We have guests..

I’ve seen the tell-tale signs. There’s a small pile of compost that has leaked out of a gap in the hotbed and something is nibbling on my seedlings as soon as they emerge. In the absence of snail activity - I’ve checked - I’d say we have tiny rodent guests.

Last year I disturbed a nest of tiny mice in the hotbed. But that was the old greenhouse, not my swanky new one where the doors fit like a bespoke glove. The old greenhouse had holes the size of Wales and badgers could have waltzed in to make it their home.

The only thing I can do is make it difficult for Topo Gigio and family. So I’ve put my precious tomato seedlings on the highest shelf, nearest the sun and in the warmest spot. The peppers will join them in a few days when they’ve recovered from the shock of being pricked out. My favourite aubergines are already big enough to ward off attack from tiny rodentia.

This morning I pricked out lots of Yolo Wonder peppers, Aji Amarillo chillies along with Columbianum, Alice’s Dream and Brandywine Black tomatoes. Godspeed little ones.

On another matter, since having covid I seem to have developed a problem with my arms and shoulders which means that I have very little strength in them and a good deal of pain. I’m hoping this will pass very soon. As a result I’m looking for a gardening ally. I need someone to come & help in the garden for one morning each fortnight. This is paid work of course but the person does not need any prior knowledge or tools, just a willingness to muck in. It can be vigorous at times, but mostly it’s just convivial exercise in the open air. I have a one acre garden that includes a no-dig vegetable garden, an embryonic orchard, a pond and several borders. I am very willing to teach my helper everything I’ve learned over decades. I live in a hamlet unserved by public transport so the person would need to get here under their own steam.