Texas on Thames

I kept a bamboo plant alive for a few years once. Then I went on vacation. I thought I had supplied it with enough water before I left. When I came back it was dead. One time I planted an entire flower bed in the midst of the Texas summer only to find all the flowers scorched and lifeless within 12 hours. That was dumb. I was sent a beautiful calla lily when my father died while I was in University. I was able to keep that alive for about 6 months.

These are the reasons why when Anna asked me if I wanted a courgette plant (zucchini plant) my eyes got wide with terror and my head automatically shook no. “Go on,” she said. “I planted mine too close together and someone needs to take them.” With enough coaxing, I caved. I had refused to take a courgette plant and somehow I was leaving with two.

Boyfriend and I took them to our temporary housing in Highbury and placed them on the windowsill. I took the case very seriously. I really didn’t want to go back to Anna and tell her I killed her plant. It became a morning ritual. Get up, make coffee, water courgettes. Several times I would forget and boyfriend would have to intervene, but with our combined efforts we’ve managed to keep them alive.

Now we are in a garden flat and it is so pleasant to have my own vegetables growing in the garden. Granted, nothing is quite big enough to eat, but I can happily report we have several budding courgettes. One of which is an amazing shade of green and a good four inches long. The plant grows the most beautiful flowers which I have been told are delicious and edible but I haven’t managed to try.

Don't worry, I've added more soil to cover the roots.

After the terrible failures I’ve had with plants in the past, I am surprised this wasn’t much harder. I am wondering if it’s because I have more time at home now to monitor their growth or the change in climate from our move.

Now on to research courgette recipes.

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