7 July 2007 - Live Earth Day in the allotment

Another weekend, more dirt under the fingernails.

Went to the garden centre - heads a bit heavy from an encounter last night with our neighbours Chris and Liz, and their vat of rose wine. Examined things you insert in the ground to form borders, but realised we would have to buy 400 of them to enclose our plot. Decided not to. As a technique to avoid thinking about the perimeter, we stocked up on black plastic sheeting (20 metres) and set off the cover most of the plot - in order to suppress weeds and improve the soil. It's either that or tackle the undergrowth on a regular basis.

Also bought shears, and a soil tester so we can ignore its warnings about our soil's potential (or lack thereof).

The plastic went on smoothly, and N then got to work weeding around the potato plants, about seven of whom are thriving - two have flowers, which is very exciting and indicates, we believe, actual potatoes growing. Then, 'earthing up' (see fact sheet GG9) to protect the tubers from blight.



Also, the courgette (zucchini) and Giant Pumpkin in the compost heap are thriving. Their companion courgette has gone to a better place - fucking rabbits.

Meanwhile, much delicate weeding of Beds 4 and 5. And further sowing of spring onions and radishes. Have written off Mr Birt's magic beans (and want cow back). More seeds to sow tomorrow.

And harvest of several radishes, one lettuce (a bit chewed) and a batch of spring onions. Tonight, we eat like kings.

The aforementioned neighbours spent the afternoon trimming a tree between our properties and then chucked a bag of leaves into our garden. (Everyone else in Hertfordshire is so nice.) In due course, this matter will become compost for next year's crops. See how far we are thinking ahead?

First Mate is downstairs now conducting the soil test. If you're lucky, there'll be a video.

Weather: glorious for a change. Much rain of late.

Injuries: N stung by nettle. Bearing up, v brave.