Adventures in the life of an English allotment
Today was an important day - the AGM was finally here. There has been quite tense build up and everyone was a little on edge as we gathered near The Don's shed. The turnout was brilliant with a good representation from across the site, something that has been lacking in previous years. Once the new... Continue Reading →
Over the past year I have been thinking about how to get power to the shed. The amount of time I spend down on the plot in the spring and summer would surely warrant the expense of a solar set up? It would mean we could have a light in the shed during the winter,... 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 →
Today I ran down to the allotment early. The sun was out and it was dry! A magic, and often elusive, combination! I stopped to say hello to Michael and Phil before heading off to the shed. Out came everything once more - it's amazing how much stuff can be fitted into a shed! The... Continue Reading →
Late this morning I ambled down to the allotment determined to make a start on clearing out the shed. It's a once yearly job which I feel signifies the start of the growing season. The glorious weather had tempted out lots of people from their winter hibernation and I spent an hour happily chatting to... Continue Reading →
The last few days have been incredibly cold, so much so that temperatures have stayed below zero degrees for the last three days. For the UK, this is unusual and makes allotment jobs and projects more difficult to do. Digging for example is completely out of the question, with the ground frozen solid. On the... Continue Reading →
This morning was cold but clear with a nearly cloudless blue sky. I ambled down to the allotment wondering whether to add the chippings into the coop or just to enjoy the day. When I arrived, I found Geoff, Phil, Steve and several others pottering about. The sunny weather is beginning to bring everyone out... Continue Reading →
And so as the January weather continues to make the third lockdown more miserable than the last, I escaped down to the allotment for some fresh air. Over the past couple of weeks, I have told myself that I must clean out the main coop. In winter, with the water supply off, the freezing temperatures... Continue Reading →
Over the past couple of weeks the weather has swung between Artic and typical January rain. As the plot is either frozen solid or flooded, there had been little to do apart from feeding the chickens. The lockdown rules are getting tighter so I have been going down in the afternoons to avoid as many... Continue Reading →
So now, in addition to the Avian Flu lockdown for the chickens, the UK has entered it's third lockdown. According to the Prime Minister we will be in lockdown until at least mid-February. As a result, I assume that the usual end of January seed sale will be cancelled which may leave us in a... Continue Reading →
Today I trotted down to the allotment, marvelling at how changeable the British weather really is. Yesterday was showers and overcast. Today was boiling. Not dry heat which somehow is more tolerable but the sticky, oppressive heat that makes everything difficult. All the usual gang were there when I arrived and after a preliminary check... Continue Reading →
This morning I ambled down to the allotment, enjoying the sunshine which has appeared from nowhere. Everyone had come down to their plots to make good use of the rare break in the weather. I had a quick chat with Geoff, Brad and Andy before heading down to the coop. I put Pop outside and... Continue Reading →
I appreciate that this is probably way too early to be thinking about next year. However, in the changing of my plot from fruit and veg allotment to garden, I will have a chance to use the new sections to grow different plants. The pond area, bog garden and stumpery have given me an idea... Continue Reading →
Today was a very busy day at the allotment. I got down early to make sure I had fed the chickens before receiving a cockerel from a colleague who took three of our work chicks. Unfortunately, she can't keep Napoleon so I had arranged for a local farmer to come and collect him. Abi arrived... Continue Reading →
I walked down to the allotment this morning, never dreaming of how much would happen. There are weeks when nothing much happens then everything seems to happen on a particular day. Today was that day! After saying hello to everyone, I began to clean out the chicks. Steve dropped by and said they looked a... Continue Reading →
After dinner this evening, we walked down to the allotment. Although it was still warm, it was considerably cooler than a couple of hours earlier. Upon arrival we met Tracy, Andy and Steve all busy watering their plots. My husband did most of the watering as I had a chat with Andy about turning the... Continue Reading →
Today I walked down to the allotment armed with my monkey puzzle tree. I bought it about eighteen months ago and it's now too big for its pot. It was time to pot it on and move it into the greenhouse. The kitchen windowsill isn't big enough to accommodate a bigger pot! I rummaged around... Continue Reading →
Today I walked down to the allotment in fits of excitement. Tracy had sent me a couple of photos half an hour earlier of four black pallets stacked on our plot. I couldn't wait to get started! When I arrived, I immediately went to feed the chicks. They seem to be doubling in size every... Continue Reading →
Today turned out to be a long day down the allotment. I walked down to the allotment to find lots of people enjoying the sunshine, busy on their own plots.On my way down to my plot, I ran into Dave the Plod who filled me in with all the happenings over the past few days.... Continue Reading →
And just like that, it begins again! The Allotment Federation's annual seed sale always marks the beginning of the new season - a time to plan in earnest, finish off digging the plot (assuming it isn't flooded) and clear out the shed/greenhouse/coop (delete as appropriate). I love the sale because it's one of the few... Continue Reading →
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