The GardenerA Story by alanwgraham Black humour but I'd rather not spill the beans! http://www.writerscafe.org/ The Gardener My name is Gordon. I am a gardener. My grandad Bill taught me everything about growing vegetables from as soon as I could walk. He was the only one that had time for me. Grandad died on the 7th of May 1976, thirty nine years ago. That was a Tuesday. I was very upset that day because the frost killed the courgettes we had planted out two days before. I get upset when my plants die.
I live in the same cottage that I lived in with mum and dad. Dad died seven years ago on the 18th of March. That was a Friday, two weeks and three days after I planted the broad bean seeds. I was happy that Friday because the broad bean seedlings all appeared. It always makes me feel good when the tiny shoots and leaves push out of the soil within a few hours. But when some come up later and there are gaps in the row I get a funny, on edge, feeling. I always keep some extra seedlings that I can use to fill in the gaps so I can get to sleep that night.
My grandad showed me how every vegetable has its own needs. For example broad bean seeds can be planted early. I plant them in early March when the weather is suitable. I collect the seeds from last year’s plants and store them in a dry place during the winter. I lay them in rows in a tray in the shed, twelve rows of 48 seeds with another 48 extra for spares at the side. When it is time to plant I knock in my two wooden pegs and stretch the twine between them, 6 inches off the ground, to mark the row. It must be straight and exactly at right angles with the path. I dig a small trench exactly two inches deep and then use my length of wooden board marked off every four inches to place the seeds. I plant a double row nine inches apart so the plants can support each other and then leave exactly two feet between the double rows. Finally I cover the seeds with firmed soil and then water them. And of course in late February I get my vegetable garden ready by turning it over and digging in the compost that I bring up from my compost heap.
My vegetable garden is at the back of the house. It is very private and no one can watch what I am doing. I also have a small plot at the front of the house to grow more vegetables but the pavement to the village shop is on the other side of the wall. People speak to me and say ‘what nice vegetables’ but I look the other way and don’t answer them. My grandad told me not to speak to strangers. Some of the kids call me Mr Bean but my name is Mr Davis. My mother grows flowers in the rest of the front garden but she likes to plant them just anywhere there is space. I always feel a bit ill and het up when I’m in the front garden. A bit like waking up and finding that someone has swapped your left and right hands.
Three years ago on the 23rd of June I looked out from the kitchen and saw a cat doing its mess where I had planted lettuces on the 4th of June. That was a Sunday. I went out really fast and saw that part of the row of new seedlings had been dug up. I got riled up! Really riled up! After I had sat on the ground for a while and I could start to see properly again I replanted the lettuces so the line was straight. I felt ok again. The same thing happened again on the 8th of July - that was a Monday. And then on the 3rd of August - a Wednesday. The last time I got really angry. It was good it happened in the back garden where no one could see. After that I started looking out for the cats.
I was telling you earlier about digging in the compost. This is one of the most important things in a vegetable garden. The compost is food for the plants to grow. Through the year I collect all the dead stuff like fallen leaves, hedge cuttings, plant stalks and other dead stuff and put them in my compost heap at the bottom of the garden. It’s hidden behind the bushes. In the spring I dig it out and wheelbarrow it up to the vegetable plot. It takes longer because I have to pull out all the bones. Cats don’t come to the garden any more.
Cats are bad enough but last year a dog got in through the side gate that mother had left open. That was a Friday. That was a bad moment for me. I don’t want to talk about it. It was then that I thought that a bonfire would be a good way of getting rid of unwanted waste stuff in the garden. I also put bits of wood and dry leaves on it. Then I bought a grinder from Amazon to make bonemeal. I think the dogs would feel good they are helping the plants to grow.
Everything was good in the garden for eleven months and eight days. No cats. No dogs. Then mother said she was planning to use my vegetable plot at the front for more flowers. I just said, you better not. Two days later when I came home from buying seeds at the garden centre mother was digging up my vegetable plot. I walked past her without saying anything. It was difficult because I felt wobbly and my hands were shaking. I waited in the house for mother to come in. I did say, she better not! After I had cleaned up in the kitchen I went out to the back garden. The French bean plants had just come up, not one missing and all straight. That was a good day for me. And I had more bone meal for next year. I thought all would be well now but on the 9th of September I looked out and saw a small boy running through the vegetables to find his football. That was a Saturday! © 2016 alanwgrahamFeatured Review
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alanwgrahamScotland, United KingdomAboutMarried with three kids, I retired early from teaching physics but have always enjoyed mountains. In my forties I experienced a manic episode which kick-started a creative urge. I've written a novel .. more..Writing
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