If you've read the early posts on this blog, you'll know that it was started to record my progress (laughs ironically) as I attempt to establish myself as a professional gardener. You may also have gathered, from various posts regarding unsuccessful deals with farm shops and weather-related issues that a 'Plan B' may be required since, so far, this is not proving to be an especially profitable enterprise.
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| Plants and painted ware loaded and ready to go... |
For example, on Sunday 1st July I had a stall booked at a local historic house, Ford Green Hall, where the annual Garden Party was being held. I hedged my bets, taking both herb plants (which seemed apt to the 17th Century environment of the house itself) and some of my 'Roses and Castles' painted ware, which I hope can be sold at autumn/winter craft fairs when gardening work is likely to be in shorter supply even than now.
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| Canalware stall, plus hippy in dodgy hat! |
We set up in dry but fairly cool weather for July and, moments before the event opened to the public, the heavens opened, and it continued to pour with rain for about an hour and a half. The North Staffs Accordian Band played on with a fortitude unseen since a more famous set of musicians foundered with a notorious liner a hundred years ago. Volunteers from the Hall sold tea and cakes to keep our spirits up as no doubt their forefathers (and foremothers) did during the darkest days of the Blitz, but the event was largely a washout.
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| And the band played on... |
I sold no plants. I did sell six 'roses and castles' hand-painted cards, a small painted rolling pin and a plant pot, raising a total of £11.50.
The stall cost £10 (to the Friends of Ford Green Hall, so in no way begrudged) and we spent £4.50 on cups of tea, largely to keep our hands warm.
You do not have to be Joseph Stiglitz to appreciate that in economic terms, this is not a good outcome.
But much good may have come of this. Firstly, I have volunteered to smarten up the herb garden at the Hall. Yes, I know: 'volunteered' means I will be working for no money. But I get to renovate the garden of a 17th Century house, so that's lots of fun researching the right cultivars for the era and finding plants to add to the beds, not just ripping out the rogue ash trees and destroying bindweed (though there is much of that).
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| Ford Green Hall's herb garden at its best |
I've also been told that I can put some plants out for sale and do some modest advertising, so that could be a really effective way of promoting myself, as long as I can make a good job of getting the garden back under control.
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| Herb garden as it is now |
And unlike cutting lawns, it's work that I can do even in the rain!
