Mike and Jean

When I first met Jean, she told me that she had never been interested in gardening but was happy that someone else could benefit from her garden. I was not her first garden partner and she made it clear that as well as doing the garden having a “blether” over a cup of tea was certainly expected!

While there were no major issues with turning part of the garden into a productive space to grow vegetables I was relieved when EGP suggested having a garden SOS day to get things started. What would have taken me several weeks of work was accomplished in one fine day with a lot of help from other garden partners. 

Despite Jean’s professed lack of interest in the garden she has been a constant encouragement for my efforts. She has made a few walks down the garden to check on progress and offer suggestions.

The pleasure of sharing a plate of freshly lifted boiled new potatoes with lots of butter as well as some pods of just picked peas would make it all worthwhile even without our chats over a cup of tea. I have learned a lot about Jean and the issues she faces living independently in her own home in her nineties.

Aside from the pleasure of being able to “grow my own”, EGP has opened up a whole new group of gardening enthusiasts willing to share their knowledge and resources as well as offer practical advice and constructive feedback on any posts. I am looking forward to next year and new gardening challenges!