My greenhouse is bursting with young plants, with many ready to go into the ground, but I’m not quite there yet. I need to break the back of this kitchen garden build as spring is rolling on.

It’s not that I’ve been idle, quite the opposite in fact. Life is bit of a whirlwind at the moment, as I stumble from one thing to the next, trying to keep all the plates spinning.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved the creative journey of designing and building something from scratch. Sometimes, I feel like a mad scientist watching his new creation slowly come to life… “It’s alive!”

It’s also been a hard graft at times, trying to undertake ‘two-man’ jobs when there’s only one of you. Believe me, moving railway sleepers on your own will either give you guns like Sly Stallone, or have you hobbling round like Grandpa Simpson. But when I do complete a task, I’m always met with always an enormous sense of achievement. And also a tinge of sadness. A sadness that my Dad will never see what we often used to talk about.

I’ve never been one to draw or sketch my plans on paper, I wish I was. My  design is crystal clear in my head, but it can be a challenge trying to explain it to people. If you want to see someone with real skill in that field, check out Agents of Field’s pal, Lee Burkhill, AKA Garden Ninja. His ideas and drawings are incredible; he’s a talent I really admire.

Quite often when I’m working in the garden, and running out of steam, Soph will appear on cue. If not with a cup of tea, or a tasty treat, then at least some kind words of encouragement or praise. She really is my Guardian Angel. Reminding me that it’s not a race, encouraging me to enjoy the moment and appreciate what we have. And she’s right. So yes, there is a greenhouse teeming with plants, but it’s bloody lovely to look at. A little corner of our world brimming with hope.

But before I can say, ‘The kitchen garden is now open for business’, there’s a lot to do.  I’m hoping in a week or two I can come back to you and show you what I’ve done. Hmmm, maybe when that day comes I should arrange an official opening, and get someone from the gardening world to cut the red tape.. but who? All suggestions welcome.

In the meantime, I’d better dust down the video camera, and roll-out the red carpet. Stay tuned folks, it’s not long before the grand opening.