
Read More »30 November 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman DIRTY NAILS T.V.
Monday, November 30th, 2009DIRTY NAILS T.V. I’ve started working with a chap called Colin. He’s a techno whizz and into videoing. We’re aiming to produce some 5 minute gardening films. It’s early doors yet. We’re still getting to know each other and how the other guy works, but much fun was had out on the plot this afternoon tending sprouts, [...]
Read More »30 August 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman SUNDAY MORNING AT THE END OF AUGUST, THREE LADS ON BIKES IN MISTY SHASTON, SOUNDS OUTSIDE THE BACK PASSAGE
Sunday, August 30th, 200930 August 2009 SUNDAY MORNING AT THE END OF AUGUST (Yesterday afternoon and) This morning the plots were full of allotment folk bending backs, hoeing, cutting, shifting piles of this and that. As a feather-soft drift of misty rain came in westerly before lunchtime, with quiet focus so we worked. Much to do, not a [...]
Read More »20 July 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman WHAT TO SOW IN JULY
Monday, July 20th, 200920 July 2009 WHAT TO SOW IN JULY The thing with growing your own food is that by mid-July it can feel like the sowing season is over and that, if you haven’t got crops in the ground by now, then you’ve missed the boat. The good news is that aint necessarily so! There is [...]
Read More »3 July 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman THOUGHTS ON WATER USE, WAITING FOR A TRAIN
Friday, July 3rd, 20093 July 2009 THOUGHTS ON WATER USE Growing vegetables at home is more than just a pastime: it is a way of producing food which is sustainable. We control how the land is treated and what goes into it. Decisions are made based on ethical, social and political concerns. There are no air miles or [...]
Read More »20 June 2009: DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman LETTER TO A DEAD MATE
Sunday, June 21st, 200920 June 2009 LETTER TO A DEAD MATE I’m sitting amongst ripening red and black currants on the plot. You’d love it down here. Town Hall clock struck nine and it’s still warm, bright and cheery. I get confused. Is this the longest day or tomorrow? Either way, right here right now I miss you. [...]
Read More »9 April 2009: DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman BEANS & SQUASHES
Thursday, April 9th, 20099 April 2009 BEANS & SQUASHES Today I threw the back door open before seven and felt the mildest morning start so far in my neck of the woods this year.
Read More »20 March 2009: DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman LOUISE ‘TEDDY’ EDWARDS OF NIRVANA, POST OFFICE LANE, LIGHTHORNE, WARWICKSHIRE, 27.02.1918 – 27.12.1994
Friday, March 20th, 200920 March 2009 LOUISE ‘TEDDY’ EDWARDS OF NIRVANA, POST OFFICE LANE, LIGHTHORNE, WARWICKSHIRE. 27.02.1918 to 27.12.1994 “It’s the stored memories that make death irrelevant. As long as memories are active that person goes on and on and never dies.” John Cox, Shaftesbury, 20th March 2009. Louise Cox was born Louise Thurlbourne-Edwards in Hockley Heath, Birmingham [...]
Read More »10 March 2009: DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman THE EVERLASTING PEA
Tuesday, March 10th, 200910 March 2009 THE EVERLASTING PEA I spent some time first thing this morning around the back of my shed tending inherited raspberry canes. Having refused to disappear despite repeated digging I have learned to love them instead. Perhaps, fingers crossed, this year I’ll get some fruit. The back of the shed is shaded until [...]
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