Apologies for late posting but hopefully our readers will understand - and even perhaps rejoice for us after reading this post.
We were away the weekend before so Saturday 10 May saw us putting in a lot of hours on the plot. Glorious sunny weather made us sweat somewhat but it was worth it.
Because the weather had made everything start to grow (except some notable exceptions - see below), including the border weeds around our pathways, we took drastic action by spreading black plastic topped with (free) clippings to make weedproof paths and borders within the main perimeter. We simply cannot face having to hack back weeds every time we visit. It is a job well done in the end.
We still have to trim weeds nonetheless, with the aid of Pat's trusty strimmer and shears. But a lot less daunting than before.
Aside from weeds, everything looks happy. The first early potatoes are coming through nicely, as are the seeds I planted in the seedbed a while back (purple sprouting broccoli, winter cabbage and kale).
And as for the broccoli and sunflower seedlings, they are terrific. Much better than the ones we sowed at home earlier and moved to the plot, though the broccoli thus transplanted to bed 4 is doing well too. It is covered with enviromesh to defeat the White Cabbage Butterfly.
The peas required some remedial work as we abandoned the twiggy stick approach for a more formal set of small bamboo frames covered in netting. These have been covered by fruit netting, and the peas look heavenly.
Carrots and onions are now beginning to be distinguishable from the weeds. We have diligently hoed the beds to keep the weeds out as far as possible - little and often is the old adage.
The sweet peas planted in the cold a few weeks back are sprouting in the Pagoda and the strawberries are flowering. The summer raspberries are showing signs of growth.
We are concerned about one of our apple trees which appeared to be far too attractive to ants - indeed we have loads of ants and are unsure whether they are Good or Bad. We hope the former.
Another concern are the beans and corn planted by Louis a couple of weeks before. No sign at all of the latter, and only 2 of the beans have appeared. We think Mr Mouse has been at them, because the weather has been too good for there not to be sprouting. We have had to revert to Plan B and sow some emergency beans and corn at home. If necessary we will buy some corn seedlings so that we can still do our 3 sisters planting in bed 3 which now has 4 fat courgette seedlings installed in readiness.
At home we have butternut squash seedlings, giant pumpkin seedlings, various leeks and other goodies donated to us by Pat and Jan, and the good folk of St Stephens Garden Club at the annual bring and buy sale. We proudly conveyed a tiny tray of 4 sunflower seedlings, 2 giant pumpkin plants, 3 modest leeks and 2 courgettes. To our amazement, we actually sold some of these to Mr G though we did purchase some of his amazing leek seedlings. (I can see that we are going to turn into a mini-Leek Farm. We do like a leek. Not sure where they are all going to go.)
And so to our big news. Such is our love of the plot that we chose to include it in our Wedding Day Schedule. Yes, gentle readers, our knot was duly tied on May Day and we happily lurched to the plot - N in his new matrimonial jumper - to celebrate and so our witnesses (The Neighbours) and Oscar Dog could chuck confetti around.
We are grateful to Derek (aka Allotment Association Chair) who kindly took a photo for us after we interrupted his peaceful afternoon. We will probably be chucked off the Association now for unbecoming behaviour. Thanks are due to The Neighbours for being great witnesses and true friends.
We are now Mr and Mrs Plotholder! Vive la mariage! Apres moi la deluge! (Or maybe not.)
A quick trip to the plot this weekend as the weather yesterday was cold and inclement.
It was also quick because we attended a local ceremony to add two more names to the War Memorial, two local soldiers who had died in the Falklands and Afghanistan. Combined with the death of one of our neighbours over the road last week and the funeral of a friend on Friday, our thoughts have been on the more sombre side of the cycle of life.
It was with some relief we made our quick visit towards the end of the afternoon to find that the first of the carrot tops are just showing, more peas have popped up, our seedbed inhabitants are doing well especially the 
sunflowers, and the garlic is continuing to thrive.
Everything looked dry so we watered, only then for rain to start falling as soon as we had finished.
N put the finishing touches to the integrity of the Pagoda, by stapling up the last of the netting.
We also put soil improver on the seedbed, and sowed January King cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli and kale. Interestingly there weren't that many seeds in the kale packet so I just put them all in. Maybe because of their eventual size?
N planted some giant sunflower seeds along the bank and a load of wildflower seeds which will look real purty if they all come up.
At home, our broccoli and leek seedlings are doing well, and courgette, marigold and sweetcorn are just poking through.
The allotment as a whole shows lots of sign of work, digging and activity. Bean poles are up and potato beds made. It seemed to us as we left the allotment that it was just poised for action and conditions to really get going - warmth and sun. The forecast indicates rising temperatures towards the end of the week so here's hoping.
Pictures (from top): Checking potatoes for emerging shoots (none yet); more apple blossom; elephant garlic thriving; and peas in the Fruit Cage.
To our local gardening club to pick up bamboo poles for our beans and some topsoil. Weather note: sunny, cloudy, stormy, rainy, not warm - something for everyone
Then along to survey progress of the crops planted two weeks ago.
Much joy, loyal readers, as sun, rain and water have transformed our dried peas into seedlings. We also note first appearance of leek seedlings in the seed bed that look like tiny grass (sown a long time ago now), and on-going broccoli and cabbage seedling progress, snug in their home-made cloches etc.
The peas which began their life in guttering on our conservatory windowsill are also ready for planting in the fruit cage.
Also the apple trees are budding. 
It's time for our main-crop potatoes to join the early crop comrades. 20 planted today.
Finally, Raised Bed 3 is uncovered and the bamboo poles are put to use as the frame for our beans. At the base of each pole is some of our own home-made compost.
The Neighbours breach plot security to join us with Oscar Dog, who meets Leo Dog.
Much joy all round.
Looking forward to the harvest.
(Note by K: this will be an Allotment Society-free blog. Though there is much going on, we will remain true to the original mission of our blog. Which is to entertain you with the little goings-on in our own particular patch of earth.)
Pop up this morning because K wants me to see something.
But first encounter our ladies and discuss Thursday's meeting of interested Burydell Lane plotholders. All agree it was encouragingly well attended and exceptionally well chaired. Some venting and moaning allowed, but the group's collective attention drawn to the subject at hand: do we wish to form some sort of association, with an intitial aim of acquiring more clout in dealing with the local council? Yes, resoundingly, yes. Volunteers were acquired to be committee members and some officers appointed including K as Secretary (you can expect much more on this in due course).
They've been tasked with going away and sorting out a constitution, figuring out what legal status the group will have, and then enlisting as many plotholders as possible. Beyond lobbying the council (eg for security, repairs, waste handling), an association opens up possibilities of attracting development funding etc.
It turns out that K wanted me to see our new lawn (right). After a worrying lack of progress, new shoots are now poking their way through the stony soil, a hopeful sign of spring settling in.
Also below: the seedbed broccoli and sunflowers; and their further protection and enhancement with plastic bottle tops and bottoms; the buds appearing on one of our apple trees; the thriving Elephant Garlic; and the comfrey settling in.
Celebrate spring!
True to our word, we are once again back in the land of almost synchronous blogging.
Today was a perfect spring day, the first nice day since last week some time. We have been benighted with wind and rain and have used our time off to improve matters in the (home) garden. We did nip up to the plot last week very quickly to plant six more strawberry plants - Hapil - but as it was so whistlestop we didn't bother recording anything. We also had a quick visit from our friend Mr B who is mightily impressed with the plot.
Whilst garden activity was paramount, we also spent time sorting out the seeds we are planting from home. The broccoli and leek seedlings seem to be OK in the coldframe (now with hinged lid - cool), the peas planted in the gutters are springing up and the onion seedlings were priced out to little peat pots.
We also sowed all sorts of other seeds - tomatoes (3 sorts), basil, parsley, aubergine, courgette, sweetcorn (2 sorts), butternut squash, marigolds (again), sunflowers (ditto) and lettuce. They are snug and warm in new propagators in a new plastic greenhouse thingy nice and handy for the house.
But today was a different matter. We actually sowed seeds in the ground that you, dear reader, have seen being so lovingly tended over the last few cold months. The earth now is a revelation following its uncovering after winter months under plastic - after all the rain and cold, it is now warm crumbly brown soft soil that responds to hoeing and raking. N once more amazed, as he was by the luscious soil our original compost pile became.
In the garlic bed (Bed 1) we added 3 rows of carrots (Flyaway), 4 rows of radishes and 4 rows of salad leaves in between garlic rows. Both garlics are looking good. No vampire trouble for us methinks and who knows, Elephant Garlic might win a prize at the local produce show.
We unveiled Bed 2 and sowed the following - 4 rows Excellenz and 2 rows Kelvedon Wonder peas; 1 row Napoleon onion; 1 row Red baron onion; 2 rows of Harlequin carrots (leaving room for successional sowings). Both beds covered anew with the eco-mesh (bar the Elephants, who can hold their own against birds).In a daring move, 2 small rows of each of the onions was planted in the Pagoda in between the summer raspberries as they are not going to do much at all this first year. N was dubious (nothing new) but I am confident onions and raspberries will get along perfectly well.
Also in the Fruit Cage, our second blueberry bush planted - so they can, err-hm, stimulate each other. Both now sitting comfortably on ericaceous compost.
An inspection of the seedbed revealed a scattering of seedlings which were later identified as broccoli. We have put home-made cloches (bottle tops) over them to give them some protection. Remember this is Ironman broccoli though so it is well-hard innit - it is the first of the seedlings to appear. Nothing yet from the others, nor from the grass seed - we may need to make do with a leisure area of dirt and stones.
Nice chats with our plot neighbours, including Leo the dog who is most friendly. (N adds that there were some remarks questioning the perpendicularity of his Fruit Cage construction. Pshaw - all he cares is that it's still standing.) The ladies are pondering the addition of a greenhouse to their bank, and this makes us consider how to make the most of ours. It already has daffodils, and may be home to our pumpkin crop, perhaps also courgette (zucchini) and anything else rabbits don't eat.
We have a new neighbour who is clearing out the plot opposite. We try to offer encouragement. He has lived in the village for 30 years so it goes to show that it is never too late to get into allotmenteering.
We are all geared up for the open meeting in the Falcon on Thursday. And very excited about the real prospect of actually growing things properly now.
I don't know what happened. We just lost the momentum for a bit, distracted by trivial non-plot matters such as the felling of a tree in our garden, our cat's first rabbit of the season and such. But we will try now and capture for you two weekends worth of plot activity on 8/9 and 15 March. Because we don't want you to think that we have lost interest in the plot - far from it.
(The thing I am realising about blogging is that it's really meant to be contemporaneous, not a Proustian gathering of thoughts. Is it better not to blog if you leave it too long to remember the minutiae? We have probably deprived you of a better quality blog because we have now forgotten some infinitesimal moment that you would have enjoyed. On the other hand, the act of remembrance can be a great editor and maybe the reader appreciates that more.)
8/9 March
A lot of seed action. We have got Red Baron and Napoleon onions sown at home in a seedtray just showing. We moved the brave broccoli and leek seedlings to the garden cold frame and sowed 2 small gutters worth of Excellencz and Kelveden Wonder which perch nicely on the conservatory window ledge.
On the plot, we prepared the new seed bed (located now in the Pagoda if you recall - keep up) by hoeing, raking and putting some of the nice pumpkin soil on. We then actually sowed the first seeds in the seed bed - cabbage (Primo), broccoli and leeks (Ironman and Malabar - as an experiment to see they do better than the home sown ones), sunflower.
We also sowed the grass seeds for our lawn. All very therapeutic. No garlic showing as yet but we decided to lift up the Enviromesh from the elephant garlic as it is so big and strong. The comfrey is looking good.
The weather was nice and mild and we had lots of feedback from Jan who had gone to the Council's allotment meeting. Seemingly, the Cottonmill Lane site has security problems that make ours look like toytown so we feel very lucky. The Council are happy to act as postman for our plotholders to arrange an open meeting. I have booked the Falcon pub to host the evening.
Also a spring tidy for our plot shed. A tidy shed is a tidy mind.
Our allotment lock. Very old skool.
14/15 March
Very exciting - we plant our first Early potatoes - Arran Pilot. They had chitted long and hard and were definitely ready for the off.
We also planted some Belle de Fontenay potatoes purchased from Homebase as a sort of comparison on a hastily improvised bed next to the comfrey previously covered with carpet. We work out the distances between rows and potatoes very seriously and wonder if we have left enough room for the maincrops which need more space.
The garlic planted two weeks ago (or maybe more in Blogland?) is now showing. The daffodills are looking fab, including the few that have sprouted up uninvited in the plot. We carefully allow for them when moving or doing pathways. They could be very old.
One of the autumn raspberry canes already has tiny little leaves.
The weather did an about turn overnight so Sunday was meant a dash in the rain to sow sweet peas around the inside of the Pagoda. We have lovely ideas of a fragrant monument to lure in the bees and nice insects. We have to sow them even though it is nasty wet and cold because the seeds have been soaked overnight in warm water, like it says on the packet, so we can't leave them otherwise they will go mouldy.
We promise we will be better bloggers.
Apologies for late posting but hopefully our readers will understand - and even perhaps rejoice for us after reading this post.
We still have to trim weeds nonetheless, with the aid of Pat's trusty strimmer and shears. But a lot less daunting than before.
We are concerned about one of our apple trees which appeared to be far too attractive to ants - indeed we have loads of ants and are unsure whether they are Good or Bad. We hope the former.
At home we have butternut squash seedlings, giant pumpkin seedlings, various leeks and other goodies donated to us by Pat and Jan, and the good folk of St Stephens Garden Club at the annual bring and buy sale. We proudly conveyed a tiny tray of 4 sunflower seedlings, 2 giant pumpkin plants, 3 modest leeks and 2 courgettes. To our amazement, we actually sold some of these to Mr G though we did purchase some of his amazing leek seedlings. (I can see that we are going to turn into a mini-Leek Farm. We do like a leek. Not sure where they are all going to go.)
And so to our big news. Such is our love of the plot that we chose to include it in our Wedding Day Schedule. Yes, gentle readers, our knot was duly tied on May Day and we happily lurched to the plot - N in his new matrimonial jumper - to celebrate and so our witnesses (The Neighbours) and Oscar Dog could chuck confetti around.
We are grateful to Derek (aka Allotment Association Chair) who kindly took a photo for us after we interrupted his peaceful afternoon. We will probably be chucked off the Association now for unbecoming behaviour. Thanks are due to The Neighbours for being great witnesses and true friends.
We are now Mr and Mrs Plotholder! Vive la mariage! Apres moi la deluge! (Or maybe not.)
