Days 2 and 3........

Although strictly they are days 3 and 4 as Friday was an absolute wash out.

Its the late May bank holiday weekend and half term so we are hoping to get a fair bit of digging done, weather permitting!

 

The soil is actually quite loose, not compacted at all, so digging it over isn't too much hard work apart from the weeds which seem to consist mainly of bindweed and couch grass; both of which I'm sure will be a bind to get rid of!

Most of the other plot owners we have spoken to have said don't bother getting the plot rotavated so we are a bit undecided about that.

This is how much we had done after the second day

 

 

And yes we picked some rhubarb!

And here it is a couple of hours later........in a crumble

 

 

I couldn't remember if I like rhubarb or not, but I'm pleased to say this was rather yummy.

Finding it hard persuading TK not to pick any more just yet!

It's cool harvesting something already though.

 

We've done a bit more digging today and have almost dug the width of the plot.

 

 

 

This morning we went down to the Shed Shop which is run by BALGA, the allotment association. We joined the association and also picked up some seed potatoes, although we will be a little late planting these out. We are trying a first early, Duke of York and a Picasso which is a main crop potato.

The bit of land that we have dug over is wide enough to plant a row of each.

Hoping we can get them in the ground this week.



 



Day 1

The decision was made. TK was keen to make a start. So we dashed out after the rain had stopped, garden forks in hand.......plus an umbrella....and headed for the allotment.

 

TK turned over the first sod of earth

 

We managed about 20 minutes of digging

 

before the heavens opened again..........glad we took the umbrella!

 

The weather today is much the same; heavy rain on and off so I doubt we will make it over this afternoon. Fingers crossed for drier weather over the weekend. Half term next week too so maybe just maybe we might get an area cleared..........!

 

Trying to Make a Start

Having been given the go-ahead by the council today that we could make a start on the allotment, we were eager to do so.

However, Mother Nature seems to think otherwise as the sky is rather dark out there and it's pissing it down with rain so we may have to wait until tomorrow...........garden forks are poised and ready!

(correction its hailing!)

 

The allotment association is supposed to be treating and rotavating the plot but I don't think this has happened yet but on the plus side the ground won't be too hard!

 

We are hoping to go down to the Shed on Sunday as they might have some seed potatoes left still but before then we will need to pick up rubble sacks, a water butt and probably a wheelbarrow.
I see a few trips to the tip in our future.........

Area 51 - aka The Jungle

So this is it - our new allotment. As with all allotments that have fallen into disuse, it is slightly overgrown.

 

Ok it's quite a bit overgrown.

 

The photo shows the full length of the plot. It goes back as far as a small blue water butt and that unstable looking metal frame.

 

There are some possible good bits though........

Like these fruit canes and currant bush

 

 

Shame we don't like raspberries.......

 

Plus there is some established rhubarb

 

 

Hmmmm.........

 

And some onions

 

 

But mostly it is like this

 

 

So its going to take a bit of work even before we can plant anything. The allotment association will treat and rotavate it before we officially make a start next week which will help.

 

So this blog will be a record of our progress.

 

Wish us luck.........I think we are going to need it!

 

In the Beginning......

In the beginning.............there were weeds. A lot of them.
And matting.
And all other kinds of rubbish............