Grandpa Ned's Allotment, Susan H Trought [classic english novels TXT] 📗

day, a few weeks later, Grandpa said, ‘Shall we have a look at how the potatoes are coming along?’ and he fetched his fork and dug deep into the mounds of soil.
Suddenly Patsy squealed. ‘Oh look! I can see some baby potatoes!’ she cried and, sure enough, round the roots which had been made by the seed potatoes nestled lots of little round new ones.
‘Get a bucket then,’ grinned Grandpa Ned. ‘We’ll have some new potatoes for our dinner tomorrow.’
Patsy and Grandpa Ned collected about half a bucket full of new potatoes from just one seed potato.
‘Shall we see how the carrots are?’ asked Grandpa Ned.
‘Ooh yes!’ exclaimed Patsy and she took hold of the feathery green carrot tops and pulled slowly but firmly. A lovely long orange carrot emerged from the ground.
‘Oooh!’ she said, he eyes shining.
‘If you wash it under that tap over there,’ said Grandpa Ned, ‘You can eat it right now.’
Patsy dashed over to the tap and splashed water all over the carrot until it became a bright shiny orange. She took a huge bite and it tasted delicious.
Back home, even Grandma Gladys had to agree that having an allotment was a good idea when she saw all the beautiful fresh potatoes and carrots.
‘There’ll be lettuce, tomatoes and radishes for Sunday tea as well, Gladys,’ said Grandpa Ned.
‘Yes well,’ she said. ‘I must admit that I thought you were taking on too much at first but just look at you! You’re fighting fit and sunburnt as well! I think I might come down to the allotment more often and see if it’ll do me as much good.’
‘Huh!’ laughed Grandpa Ned. ‘You only want to come down there to have a good gossip with Mrs Allen.’
‘Yes, well that’s as may be,’ smiled Grandma Gladys. ‘But at least I’ll be in the fresh air!’
The summer days wore on.
Patsy and Grandpa Ned picked peas, beans and later cabbage and cauliflowers as well as the carrots, tomatoes and, of course, the radishes.
Grandma Gladys’ house was always full of flowers and everyone admired Patsy’s patch.
Towards the end of summer, Patsy sat on an upturned bucket and looked round her. She smiled.
Grandpa Ned was talking to Mr Smythe who was leaning on his spade and smoking his pipe as usual. Grandma Gladys was having a really good gossip with Mrs Allen. She had even bought herself a deckchair and had her knitting with her.
Allotment number 6 was a blaze of colour from the flowers and the vegetable plants were sitting contently moving slightly in the warm breeze.
‘It’s been the best summer ever,’ said Patsy to herself and smiled.
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Publication Date: 05-04-2010

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Dedication:
To my family - with love