So where's all the updates?

Normally I post after weekly visits to the plot - which increases to three or four at this time of year. So why haven't I been posting updates? Illness?

Sadly no. It's a motivation problem. The reason being? Well this...

The actual amount of visitors to my blog. 8. 7. 2.

I started writing the blog to keep track of what I was doing on the plot. It was more of a personal record. But after a decade I'm pretty much doing the same thing each time. I know what I'm doing now (sort of) so now I'm pretty much uploading the same thing each week - pulling weeds, planting stuff, harvesting stuff. It seems that it just doesn't make for interesting content.

So, I'm not going to keep this blog as a "regular" blog, but now will switch it only to milestones or special interest. And at present there is nothing of interest going on.

Dull Day on the Plot

Dull? But the weather was so sunny? No, it's not a description of the weather, but the fact that the most exciting piece of work I did at the allotment was start a new compost pile. That's what passes for excitement here at present.

And here, in all it's exciting glory is...

The compost bin. Yeah, I said it was a dull day. The bin itself is filled with weeds. These weeds have not yet set any seeds and are not invasive so they make a good start. And yes that is only about a foot from the top because I spent a good couple of hours digging the damn thing out. They're mostly a combination of fresh new thistles, lambs quarters and sticky willy. Along with a shed load of other stuff I couldn't even begin to identify. After all, a weed is just a plant that growing in the wrong location.

On the subject of growing, the Grape Vine has started putting forth it's leaves.

And one of the other vigorously growing plant is the phacelia. When I say vigorous, I mean it. It's virtually taken over The Wife's flower bed. Just as well really because the bees were swarming over it today.

Allotment Week - Planting Stuff

Some allotment week this has been. I put my back out earlier in the week and I didn't really get much chance to be down the plot. But today is nice and sunny, and my back is feeling much better so it's time to actually do something.

First off, there is a lot of stuff that was previously planted that needs potting on. So that's what I started with. The Pak Choi got put into individual pots. Previously I had put them into a long trough, but that kind of made it easy for a single snail to get in and ruin a lot of plants all at once. So this time, I'm putting them into separate pots (courtesy of M&S soups).

Meanwhile the Courgettes and Crown Princes all need to be sorted out. Not as good a successful germination rate this year, so I started a few more of them off.

The empty trays in front were the sweetcorns that I started a while back. None of them took. At all. So I guess it's time to try some of the other kernels to see whether those are any better.

Meanwhile The Wife was busy planting more tomatoes, cucumbers, Japanese Spinach, Mizuna and other stuff.

And we weren't alone at the plot. Our Vulpine Princess decided to visit to keep an eye on us and make sure we were working hard and to her exacting standards.

We've decided to call her Velma. After all, she wears orange.

Allotment Week - Shelves finally complete

It's allotment week. Again? Wasn't there one just a couple of weeks back? Well yes. It's because I'm now no longer able to carry over an obscene amount of leave from one year to the next. Covid has meant that I can't go anywhere else. The only places I can go is home and the allotment. I can't go to shops. And any face-to-face contact with other people must be outside and fully masked. As such I accrued a large amount of leave that was generously carried over. But now we're rolling it back so that only 5 days can be carried over. So once again, it's time to spend a week down the allotment.

Today was just a short visit. But I finally managed to get the shelves that I've been building, finished and mounted at the end of the greenhouse.

I suspect that these will end up as the storage points for the Tumbling Toms. I still have to fix the footings properly, but it's wired into the top of the greenhouse to stop it falling over. It's just damned hard trying to screw into hardwoods with just a screwdriver. I really need to get a decent set of tools. Which means I need to go shopping... which I can't do at present. Ho hum.

A productive (and exhausting) Easter Weekend

The plot is looking much better now. Yes there is still a lot to sort out, but it's getting there. Mind you, it's been "getting there" for nearly the past decade. Can you believe it's been nearly 10 years on the plot?

Digging out the couch grass is by far the worst job. But at least now the strawberry beds are all done (it'll keep The Wife happy) and most of the other beds are now very lightly weeded, so a simple forking over will deal with them. But it gives me a certain satisfaction to get things done.

All overseen by the Vulpine Princess of course...

Strawberries and Seeds

I learned my lesson from yesterday. I went to the plot at 9am this morning to get things sorted out before the heat of the day sends me running for cover. Upon opening the greenhouse, I saw a scurry of movement underneath the stands. Suspecting a mouse I bent down to check it out only to see a flurry of feathers. A male House Sparrow had got in, probably through the open window and was somewhat trapped. He managed to make good his escape though. He may have got in yesterday as there were quite a few bird droppings on the chair and other places. But he seemed just fine as there were places where he could drink from the seed trays.

On the subject of seeds, before the heat got too much I started planted a whole load more seeds into pots and trays.

More Peas, Crown Princes, Tumbling Tom Tomatoes (Both Red and Yellow varieties), some more Kelsae Onions, and some Burpless Cucumbers.

Yesterday when I got home, I recharged my electric screwdriver to help in trying to build the shelves, but even fully charged it doesn't have enough strength to turn the screws in. My old drill used a NiCad battery and as is typical with those things the battery is now dead and won't hold a charge so it can't really be used for this. So I think I'll have to bring my BIG screw driver which allows me to get a better grip. At present the shelves are still in bits, and hence are not really photogenic yet.

Meanwhile the Wife's Strawberry Empire has been neglected somewhat. It's now full of clover, thistles and dandelions mixed in with all the strawberries. These have also sprouted runners which are all over the place. Not really a problem but it does need sorting. I dug everything out, putting all the strawberry plants into a separate bucket ready to be re-planted afterwards.

Before...

After...

I'm sure you'll agree that it is much better, but I will have to keep an eye on the re-planted strawberries just to make sure that they take. They should be OK, as Strawbs are reasonably tolerant of being disturbed.

Spring has finally sprung

Unlike a few weeks back, it looks like spring has finally settled in to stay. It's a nice sunny Bank Holiday - which makes a change for a UK BH. This morning there were no less than 8 cars in the car park. 9 if you count the one that was leaving as I arrived. The Apple Tree is in full bloom.

Which in turn has meant that the Bees are out and about.

And the Rhubarb has finally decided to start growing with renewed vigour.

However, this also means that the weeds are starting to get in on the act as well, which means that garlic is starting to get a little overwhelmed.

I spent most of the morning working on the new shelving unit for the end of the greenhouse. However I was soundly defeated by the weather. The sun was just too much and I decided not to bake and headed for cooler climes and a ice cold drink. Tomorrow I'll go to the allotment a lot earlier in the day so as to avoid cooking.

Dealing with George

It's George time again. I'm a bit later this year, but that doesn't mean that it's any worse. In fact there are plenty of seeds to be had from last year's George. Or should I say one of them, because there were two of them left over.

The seeds will dry in the greenhouse over the next week. Stored safely out of reach of any potential mouse. And the long weekend next week will see them duly planted. I learned my lesson from previous years where I almost lost them from late frosts. Although looking at the weather this time around, I don't think that will be much of an issue... but you never know.

Work Parties, Compost and Shelves

Today was the first day of the working party. I didn't take part as I'm still trying to keep a distance from people to avoid catching the dreaded you-know-what. But I did stop buy to photograph the hard workers.

The shop has finally got a new delivery of compost in. The compost from the bins is OK, except because it didn't get to a hot temperature, it didn't fully kill any seeds that were in it. So the best compost for starting seeds is the more professional variety. So I bought four bags worth ready for the new seeds.

But as I was there I did notice a pallet that was available. Now I've used this size before to make shelves, so I knew exactly what to do with it.

So cut down the middle and then interlace the slats. Unfortunately as this was unexpected, I didn't have my power tools with me so I couldn't screw it all together at the end. But tomorrow I'll take my tools and finish it off. Of course, it can't fit in the greenhouse since there are already two of these running the full length of the 2nd greenhouse. But I can certainly use this to make some shelves for the outside of the greenhouse. I've wanted to make a growing area at the back of the greenhouse for a while now, so perhaps this will work. I'll have to see what I can work out.

Allotment Week - Day 9 - Treasure from the Trash

So, final day of being down the allotment. Next week it's back to the old grindstone again. But at least I can pop to the allotment in the evenings, so not all is lost.

Today has just been a day of tidying up and pulling out a few more weeds. Not been able to do much as I must have pulled a muscle in my back yesterday. Anyway, one thing I did notice was that somebody had thrown away some branches into the "green" waste bin. By green I mean living material but in this case it was brown. The branches seem to have been cut from a cherry tree, and were quite dry. Ideal for chopping up into firewood for the Ghillie Kettle. So thats what I did.

It's not the first time I've raided the rubbish bins for useful stuff. It's a common theme that people recycle and re-use whatever they can on the plots. Albeit wheelbarrows, or windows.

The frost on the tops of the cars this morning suggests that it's still not the right time to go all out with the sowing just yet. Despite it still being rather warm in the greenhouse. So for now, the sowing will have to wait. Maybe I'll start sowing in Easter. It's only a couple of weeks away.

Allotment Week - Day 8 - Anonymous Benefactor

So what happened to Day 7 then? Well like Day 6, I thought the snow flurries were reason enough to stay home and avoid the plot. I could have gone because if the greenhouse it was still quite warm, but I don't really have a lot to do in the greenhouse just yet. All of the major work is outside.

I've now pretty much finished all of the pathways. The last time I managed to put wood chip down everywhere was a couple of years back, so having this lot is a major difference to the plot. Now I have to say that having seen the results of the previous years  woodchip, putting newspaper or cardboard down as a barrier mulch is a waste of time. The Couch Grass rhizomes go straight through it as if it wasn't there, and although the newspaper does break down after a few months, it doesn't really justify the amount of work necessary to get rid of the stuff. The best option seems to be digging out the roots as a where you can.

At least the front is now completed.

However I couldn't have carted all of the amount of wood chip without an anonymous benefactor. It is common for many people to offer things for free. We trade amongst ourselves and help each other where we can. The other day I was down the plot and our resident plumber told be of a wheelbarrow going free over on the West Side of the allotments. Sure enough I went over there and saw that there was a lawn mower and a very sturdy built wheel barrow, with a sign on them saying free to a good home.

Well I have no need for a lawn mower, so that I left for whoever else wanted it. But the barrow? Considering the state of my old one, then yes please.

So I was using it today to shift the wood chips when somebody said "Oh you got it did you?" Yes, it was the person who repaired and donated the barrow. So now the benefactor is not so anonymous. Andy, thank you so very much for making my life easier.

Allotment Week - Day 6 - Too cold

I'm not going to the allotment today. There is a bitter wind blowing and the temperature has dropped significantly. I'd rather not freeze whilst trying to dig out beds and woodchips.

We haven't had it as bad as other areas of the Country. But as far as I'm concerned, it's just a little too cold to be out and about today.

Allotment Week - Day 5 - Return of the Fox

We've known foxy was about. There have been paw prints on recently dug beds. But only today did she grace us with her appearance.

She's looking a little the worst for wear I'm afraid to say. She has a lot more grey in her coat, and her brush is a bit frazzled. I suspect she may be suffering from Sarcoptic Mange. I think I'll try and get some treatment for her from the National Fox Welfare Society. But she pottered about the plot keeping an eye on my for over an hour as I dug out the grasses and weeds from the goat paths by the shed.

They were looking a little overgrown.

And yesterday's photo...

So now it's all looking a little better.

Of course, I'll probably return to find that Miss Fox has dug a few holes in the pathways. But I really don't mind.

Allotment Week - Day 4 - Curbside appeal

Of course before you put down woodchip, you have to remove the weeds first. That's a very tedious and backbreaking job. And unfortunately I have quite a few goat paths between the beds which have, shall we say, become a bit neglected.

So they need to be dealt with. Unfortunately I'm a little pressed for time as there is so much going on right now with other things which is taking a higher priority. So all I managed to do today was dig out a few of the clump of grasses and dandelions at the front and give it a new coat of woodchip.

It does look better. But there is still a long way to go.

Allotment Week - Day 3 - Tubes and Chips

So there I was at the allotment. I had just started cutting and folding the toilet rolls - I've posted about this technique before...

Then suddenly I get a whiff. A nice "pine-fresh" scent. And sure enough I look over to the woodchip bay, which is right next to the plot, and I see it. There has been a fresh new delivery. Not sure when it arrived, either yesterday afternoon, or first thing this morning. But anyway, I'm not one to turn down a gift of goodness.

So all of the planting thoughts for today went straight out the window and instead I spent a good few hours with my wonky barrow filling up all the goat paths between the beds.

Now I know some of you will be arguing that using pine (I seems that it was a fir tree of some sort) is not ideal, because it's makes a slightly acid mulch. However this really isn't a problem. The main point of the woodchip is to act as a weed suppressant and water sponge in times of rain.

And yes, there are still some beds that need fully digging out removing all the weeds. I'll get round to that. Eventually.

Allotment Week - Day 2 - Bed Prep

Ah Couch Grass, my old nemesis. We meet again.

So today I've been digging the Courgette beds and dumping a whole load of manure into them.

The hardest part is digging out the invasive couch grass. Now I've mentioned before about this stuff, and I'm pretty sure that you have some yourself... if you don't then I really envy you your situation because the damn stuff is so pernicious.

But once I managed to clear the beds of that stuff then I had to cart a few barrow loads of manure around. Which also wasn't easy, because, well, lets just say that my barrow tire has definitely seen better days.

But not all is lost. In wheeling the loads around, another plot holder offered me a replacement wheel. It's a bit sun faded, but the tire is not in bits. It's not actually inflated, and the mounting system is different, but it will certainly be a lot better that the above old thing.

It would be that when I drove home, the air pump at the garage was out of order. Ah well, at least I should be able to fix it all at some point in the future. Hopefully pretty soon, because a working wheel barrow is a must at the allotments.

Allotment Week - Day 1 - Disturbing the residents

So today I continued on digging out the compost bin. After all I'm going to be starting plenty of seeds and I need a good quantity of decent compost to start everything off. This bin has been here for two years, so sieve away.

Although some of the residents were not amused at their home being destroyed.

No, they are not Witchetty Grubs. They are in fact the larvae of one of the Chafer Beetles. Not entirely sure which one because there are over 20 different species of them. But they are pretty useful as they help break down plant matter. More to the point, they do like chomping on dead roots, which is very good for breaking down the old dead plants. They have an especial fondness for grasses... so I'm hoping they can munch of the Couch Grass.

Needless to say, they were transferred into the newer compost bins to carry on the good work. The results of which went on to be used in the sowing of Crown Prince Squash, Kelsae Onions, Sweetcorn and Peas. I'll be sowing more tomorrow.

Digging for Gold

It's the sowing season for the start of the new year. So whats the one thing that everybody needs? *

Compost. Yes, seeds need to get going. There are two schools of thought with seed compost. Some say that the seeds need as much nutrients as they can to get going ready to be planted out. Other say that they don't need nutrients as all the seeds carry their own startups suitable to get their cotyleden leaves ready to grow. No matter which side of the fence you come down on, compost is a vital part of growing your own, and there is nothing better than making your own.

So that's what I've been doing. Digging out the oldest compost bin looking for the good stuff.

The bin on the left is two years old. It's the oldest of the three bins, with the one on the right being pretty new (this year's) and not have much other than kitchen scraps in it. So I'm digging out the oldest stuff, sieving it and throwing the larger bits into the new bin. Well mostly. Any white roots that I find in there I'm just throwing out altogether as it pretty much indicates that those roots are still viable and therefore not wanted in anybodies compost.

And what do you end up with... a bucket of the good stuff...

Good for seeds? Well possibly. The problem is that this stuff may well have some old seeds that have been through it, and they may sprout. So this compost is only going to be used for something like the courgettes or squashes. For the other stuff, I'll have to resort to actual proper seed compost brought from the shop.

I guess I need to get planting now.

* OK, maybe the seeds. And pots. And a warm growing space. And time. And... oh heck everything is important for growing seeds.

New Life

It looks like the plot is waking up after it's winter nap. The Rhubarb has survived yet another winter and is putting up it's shoots.

I guess this means that I have to get my seeds planted soonish. Well, at least after this cold wind has died down a bit.

It's almost like Spring

 Bright blue skies. Sun is shining. Bees are buzzing. Anybody would be forgiven that it's Springtime. So it's time to get the allotment ready. Well OK, not exactly ready as we're still a few weeks out of properly decent weather.

So today was a chance to work on any odd little bits that need tidying up, and also a chance to go over the plot a bit closer following after last weeks blow. First thing to do was to put the panel back in the door. I didn't fit it last week as it was still a bit blowy, but today is perfect weather for re-fitting it. And there were no problems. However I did take a closer look at the greenhouse during this and I did notice another bit of an issue. Namely that the flapping about had caused some stress fractures on the perspex roof sections.

Whilst this is not a problem at this time, it could be an issue further down the line. I think next time I come to the plot I'll bring my tape measure so that I can measure up all of the panels just in case I need to replace everything.

Elsewhere on the plot things are starting to grow. The garlic has started.

Now we've never had much luck with alliums on the plot, so this is the first time we've tried full blown garlic here. So it's kind of a gamble. But the fact that there are lots of new shoots here is somewhat gratifying.

Elsewhere in The Wife's flowerbed the daffs are just starting to show. But also the Cosmos has started taking over.

And at the other end of the flower bed there is an oddity. There is a rogue plant that's got in. Now we're not unfamiliar with rogue plants as we've had a few, but this one could be a problem. We've got a rogue artichoke.

So I guess that's something we will have to keep an eye on in the future.

Bit blowy

It would seem that the weather has been a bit blowy recently.
So it was with a bit of trepidation that I went to the allotment this morning to see what damage had been done. Fortunately we seem to have come out of it relatively unscathed.own out of the top
The top panel of perspex had blown out of the greenhouse door, but was still around so easy enough to put back in.

The edge of the roofing felt on the shed had been ripped off, but that's no major loss.

And the cane holder had broken and all my canes fell down.

About the worst thing we had on the site was the Allotment Notice Board by the entrance had been blown down. That we'll have to fix through the Committee.

So all-in-all we managed to survive with no major issues. I hope you all managed to get through it OK.