Lockdown has helped me become a real gardener

Fiona has mastered growing veg and is living up to her surname by adding another string to her bow – that of road building

Hurrah! The first radish is eaten… One bite for me. One for the chief. It is not perfect. A tiny insect has already had a few nibbles. But it is red and peppery and crunchy. Well done, me. Because I am many things, but I am not a gardener. Not until now. Then that is what lockdown is doing. If nothing else, it gives time

– in one place. And so, my broccoli is booming, my courgettes encouraging, my tomatoes half a foot high.

The sweet turnips are already the size of marbles, and the kale, spring onions and rocket are all bright green and flourishing. Why, even the mangetout is through.

This week the new potatoes sprout leaves, and I understand I must now bank them up. Which I will do when I have looked it up. Indeed, so far, only the lettuce has been a failure. Up to now, three sowings and not a single shoot.

Then the packet is dated 2018, use by 2020. And that bought three months ago from a reputable seed company! I feel a letter coming on – and with all this time on my hands, it probably will.

Meanwhile another skill is added to the lockdown bow – that of road building. Yes, I am now a navvy. Helping the chief fill the holes in the back lane to our property.

Earlier in the year a drain burst, and the water came down and carved out great ruts in the road.

We were wondering how to fill them, but rubble from a fallen wall has proved useful – wheelbarrowed to the area and packed into the furrows. It takes a strong arm.

Then I am nothing if not my name. It requires a pair of heavy-duty gloves. And it is strangely satisfying.

Despite the so-called protection, my nails have gone and my shoulders ache. But to stand back and see the fruits of your labour gives a real sense of pride. And, talking of fruit, that has not been as successful as the veg.

Something has been attacking the gooseberry bush. One day it had all its leaves. The next, they were gone. I am told it is all to do with a sawfly. And it will be pretty sore when I catch it.

Whilst all this goes on, the MacNaughties follow us round. They like it when the humans are out in the open air.

And these days we do not have to worry too much about them wandering off. No, these days both doggies are too long in the tooth to just go off hunting.

That being said, they can always surprise us.

There might be the chance to chase a rabbit down the drive. Or to roll in something nasty on the lawn.

Or they may just choose to stretch lazily out in the fading daffodil leaves. Which should probably have been cut by now.

Yours have no doubt long been tidied up. Then again, I am sure you are a better gardener than I am…

My nails have gone and my shoulders ache – but to stand back and see the fruits of your labour gives a real sense of pride

The first radish! It is not perfect, but it was red and peppery and crunchy.