We commenced our first phase of creating our pantry today. Our enormous freezer until has arrived and we finally have proper space for all our produce. Before this we had to cram our poor fridge-freezer unit with produce, meaning we couldn't fit anything else in it! So the new freezer, which has five drawers, is... Continue Reading →

Today we popped over to feed the chickens as normal but ended up having a rather interesting visit. First, my other half picked up Doris for a cuddle. We had a check of her feathers and wings, then by the off chance we looked at her feet. One of the scales on her foot looked... Continue Reading →

Walked over to the allotment this morning to feed the chickens and planning to plant some bulbs ready for spring. Whilst we were feeding the chickens, and laying down grass cuttings from our back garden to rummage through, we checked the under the wings of Peggie for mites. Mites are nasty and lodge under the... Continue Reading →

It has crossed my mind that keeping bees and having fresh honey would be fun - and have the added bonus of a plentiful supply of bees to pollinate our vegetables. Question is, to Bee or not to Bee? Having spent about an hour researching beekeeping, it looks complicated and the possibility of getting stung... Continue Reading →

There are times when dragging yourself to the allotment is difficult, especially if you have got soaked to the skin on the way back from work, change into dry clothes and realise you about to get a second dowsing on your way to feed the chickens. Eugh. By the time I got to the allotment,... Continue Reading →

A simple comparison of the new plot 4 weeks ago and now.... Before: Now:

After work I popped down to the allotment to feed the chickens. As often happens, I planned to go down for a few minutes and ended up staying an hour. I gave the chickens a huge amount of new green vegetation for them to rummage through, threw them some food and got them new water.... Continue Reading →

This morning we pottered off to the allotment determined to continue with the momentum we had yesterday. We have completely dismantled the fruit cage area and have dug over most of it - although we can't fully dog it over as the raspberry plants aren't ready for moving yet. It also looks like the black... Continue Reading →

So its Thursday evening. It has been a very long week and the weather is terrible. Good news is that the skip arrived at the allotment this morning and the huge pile of rubbish from our new plot is gone! Plan for Saturday is as follows: box in bed for chicken food crops (by the... Continue Reading →

I got a message from Cliff from the allotment site saying a skip is arriving on Thursday morning to help me and two other tennants remove the enormous piles of rubbish left by the previous Tennant. This tennantoves from plot to plot leaving a trail of destruction and mountains of rubbish behind him. The other... Continue Reading →

Up early to sort out the chickens this morning. The air is crisp with just a hint of frost, the autumn sun is shining and the young cockerels are attempting to perfect their call. No one else was on site when I arrived, making the allotment seem even more removed from the hustle and bustle... Continue Reading →

Work was difficult today. It was okish this morning but took a huge dive this afternoon. I am drowning in paperwork for next week and have no idea how I will get it all done in time. Stress levels are rising rapidly. Until I get down to the allotment. Well, more accurately, about 10 minutes... Continue Reading →

Particularly during autumn, in the last few days of sunshine, the allotment beautifully captures the last gasps of summer. The majority of the plants are finished producing (beans, berries etc), and the winter crops are newly in (leeks, potatoes, parsnips and onions). The fruit trees only retain a few pears or apples. Large parts of... Continue Reading →

There is simply nothing better than coming home after work, changing into scruffs and pottering down to the allotment to feed the chickens. This is especially good when the autumn sun is out after hiding behind rain clouds all day! Today, my husband has had a day off (long overdue) and my arrival home is... Continue Reading →