I am H A P P Y !

[Mrs Ava]

What a glorious day here in Essex.  People walking around showing more flesh that I am sure is sensible in late April, everyone smiling and chatty - what a wonderful day.

So, got myself down to the allotment for the first time in 10 days due to hols in Devon and no car for a few days.  WOW!

All spuds are through, way through, so earthed them up.
A lovely thick row of Rocket under my fleece, altho no carrots at all - sowed a further 2 rows - 2 different types.
Parsnip seedlings all growing strong and direct sown parsips all germinated.
Beetroot seedlings have been bothered by the birds so 50% have gone, those remain look good though.  Sowed a further 2 rows - 2 different types.
Kohl Rabi is bulking up and the stems already look as though they are thickening up.
Caulis growing lovely and strong.  The wire is certainly keeping the pigeons off.
Autumn broad beans in full flower and a few baby beans have appeared.  Spring broadies growing lovely and thick and strong.
Spinach germinated. Spring onions germinated.
Sowed half a row of turnip, swede, lettuce, radish.  
Something is still nibbling my peas - apparently pheasants have been known to graze beans and peas on our plot, so put lots more spikey twigs in.  Pleased though as I was going to give up on peas, but as I weeded around them I noticed that masses have germiated.
Planted Pak choi and italian lettuce plantlets.
Protected everything I could, and left with the biggest grin on my face EVER!  Hopefully I will be back on the plot tomorrow as I have some serious digging to do on the new patch - the grass has grown like the clappers, along with the nettles and I need it cleared and ready for all of my pumpkins, squash and sweetcorn that are going to be ready to plant out in 4 weeks time.  4 weeks, will it be enough time?  I can sense the aches and pains already!

So, what have you all be up to on such a wonderful day?  8)

[Mrs Ava]

[aquilegia]

jealous. I'm working today. But I have next week off, so it's bound to be raining after this wonderful week!  :-\

But I am very happy for you too that you've had such a great day.

I'm hoping to leave early for a gardening evening - a couple of hours in the garden. In at 8.30 for dinner and GW!

[rdak]

stuck in the office, just knowing that it will no doubt rain all weekend!

[Mrs Ava]

no no no...the forecast is good, promise, the local weatherman told me and you know they are never wrong!  :-\

[busy_lizzie]

I feel happy tonight - tired but happy!  Had a lovely lovely day at the lottie.  This morning it was my turn to help at the Lottie Shop, so met lots of nice people from other plots.  Went home for lunch then back to do some work on my plot this afternoon.  

The weather was absolutely glorious - lots of birds out singing their little hearts out, hoards of beautiful butterflies, saw some ladybirds.  :D I just felt so lucky and content to be there.  Also my carrots are up, thanks to Tim and EJ, as have followed their advice and have got fleece covering them.

I am now a newly elected member of the Allotment Committee, one of only three women to nine men.  Have come up with the idea of a Newsletter for our Site and the rest of the committee agreed.  Will be printing it off tomorrow and hope to deliver to plot holders next week - crossing my fingers it goes down well.  Hope to produce one each Season if people like it.

House garden is looking completely neglected and house a complete mess, but allotment - looking good!  ;D busy_lizzie

[tim]

 - just HOEING a fairly empty plot. Can't keep up with these youngsters! = Tim

[cleo]

Today was a very good day-loads of sun and started planting up the polytunnel. Early peas just coming into pod and spuds through.

Stephan.