1/2 March - Mad March Hare

What a way to celebrate a birthday - yes gentle reader, it was K's birthday on 1 March, so many happy returns were expressed.

Some very good time was spent in Aylett's garden centre on the actual day, purchasing the following: Apple tree (Cox), Apple tree (Scrumptious) - both the second size up from dwarf - and several varieties of Euphorbia for the garden. We also splurged on a blueberry bush, six replacement Elsanta strawberry plants and a fruit cage net pack. We did look on the internet but frankly it was too difficult to work out the price per metre and this looked as though it could do the job, which was to cover a fairly eccentric large wooden structure (yes, I mean the Pagoda).

We were very struck by the complications of buying fruit trees - they have to be of the same number pollinating group or else the "business" doesn't get done, they come in a variety of structures and arrangements, and some even coexist on the same tree. Weird. We will return and get a cherry tree.

We get to the plot and are overjoyed to see the daffodills out on the bank. The water is not on yet so we had to bring some water for the new trees. N dug large holes for the two new trees and the blueberry bush (in the Pagoda of course) and worked out a cunning way to give the trees some good support. The strawberries went in and were mulched with some of the very handy (and free) wood chips. This should keep the fruit dry and provide some protection for the plants. If we were the Prime Minister, our catchphrase would be "Protection, protection, protection".

K planted the Solent Wight garlic, purchased so long ago now. It turns out that there are nearly sixty cloves to plant which is a heck of a lot of garlic. It now takes up a lot of space in one bed, next to the Elephant garlic (pictured). I worry that already the bed planting is in jeopardy and that we have created a garlic monster. Can we plant things in between? Would there be enough room for carrots, say? We know that onions and carrots make good companions and that onions keep away the Dreaded Carrot Fly. Guess the same is true of garlic. We see how easy it is not to stick to the plan.

Today was a somewhat subdued start but soon the plot worked its magic. We also had good chats with the Nettle Guy (Derek) and Pat and Jan. All the plot holders have been invited to a meeting held by the Council to discuss vandalism and security. We can't go, but others will be there. We think that now is a good time to get our Allotment Society going and quickly allot (ho ho) roles. I have to find the venue for the first meeting to which all plotholders will be invited, Jan has to speak to the Council lady and so on. All very (bio)dynamic.

After the politics it is a welcome relief to return to our primary task of the day - covering the Pagoda with the fruit net. It's a bit tricky but we manage it in the end. The net is very fine so you actually cannot see it at a distance. But it is good to know that it is now finally done. We think about sticking up some bird scarers (old CDs).

In a bid to improve our social area, we remove the carpet and dig it all over. The idea is to prepare it for sowing grass seeds. We think it will be nice to have a good patch of grass as our social area so we will sow them next week after giving any nasty weeds the chance to make an appearnace. We stamp and walk on the raked earth. Inspired by this, we dig over the seed bed in the Pagoda and put a little path around it (from the free clippings). It really is beginning to look quite good.

Back home, the broccoli, sunflower and leek seedlings have made good starts. Not so the Tagetes (French marigold) which seems to have just gone poop. No signs of our onion seedlings yet. We nearly planted the seed potatoes today because the weather is so nice, but were warned against it for another couple of weeks. I think we will try to be brave and sow seeds directly in the soil rather than start everything off as seedlings - next week, I am determined to sow cabbage seeds in the seed bed, and also leeks/broccoli, as a comparison.

We have learnt so many new things since we started plotting, not least the importance of timing and instinct.

Geese enjoying the awakenings of spring (turn your head to appreciate fully.)

Weather note: fab, sunny, mild - perfect weather for catching out the unwary.