On Friday afternoon, Aurora seemed very quiet. We'd assumed she was broody as she has been spending lots of the day in her favourite secluded spot on the lawn. However, when I went to pick her up to put her back in the run, I realised she had lost weight and seemed somewhat unsteady on... Continue Reading →
RIP Maude
Before work, I headed down to the allotment, blissfully unaware of what awaited me in the Omlet. I always begin with Maude and Mavis when checking the chickens as their coop is right by the shed. When I arrived, I spotted Maude on the floor. I rushed over thinking she might have injured herself only... Continue Reading →
Chickens, chickens everywhere
Yesterday, I ambled down the plot to catch up with everyone and feed the chickens. The sun was out, the sky was blue and there was more than a hint of spring in the air. It was lovely to see the site busy, with people appearing after their winter hibernation. Despite wind, rain and snow,... Continue Reading →
Slug Attack
Slugs are the bane of an allotmenteer. However, what happened at home in the garden two nights ago has gone down in history as one of the most spectacular slug attacks I have ever seen! I got home late after training and went out to shut the girls in and transport Gertie to the Purple... Continue Reading →
Storm Incoming…
With the next storm rolling in, I went down to the allotment this afternoon to check on the chickens and to make sure everything was tied down ready for the very high winds which were coming. Maude and Mavis were tucked away in their nest box avoiding the wind and rain. As I checked over... Continue Reading →
Gertie Goes for a Sleepover
With temperatures significantly below zero, I have been worried about Gertie getting cold overnight on her own. Despite my best efforts to winter-proof her coop, it's really not ideal for a lone hen in these temporary. I had thought about boxing in her perch but I worry that she would struggle to get in and... Continue Reading →
Small, Medium and Large
There's nothing like celebrating the New Year than with coop cleaning. Somehow, the Christmas holidays have disappeared and with work beckoning tomorrow, I could no longer procrastinate. The only thing stopping me from doing all of the coops was the distinct lack of fresh bedding. Before I started, I judged there would only be enough... Continue Reading →
Bedding Down for Winter
Finally, after weeks of being unwell and the weather conspiring against me, I managed to spend some time on the plot today. Others on site have been busy, clearing their plots and covering their beds with tarpaulins to stop the weeds. With all of my autumn jobs still to complete, I cracked on with the... Continue Reading →
Of Chicken Coops and Barmy Bantams
With the weather forecast dry for today, I headed down to the allotment hopeful of a productive day. Upon arrival, I dashed around the coops to feed the girls. I noticed that Elsie, who has been a little quiet the last few days, was having a dust bath by the ramp. Pleased that she seemed... Continue Reading →
Autumn Arrives
Over the past week, the nights have been noticeably drawing in, with the chickens taking themselves to bed much earlier. The temperature has dropped and the autumnal drizzle is making a determined appearance from battleship grey clouds that cover the sky. The chickens have been snuggling together at night, keeping each other warm. It's the... Continue Reading →
Round and round the Garden
At lunchtime, I headed out into the garden to clean out Gertie and Quail Mansions. I started with Gertie. She has been spending lots of time on her perch and not eating much which is worrying. Pondering where to put her, I decided she might enjoy the sunshine for a bit, so I deposited her... Continue Reading →
Exciting Discoveries
After being away, it was wonderful to be back on the plot. I was greeted by the usual jungle of weeds. Apparently, it has been really wet and that would explain the explosion of weeds all over the plot in such a short time. I opened up the shed and said hello to Maude and... Continue Reading →
Weeding in the Sunshine
Considering how wet this summer has been, any day when the British weather isn't trying to emulate the height of the monsoon means it's time to get down the allotment. Even rarer are the days where the sun is actually visible and the sky changes from drizzle grey to blue. Days like today can't be... Continue Reading →
Hunting Eggs
Over the last week, the Topknot Gang has been keeping me on my toes by laying stealth eggs. These can be laid anywhere. Under bushes, in the middle of the patio, next to the BBQ... The hiding places are endless! To date, I have found eggs under the bushes, next to the BBQ and even... Continue Reading →
Coop Cleaning Day
I walked down to the plot early today, determined to avoid the worst of the rain that was forecast to last most of the day. I dashed around the coops and fed everyone. Geoff's black rock came out into the run today which showed progress. She has been terrorising Geoff's other hens and blocking their... Continue Reading →
Pond Renovation Part 2
Today was a brilliant day on the plot. At lunchtime, I was joined by the Lea family. It has been a couple of years since I last saw the children and it was lovely to spend time with them all on the allotment. The children all love the outdoors and were very keen to help... Continue Reading →
Gertie Surprises Us
Over the past couple of days Gertie has been busy exploring the garden with the rest of the Topknot Gang. Unfortunately, she hasn't been accepted by Coco or Trixie but the silkies don't seem to mind her walking near them. Initially, I opened up her coop expecting her to just enjoy the fresh air and... Continue Reading →
Cracking On
This afternoon, I headed down to the allotment with the sole intention of blitzing the weeds. I promised myself, I wouldn't get distracted or procrastinate especially as our Warden is checking plots regularly to make sure they are up to scratch! Once the shed was open, I put my phone onto charge and went to... Continue Reading →
Beans, beans everywhere!
This afternoon I headed down to the plot with only a vague idea of what I needed to do. Weeding clearly, but I hadn't decided where I would start. I opened up the shed and surveyed the mass of weeds. Where to begin? To put off this difficult decision, I went to go and catch... Continue Reading →
A Different View
My plans for a full day at the allotment today were scuppered by the fickle British weather. Despite living in an era of climate change and increasingly hot dry summers and milder winters, July has been a total washout. As frustrating as the relentless weeks of drizzle are, I find it somewhat nostalgic. I remember... Continue Reading →
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