Well I guess it had to come sooner or later, a lack of inspiration so large that I have sunk into introspection. Or perhaps, more positively, this top 5 represents an attempt to get in touch with what interests my readers (other than curry leaf trees which I am currently getting more correspondence about than any other topic). Either way I hope it will be fun and vaguely interesting to consider the top 5 top 5s I have written during the, almost 18, months I have been writing them for.
I have chosen to select posts based on the number of comments they received. I decided this was probably a truer reflection of audience appreciation of a post than say page views which tends to favour older posts.
These are my Top 5 posts that have received the most comments:
- Reasons to write a gardening blog. It seems I’m not the only introspective one, many of you want to talk about why you blog too.
- The Bottom 5 – These were the 5 crops I have most trouble with or have deemed not worth growing for one reason or another. I like this post a lot, mostly because the comments either offered great advice or made me feel better because most people struggle to grow some crop or other.
- Hated Veg – Isn’t it interesting how much we all enjoy talking about what we don’t like. Or as in many of the comments on this post, how much we enjoy trying to persuade people to like the same things we do.
- Low or No Maintenance Plants – Lazy? Who me?
- Reasons why we got Chickens – I can now see why this was a popular post. Chickens are fun and infuriating – both being worthy of lots of comments.
Anyway given my current lack of inspiration I have decided not to write a regular Top 5 post (I have been publishing every Tuesday) and instead just write them when the mood or inspiration strikes. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. I still have a few suggestions readers came up with previously that I do plan to write on but if you have any more I would love to hear about them.
Very useful to me – as a newbie to the world of gardens and gardening blogging!
Must admit I find trying to follow a routine with blogging is difficult and takes away some enjoyment which tends to be why I don’t follow memes other than if one clashes with what I want to write about.
Can’t imagine why ot just said S on my last comment although it does seem to need me to type my name, email address and website in whenever I post a comment. Usually I just type s and my name automatically appear – obviously this time it didn’t
That’s alright S, actually I knew it was you as it helpfully lists your links under your name.
I tend to enjoy routine but I think you’re right – I haven’t necessarily been writing for enjoyment that much lately.
Love your top 5’s they are always full of great details. But sometimes when you step back for a bit it gives you time to reflect while relaxing. And I think that is something we all need to do.
Thanks Jen. Perhaps a break will renew my inspiration.
I’m really glad that in reading this post it’s pointed me in the direction of some of your older posts that I’d missed. Love all your wonderful veggie pics, as ever in awe of the veg you grow but as a self-proclaimed lazy gardener I can definitely see the appeal of your post on Low or No Maintenance plants!
Thanks Andrea. The low maintenance plants will hopefully come to the fore for me this season – I haven’t spent nearly enough time in the garden and I’m hoping that a decent number have helpfully self seeded.
I hope you get your blogging mojo back soon as I like your posts. I just read your 5 most hated vege…and just so you know it took me NINE MONTHS to grow 4 eggplants…surely that beats any slow growing leeks you may have tussled with.
Eggplants can be slow it has to be said – although they don’t seem as slow to me somehow – I think because at least the plants are getting discernibly bigger. My leeks just seem to look like pencils forever…
blah – I meant “bottom 5”, but you know what I mean, right? Right!
I’m impressed with your sustained ‘Top 5’ posts, as it is! It can’t be easy to come up with new ideas.
While I’m here, I’d like to say how impressed I am altogether with your blog. It’s full of practical and interesting information on veggie gardening and cooking with the produce you grow (and great photos!). You are of good humour, patient and attentive to your readers. You are the sort of person I would be pleased to know in ‘real life’.
Now, now. Don’t blush. It’s all true. 🙂
I am blushing but that’s OK. It is very kind of you to say that though. I am hoping that by not thinking I have to post more top 5s some more will spring miraculously into my brain and thus onto the screen. Of course this may not actually eventuate…. As for patient, hmmm my children may not agree….
You’re conscientiousness in posting has not gone unnoticed, and has been much appreciated by we gardening readers! The great thing about blogging is it can be anything you want it to be, and I think of my own as a place to process and experiment. The true job of any creative person, which you clearly are, is to find what interests and inspires you!
Thankyou!!!