Making seed beds

Well this post is late, as the activity took place last weekend, but we finally got serious, and made some seed beds! Thanks to Duren and his superior hammering skills (good to have a resident handyman), we now have 4 beds, turned over and ready to fill with little seedlings. We actually did some planting (mostly lettuce and salad greens), but it felt good to get going.

Meanwhile, an unfortunate incident involving small children at a party meant that our first trays of seedlings that were germinating at Sarah's house are now history, so we start again when Sarah is back from Easter holidays. Luckily it's been quite cold, so we haven't missed much time out "growing." End of April, the tomato plants arrive - and we get real!

Spring at last

There's nothing like your first real planting day to bring the value of an allotment right to the fore. With the whole group in situ (mums and kids that is), we had a delightful day - warm temps, green buds abounding, the fruits of our autumn labours made clear. We planted our apple tree, put loads of seeds into their beds, and made a mud "pool" for the toy diggers. All in all, a very rewarding session. Bring on the Spring - Fred's Crew are ready! 

The Perfect Sunday

Ah, what a wonderful autumn day this was. After a long leisurely breakfast at ours - with Giles and Louise as guests - we biked over to Plot 20. It was very much Sod's Law in effect, as the rain that had held off all day fell down on two mums and kidlettes biking, but well was worth it, as when we arrived the sun came back out, to shine on our efforts with that special light that comes in late autumn. We pruned, played, made friends with our neighbors and bonfired to our little heart's content. The kids found a tiny birds' nest and a few worms, played with an imaginary city they made of some bricks, and just had a great time. It was just a dreamy day, I can't express how much I love our allotment!

Indian Summer

Having been somewhat silent, I thought I'd drop in a note of what's been happening. The few last sunny weekends have made the allotment a little paradise for us and the children. Much hacking of branches, pulling of weeds and in the children's case, stomping of mud & mixing of mud puddles. Bliss for all. As for planting & picking, not much of that!! However now is our time for planning & digging ready for planting. Perhaps a bonfire or two with toasted marshmallows before the allotment becomes a no-go area as winter sets in...

End of Summer

Ah, that feeling is upon us. The cooling air . . . the dropping, yellowing leaves . . . the drying up of the blackberries. Of course, this is how it's been since July, but still - it definitely feels like autumn has officially arrived.

After approximately a month away, I've returned, and had a chance to see our garden.

Luckily for me, Sarah and my DH have made some improvements in the time away. There is grass aplenty in the back "half" (although there are also 100 baby brambles interspersed). Duren and his friend Sam have cleared out most of the "goat pen" and the huge pile of dried cuttings, and today we used Sarah's new mower to cut the grass/brambles to a nice "lawn."

And we also had a nice moment tonight - we took home our first cucumber. Ah, the allotment life. I think I'll keep it.

More allotment follies from Sarah...

"Boy do I wish I had a photo of today. Firstly all I could hear when approaching plot 20 was the clunking of a JCB digger. It was only when I was standing next to the pumpkins that i realised Mr JCB was clearing the other side of our fence! We can now spy on golfers until shed-mahal blots the view.

Today's proud accomplishment was mowing down the jungle with my new favorite tool....Handy manual mower! Best £39 we will have ever spent.

I got two thirds of the way up the allotment when what can only be described by meteorologists as a 'significant rain event' came with warning. This was no passing shower. Heavy rain gave way to torrential downpour that truly wouldn't stop. I had previously vowed to take very good care of handy mower (no rusting blades!) but ended up chucking it next to the chairs, covered in grass, oh the shame.

I would have made a speedy exit but for my drowned rat of a shivering, terrified dog who refused to budge. I then had to beg, pull, shout and finally drag/carry Belly out of there (a photo moment if there ever was one).

Whoever comes past our plot will note a randomly half-finished mowing job to add to our list of incompetence. To my credit I did remember to lock the gate!"

While I laze away on the US seashore, Sarah has been hard at work! She emails:

"Allotment follies abound....

Amazing what a drop of rain does! Oh how I wish we had covered all of the front half with weed block. In fact its not too late. The grass closest to the river is winning out over the weeds, but the middle section is clearly not and in my opinion we have to cover it over and abandon any planting until the spring.

On the plus side...We have cucumbers! see photo! I had gifts of a rhubarb plant and a15 seed leeks to plant for next year. Both have gone in (the cabbage was meant to be netted so has been completely eaten) I did managed to clear the 'plot' of all weeds and beat back the nettles from our door.

I did all I could with restless kids and dog but could do with a solid weekend of work there, preferably with a mower. Nice Sarah from plot 17 or 18 gave me some of her glut of courgettes. Emily is showing her pet worm for you to see. She named it Zoe and it came home with us.