Allotments 4 All

Got up there at 10, daughter assembly this morning so couldn't get there any earlier.  Bbrr so cold!  The wind was really howling and whipping across the plot, so I was grateful for the row of plum trees at the start of my number ome plot as they do seem to slow the speed of the wind down.  Cloches and fleece all still in situ so that was good.  Waterbutt on the shed is totally full, so bucketed lots to the other 'butt's as they are not fed by guttering whereas the shed one is and will quickly fill again in this wonderful spring weather.  :-\  Shallots have finally sprouted but something keeps chucking out my red onions!  The whites are fine and just begining to show tiny green sprouts.  Globe artichokes are getting huge and I have about 20 plants up there.  Looks like I am going to be eating a lot of artichokes later in the year!  Only 4 celeriac plants left, but plenty of greens in various forms.  My row of daffs for cutting and bringing home are only just about showing any colour, but are still a way off cutting - I shall shoot up there on Monday to hopefully pick a bunch for the house.  Dug 3 spud trenches so I can get the first lot in next week, going to paint the names on pieces of wood to mark the rows.  Fingers crossed come digging up time the names will still be there and I will know what I have.  Gooseberry bushes are looking very green along with the currants.  Hope we don't have any hard frosts that damage these little tender shoots!

Anyone else get up to the plot today?

need that jealous emoticon.

I have so much to do. Reading these posts keeps reminding me just how much.

For a start, I've got to dig over my clay, stony soil to a depth of two spits in a 9 square meter patch. (and sieve the top spit of it as it's far too stoney). THen I have to divide that into four squares, construct raised beds, dig in compost and pave the paths.

One square of that will be my spud bed - and I want to plant those in the next couple of weeks. Better get a move on!

Then another bed will be used for early baby roots (not even sure if this'll work!) tiny carrots and beetroot. followed by tomatoes. So that needs to be dug last autumn so I can get the soil warmed and the seeds sown a week ago.

Then I have to sow my legs, red onions and pickling onions in modules in my mini greenhouse (to save indoor space). And sow tomatoes, salads and herbs indoors. Pot up the red onions I sowed in January, some of my aubs and peppers and other salads that have been growing a few months.

All I can say is, bloody good job I've got next week off work and then it's easter! ;D

QuoteThen I have to sow my legs,

hehehehe, aqui!

As Tim points out on a regular and reassuring basis, don't worry about feeling behind, things do catch up.  I have to try and get the allotment sorted in between the garden and the kids and all the baggage they bring with them!  Come rain or shine, I have to get the jobs done, at least with your week off and easter weekend you can do plenty undisturbed.

I am moving more and more stuff out into the greenhouse now, along with sowing more stuff in the greenhouse, so have various brassicas underway and the leeks and beetroots are all out there keeping cooler.  Haven't you got a little greenhouse? 

for legs, read leeks! oops.

Oh yes - and i'd forgotten about the brassicas and the beetroot.

This year, as I've already run out of windowsill space, I'm going to sow hardy things in pots and put them in the mini greenhouse (I have two now, thanks to MIL!) So hopefully things won't go too made in the living room and kitchen.

I'm so glad I've got next week off, I'm starting to get all figety because I haven't done even proper gardening!

It's a thin wind alright. Carried on cutting down the Daisy lawn, but had to give up in the end, the stuff was blowing away and it is hard enough to deal with as it is.
Planted some things in the Glacial moraine, still looks very very empty though. And put half no1 compost heap in the tunnel. Then it got too cold so I packed in.

Hi Eric,hi all.Just interrupting to say  ; I haven't died,i am still here.But i have another job at last so not too much time now to natter!! hope you are all still ok,i do come on and read all your posts.But cannot get into the chat any more.

I am now working for a local estate agents and love it.

Thats all.I will disappear again now.....................

Woohoo!  Hiya Margaret, long time no see!  Don't you go vanishing for too long, us pondies will be bombarding you with questions as the weather warms!  ;D

We got up to the lottie today,still very cold and windy,but have turned over plot for the spuds .Lotsof people about today, allsaid how nice the plot was looking.Still trying to sort out the  shed problem ( lack of !!! ) Went to Tescos in Yeovil after lunch, and bought large RADOX!!! for very sore back!!!!!

Had to get there early this am - hard frost last night - potatoes not fleeced - so watered all the foliage to save it.  It got burnt a week ago.  Never learn!