Feeling better about the plot

[MrsCordial]

As I've said on another post, I've let things go this year and made mistakes, and have suffered the consequences. Small plants, overgrown veg patch, low yields etc. I was in the patch just now, sowing some leaf crops, and thought it was beginning to look a lot better, and I began to feel optimistic about it. This is a view of one section (about 1/7th of the overall space available):



It's the bed I'm doing most in just atm. The newly-netted raspberries are in the background.

Although the tomato plants have looked sickly and the yield isn't what I'd hope, I'm pleased to have a couple of whopping beefsteak jobs and the smaller varieties are setting nicely too:



It's so lovely to be feeling good about the veg patch rather than overwhelmed by it!

[veggiechicken]

Its just like you say in your Signature Mrs C.
It'll keep on looking better and better too.

[Noosner]

Well done on turning your emotions around! Once you've done that, the rest will be a doddle.

[Jeanied]

Story of my life, Mrs C - two steps forward and sometimes three back, sometimes only one!

At the moment my plot is a wasteland with a few potatoes in and some fruit trees and bushes. I think my lottie neighbours gaily help themselves with impunity. Never mind, once I feel better I will be down there getting it sorted for winter.

[Greenleaves]

I think it is important that we remember certain events occur in our lives that mean things slip a little from time to time. I also think there is a distinct difference between a short term untended plot and a neglected plot.

Mrs C, I think yours is looking positively positive !.....

Rosie will soon dig yours into shape Jeanied. ....

[MrsCordial]

Great wisdom Greenleaves

[noviceveggrower]

Hi Mrs C.
I know how you feel. I started off on a high then hit a low. I have a fruit plot known as Plot 1 only a half plot. Then managed to get another half plot called Plot 2.
Things were bumping along quite nicely on Plot 2 then I was poorly and little girl were poorly and things just slipped away. Weeds were everywhere and things that were growing well one minute had given up the ghost. Very disheartening.
Plot 1 fruit was just awful. Strawberries I only had two pudding bowls if that. Raspberries did nothing but currant bushes were the worse. A couple of branches looked sick so when I cut them back they were black inside. So I ended up lifting the who lot.
But I have sat back and looked at the bigger picture. I have decided to give up Plot 2 and concentrate back on my original plot. I am gutted about this but if I am poorly again I will never get on top of it all. Might as well let someone else use the plot and come off the waiting list. I am going to dig the whole area and start from scratch. I am making a start now then it should be ready for next spring. Thinking of putting a green manure down to help pick things up.
As my OH says its not a race and gardening is a learning curve. You just have to learn from year to year.

[MrsCordial]

That's the thing noviceveggrower - it doesn't take much to find you've lost the upper hand. I'm sticking to my plan to get into the veg patch for half an hour a day and that will have to be good enough!

[Bren In Pots]

It makes a huge difference once you've got some crops to harvest as a reward for all the hard work you've put in.