DURING the recent wonderful spring weather my wife and I have been working hard in the garden making it tidy and attractive.
Passers-by are making pleasant, complimentary remarks - so our efforts must be starting to pay off.
I've got a list as long as my arm - well, as long as my finger - of more jobs to be done.
Unfortunately my wife had a nasty fall and injured her shoulder so I'm one member of staff down.
Losing 50% of one's work force is a big blow!
I've mowed the lawns, trimmed the edges, weeded the borders, vacuumed millions of neighbours' leaves, and have put bedding plants in large display pots.
Today I've been painting the concrete garden ornaments. We've got lions, kangaroos, a bird bath, a concrete bench and... erm... a naked lady.
Being a gentleman I covered my eyes when I painted her: I just had to feel my way around!
The tomato seeds I set in my cold greenhouse on March 25, are now germinating and emerging and looking healthy.
I've been growing bumper crops of tomatoes for over 20 years.
I sow two seeds in each of about 25 small plant pots containing rich compost. During the second week of June the weather will be warm enough for them to be planted out in the open.
When they are flowering and fruiting I give them a couple of dressing of organic hen manure (I'm giving all my secrets away now).
The final results are rich, red, sweet, round, medium sized, aromatic, mouth-watering, delicious-tasting fruit.
You can't beat 'em.
The variety I choose to grow are called “The Amateur” but the results are very professional.
The plants grow to a medium height so there's not much trouble stringing them up and they support heavy, prolific crops, hanging like bunches of grapes.
Last year, I bravely ventured to make my own tomato soup.
I found an old recipe and followed it to the letter (I've only cooked a boiled egg and “Bara Llefrith” before).
Surprise, surprise... it turned out delicious.
Perhaps it could be the start of a new business venture: “Uncle Russell's Home Made Tomato Soup!”
