Douglas Carswell MP: Coalition gardening

Coalition gardening

My least favourite task in the veggie garden at this time of year is thinning out seedlings. Hundreds of young carrots or beetroot or leeks might be coming along wonderfully well in neat little rows - yet if I don't pinch out every other one, none will grow full size

Apart from the waste, I hate the dilemma posed each time you have to pull up a perfectly healthy young plant.

Should I pinch out this lively little seedling, or its all-too-close neighbour?

Perhaps it is a bit similar having a coalition government. With two sets of manifesto pledges to implement, there’s a problem of overcrowding. So in order for some of your policies to grow and flourish, you need to weed out the weaker ones. It’s never going to be a happy task.

But if I was head gardener in Westminster, there are some policies I know I’d have no difficulties in rooting out – and some that will definitely be staying in.

Posted on 25 May 2010 by Douglas Carswell

Comments

What we are all waiting to hear is when you are going to be the Head Gardener?

Posted on 25 May 2010 09:29 by Cynic

Pruning is very satisfying though. Cut out the dead wood and watch the plant flourish.

Posted on 25 May 2010 10:31 by BrianSJ

In the past I have successfully re-planted Leek thinnings OR passed/swapped them with friends.

Moral,
"Waste not want not".

Perhaps some policies may just be put to one side for now?

It's about Priorities.

In Gods Economy nothing is wasted.

Posted on 25 May 2010 10:44 by eric of \walton

I hate the waste of thinning and therefore sow more thinly and in anarchic abandon - no straight rows for me! Have you got a political metaphor for that?

Posted on 25 May 2010 11:54 by Ruth

Did you sneeze when laying out the row on the left? We have a problem with our barlotti beans this year, the birds have dropped sunflower seeds from their feeder into the rows making pinching out tricky as they look similar at the moment!

Posted on 25 May 2010 12:09 by Gary

It's those weeds that cause the most problem. They get everywhere and grow like topsy, choking the important plants.
Some of them have taken advantage of the sunny weather and fertile ground to spread quickly. They cover a lot of the garden, but it is easy to pull them up. If you grasp them properly they come out cleanly and leave no trace.
Others have been growing for years and have very long roots. It's important to make sure you dig them out properly, getting rid of every last bit to leave a good clean bed, otherwise as soon as your back is turned they will grow again. Real little empire builders they are.

Posted on 25 May 2010 12:22 by Deborah

"I know I'd have no difficulties in rooting out - and some that will definitely be staying in."

Of course....'cos you have A Plan!!

Posted on 25 May 2010 12:30 by JohnRS

With carrots you can let them grow, a bit, till they're about an inch long, then pull out a small bunch at a time and eat them. That way you leave space for others to carry on growing, and also eat delicious young carrots.

Same with ideas, some need time to show their true value, so it's not a good idea to dismiss them too early - you never know how big they could grow given the chance.

Posted on 25 May 2010 23:31 by Mrs R