Spring has sprung!

Another year has passed by and here I am - soo behind on my blog which doesn't mean that I haven't been there but just that I haven't taken many photos of the bare soil! Well apart from a row of Swiss Chard, Raspberry canes and 4 crowns of Rhubarb. En route to the allotment, there is always something new to see. This always takes my breath away when it is full bloom in spring. The Aubretia flowers cascade over a sloped front garden wall and down onto the pavement. The photo is not so clear as I didn't have my new camera when I took this photo last month and so borrowed one.

The day started off a little sunny but the clouds blew over and created a haze in the grey sky.

Sometimes, I like grey sky days...it conjures up hot chocolate by the fire and knitted sweaters in my mind. So long as I am wrapped up warm, I don't mind going out.

Every year brings new challenges and more efforts in digging, weeding and planting. It is so rewarding, which is what keeps me going.

Happy gardening.

One potato, two potato....!

Umm...it's been a while since I posted here and it's not because I haven't been doing anything, it's just that I keep myself busy with so many other things, that I can't keep up!

Last week, at the allotment, I did more digging....it's an ongoing chore and I didn't want to bore you with the same ol', same ol'! However, I have rhubarb on my plot, raspberries - just a few and not much else.

HELLBOY 2 has more....here is the first flower on his potato crop which I took a few weeks ago and there are more now. He too has rhubarb and 2 Broad bean plants! The pigeons seem to like our end of the allotment and have raided his caulflowers and cabbages - leaving just the stripped stalks!

I do enjoy seeing what everyone else is growing and Alf's plot - next door to me is a treat for the eyes. There is always something growing well. I take photos of the plants and here are a few that I took recently.

Ripe strawberries....

Beautiful poppies - awash with tiny black insects that feed on the pollen....and a bee hovering, awaiting it's turn for the nectar.

.....a spent poppy with it's seed pod - a beauty in itself.

This looks like a Gazania but I could be wrong. Another poppy with delicate petals swaying in the breeze.

Even the humble bindweed has a beauty all of it's own with pure white trumpets.

If you're reading Alf...know your efforts are appreciated and admired by others. I love the different varieties you plant to give a consistant show of blooms. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me.

Spring thing!

Work has been really slow this year. The cold weather has held me back - as well as the snow, which has made the ground hard. However, time is another factor that makes life difficult. You see, I have my fingers in so many pots and I want to do sooo much that I only get around to doing half of what I would like. So....nothing new to report, except that the digging goes on. This is the latest photo. Lots of soil to de-weed and de-stone before I can plant anything here.

I am starting my seeds off at home before planting up this year. That way, I can keep an eye on them here and then transport them. I have some wooden beams that I want to mark out for beds.

The weeds are growing like....well....weeds! As fast as I hoe them, they reappear.

This is a neighbour's plot that he has dug over and planted potatoes. This is what I ASPIRE to do. So, as you can see, I have a long way to go. Better go finish my chores and then move on.

Toots for now,

March madness!

Can you believe it? Here we are in March and it's time to think about what to plant for the new season. It takes sooo long for the seeds to germinate and yet, within 2-3 days, there are weeds the size of 3 week old vegetable plants!



So, I have been to the allotment on occasions these past couple of weeks to 1) Hoe the weeds on the area that I have managed to keep weed free over the winter and 2) to dig more areas for planting my new seedlings. Phew! It's a hard graft, I tell you.

I am so happy that I have an allotment. There are thousands of people on waiting lists all over the country and I know I am so privileged to have one. It gives me such a peaceful feeling whilst I am there, gets me out in the community and I get such a great satisfaction when I harvest my crops.

This is just a little area that I have managed to dig and keep weed free. It does look sooo small but it's about 20'x20'. That's not even a quarter of my plot!!

Last year, I managed to grow many different varieties of vegetables. Broad beans, 2 types of peas, runner beans, spinach and beetroot. This year I plan to do that again - and more. I also have raspberry canes but they didn't produce more than a half dozen pea sized. Maybe due to them being newly planted and so, hopefully, this year, the canes will fruit better.

This is the allotment next door but one to me - next door to HELLBOY'S plot! It's what I am hoping to ASPIRE to!!

Like I said, it's just so peaceful at the allotment and nothing but the sounds of the birds at this time of year - tweeting and squawking as preditors are on the prowl.

My rake has never showed up. I just hope that whoever took it, has a greater need than me.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday y'all.

Happy gardening.

Pete found my rake!!

Now I know where my rake disappeared to.

Pete borrowed it for his projects! Ok Pete....please return it when you are done. Check out Pete's artistry in New Zealand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6ZqKmaN2qw

Thank you for taking time to visit my blog.

Raking it in!

I'm really upset. On visiting my allotment last week, I was shocked to learn that my rake has been stolen! Yes, stolen. It is not to be seen ANYWHERE! All of my tools are there except my rake.

My trusty old friend is in the wrong hands and I want it back. If you have seen it or know where it is, please return it.

Out of time!

It's been a while since I was at the allotment! Time seems to be against me and I know I need to go and do more digging but I just haven't had the time. There's lots to do there, although I have cleared all of the old plants and vegetable seeds. It's a matter of clearing more grass areas that have grown behind my back.

I'll have to get HELL BOY to help as he has more digging power than myself. The raspberries didn't do well this year. There is going to be a delivery of several tons of manure in the next couple of weeks, so hopefully, it will replace the lot that I shall use on the raspberries in order to give them a good start next year.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and for all of your lovely comments.

Toots for now,