16 February 2006

Lessons we can learn from Charlie Dimmock

Be warned. This is a post about bras.

There are some things that do not get mentioned in gardening books. A description of the terrible, gnawing despair you will feel when slugs completely decimate your squash seedlings or when a ridiculously late frost wipes out your sweetcorn is one thing. The need for appropriate support underwear when digging is another.

I speak as someone who has been exercise shy for a very long time now (no, I’m not telling you how long) so it has taken me a while to work out that one of the most important pieces of equipment I needed to help me in my allotment work was a sports bra. And really, it should have been much higher up the wish list than heritage hand tools, a pretty trug or a fancy pair of gloves. Because a pair of gloves will look charming in the garden even when old and saggy but, well, you know what I’m saying.

But this isn’t even about preventing droop, it’s also about comfort. Charlie may be able to cope with all that swinging and swaying and general pendulousness, but I take one look at her and I ache on her behalf. Achey breasts are no joke (stop tittering at the back!) and pain does rather interfere with plans to dig for extended periods of time. A sports bra may not be glamorous but take it from me, you will feel the difference and your vegetables can only benefit from your extra productivity.

Pumpkin Soup. Properly supported since January of this year.

Filed under: Dos & Don'ts — Clare @ 7:10 pm