24 February - Plotting

Yesterday we went on a whistle-stop tour of the plot with our friends Mr B and L from Suffolk (he who donated the original raspberry bush).

They duly admired and wondered at the amazing Pagoda-like structure that is the cage. And the daffodills are coming out on the bank. And the Elephant garlic is looking good.

We went back today and spent a most useful few hours sorting out bits and bobs. The weather was perfect - mild and sunny, bringing out a rash of allotmenteers and ramblers. It is hard not to feel the sap rising (missus) on a day like this and plant stuff all over the place - but softly, softly gentle reader. First, we have to feel confident that we have defeated Bunny, otherwise we may as well stick with the Ocado deliveries. Second, it is still very early in the outside growing year and we must not get frostbite.

In the last instalment we reported the sowing of seeds thus: French Marigold, Sunflower, Broccoli (Ironman) and Leek (Malabar). Two weeks of tending has resulted in some thriving seedlings, though the leeks are very hard to see at present and one tray of French Marigolds (no not exotic rubber gloves) has not yet sprung. The potatoes are chitting nicely in our conservatory. One thing that is difficult is what temperature seeds need - broccoli and leeks need cold but other things warmer climes. To enable us to be more seed-focussed, we have brought back the cold frame from the plot and installed it in the garden. This morning we sowed our onion seeds - more macho guys - Red Baron and Napoleon. We ponder the merits of planting sets (baby onions) but like the idea of doing it completely from scratch. We also intend to plant some things directly into the ground (cabbage, leek, broccoli) by way of experiment.

Today our priority was to finish securing the fence so that Bunny cannot wriggle through the gap between the top and bottom layers and put wire fencing around the fruit cage so that we can plant things direct. N carried out some slight enhancements - ahem - to the Pagoda. I remark that its unique combination of angles can make a person feel slightly giddy when looking at it.

Due to the loveliness of the weather, we get our deckchairs out and have an allotment lunch and cup of tea. Fantastic. We think of long summer days spent out in the plot, always assuming we have a summer this year of course.

Much chat with various allotment neighbours. The talk is dark and mutinous and we are going to ask Mr G whether an allotment user group can be formed. We (that is, us and Jan and Pat) think we need to have a collective way of lobbying the council to improve site security in a concerted bid to eliminate Bunny. Unfortunately we all spend much more time thinking about rabbitproofing than actually growing and it is expensive - it is also driving plotholders off the allotment. We have had enough. We are revolting. We also think it would be nice and neighbourly to organise an allotment barbie in the summer.

One positive side-effect of the rumoured departure of one of the plotholders is that he has said we can dig up some of his comfrey. This is great news and will save us having to do it from scratch. N and I duly dig up one patch which divides up into 16 or so plantlets. We marvel at the size of the roots which are truly enormous and now understand why comfrey can be a mixed blessing. We have planted it in the very corner of the plot next to the compost pallet thingies. We hope that we can organise first dibs on the netting and possibly fruit trees of the departing plotholder.

We finish laying down bark chips on the paths between the raised beds which now looks right posh and belatedly realise that we could have had chippings for free from the great pile next to the allotment entrance but never mind. At least we bought our chippings from the St Stephens Garden Society Shop (open 2-4 on Saturdays).

Our last task was to identify the area in the Pagoda which will be the seedbed. We duly covered the area with more mushroom compost and black plastic. In a couple of weeks after some dedicated hoeing and raking, it will be ready for seeds. And we will be ready - maybe - to plant our potatoes. Everything to play for, now the plot is secure. We leave in a haze of pleasant anticipation and well-being.

Sorry that some of the photos are not upright - still working on that skill.