Learning often felt like something of a chore when I was younger, and especially during school time.  I always thought that being told to learn something felt like more of an instruction that had to be followed, and was something to be endured, rather than the enjoyable voyage of discovery learning can actually be.

These days I’m rarely instructed to learn specific things, nor am I expected to complete homework.  Yet each day I seem to learn more and more, and actively seek out information to broaden my knowledge and interest, especially in areas that I have an interest in.

Take gardening, for example.  I’ve been a keen gardener for many years.  When we lived in England I had a good sized garden, and had planned and developed it over many years.  Within it was a productive vegetable garden, as well as fruit trees and bushes, from which each year many harvests were had, and produce consumed.  Not only did I learn about the actual growing of things, but also how to use them. I read up on jams, chutneys, ice-cream making, even fruit leathers, before spending time in my kitchen testing out the theories.  I learnt about pruning, and I read far too much to be considered normal about compost heaps. Of course, every year was different, and a continuous learning curve, but I felt fairly competent in my knowledge and abilities.

Then we moved up here.  Now, for those who know where we live I’m sure most will agree that we have a fairly exposed location, even in comparison to most houses up here.  However, I’m still determined to have a garden, with both flowers and edible crops. I just have to be patient, plan differently, and learn new skills.  So far I’ve had reasonable success with the vegetable crops that I’ve grown. My broad beans last year were spectacular, however, my French beans weren’t.  It would be very easy to get despondent and think I won’t grow them again, but the first year we were here I had a good crop of French beans, so it causes me to question what was different.  And so, on goes my learning.

Yesterday I read up on using seaweed as a natural fertiliser.  It’s something I’ve never done before, having lived so far from the sea.  Today I’m reading about how salt burn from the sea winds can cause damage and stunt growth to certain crops.  Whatever I read, however, is only part of my learning. I need to be out there, in the garden, actually seeing the effects, and trying different things.  As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and as my strawberries are looking exceptionally good so far this year, it’s a pudding I’m looking forward to tasting!