Plot Revival

This was the plot at the end of my fourth day of clearing the weeds.I have started at the far end and worked my way backwards towards the shed end.The purple Broccoli is still growing and needs clearing once it is fully harvested.Amazingly over the Winter this Garlic has grown through the Soil to form these lovely glowing green leaves.The white rot stopped the Garlic growing last year.It stunted the root growth and caused the leaves to wilt before any cloves were formed.It was sunny when I took the photo.It makes weeding more pleasurable when the sun is on your face.

This Rhubarb is growing slowly on the corner of the plot beneath the gigantic Gooseberry Bush.I like its off coloured leaves growing from the crown.I have about five crowns growing on.

The weeding and digging is like riding a bike.Painful at first,but it gets easier as time goes on.I am trying to clear as much as I can before my raised beds are delivered.I have also ordered two new Compost bins for the plot.I have nearly filled a 330 litre on already!I have three large green garden waste bags filled up too.The plot generates a huge amount of green waste.I will compost it all and then dig it back into the soil.

I dug up a row of Parsnips today and have tried to make some Parsnip Soup.I harvested the rest of the Swede too.The question is what to do with all the Leeks that remain?

I could make some Soup but the freezer is already full of Carrot soup,and Tomato Soup.I need to limit what I grow to what we can use.There always seem to be gluts of certain Veg at certain times.

I have spent the past two days at the plot.Tomorrow I will be spending time shopping at Asda,and planting our Silver Birch Tree.My legs and back ache from all the digging over.

Moving On

I got up early this morning to get the vegetable plants ready to be driven to the plot.These had all been grown from seed and tended in the greenhouse and it was time for them to move on to the next stage, growing in the warm earth of the allotment.I had dug the beds over at the plot and marked them out with canes and string, and handwritten white sticks.Some crops had been planted already like Onions,Garlic, and Potatoes.I sowed Carrots,Parsnips, and Pea's a few weeks ago.These plants on the grass had grown over the past few months,crowded together in the greenhouse, surviving the hot March and April.I'm proud of the results of all my work.

Any job you do always takes much longer than you think.To plant all the above plants, water them, and do some weeding took me around six hours.I did turn the beds over to remove any remnant weeds.The Sweetcorn went in first, followed by Cauliflower,Brussels Sprouts, Swede, Broccoli Garnet,Cabbages,Courgettes/Squash, and lastly Pumpkins.All my tended plants are now in the hands of the allotment.Subject to the vagaries of our British weather, and all manner of pests.I hope they are okay when I'm working.

The photo shows my plot from the raised bed (with Carrots and Sunflowers) to the grass path near the neighbours shed and greenhouse.

This was the view the other way.The Courgettes have black mulch mats, and cut pop bottles to aid watering the root ball of the plants.There are eight Courgettes, and one Lightning Squash growing.The Pumpkins (on the right of the Courgettes) needed watering as the heat of the day dried them out.The second bed on the left is the caged and netted cabbages.I bought the cage frame from the Spring Flower Show.The lady who sold them was a gardener, her husband was an engineer.He came up with a novel solution for making a frame to cover tender plants from pesky pigeons.It is a tall metal pole with two curves to hold canes.Once linked up the canes form a frame that can be covered in netting to protect your crop.

The Sweetcorn (on the right below the Wigwam) was swaying in the wind.The green stems and leaves glowed in the May sunshine.I cannot wait to eat some Corn On The Cob when it is ready with lots of butter.

Cat came to pick me up to save my weary legs from the walk back.She took a rare photo of me standing in front of the allotment.

The beds had been watered and weeded.I have to work for the next three days.Sunday will be the next time I can get down to the plot.Im hoping the weather forecast is right for some rainy showers.

I came back home weary, but felt the urge to take a few flower photos.The Darcey Bussell Rose is a bit more open today and showing her beautiful petals.Her fragrance is more noticable today too.

The last photo is the Forget Me Nots that are growing in the wildflower area around the pond.I shook the dried seed heads last year into that area, and they have grown up.I love the daintiness of the pale blue flower with the yellow centre.They are very prodigious in the amount of flowers and seeds. they make like a ethereal cloud of blue when they bloom en Mass.

Dont forget its the RHS Chelsea Flower Show soon.It is only five days away now.The greatest Flower Show in the horticultural world.I will post about it tomorrow.

Perfect Weekend

It has been a lovely Weekend off from work. I have done some gardening, and gone to the allotment the past few days. The sun has been shining and i have been enjoying toiling in the warm rays. The birds are singing from dawn until dusk with their lusty voices. I found a second Double Flowered Daffodil growing in the pot right besides the backdoor. I love the Daffodils swaying in the April breeze, their yellow faces contrasting against the blue sky above. The garden is still a work in progress. The concrete step and concrete base have nearly set now. We can remove the wood on Monday from them both. The water butts can be properly positioned, and the greenhouse moved up the garden. The bags of soil (from the bases excavation) and compost from our bin need moving and using. There are seeds to sow, and summer bulbs to plant. The grass has started growing so it needs its first cut of the year. I love the smell of freshly cut grass. Childhood memories.. This was the allotment at about 2pm. I had marked out and dug over the beds for the Brassicas and Swede. I started to clear the last section between the other shed and the green compost bag. The greenhouse in my garden is growing healthy Vegetable plants ready for planting in the freshly marked/dug out plot beds. All the Vegetables this year will have been grown from seed packets. I have deliberately made lots of paths around the beds so you can weed from any side. Good access will make plot maintenence easier. The beds raised soil will stay fluffy, and does not get crushed or compacted. At the end of the growing season all the beds will be rubbed out and the plot returned to how it was before. Like an Etch a sketch. Each year will see a new arrangement of beds. When it is planted up it will look a patchwork quilt of Vegetable plants and Companion planted flowers.

This cheeky juvenile Squirrel entertained me running between the feeders in the garden this morning after I woke up. He climbed up the fence and jumped into the neighbours hanging basket (to the right of the fence). All I could see was his mischievous face peering out at me. He was running down the fence when i took this. The Squirrel is partial to Fat ball, Peanuts, Bird seed, and Sunflower hearts. He looked longingly at all the feeders. What to eat? Decisions, decisions.

I'm off work this week so it will be a busy gardening week. I will go to the plot tomorrow then shopping for a new gardening Fork and some pond plants from Hampsons, helping Fran on Tuesday with a garden mission. Wednesday should be allotment day, and on Thursday we are going to the Harrogate Spring Flower Show. A busy blog week ahead.

Gales And Grapes

This was the allotment at the end of my four and a half hours there yesterday. I have dug along the path that divides my plot from the adjoining one. The two separate sections now meet. Its a case now of continuing to dig the plot, and eventually remove the covers that cover the middle section. They have done a good job of suppressing weed growth, and killing off the top layers of grasses. The first crops need planting once I'm off again. Maybe Sunday if its not raining. I also cleared the brambles, debris, and deadwood in the Gooseberry Bush that sits on the corner of the plot behind the Rhubarbs. It must be ten years old, and is laden with little red and white flower buds. If they all get germinated it will be a bumper crop of Gooseberries. I need to find some recipes to use them up. The weather today has turned to a howling gale. The garden is being buffeted by high winds and things were getting rolled around. The grey chairs, the Bird Table (again..it is top heavy), plastic pots, and a compost bin waiting for transport to the plot. I have gone out and tried to batten down the hatches. I placed bricks on the Apple Tree pot to stop it being blown over. I have moved the heavy bird feeders onto the static feeder. The Heron wind chime is now indoors away from the wind. I put the bird table against the fence so it is not as exposed. The sun is shining illuminating the leaves, twigs, and paper that is being blown around by the gusting winds. The photo is of the Muscari, or Grape Hyacinth. It looks beautiful and was back lit by the natural sunlight. It is fragrant too. These were growing under a Hebe bush. I dug them up and put them into a pot. I promptly forgot about them until I saw the pot this year with green leaves growing upwards. They are more compact than the Hyacinths. They were so heavy that the pink flower spikes have collapsed onto the sunken border. The smell of the pink Hyacinths on an evening is delicious.

I got an email today from the RSPB with the results of the Big Garden Bird count that I blogged about in April. Over 600,00 people took part counting over 2 million birds!

The Results are here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

I tried catching the Goldfinches in flight. I want to capture an image of them squabbling in midair. They yell at each other but go beak to beak. They do not touch however. Their hovering control is beautiful to watch. I will keep watching and trying to photograph Goldfinches in territorial disputes. I like this photo even though its slightly off centre. It captures some of the movement of these beautiful songfull birds.

The last photo is of a Greenfinch. He is a rare visitor to the feeders. He has a fondness for the sunflower hearts. These are regularly topped up in the hexagonal feeder. He has got sunflower hearts all over his beak.

The only birds brave enough to fly in the howling gales are the Goldfinches. For little birds they are very resilient feeding in snow, rain, or like today high winds.

The sun is shining outside now bathing the garden in a lovely light. The last day of March is here already.

Visions And Vegetables

I have spent a lot of time recently up at the plot. I did five hours today up at the allotment. I saw the first Butterflies of the year a few days ago, but only managed to get this photo today. The Tortoiseshell Butterfly alighted on the dry soil to sun himself. Once I got too close he flitted off like a wild spirit. They are so beautiful and amazing to photograph if they land close enough for you!

Growing by itself in the Brambles was this Feisty Daffodil. It is situated behind my compost heap bags. It caught my eye as I started the digging again today.
I am racing to get the allotment ready for my plants. I have changed from making individual raised beds, to having the whole plot dug over from end to end, and then planted in blocks.

This photo is the result of weeks of digging to remove all the weeds, and couch grass that had started to grow over the winter.
The green on the upper right of the photo are my five Rhubarb crowns, growing under a huge Gooseberry bush that has been there years.
The green sliver is last years path. It needs digging over to meet the soil on either side.
I have not burnt any thing despite generating a huge amount of grass/weeds. All the green waste is being composted. I will return all the lotties compost back into the soil. I will supplement with fresh manure too to add the organic content.Recycling allotment waste into compost is one part of my natural vision.
I brought the second Water butt up to join the first one that is connected to the shed. Collecting rainwater and using it to water the plot is another part of my natural vision.
Around the shed I have laid down black liner with wood and stones to form a solid base to avoid standing in mud.
I have Potatoes, Onions Sets, and Garlic that can be planted after my night shifts. I will try to finish digging the green sliver tomorrow so the dug soil is ready to be raked over, and marked out with sticks and string.
The side behind the photo has been started but is mostly full of roots. The black tarpaulin I laid down last year did a good job of killing off the weeds/grasses. It was important to me to clear the plot by hand, with no chemicals sprayed. This is the third prong of my green vision, no harmful chemicals/pesticides/herbicides etc.
I want to try some companion planting this year to try to stop the pests from attacking the plants. The whole plot will be surrounded by a grass border, and hopefully some natural wildflowers and plants. I want to grow in harmony with nature. I have seen lots of worms, butterflies,some early foraging Bees, Field Spiders, and even Slugs. The birds are constantly singing around the trees that surround the allotments. Working with nature is another part of my green vision.
This is the second post from today showing what I have been upto. I'm on nights from tomorrow so all work will cease for a while. I need to start drawing my allotment planting plan after the nights.

Cherry Tree Ghost

I was back at the allotment yesterday continuing the digging over. It took me over five hours to clear the area that I marked out with the wood. The couch grass roots were imbedded deep in the cloggy clay soil. All the rain made the clay stick tenaciously to the grass and dock leaf roots. I can see progress though in the dark brown colour of the freshly dug over soil.

Before I took over the plot they must have cut down a Cherry Tree. There were loads of branches buried amongst all the weeds and grass that covered the plot when I got it. I collected the Cherry Tree branches and formed a little log pile besides the water Butt. The rain has fallen and the logs have sprouted the strangest funguses. Semi Circular plates growing in splits within the wooden branch. I think they looked very magical. Like Fairy houses from the ghostly remains of a long dead Tree.

If wood is left then these kind of things grow. Even in death the Cherry Tree has provided an ideal environment for these strange looking growths! The sun was drying them out, so they will have a short existence on the plot.

This Blackbird was hopping around the dug earth and posing for a picture. He got within four feet of me. He was singing away the whole time that he was on the soil. I loved the closeness of the birds at the allotment. They are always singing in the trees and flying between the plots.
Talking of Wildlife I got an email from the Wild Fowl and Wetland Trust (WWT), an organisation that promotes conservation of natural wetland here in the UK and abroad. wwt.org.uk
They are promoting Wildlife Gardening during the month of March, and also how water conservation can help a garden. They have a variety of events going on at their nine visitor Centres like nature walks, how to attract Wildlife to your garden, or how to build a Butterfly garden. This runs from March 1st-31st.
Information is here: www.wwt.org.uk/gardening
If you live near any of the Visitor centres try to go to them. I am a big fan of Wildlife Gardening and trying to make the garden as accessible to Wildlife as possible.
I'm back to working nights from today so the plot will have to wait for any more digging.

Digging Blitz

I spent another few hours up at the allotment trying to continue my digging blitz. I am trying to go from one side to the other and have bare soil to plant all over. The beds were too much like hard work, trying to keep the paths cleared between the beds. The weeds and grasses sprung up and started to invade the dug beds. This Rhubarb was buried under a few feet of grass before. I have dug around the crowns, and they are the only colour at the moment. The red and greens are quite vivid against the earthy soil.

The Long shot shows the four areas that have been dug over. The small right square will reach the top right hand soil. The black tarpaulin has killed off a lot of the weeds and grass, but the roots still need removing. As quick as I'm digging it new weed growth bursts through the turned soil.
My idea is that every year it should get easier to dig over the soil. I have a large compost heap and a green refuse bin that will be used for composting. Once it has broken down it will be dug back into the plot.

The power house overlooking the plot. You can see the seats (for summer time sit downs), and the table in the shed with the gas stove. Coffee is made every few hours to help me keep my energy levels up.
The Water Butt has collected up to the top. I need a second Butt to collect the overflow. The roof slopes back into some guttering. In the summer it will be good to use rainwater to water the plot. The water hole is half way across the allotment.
Yesterday I went to Wilkos and bought the allotment supplies for this coming growing season.
I have Cabbages and Leeks growing in the coldframe back at the garden. I bought smaller Seed Potatoes for the gardens grow bags( Charlotte, and Pink Fir).
The Allotment spuds will be Rocket first early crop, and Maris Piper main crop. I bought some Garlic cloves, and Red and White Onion Sets. Cat bought some Herb seeds in pots ready to make a Herb Planter. Basil, Parsley,Chives, and Coriander. We have little ceramic labels too.
I need to try to get back tomorrow to continue the digging over. The rain has turned the soil claggy, and the clay sticks to your boots and the fork!
It was very peaceful today with the wind blowing some chimes on next doors plot, and the birds singing away. All I wanted was some warm sunshine.

Insy Wincey

The evenings are getting darker earlier, and its getting colder at night. I bought a thick winter coat today ready for the cold mornings ahead. I get up at 530am for my long days so its always very cold first thing.
The trees around the roads are showing signs of the change of season. Leaves are turning to fiery colours. The crisp green leaves turn to hues of orange, yellow, red, or russet, before they fall to the floor under the tree. The pavements are slowly being covered by dropped leaves, perfect to kick your way through.
There has been an explosion of Spiders spinning webs between anything that is upright.
The dying back Hostas have flower spikes covered in seed pods. These structures are what the photographed spider has attached the webt to, and constructed its ornate web. Why do Spiders go crazy in the Autumn and spin webs on anything in the garden?
I bought a bag of mixed Daffodils and Narcissus from Wilkos. These will join the Tulips, Aliums, Crocuses, and Iris that need to be planted before the ground freezes solid.
We collected King Edward Potatoes, along with a Courgette, Runner Beans, and two chunky Italian Carrots from the waterlogged allotment.
The allotment plot needs totally clearing across the winter ready for rotavating and digging in of manure. I want to start next year with a blank plot and just grow plants in blocks, instead of trying to have raised beds.
I love Spiders in the garden. It shows that there is a healthy balance with plenty of food for the arachnids. There webs look magical when the first frosts freeze dew droplets on them.

Tatties, Caterpillars, And Tatton

These photos were taken on Tuesday up at the allotment. I was pleased to see how much rain has collected in my water but besides the shed. I went up to do a bit of weeding and ended up seeing exotic looking Caterpillars and Ladybirds. I took home lots of nice Vegetables which I posed and photographed. These Caterpillars were munching away on these poisonous Tansys. The pretty yellow flowers were draped in Black and Yellow striped insects. Saying Don't Eat Me..

They loved these alkaloid filled plants. I think they would be toxic to humans and horses if eaten to excess..

A lone Ladybird wandering around on the plot. These are such happy insects.I love finding them in the allotment or in the garden. They are aphid eating machines.

The Cabbages are nearly ready to be harvested. All the blood, sweat, bites and stings seem worth it once it has been washed, prepared, and cooked. The satisfaction of eating your own grown fruit or veg is amazing!I am almost evangelical..just try it and see.

The finished plates with artfully arranged New Potatoes, Pea's, Globe Artichoke, and three types of Courgette from Hils (normal, yellow, and round).
We ate the New Potatoes with some Chicken on Tuesday. They tasted lovely. I need to go back to harvest the rest of the Charlotte New Potatoes.
The RHS Tatton Park Show yesterday was amazing. I took over three hundred photos. Tomorrows post will be about this years show. It runs untill Sunday if you are near Cheshire.
There was so much there to see. It is one of the highlights of the year for me..

Summer Signs

I spent the day today up at the allotment doing some weeding. The rain and warm weather means everything has been growing like mad. I planted some Courgettes (in the top left hand corner by my blue fleece), and some Runner Beans around the wig wam of Canes. You can see the Onions, Cabbages, Broccolis, and Potatoes in this photo. The birds were singing and the sun was blazing down on me at times.

I wandered from my plot to a deserted one that is going wild. These flowers were lovely like plump Daisys. They have such happy flowers in the White and Yellow. I think they are called May Weed..

Growing in the midst of an overgrown plot were these Foxgloves. These are such a traditional English Cottage garden plant. These had purple speckles on their gloves throats. Once they have flowered I will try to collect some seeds. These are the flowers of an English Summer, with the steady drone of Bee's collecting the nectar from their deep cups. I watched Swifts flying around above me swooping and soaring. They are the Birds of an English Summer with their shrieking sound. I also heard a mournful Cuckoo today at the plot.
After five hours weeding, making coffee, and admiring the wild flowers we drove back. Cat stopped the car on the road out of Walton. The sun made these fields of Wild Poppies shimmer in the sunlight. They bloom in great swathes in the farmers fields. They are such an important part of the Summer. I love the blood red blooms.
Tomorrow we go to Birmingham for Gardeners World Live at the NEC..

Frog Tale

We went to the allotment today and found a big green monster. It was not this glamorous Frog that I found hiding under the black weed guard. It was a large amount of weeds..
Thistles that stabbed me lots, some Bindweed, Couch Grass and Dock Leaves. The warm weather and rain has made everything grow madly. The hedgerows were full of new growth that spilled out onto the lane. Queen Annes Lace and Nettles were very abundent. I also noticed some Himalayan Balsam flowering.
The Potato rows have grown on and needed hoeing between them. I forgot that the rows are thirty feet long and with two sides to hoe that was a lot of weeding. There was a lot of weeds and grasses.
It was baking hot today so we sweated. We stopped to go to Asda to buy a parasol to give us shade. The plot is completely flat and the sun passes over it all day. Nothing casts any shadows to give us shade to sit down in.
Now we have a white parasol (complete with England Motifs) to turn around to give us shade. We also invested in a bottle of spray sun block. It was burning weather today. After several experiences of severe sunburn from the allotment its better to spray it on rather than getting burnt.
We chopped down some of the monster Rhubarb plants, and dug up the last of last years Leeks. There are Courgettes to go into the ground now. I found that the Swede plants had started to grow flowers. These bolting plants were snipped of their flowers. We did not want them going to seed.
The day flew past very quickly. I was given some of Cats Dads Tomato plants. We bought some Snapdragons and Busy Lizzies for the garden but they are just resting in their containers.
After a long day in the sun we went to Nandos for some hot Portugese Piri Piri chicken.Just time to watch Springwatch and the day is nearly over.
I have had a surprise night visitor a few days ago, and we discovered the culprit behind the masses of holes in the planter boxes and tubs. I will reveal more tomorrow.

Veg And Flowers

The day has been like a game of football.... with two halves. The first half of the day was spent at the allotment. The second half was back at the house cutting the grass for the first time this year. I picked an entire container of Dandelion flowers from the garden. They were glowing in the sunlight and dyed my hands yellow. The collected flowers will be turned into Dandelion Wine 2010. Cat says I should sell the country wines for a few pounds a bottle, a nominal charge. These Dandelions were picked before the Lawn Mower went over them.

This Viola was growing in some deep grass in the back garden. This plant had escaped from the right hand border. It was bitter sweet cutting the grass as we have to do it because we are leaving this house. I told Cat we would end up having to cut the grass in our new house once we move in. We should have the keys by Friday.

This morning up at the allotment I planted my Cabbage, Broccoli, Swede, and Garlic plants in the prepared beds. Cat helped me tie the canes together to make a cage frame, which we covered in netting. The allotment is surrounded by Trees and hedging and has a good population of birds that dine on some vegetable plants. the net should stop the Pigeons nibbling on our Brassicas. The last thing we did at the plot was sowing two rows of Italian Carrot seed from Harrogate.

At the corner of the shed I planted my Tyre container, and a green hexagonal planter from home. I planted six Pansys, two Mimulus, one dark leaved Rumex, a pink and yellow Chrysanthenum, and another plant with yellow/orange flowers. I planted twenty Tigridia bulbs too in the containers.
The weather forecast is for rain over the next few days. It started raining when we were cutting the front and back garden grass. The only positive thing is that the new house has much less grass to mow!The garden is a lot smaller but I will pack it full of interesting plants and flowers.
Only two days to go for the keys. We will be packing boxes tomorrow. I hope the rain waters the gardens and the allotment to make everything grow.

Three Firsts

The post is about three things I have seen for the first time today...
I went to the allotment today to try to get the guttering fixed to the shed with Pat's help. I found these pink Cauliflower looking flowers growing in the Rhubarb. I asked some of the old men and they said it was because it had bolted. The warm sunny days have made it try to set seed I think (bolting). I only thought things like Spinach and Salad leaves bolted in warm weather. I have never seen these on Rhubarbs.

The warm weather has made the Rhubarb leaves huge like a Gunnera. They have grown onto the path at the side making it hard to get around them without getting scratched by the huge Gooseberry bush. Clearing a path is another job for another day.

The jobs you think that will not take long end up taking hours. Pat had to fiddle about with the guttering, and add an extra layer of the roofing so the water ran down into the gutter. She stuck the tarmac roof down with bathroom sealer, then painted it with a tar mix. I poured water from a watering can onto the roof to see how the water ran. The guttering slopes towards the black bin, and the water made a loud splash as it fell into the water but. I will watch the weather now hoping for rain so I can see how much my guttering will collect.
I always under estimate how long things will take, like weeding, or digging a new bed. I was up at the plot for six and half hours.The second thing today was I heard the first Cuckoo of the year (in fact my first Cuckoo ever in real life, not on the TV).
The third thing was.. I found a deceased Shrew on my raised bed. I have never seen one in real life. They are elusive and lightning quick. He was so soft to touch, and had a little snout with whiskers. Life is too harsh sometimes. I wander if he was caught by a bird of prey and dropped by accident landing on my plot?

Talking of strange things I am making a tyre planter to sit on the corner of my shed. I found it in a rubbish heap. I have filled it today with soil ready for planting tomorrow.
Cat came to pick me up from the allotment and we drive to the garden centre at Hampsons. This crazy duck had made her nest from pot plants on top of a wheeled display trolley. She had decanted the ferns out of the pots and was arranging them in a nest shape. She watched me and cat go plant shopping.
I have a selection to plant at the allotment. I want the Cottage Garden plot to be full of colour if I'm spending a lot of time up there.
I will be back tomorrow to take the Cabbages/Broccolis/ and Swedes up, plant the tyre container, make a cage to protect the juvenile plants from the Pigeons.
I bet it takes longer than I think it will.

Cottage Garden Plot

We spent today shopping for things for the allotment. I bought a little gas cooker, a whistling kettle,some butane canisters to power the cooker, a fold up picnic table, three fold up chairs, and some tea/sugar/coffee canisters.
These are now safely stored in the locked shed. I'm working all weekend before a week off next week.
I need to level the ground under the water butt so it sits level. The plan will be for a second water butt filled by the first one. 440 litres of rainwater should be enough for the plot I hope.
We drank our first cups of coffee made with heated water from the cooker, with the birds singing. The male blackbird was checking us out again and singing away.
I want to put some bird feeders up around the shed. Hanging baskets and planters will adorn the area around the shed with colourful flowers and buzzing pollinators. I want to grow vegetables, but it will be homely with the table, chairs, and the sound of a whistling kettle when its time for a drink! It will be more like a Cottage garden plot, rather than a Kitchen garden.
I reclaimed six Garlic plants growing here in my raised bed. They will be transported next week along with the Cabbages, Swede, and Purple Broccoli plants to the plot. The only other crop I want to sow will be some Carrots. I have some Italian seeds from the Spring flower show yesterday.
Once the hard work is done we will be able to relax at the plot with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Watching the wildlife, insects, and wildflowers like the humble Dandelion (above).

Garden Energy Boost

These Spring Flowers looked radiant in the warm sun. These deep pink, and royal blue Primulas were planted last year, and the Daffodils last November.
The Trees and hedgerows are turning green fast as leaves are growing. The Peach tree at the back of the garden finally has pink Blossoms on it, after none last year. The gardens Apple Tree's are developing the flower buds and leaves. Even my Mallus Braeburn in a pot looks healthy with lots of new growth. I might finally have Apples after three years!
The grass has started growing fast too and needs cutting.
The warm weather gives me loads of energy. I spent four hours today up at the allotment clearing the corner where the compost heap is. I want to dig a new vegetable bed tomorrow. My newly planted Onions were still in the ground. The first batch were picked out and rolled around by mischievous birds. The Potatoes have not grown on yet in their dug trenches,
The wild birds were singing from the tree tops, and the first Butterflies off the year were flying around the allotment in the sunshine. Its too easy to spend hours at the plot when it is nice weather.
I was in my own little world on my weekend off from work. I love the renewal of growth during April, the welcoming back of old friends like Primula plants, Daffodils and Cherry blossoms. The first sign growth from summer Bulbs like Casablanca Lily, and Oriental Stargazer Lily. The light green fern like leaves of the Welsh Poppies in the garden. My Tulips are opening open every few days, exotic colours in the lush green growth. The warm weather has caused masses of people to go outside to cut the grass. One of my the most evocative smells for me of spring is cut grass. The first cut of the year is so fragrant...
Spring is wonderful for working up at the allotment, and then coming back home to go outside into the garden. My arms and face are tanning beautifully. I love the sun on my face, and the wind in my hair.

Spring Sunday

This Daffodil is a beautiful two tone colour, with white outer petals, and the burnt orange trumpet. The Fire Tulips behind are fading away now but make a contrast to the cool Daffodil flower.
I went to the allotment today to plant the Onions. I planted the hundred white ones in the bag, and a bonus two rows of Red Onions from Hils. I planted the Turbo Onions today. My Stutgarter Onions had been pulled up and moved around all over the bed. Hils think the birds lift them up from the soil.
I found rodent teeth marks too on a rotting seed Potatoe. The mouse had chewed the central part which was not rotten. There must be quite a lot of resident wildlife that shares the allotment when im not there!
The sun has been out partially today, but the wind was cold. The first Dandelions have started to flower along grass verges. It will be Wine making soon if I can collect enough flower heads. I saw Daisys, and Buttercups flowering too along the Walton road. The warm weather has made the Tree's start to open their leaf buds. Even my gardens Lilac Tree is beginning to stir in the Spring sunshine with the first unfurling of green leaves.
I am working night shifts next week so the allotment will be left to its own devices for a week. I have grand plans in my head, and a shopping list to make the plan a reality.
I hope that Cat and me can get a moving date into our new house....

The Shed Is Up

I am showing a series of photos today taken at the allotment over the past six days. Last Friday Cats Dad came down to help me prepare a base for a six foot by four foot shed. They said they would construct it if there was a suitable prepared site to erect it. Cats Dad was an architect so it was done with straight edges on a piece of timber, and a spirit level. Three hours of tapping here, digging here, moving soil a bit, until finally it was pronounced level!

I was so proud of the level shed base (sort of Roman mosaic style as we had a limited amount of recycled slabs from Cats parents house) that I took a photo. I had to wait six days until today for the shed to be delivered in pieces.

The plot now has four rows of Potatoes, two Onion beds, five Rhubarb crowns, One Leek bed, and the rectangular bed that will take Cabbage, Swede, and Purple Broccoli plants. It now has a new shed freshly waterproof painted with Cat. I spent all three of my days off up there digging, weeding, hoeing paths, and visualising how the allotment will look.
This year is the RHS Grow Your Own Veg year. I have had an allotment for three years now. The first one I waited for a year before I finally got a section of one. I then gave it up for this one at Walton. There is a waiting list now to get a plot up there.
The RHS is spearheading a campaign to encourage people to grow their own fruit and veg. The problem that I see is there is not enough allotment plots/land for people to grow their own fruit and veg.
In some places generous landowners have let gardeners cultivate unused land for community garden allotment projects. In London I saw a disused car park had building rubble sacks filled with soil for people to grow veg in them. Even they had a waiting list for their bag gardens.

I spent seven and a half hours today in the sunshine listening to the birds singing. I watched the years first Butterfly flying around. I saw two male Pheasants square up by the edge of the allotment flying and shrieking at each other.
Working the soil is blindingly hard work, but afterwards you feel relaxed, in touch with the seasons, and happy. I cannot wait for the harvesting of all the produce that I have grown. Cooking them for a meal will make the whole process worth while. All the blood, sweat, and scratches/nettle stings.
I do believe gardening is therapeutic for people, and brings holistic benefits to all those who work in them. I think that its great the RHS wants people and Children to gain those benefits, and to help healthy eating by growing their own.