23/24 May - Prose Special!

This post there will be no pictures - just didn't take any as there is so much else to distract in the plot. I'll try to make the prose come alive.

On Friday 23rd, K nipped up on her own for a quick check on the courgettes, beans and corn, planted the previous weekend. Alas the corn was looking droopy and dry, the courgettes apathetic and the beans looking frankly weedy. Homemade compost mulch was quickly applied around the base of each plant and the first Magic Rotating Compost Juice was applied. And of course water. K was disturbed to find the Pagoda peas had all been munched - by mice it would seem. And indeed there is now a groundswell of negativity about mice. They have been at our neighbours' carrots and peas. And no doubt at our sown corn and beans in Bed D. There is poison put down near our shed and Jan and Pat have even got mousetraps. If it isn't one varmint, it's another.

Also Jack Frost has nipped people's potatoes and I hear has wiped out some people's beans. But, strangely, not ours. We must be outside the "frost pocket". That somehow makes up for the frustrated start with the beans and corn.

The Saturday was productive. Surprisingly so as we had been planning to go away but a combination of weather forecast and work commitments had sadly scuppered that. We planted butternut squash and mini-pop corn (both of which happily flourishing from home) in Bed D, weeded and strimmed.

Two giant pumpkin plants were placed in their new homes - one next to the shed (where the mice seem to have their HQ so we're hoping they don't eat pumpkin) and one in the pallet compost thing. As all our pumpkins came up, we found ourselves in the happy position of having largesse to distribute to our neighbours. Two took a seedling.

It is an interesting business, this, the getting of seedlings. You can go to a lot of trouble, do research on-line or in mags, buy seeds off the internet, sow them, they don't come up, you go to the garden centre in desperation, buy some more any old mongrel variety, then your neighbours give you some for free, of an unspecified variety also, so then you have a glut of plants of whose origin you are uncertain. I think the maths does work out in the end but impossible to judge the consequences of not keeping to the original plan. And also how many runner bean plants equals a pumpkin seedling?

Thus we acquired some more runner beans and french beans. The former have been imaginatively placed in the Pagoda to climb up twiggy sticks until they get to proper beams to climb on; and the french beans, plus the extra ones we had bought, got stuck into the wigwam which had extra poles in and netting over the top. We should have enough beans - remember we have some at home too.

Potatoes are looking very good and were duly earthed up. The garlic is beginning to go yellow round the edges and the elephant garlic flowers are poking up. Methinks it might not be too long before the garlic "goes over" (technical term). We should have around 50 bulbs of garlic, if all works out. And space for the leeks, hurrah.

Carrots, onions, leeks and broccoli/cabbage/kale seedlings were thinned. It is most gratifying to see how strong all the seedlings are. It was not easy to choose the candidates for the chop as they all looked healthy, but they need space to grow. The leek and onion plants sown from seed directly into the ground are now also beginning to look defined, thicker-stemmed. (Did we mention the leek glut? We now have leek seedlings from home, leeks in the soil, Mr G's leeks and Sainsbury's leeks.) I worry that I didn't thin the carrots sufficiently discreetly to foil the Dreaded Carrot Fly. We must sow some more carrots and radish. All other salad type crops we will grow at home in a new vegetable patch.

In the Pagoda, we are still concerned about the ants. Jan tells me that it is the aphids that they like which are on the tree. We will have to do something about it as it stresses the tree (quite naturally). The strawberries are flowering and some even have fruit. Otherwise the blueberry bushes have flowered and the raspberries are roaring away. We even have flowers on one autumn plant already.

Weather note: sunny, cloudy, warmish, fat drops of rain occasionally

And then the heavens open on Sunday, so no trips to the plot. And the rain is still falling on Monday. Very good for the dry old plot. Even though we water, it is not the same as good rain.

19 May 2008 - Rocket Man

More pictures, because they're more interesting than text. Still a bit tired from the fete (our local village bi-ennial event which was a rip-roaring success).

Pictures in no particular order: rampant rocket. Think we might have oversown. Then, lovely happy peas. (Though we have to beware of Mice.)

Our first real compromise. We had to buy corn seedings from the garden centre as ours did not emerge. Also the courgettes are looking smaller than we anticipated. Have removed protective cloche.

Then there is the flower bud of the Elephant Garlic. Apparently we have to lop this before they flower. Sob.

Potatoes are looking good. As are the fantastic giant sunflower seedlings, next to the various broccoli, kale and cabbage in the pagoda. Our anti-rabbit protection appears to be holding up. As remarked earlier these broccoli sown in cold February seem hardier than their more cossetted siblings - see below.

Bed 4 with the new (bought from the garden centre alas - the other beans sown by Louis have not come up or if they have they have been chewed).

So a lesson is - sow beans and corn at home before planting out and not the brassicas. We have been warned of Mice and indeed spotted one/two darting from the shed to the woodpile. Jan and Pat have put down an organic deterrent in our plot which we hope works - mice have been at their peas. It is odd how they have ignored ours. But they have definitely scuppered our sown corn and beans, so that plan is scrapped. However we will press on - mice notwithstanding or nibbling.

Another lesson is to get the bank sorted before the weeds grow. They are now enormous and it will be a miracle if we get to see the sunflowers.

Weather note: sunny/cloudy, cooler than the previous glorious two weeks.

10 May 2008 - Confetti and weeds

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.)

26/28 April 2008 - Spring (really)

First, a visit from K's sister and her family, including two future gardeners (allotment slaves).

Louis puts our (his) beans in. We are going to sow two lots - he chose Montano. 3 beans to each pole. Much watering. He also planted nasturtiums in the Pagoda. Beautiful weather - lots of people out. Family very impressed with our progress.

Back today for more concerted effort. Peas coming up strong, carrots and some onions showing. Thin rocket. Weeding around the plot. Housekeeping with black plastic, etc. Strawberries showing flowers. Summer raspberries showing signs of growth. Sweet peas in Pagoda some showing. Hoeing the seed bed. Difficulty of discerning cabbage seedlings but broccoli and sunflower doing well. Some leeks evident.

Unveiled final bed and transplanted broccoli sown from seed from home. Protected by home-made cloches.

Transplanted onions sown from seed from home to bed 3 (corn bed). Sweetcorn Incredible F1 seeds sown in bed 3 (experiment as we have started others at home).

Twiggy sticks for the peas in the Pagoda. Weather much nicer in the late afternoon.

Pics (from top): Deputy Bean Planter (Acting); Assistant Chief Waterer; our first strawberry flower; the peas thriving; K's sister's family; the broccoli seedlings in situ; and the new netting for the peas. Sorry the lack of quality in picture arrangement - there is much to love about Blogger, but arranging your pages, text and photos isn't one of them.

20 April 2008 - Poised for action

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.

13 April 2008 - From shelf to soil

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.)

5 April 2008 - A new leaf on life

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!