Adventures in the life of an English allotment
I ambled down to the allotment this afternoon, intending to have a quick visit. I ended up staying for quite a bit longer. When I opened up the shed, I found a lovely surprise waiting for me! A beautiful calendar to go up in the shed with a thoughtful note attached. There really is something... Continue Reading →
Down early today lugging several hundred weight of water and the new tree. As I checked on all the different chicken coops, I discovered that the Nest House needed a proper clean out. With the majority of the girls (and even Tommy) sleeping inside, it needs cleaning out more regularly. So I grabbed a bucket,... Continue Reading →
After several hours of tossing and turning last night, I gave up trying to sleep at 5am. Getting up, I walked down to the allotment to check on the chickens. It's surprised me how many people were out at half five. I checked Leia and Flora in the greenhouse first, refilling their food and water... Continue Reading →
After pottering down to feed the chickens and collect half a dozen eggs this morning. We headed back home. A friend who runs his own gardening business had offered us some chippings. There are endless uses for chippings on an allotment from using it for paths, helping keep chickens off the mud and compost. Some... Continue Reading →
So when I arrived down on site this afternoon, I discovered that Cliff's black leghorn who have been trying desperately to save from suspected gapeworm/respiratory infection had died. It looks like she went peacefully in her sleep which is a blessing. I immediately rang Cliff to let him know what had happened. Slightly saddened that... Continue Reading →
The last two days, I have been woken up by Gordon doing his best impression of a cockerel. Despite having very accommodating neighbours, I just couldn't keep him in the garden anymore. The fact he set off three times yesterday shows he is getting more confident in his voice. So my plan was to move... Continue Reading →
This afternoon, we ambled down to the allotment to sort out the chickens. Feeding the chickens in the garden is always fun as the silkies are becoming increasingly tame, running to the door to get to their food first. On the other side of the garden, Gordon and his gang of girls are always at... Continue Reading →
Between the showers, we dashed down to feed the chickens at the allotment. Fortunately, we chose our moment well and remained dry the entire visit! The Buff Orpington has taken up residence on the perches and although still very timid, she does seem to be holding her own against the others. I was even able... Continue Reading →
Upon waking in the night to the wind and pouring rain, I suddenly remembered the sunshade was still attached to the shed! Fortunately, I only put it fully up when it's sunny but I usually leave the widest part of the sail attached to the shed. Worried that the wind might rip off the sail... Continue Reading →
As things get more and more stressful at work, the escape outdoors becomes essential. After spending hours wrestling with a mountain of paperwork, I snuck out for an hour to the allotment. It's amazing what an hour surrounded by green space can do to your mood. I left feeding the chickens until later in the... Continue Reading →
This morning I ran down to the allotment armed with paperwork and a laptop for the first meeting of the new committee. I suspected it might be a long meeting as there hasn't been a committee meeting in a few years. There was a lot to discuss! Afterwards, I ambled back to the shed and... Continue Reading →
This morning I walked down to the allotment to find the place a hive of activity! Steve and Andy were busy assembling Steve's new polytunnel, closely supervised by Mick the Greek, Ken and Will. When it's finished, it will be massive! A fee years ago I did wonder about getting one myself but I decided... Continue Reading →
Last night, as we were cooking dinner, my husband heard the dreaded sound. A distinct and clear cockle doodle doo! Hoping desperately that the neighbours hadn't heard it, I dashed outside to see the offending bird standing smugly in the middle of the run. Part of me felt impressed but the other part of me... Continue Reading →
Up and out early, I got to the allotment ready to help Cliff take some builder's bags of rubbish to the tip. I opened up the shed and fed some kale to the Weed Destroyers. Between us, we lugged the horrendously heavy red builder's bag from the Community Garden up to the back path. Cliff... Continue Reading →
The weather is absurd. When I woke up this morning, it was already 20 degrees. Knowing that it would 9nly get hotter, I dragged myself to the allotment to feed the chickens. Happily, most of the girls had enough water and I planned to pop back this evening to refill with cool water. Tommy has... Continue Reading →
With the end of a truly dreadful week at work, I trudged down to the allotment. A few weeks ago, I spotted an advert for point of lay hens from a local farm. I contacted the farm and to my delight, found they had pullets available in two of my favourite breeds, Black Rock and... Continue Reading →
Up bright and early this morning for my Covid jab and it seemed churlish not to go down to the allotment straight afterwards. Sporting a rather dead arm, my plan was to feed the chickens before watching the world go by from the shed. The bantams greeted me with shouts, complaining about the lack of... Continue Reading →
The skies were blue, the air crisp and there wasn't a rain cloud in sight when I arrived on site this morning. Lots of people were down, making the most of the dry spell before the inevitable rain forecast for the entirety of the rest of the week. I said hello to Geoff and Andy... Continue Reading →
We had a sad phone call from Geoff today letting us know that one of our Rhode Island Red hens had suddenly died. Neither Aggie or Cassie had shown any signs of illness or discomfort so our best guess is a heart attack. Sometimes chickens do have sudden heart attacks, suddenly dropping down dead where... Continue Reading →
After a sleepless night, I had a plan. Well, I hoped it would work. Distressed clucks greeted me when I opened the backdoor. Poor Cirrus was getting some serious grief from Roxy. As I opened the run door, Roxy ran up to me and I grabbed her. The relief was visible on the silkies faces!... Continue Reading →
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