Hello! I am back, I am writing again, home again. I don’t even need to bother explaining what is going on, the whole world knows the current situation. I hope everyone is doing well and keeping safe (and staying at home!).
Many of us, especially those working in hospitality have ended up without a job and now have a lot of free time on their hands. Two weeks ago I found myself on the other side of the world (Australia), having finished the travelling bit of my trip and ready to start the living-working part, with house viewings booked in. At that moment, in Aus, we hadn’t really felt the impact so I’ll be honest in admitting I really didn’t understand the concern of my parents as they advised me to get ready to come home in two weeks, in one week, after the weekend and then get the flight back tomorrow!
Eventually, with the possibility of a sudden lockdown and the difficulty of getting a job as places began to follow Europe’s example and close, there were few job openings, and all my savings are being held in a savings account which I couldn’t access until mid-April (2% interest is all I can say to justify that choice). All of this resulted in me, rather reluctantly I’ll admit, buying a ticket home for very next day. With images of zombies roaming the streets and scenes from “Survivors” filling my imagination I was back in the UK, 10 months too early. No job, back at the parent’s, no money and no job. I had always joked that I will never be out of work as a chef as everyone needs to eat, ha! Didn’t see that one coming.
But let’s try not to be disheartened, I am lucky. My family have big plans to keep us busy, setting goals and that’s where The Vegetable garden comes in! We moved into this house about 2 years ago, and the previous owners had abandoned this massive greenhouse. We think it was used to grow flowers for the main house but there was little resemblance to anything floral and instead it had been overtaken by bracken and brambles. We stripped this bare, took out the tables and dug up the roots.
And if that wasn’t enough work my dad then decided to clear some of the land next to our house, level the ground and put up a poly tunnel to create another garden. Now we have the foundations for our very own food production empire. Important to note: I appreciate and am so grateful that we have a garden and the means to do this. Also this isn’t just for us, yes we may eat a lot but we won’t be able to eat 9 varieties of potatoes! (well…) What we can’t eat or preserve we will share with our neighbours, friends, family and strangers. Community and giving has always been a big part of my family’s philosophy and my upbringing (and funnily, so have gardens). And I am so happy to be able to share the journey with y’all! The point of this series of posts isn’t to make you jealous but maybe to inspire you, in some way or another. Whether that is to convert your terrace into your own little allotment, to grow some herbs on your windowsill or just to share something with someone in need. It’s the little things that can make someone’s day. It’s good to keep busy, to have a goal in these uncertain times. (But it’s also ok if all you wanna do is eat and watch the new season of Killing Eve in bed!)
So the greenhouse is ready and awaiting, the polytunnel up (thankfully before the family had a fall out) and the seeds purchased – we are now at the point of sowing and planting our future meals. So far we have 9 varieties of potatoes in and covered up nice and cosy. Onions (red and brown) and shallots covered with just their tops showing and some carrots.
Just before lockdown, Pa and I made a visit to the garden centre. It was like kids in a candy store, we came back with 50 packets of seeds to plant. The outside garden will have the hardy veg – the root veg. The poly tunnel is for all things salad and herbs. The greenhouse will have more ‘exotic’ veg such as corn, aubergines, cucumbers, gem squash, tomatoes and a pumpkin room. Lots of goodies to eat and turn into recipes.
Anyway thats all for now. And remember guys, this difficult time will pass. Stay groovy. Stay home. Stay safe x
Jodie Cox 