Urban gardening

Having an urban garden doesn't present the same horticultural opportunities as the half acre we used to have at Avon Cottage. The answer is lots of pots, tubs and grow-bags. We always grow tomatoes and some kind of pulse (peas, runner beans or broad beans) and, the last couple of years, potatoes. The latter have been a disappointment - a lot of waiting and watering for not much more than the seed potatoes that went in. This year, against my better judgement, I have been persuaded to to give them a third chance.

Last year's potatoes (centre stage)

This year I have gone for alternative roots vegetables. I have used two of the potato bags for carrots and beetroot - so let's see how they do.

L to R: runner beans, carrots, beetroot, broad beans, red (bell) peppers, lettuce, olive tree (with wild strawberries), potatoes (plus rocket, aka rucola, off screen).

The trees and shrubs have taken a bit of a drubbing. The shrubs from me and the trees from from an aboricultural company we employed to do tree works. Our neighbours suggested that our trees could do with a trim so we decide to get in tree specialists to quote not only for our trees but the house on the *other* side. This with a view to getting them to share the costs with me doing all the planning application required as we are in a conservation area.

It's pruning, Jim, but not as we know it.

In the end we paid for both gardens to be done. Not as altruistic as it sounds. Next door is owned by a housing association and occupied by deaf people so, I guess, counts as a charitable donation, if you wish, and we get the benefit of more sunshine in our garden.