We have been struggling to get up to the allotment plot in the last few months because to get there, we have the choice of walking up a steep hill or an even steeper hill and with all the ice and snow it hasn't really been possible (and I'll admit we've been a bit too comfortable at home in the warmth!). This has sealed our decision about keeping chickens - if we can't reliably get up there in all weathers then keeping chickens is not practical. I am a bit disappointed but Cameron is afraid of chickens so is rather glad! We can still get lovely fresh eggs from other allotment holders though, so that's good.
Last week was the first time we managed to get up to the allotment this year and our neglectful approach seems to have worked in our favour as a lot of the ground has self-mulched with debris from the trees and the harsh Winter weather seems to have kept the weeds at bay. We were half expecting to find that the weeds had grown back to the silly height that we originally found them but were pleasantly surprised to find that wasn't the case.
Here is the allotment when we got it late last Spring on day 1
And here is the allotment this week
It looks quite messy, but a world away from where we began. If we keep on top of it now, the bulk of the donkey work of clearing should be over.
We spent a lovely morning at the allotment surveying the land as it is now, identifying what is what and doing some clearing.
We found a big strawberry patch - I had thought there were only a few, but there were quite a lot and thriving despite the cold weather.
We lit our first fire, in my new fire bin/incinerator that I received for my birthday, which was great motivation to keep working. We came home stinking of wood smoke and covered in mud but with great big smiles and rosy cheeks!
While we've been away, someone (I'm assuming the town council maintenance) has reinforced our fence and also made our lock more secure. The grass outside our gate has been kept short too.
Jobs on the go at the moment:
- A LOT more clearing and burning
- Dig the compost from the compost bin into Cameron's plot
- Fix compost bin and start composting
- Soil test - we did a home made soil test and will get the results in a couple of days
- Chitting potatoes
- Purchasing seeds (so late!)
- Plant new fruit bushes
- Organise building of raised beds
7 comments:
oh fabulous, i love that worked hard, rosey cheeked feeling.
Oh what lovely looking eggs ;) I'm guilty of neglecting my garden Im afraid and mines only outside the door.
Coincidentally my strawberries have done well too, most of the leaves are still green yet my apple tree sappling has gone to pot.
Fingers crossed for a lovely juicy berry boom this summer :)
This is something I really want to get into this year - looks like it has been really worth it :)
Thanks for your comments :o)
Heather - I love it too. Especially if I come home to the smell of the slow cooker doing all the hard work for dinner!
Mel - My strawberry leaves are all green too - it's amazing, I thought they'd be really delicate plants.
A big juicy berry boom for summer would make me and my preserving pot very happy bunnies!
Giles - looking forward to reading more about your new garden
ooh lots of mud! hope the weather warms up and lets you get on in your allotment.
So glad to see that things are looking up on the allotment front :) I look forward to seeing the progress :)
I'm aspiring to an allotment, but we have a veg patch for now. You're right about the weeds I think it's been too cold for them! I've got potatoes chitting, like you, and onions and garlic have been in the veg patch over winter. Can't wait for growing time! It will be really interesting to see your allotment develop over the months.
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