Mandy Sutter - Writer

Reluctant Gardener, day 800: A Velveteen Visitor

Mandy — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 19:37:42 +0000

I find fresh mounds of finely churned soil every time I visit our allotment, as if a tiny phantom rotovator is on the loose.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 800: A Velveteen Visitor

Reluctant Gardener, day 600: Compost complications

Mandy — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:15:26 +0000

Composting is a complex business. When we whipped the plastic tarp off our heap this Spring, the whole thing was as dry as a crust. To worms and beetles visiting for their winter holidays, it must have been a bitter disappointment, like arriving at a half-built hotel.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 600: Compost complications

Reluctant Gardener, day 570: A friend in weed is a friend indeed

Mandy — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:56:15 +0000

When I mention the allotment to friends, they often say ‘how rewarding, eating your own veg! And all that fresh air you get.’ These friends aren't allotment-holders. The ones that are raise their eyebrows and silently clasp my shoulder to express their sympathy at this difficult time of year.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 570: A friend in weed is a friend indeed

Reluctant Gardener, day 540: A good bushman

Mandy — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:57:07 +0000

The fallen wych elm on our allotment is attracting attention. It’s close to the fence at one end, so passing male dogs can pee on it. Male men would probably like to do the same. But convention dictates that they can only eye it and ask questions. What happened to your tree?’ asks one. His [...]

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 540: A good bushman

Reluctant Gardener, day 510: Love among the lettuces part II

Mandy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:40:19 +0000

Regular readers may remember the story of thwarted allotment lovers Harry and the Lady of Shallot. Imagine my horror when, visiting the allotments yesterday, I discovered that the star-cross'd lovers have suffered yet another cruel setback.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 510: Love among the lettuces part II

Reluctant Gardener, day 480: High winds

Mandy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:11:04 +0000

It's often windy up here in Yorkshire, but one night the blustering in our attic bedroom gets so bad it's impossible to sleep.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 480: High winds

Reluctant Gardener, day 440. November: of gnomes and names

Mandy — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:13:35 +0000

November is an uninspiring time for gardeners. Days are indecently short, and the grunt work of weeding and digging isn't balanced by the usual joy of planting.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 440. November: of gnomes and names

Reluctant Gardener, day 410: A Right Pickle

Mandy — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:14:11 +0000

The pickling season is upon us. Gluts must be faced and the idea that vegetables can't be kept for longer than a week abandoned. What can't be endured must be cured.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 410: A Right Pickle

Reluctant Gardener, day 390: Harvest

Mandy — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:37:32 +0000

It's official: today is the first day of autumn, season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, as Keats called it in Sept 1819.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 390: Harvest

Reluctant Gardener, day 375: Big Spud

Mandy — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:39:20 +0000

I thought that owning an allotment would make me immune from vegetable gifts. I have had to think again.

Read the full post - Reluctant Gardener, day 375: Big Spud