Gardening: Growth Report

Published on 24/06/2012 19:23

IN HER ongoing monthly reports, Centotre and the Scottish Cafe owner Carina Contini updates us on her efforts to create a kitchen garden

Oh deer! Who would have thought that our garden of tranquility could turn into an NHS helpline hot spot? With all our Health & Safety requirements and Accident at Work Legislation as an employer we’ve been very cautious about accidents in the garden. Chainsaws, pitch forks, shovels, strimmers and lawn mowers can all be classed as lethal weapons in the wrong hands. Steel-capped boots are a prerequisite for professional gardeners. But we had not factored in the idea of disease.

There are professions that are understandably risky. Fishermen, for example, risk so much in the high seas surrounding our Scottish shores to catch our suppers. But I would never have imagined dangers lurking in the long grasses in early summer. As you know, our garden is remote and was very overgrown. My husband Victor’s first job was cutting back all those long grasses and stripping out the undesirable bushes. About three weeks ago he showed me his right leg (he won Mr Legs in Lanzarote in 1980 so I was optimistic). A huge circular spot with concentric circles around it had appeared on his calf. A trip to the pharmacy the next day, some hydrocortisone cream and a few days later it was gone to the naked eye. Two weeks later, however, and Victor could hardly walk from the pain in his legs. Straight to the GP. Lyme disease. Ticks, from deer, live in long grasses and their bite can be fatal if not detected early enough. We’re lucky the doctor diagnosed it right away. Left untreated it can lead to paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis and in severe cases brain damage. Thankfully we’ve caught this early and a dose of antibiotics is hopefully going to do the trick for this tick.

As newcomers to the country we’ve loved seeing our new wild friends. The roe deer in particular have been a highlight for the children. But the deer fences are now going up and it is no go for Bambi.

Our top tip this month is keep your trousers tucked into your builder’s boots and leave the legs for Lanzarote!

Casa San Lorenzo (www.centotre.com/casa-san-lorenzo-garden/)

Twitter @CasaSanLorenzo