Last updated 15:27, Friday, 05 September 2008

RAISE your hands if you’ve been happy with this year’s summer weather.
Just as I thought, not many – if any – can feel delighted with the conditions that have created nothing but gloom during the past few months.
Incessant wind, driving rain and enough cloud to form a perpetual grey curtain blocking out the sun has made us long for trips abroad to grab a few rays and bring a smile to our faces.
Earlier this year we moved to Walney where I had my first real chance to play at being a gardener. Last week I tempted fate and took some time off, aiming to give it my best effort.
Well, to say I felt disappointed by the atrocious conditions over the seven days is an understatement, as the perpetual plopping of rain on the windows left me wondering what, if anything, I could achieve.
The answer, sadly was a big, fat zero.
I have already tried and tested my first lawnmower and strimmer.
Why I bought the latter, I don’t know. My first experience of cutting the grass in my own garden was an enjoyable one, but as I stood back to admire my work and attempted to cut the edges with the strimmer, which quickly ran out of its plastic coil, I realised I was still missing a host of useful garden utensils.
Another trip saw me buy trimming shears – and what a useful purchase they have proved to be. That was quickly followed by a spade for the back, secateurs for the roses, bushes and trees, a garden fork, a small trowel and pots for my plants.
As the back garden was already blessed with an apple tree, large plants are out of the question.
However, I wanted to see something from the fruits of my labours and so I thought why not grow some herbs, and perhaps tomatoes.
Although I have no greenhouse, something which I am seriously considering for next year, I do have a large shed.
It’s warm, has windows and is large enough to grow plants as well as store all of the rarely-used family items.
After reading a copious number of articles about gardening the big day finally arrived to plant my seeds.
It was hard to describe my excitement when, a few days later, I saw the first shoots appearing out of the earth and I continued to watch them develop.
Yet there were still important lessons to learn, things where guidance was required from an expert, and fortunately a friend popped over to give me some sound advice, especially with the tomato plants.
Following his advice the tomato plants are flowering and I am keeping my fingers crossed that in the very near future fruit will appear.
No doubt, if a small crop does appear, they will be the best tomatoes I have ever tasted.