The end of the world as we know it

Ms Tagalong worked hard at trying to make the newly planted seeds Ms Teapenny-proof.
She shooed Ms Teapenny off the basil bed...again, and bent chicken wire over bamboo stakes and watered the poor little seeds which may never be brave enough to germinate. Actually, they have probably all been eaten by the chicken escapees who have been trimming the basil most eagerly. But there is always a come-uppance ladies and Ms Chicken Expert came along just in time and trimmed their wings. If only Ms Teapenny would appreciate that she cannot climb the fence, flapping wildly to get over.

But the most important thing to tell you all is that all this work might be to no avail. Ms Mova told Ms Tagalong that according to the Mayan calendar the end of the world is nigh. Well, nearly nigh. The 21st December 2012 to be exact. So live it up, plant and reap like there is no tomorrow, well only 655 tomorrows then. Ms Mova wasn't making this up, you know, she was told by a very reliable source, a woman of Irish credentials, with no touch of the Blarney that this was going to happen.

Actually Ms Tagalong has her suspicions that the gardeners must know this, seeds are still sitting in packets, collected ones moulder in jars, sorted ones sit patiently waiting for the magic ingredients of water and warmth to germinate. Where are you gardeners, out jollymaking, haymaking and waiting for the end of the earth as we know it?

Apocalyptic news is never welcome but if we don't get some decent rain soon, our garden will return to the dust from whence it came. Too much to water by hand we need a good grant to put this right. Reticulation systems and full water tanks remain a dream at present. And talking about dreams...

Ms Mova has been talking about moon planting again. Her face goes all dreamy, she smiles vacantly and Ms Tagalong suspects she has some floaty scarves in her wardrobe. Brings to mind Luna Lovegood really. Actually, potty is quite appropriate for a gardener now I think about it!

So remember all of you out there. Today is the day to sow those winter crop seeds, take them home if you will. Water and nurture and return to the garden when they are good healthy seedlings. Or, of course, just plant in the garden, we have soil and beds are ready. Just remember to water them assidiously or stick in a sign encouraging others to do so. The rosemary looks good!