To date - warm words from:
Gillian Roberts - who had some recollections and queries about being taught Imperial (yes, we had an empire) measurements, including the defintion of "poles" (see before) and such. Looking into it.
Gary Hawes - who accused us of living 'The Good Life' - a reference to a BBC sitcom starring the fragrant Felicity Kendal (those watching BBC America may be getting what appear to be fresh episodes). We assume he meant it as a compliment.
Simon Knowles - who noted this and Nicholas' recent presence on Facebook as a general decline in standards.
Alison Preston - who viewed this mainly as an opportunity to thank us again for our wedding present candles, and to moan about Scottish bugs.
David Reid - who reminded us both that we are hacks, and all the better for it.
Daniel Barnes - who was kind, and promised to take on tour (with Holly Cole) our blog address. All the best on his tour of Germany.
People - including our blood relatives - should feel free to use the 'Comment' tool if they have anything to share with the wider Burydell community.
According to reliable Web statistics, we are the 11th most popular site in the world.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
23 June 2007 - Due diligence and not much else
Today is Saturday and we have had a slow day today. We visited the allotment, primarily to put more things in the shed (including a set of old greenhouse shelves that we had brought from our previous shed, that is, Shed No 1 - we now have 3 sheds in total) that had been stored in the car and to monitor the situation generally. We seemed to be the first on the allotment this morning as the gate was shut. We thought about watering, but a combination of the weather forecast and the generally cloudy conditions made us confident about leaving it to Upstairs to sort out.
The carrots are beginning to show feathery tops and we have now decided that the beans we planted (in a last ditch attempt to get beans on the go) are not going to happen. This means that we can sort out that other side of the bed to hopefully plant leek and cabbage seeds for overwintering, especially as we dug good stuff in it to make the beans grow. Though that depends on the weather tomorrow.
The grass and weeds are growing fast, so we need to think about our strategy for getting it all under control a bit more. The fence is on hold because frankly today we did not have the energy to address it. We are both very tired and busy at work.
Two more raspberries; the 4 lettuces are looking good; and sprightly radishes are all good signs. However, spring onion seeds seem not to have taken but the seedlings we planted (see earlier blog) look almost ready to take up and place tenderly into a salad. The potato plants are coming along nicely, albeit at different paces. We look forward to having more potatoes next season, right from the first earlies (other peoples are now flowering) to the maincrop (which is what we have).
We went to the recycling centre today on the hunt for a discarded wheelbarrow. We didn't find one, but the cheery recycling guy hailed our latest request to take away yet another pallet. This one is really heavy and is made of oak so we'll think carefully about what use to make of it. We also popped into a (very posh) garden centre on the way home from the Hatfield Galleria mall (ahem, a little unauthorised clothes shopping for us both) for some comfrey, as all the books say it is absolutely essential for a Good Plot because of its many and varied uses, e.g. as mulch. Unfortunately, they didn't have any so we are thinking of cunning ploys to persuade the one plot holder we know that has LOADS to pass some onto us - perhaps in exchange for a pallet. They did, however, have the most Ginormous Rabbits, that even Archie (our killer ginger cat) would baulk at. They were from the Continent. Way too scary for English countryside and God help allotments everywhere if one of them got out.
The carrots are beginning to show feathery tops and we have now decided that the beans we planted (in a last ditch attempt to get beans on the go) are not going to happen. This means that we can sort out that other side of the bed to hopefully plant leek and cabbage seeds for overwintering, especially as we dug good stuff in it to make the beans grow. Though that depends on the weather tomorrow.
The grass and weeds are growing fast, so we need to think about our strategy for getting it all under control a bit more. The fence is on hold because frankly today we did not have the energy to address it. We are both very tired and busy at work.
Two more raspberries; the 4 lettuces are looking good; and sprightly radishes are all good signs. However, spring onion seeds seem not to have taken but the seedlings we planted (see earlier blog) look almost ready to take up and place tenderly into a salad. The potato plants are coming along nicely, albeit at different paces. We look forward to having more potatoes next season, right from the first earlies (other peoples are now flowering) to the maincrop (which is what we have).
We went to the recycling centre today on the hunt for a discarded wheelbarrow. We didn't find one, but the cheery recycling guy hailed our latest request to take away yet another pallet. This one is really heavy and is made of oak so we'll think carefully about what use to make of it. We also popped into a (very posh) garden centre on the way home from the Hatfield Galleria mall (ahem, a little unauthorised clothes shopping for us both) for some comfrey, as all the books say it is absolutely essential for a Good Plot because of its many and varied uses, e.g. as mulch. Unfortunately, they didn't have any so we are thinking of cunning ploys to persuade the one plot holder we know that has LOADS to pass some onto us - perhaps in exchange for a pallet. They did, however, have the most Ginormous Rabbits, that even Archie (our killer ginger cat) would baulk at. They were from the Continent. Way too scary for English countryside and God help allotments everywhere if one of them got out.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
20 June 2007: A quick check
Stroll up to the plot for a mid-week reconnaisance, and to boost security.
Another raspberry, our second-and-a-half!
Potatoes flourishing - only four months away from our table.
Met relations of the Very Admirable Plot holders (who gave us a lettuce) - have nice dog, collie with very curly hair.
Sunday, 17 June 2007
17 June 2007: How it all began
Because every story we had ever heard about getting an allotment (gardening space provided cheaply by the local council, see history of UK allotments) involved waiting years for one to become available, we assumed that getting on the waiting list was a low-risk strategy.
Indeed, it seemed that way when we approached our local (St Stephen's Parish) council. Both their sets of allotments had waiting lists. Emboldened by this, and anticipating years of being able to groan about poor local services without actually having to garden, Nicholas approached the St Albans Council, who had plenty of empty plots just around the corner.
A viewing was arranged with Mr Ian Getley, of whom more later. Nicholas selected plot 40 in the Burydell Lane Allotment. It's a five-pole plot, measuring just over 126 sq m. 126 sq m doesn't sound very big until you have to put a rabbit-proof fence around it.
Eventually, a contract, a key and a ring-binder full of information arrived. On 13 May, our hearts full of the prospect of winning Largest-Pumpkin-of-the-Year-Award , we took possession. Up the road past the mill (of which more later) up Burydell Lane (as quaint as it sounds), over the River Ver and turn left through the gate. Plot 40, our plot, is at the far end, almost in the corner, one side bordered by nettles and hedge, behind which is a field (rabbits and lambs). We are the frontiersmen.
Our first act was to disregard the necessity to install a perimeter fence. To keep rabbits out, you need to dig chicken wire about 18 inches under the ground (and, presumably, extend it high enough to prevent bunnies hopping over). Now none of this should be necessary, since the council put rabbit-proof fencing around the whole site. However, as Mr Getley explained to me, they forgot to take the rabbits out first. (Mr Getley's own plot, in the opposite corner from us - hmm, he recommended Plot 40 to me - is a masterpiece of potato-centric success. Rows upon rows, just coming into flower - which indicates harvest time.)
We have sunk the fence posts but, to be honest, I'm holding out sinking the fences until I have a quorum of Australian nephews present to implement my plans.
On taking possession, the plot may be summarised as follows:
- not overly nettle-ly
- sloping (somewhat terraced) from northeast to southwest
- grass and weeds (some pretty, some nasty)
- full sun all day (when there is sun)
- stony and friable soil; we are told it's very fertile; did we mention the stones?
- near a water tap
- near a public pathway which leads to the fields beyond.
- 28 Shannon Scottish basic seed potatoes planted in four rows, looking shockingly likes shallow graves (Bed 1) - cardboard, homemade leafmould from Arcadian Gardens (oh, the irony of our former address) and potato fertiliser (purchased from our new comrades at the St Stephen's Parish Gardening Club - formerly the St Stephen's Parish Horticultural Society, recently rebranded to attract younger gardening talent - from their Saturday afternoon clubhouse - 12 noon to 2pm, times may vary, phone ahead)
- two raspberry bushes and a clump of forget-me-nots (Bed 2) - from our friend Mr Birt in Bury St Edmunds
- the layer of grass from Beds 1 and 2, turned upside down as future compost.
- preparations began for our future seed bed (Bed 3), largely a matter of digging through the thick grass, putting that top layer to one side (compost pile) and covering with the groundsheet of our tent so that the weeds are killed - Tim did this
- Bed 4, prepared as above, fenced with chicken wire about six inches below ground (Tim did this) and planted with (all from the St Stephen's Parish Gardening Club bring-and-buy sale - they brought, we bought): celery seedlings x 16; purple broccoli seedlings x 3; lettuce seedlings x 3; sprout seedlings x 3; and spring onion seedlings x 8
- Bed 5 prepared as above - dug, no fencing
- cold frame established; cupboard and window from local recycling centre (of which more later - we also scored a sledgehammer, spades and a pitch fork); Mr Birt's Magic Bean seedlings established.
3 June 2007:
- in Bed 5, seeds - Autumn King carrots, Purple Dragon carrots, 3 rows of two
- in Bed 5, yellow climbing bean seeds (+ leaf mould)
- Bed 5 completing of fence (bodge job, blame work-shy nephew)
- post-mortem for Mr Birt's Magic Bean seedlings in the cold frame
- in Bed 4, intersowed spring onion seeds among onions; intersowed radish seeds among celery
- in Bed 2, improved netting rooftop.
- watered using hose (is this as gripping to you as it is to us?)
10 June 2007:
- planted courgette seedling x 2 and pumpkin seedling (award in the bag, basically) in compost heap.
So there we are. This blog is taking more time than the allotment.
And
17 June 2007 - our fifth Sunday in the allotment
So, following the shed saga of yesterday, we got up bright and early. Himself is always pleased when there's a bit of manly derring-do with hammer, nails and wood, especially when it is of the structural variety. I knew there were weeding chores to do, and some pondering as to the likely location of various vegetables. Not to mention sheds.
If you want a progress report on the actual vegetables, just rest easy knowing that most of what we have put in is growing, though the grass is sometimes greener on the other side (in other allotments). The potatoes (which are maincrop and will be yummy in October) are beginning to look more confident and every time we go (which is not that often really) another shoot thingy has emerged. There are some monster plants amongst them though, which puzzles us somewhat. I guess it's Darwin. 15 out of 28 so far have come up.
Back to the shed then. After the usual "we've forgotten x so Kim will go back to the house and get it" distraction (hey, we didn't tell you yet that we only live 5 mins walk away which is very cool in allotment ownership terms), the shed construction begins. There was a bit of a wobble when I mentioned that the shed base was wobbly. It wasn't really wobbly, it just didn't go down at the end properly. Anyhoo. After a little refreshment and reflection it was back to the shed and the really exciting bit of putting the walls together. There was a tiny incident involving one of the windows, but really it only adds to the indefinable esprit d'allotment (a crack in the corner - whose shed wouldn't benefit from a small crack in one of the windows?). The walls fitted together really well after some judicious hammering. And then to cap it all, the roof went on. It was like a Wendy House but serious. The best shed ever and we have put our tools and other exciting gear there. I intend to buy flasks so we can have a cup of tea inside, assuming we get something to sit on too.
While the shed was in its last stages (the door), I went back to the weeding. The bloody damnable bloody weeding. The weeds are happy, healthy and strong. They love our soil and beam back at me innocently as I reach down to tweak them out of the soil, hopefully with their roots en train. I also had the very pleasant task of thinning the radish seedlings. This is much more difficult than it sounds but strangely rewarding. Again, it's Darwinism but am I Darwin? Mmm. Don't know.
We then went to the pub for Sunday lunch. We had got so carried away by the glory of the shed that we nearly missed lunch. Luckily for us the landlord took pity/raided the bin, and rustled something tasty up. A couple of beers too (shandy for me). Virtue is not necessarily its own reward.
Progress thereafter was slower and rather more ponderous. Weighed down by Sunday lunch and beer, we puttered and pondered. Incidents with heavy duty staplers, strimmers and shifting of compost/grass from one place to another took place against the gathering feeling of immense tiredness in the leg and back area. They say gardening is good for you. It sure hurts you at the same time.
The big problem is the fence, but we made a start on it before saying farewell for another few days. The start being to agree a strategy that involved the heavy-duty stapler and the sledgehammer. The fence, like the shed, will make us real allotment people. Then we'll have to turn our attention, finally, to cultivating the plot and growing stuff.
Friends: Clare and Chris gave us a lettuce; their allotment is highly organised and productive. Woman across the way with dog called Leo told us various people are complaining to the council about the rabbits. Man hacking down the Forest of Nettles which is where the rabbits live - day 2 of his allotment ownership.
Enemies: White Cabbage Butterfly. Nettles, weeds and anything invasive we have not put in the soil and is not cute. Rabbits. Rabbits. Rabbits.
Weather: sunny and overcast at times. Nice weather for being outside.
Pickings: 1.5 raspberries.
Over and out.
If you want a progress report on the actual vegetables, just rest easy knowing that most of what we have put in is growing, though the grass is sometimes greener on the other side (in other allotments). The potatoes (which are maincrop and will be yummy in October) are beginning to look more confident and every time we go (which is not that often really) another shoot thingy has emerged. There are some monster plants amongst them though, which puzzles us somewhat. I guess it's Darwin. 15 out of 28 so far have come up.
Back to the shed then. After the usual "we've forgotten x so Kim will go back to the house and get it" distraction (hey, we didn't tell you yet that we only live 5 mins walk away which is very cool in allotment ownership terms), the shed construction begins. There was a bit of a wobble when I mentioned that the shed base was wobbly. It wasn't really wobbly, it just didn't go down at the end properly. Anyhoo. After a little refreshment and reflection it was back to the shed and the really exciting bit of putting the walls together. There was a tiny incident involving one of the windows, but really it only adds to the indefinable esprit d'allotment (a crack in the corner - whose shed wouldn't benefit from a small crack in one of the windows?). The walls fitted together really well after some judicious hammering. And then to cap it all, the roof went on. It was like a Wendy House but serious. The best shed ever and we have put our tools and other exciting gear there. I intend to buy flasks so we can have a cup of tea inside, assuming we get something to sit on too.
While the shed was in its last stages (the door), I went back to the weeding. The bloody damnable bloody weeding. The weeds are happy, healthy and strong. They love our soil and beam back at me innocently as I reach down to tweak them out of the soil, hopefully with their roots en train. I also had the very pleasant task of thinning the radish seedlings. This is much more difficult than it sounds but strangely rewarding. Again, it's Darwinism but am I Darwin? Mmm. Don't know.
We then went to the pub for Sunday lunch. We had got so carried away by the glory of the shed that we nearly missed lunch. Luckily for us the landlord took pity/raided the bin, and rustled something tasty up. A couple of beers too (shandy for me). Virtue is not necessarily its own reward.
Progress thereafter was slower and rather more ponderous. Weighed down by Sunday lunch and beer, we puttered and pondered. Incidents with heavy duty staplers, strimmers and shifting of compost/grass from one place to another took place against the gathering feeling of immense tiredness in the leg and back area. They say gardening is good for you. It sure hurts you at the same time.
The big problem is the fence, but we made a start on it before saying farewell for another few days. The start being to agree a strategy that involved the heavy-duty stapler and the sledgehammer. The fence, like the shed, will make us real allotment people. Then we'll have to turn our attention, finally, to cultivating the plot and growing stuff.Friends: Clare and Chris gave us a lettuce; their allotment is highly organised and productive. Woman across the way with dog called Leo told us various people are complaining to the council about the rabbits. Man hacking down the Forest of Nettles which is where the rabbits live - day 2 of his allotment ownership.
Enemies: White Cabbage Butterfly. Nettles, weeds and anything invasive we have not put in the soil and is not cute. Rabbits. Rabbits. Rabbits.
Weather: sunny and overcast at times. Nice weather for being outside.
Pickings: 1.5 raspberries.
Over and out.
Saturday, 16 June 2007
16 June 2007
Bear with us - a full history of a first month as plotters will follow. Meanwhile, we need to get today on record.Kim bought a shed on eBay (£70) and this morning (Saturday) we hooked up our medium-sized trailer to our car and ventured into St Albans to dismantle the shed and take it home for installation on the allotment.
Nice couple, with two toddler boys. The shed was rustic (which is what we wanted) and whole. It looked pleasingly well-used. It came apart relatively easily (hammer). and we soon had a rustic-looking shed in flatpack form.
It fit into the trailer - once we had removed the tailgate. Thankfully the man of the house was a physicist, and advised on effective arrangement of the panels (which stuck up a good eight feet off the ground) for aerodynamics and stability. A tepee-like solution emerged.
With joy in our hearts, we set off around the corner. Our moods turned at the first turn. The flimsy tin walls of our plucky medium-sized trailer proved no match for the g-forces of the shed walls. One side crumpled a bit, but enough to raise profound questions about our continued roadworthiness.
So, Nicholas wheeled the trailer plus shed back to the shed's former owners' driveway. We then shuffled off to rent a van (£58) for the day.
In the end, the shed is in pieces on our allotment, ready for construction tomorrow (if the skies are clear).
Reluctantly, we purchased (rather than found) some rubber tile-thingies for the shed base to sit on. Reluctantly, because most of our equipment so far has been recovered from the local recycling centre or from people's skips (often with permission). We never noticed how many wooden pallets there are, waiting to become landfill. We are going to make a compost holder with them and a gate to fit into the as yet non-existent perimeter fence. (And, in due course, a fort - N.)
Today's discoveries: two ripe raspberries. And more potato plants are emerging (which will mean more to you when we have provided the history of our allotment's first month. Right now, though, we have to go watch Doctor Who from behind the sofa.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
BLOG blog Day 1: 14 June 2007
Welcome to the blog for Nicholas and Kim's Burydell Lane allotment. It will blossom like our flowers and ripen like our vegetables. We pledge to plant items and weed conscientiously.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)