Introducing The Newton Two – Perks

Posted byofftheedgegardeningPosted inThe Newton TwoTags:,

I have more introductions to make. You have previously, albeit briefly, met with Flora and her garden, but in reality she is more of a subsection. There is much more to the story. The Newton Two are not-quite neighbours but undoubtedly friends, and I have gardened for them ever since they presented themselves to me as a package. One should not mention one without the other. They are quite different in both personality and taste, their plots offering discrete problems and joys. They employ me for just a couple of hours each, every couple of weeks, and over the past months we have found our way together. I enjoy my visits immensely.

For complicated reasons, or perhaps disorganisation, I haven’t seen them for more than a month. Today was the date of return.

First I visited Flora’s garden. After obligatory fuss and cuddles, I cracked on with monster bindweed removal, which had obviously taken full advantage of my absence. I noticed the plum tree was heaving with fruit, seemingly unaffected by the severe aphid infestation earlier in the year. “I’m fed up with them and have been thrusting them upon the whole street, my zumba class and passing strangers, please take whatever you like.” said Flora’s mum. I didn’t need to be asked twice.

Loaded down with a bag of fragrant fruit, I walked two doors up the road to Teeing Tabitha’s house. Tabitha is a keen golfer, kind and funny. “I’d like you to chop back the lavenders, I’ll have some and save some for Flora, but you can have anything else.” I didn’t need asking twice. Chopping away in a style I like to call “Controlled Mania”, I was becoming ever more laid back as the Lethean fumes engulfed me, further enhanced by the sweltering the heat. Tabitha appeared at the door from the house “Flora’s mum is here, we are just popping out for a pitcher of sangria and some lunch, pull the door behind you when you leave”. Good job I was drugged.

There are many perks of my trade; my physical and mental health are greatly enhanced by my job, I enjoy the company of my clients and love interacting with their always adorable pets. And, of course, I love working outside, attempting to make the world a little more beautiful and a little more robust. Quantifying these advantages is difficult. Sometimes the benefits are easier to gauge. Like a bag of plums and a trug of lavender. Perks of the job.

OH has suggested that I sew lavender bags and make plum jam. I gave him one of my looks.

26 thoughts on “Introducing The Newton Two – Perks”

  1. I have a better idea. Plum and lavender jam. Several recipes are available via Google (other search engines exist). The result might even be spreadable on cake, to be enjoyed with an artisan lager perhaps. 😎

    (Note: I am unable to give any guarantee of product edibility due to variations in preparatory capabilities).

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  2. Sounds idyllic. We like stewed plums and yoghurt for breakfast. Lavender cookies / scones can be rather nice. Alas, along with the Heleniums that I really don’t want, lavender is another casualty in my garden.

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      1. Phew, no, far too warm for this English rose. I don’t think we’ve ever had so many consecutive days without wind! And poor timing on my part to revamp the raised bed area. 🥵

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  3. What is the difference between plums and prunes in your language? A long time ago, prunes were one of the primary orchard crops of the Santa Clara Valley. Most were dried, but some were used for other products, and a few were sold fresh locally. Plums were not grown in orchards, although they were popular in home gardens. The differences are that prunes are European and are conducive to drying, and plums are Japanese or Asian but are not so conducive to drying. Prunes have a higher sugar content and firmer flesh. Plums are squishy and likely to rot instead of dry like a prune. However, nowadays, dried prunes are known as dried plums, and fresh prunes are known simply as plums. No one who is not from the Santa Clara Valley believes that they are two different types of fruit.

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      1. Yes, that is what I mean. There is no distinction between the two different types of fruits. Japanese plums may not be popular there like they are here.

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    2. What you describe between prunes and plums is exactly the same difference for us in France. Not the same trees nor the same growing conditions and region. Prunes are mainly grown in the south and southwest. Plums in the North and North East of France

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      1. Are plums only eaten fresh, or can they be dried? French prunes were incidentally the most common prunes that were formerly grown in the Santa Clara Valley. Italian prunes were the second most common prunes. They are very rare now.

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      3. Yes, exactly! That is the difference. I do not know what is so difficult to understand about that. It used to be common knowledge here when prunes still grew in orchards. Incidentally, the prune blossom is the Official Town Flower of Campbell.

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      1. They are finished here but I reckon I ate a good dozen or more every day while they were in season. Our tree is near the garden shed and compost bin, regular destinations during the gardening day and I’d always pick a few as I passed. They also ended up in a very nice plum cake

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  8. Hmmm…. can’t quite see you sitting quietly on a rocking chair making lavender bags, or standing over a hot cooker with jam thermometer in hand ….

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