Back on the range

After almost giving up on the plot due to work, home, health and general mental condition. I have come through to the other side and started again. So far 20 hours spent fighting back the weeds and making the beds. I am cheered on by beautiful weather and the lovely people who still go. My darling better half has helped and provide fantastic picnics on the two full days I have been down there.

Waiting for the sun

So more snow and with it the notion of getting a head start gone out of the window. Never mind at least the spuds are still ok and hopefully that is the last of the really cold weather. Will have to check the seed bed tomorrow and assess the damage!

Seeds in and hoping to put some early plug plants in too

So last Sunday was like spring had sprang and being on the plot was like really getting started! Got my seed bed topped up and have order some plug plants. Seeds planted are: Lettuce, Early Cabbage, Broad beans,leafbeet, and Beetroot. I ordered my Plug plants from ebay from Member ID: hippychick1822 and will let you know how they get on.

Two strawberries from last summer

Thought I would post this picture of my two enjoying the lovely strawberries of last summer. I can not wait until it warms up a bit. I think I will pop down this weekend to get a raised bed warmed up and get the seed bed cleared for March

YouFarm

Found this great site http://www.youfarm.org/ run by Phil. He has built loads of really good articles and tips well worth the first while dreaming of growing on these freezing nights!

A gamble on a mild start

I have decided to get my raised bed going early with Garlic, Radishes, and beetroot. It is a bit of a risk but as long as I can protect the seeds/bulbs and cover if needed I think I can get some early crops. Will let you know of success or failure!

Very busy and very windy on the plot

Over the long bank holiday I took, I have been working very hard to get the whole plot working this year. The beds have got bigger and the pathways have disappeared. Lots planted and more to go in. I hope to post more pictures soon.

A muddy start

Made a muddy start yesterday to extend the beds by removing more grass paths need to get this years potatoe bed ready. Also recieved my order of seeds. Really looking forward to growing squashes and globe artichokes this year.

Early Snow

Well the on set of winter and an early snow have scuppered some of my plans. At least I got some Jerusalem Artichokes out and planted the rest for next year. I really need to move my seed bed down and get some more compost/manure on the beds but with a bit more hard work early spring and expansion of some of the beds I reckon it will be an even better year next!

Blogging from iphone

So I have started blogging from my phone! It means that I can blog on breaks at the allotment and the bus. Also it will be easy to upload photos. So enough of the teckkie stuff. I have missed out a bit this year but still had a great crop of spuds, and peas. With the cabbages, pak choi, and greens I am hoping to finish on a high. I managed to get down tonight and painted the shed with a beautiful sunset!

Potatoes chitting

Got my seed Potatoes yesterday and have them all on top of the kitchen units chitting away. I have them on trays with newspaper and gone for some in egg boxes, stood in little cups cut from cardboards tubes, and some wrapped with paper like little nests.

1. Arran Pilot Seed Potatoes (First Early)


2. Charlotte seed potatoes (Second Early)


3. Kestral seed potatoes (As a Main Crop)

Currently still trying to get a large stone out of the potatoe bed at the moment. I hope my spuds won't be as hard to get out!

Planted first Toms in the window

Still waiting for the snow to go away and for it to start warming up. Decided to plant three varities of Tomatoes in the propergator on the window sill. went for Money Maker,Roma vf, and a cherry varity Gardener's Delight. Great offer at Wilko's 3xpacket for £1.50. thought I would plant some more in a couple of weeks and then try them out in the ground later to compare. Still dreaming of a shed.

Leeky pot

Last year I bought some young leeks grown packed together in a pot. I still have some to pick in the bed at the allotment. So I thought I would plant some myself in batches to see if I could get a good staggered crop. The first batch I have planted today and are on my window sill. I went for "Giant Winter" which seems apt for the weather at the moment! Will be looking at a second batch in about March depends on the weather will need to harden off. Anybody grow Welsh onions?

Chitting Potatoes

I have cleared my potatoe bed and covered with some Black plastic to warm up the soil ready to get some manure.

Great advice from Allotment Vegetable Growing

"Chitting is simply placing the potatoes in a frost free place with indirect light and will produce short strong shoots, getting them away to a faster start. You can use egg cartons or seed trays to keep them in. Don't forget to label them so you don't get confused as to variety come planting time." -Allotment Vegetable Growing

Cleaning the beds

Managed an afternoon on Saturday removing some of the old and dead plants ready for digging and manure. Need to start getting the first peas in pots on the window sill. Hoping that we start to warm up now!

Seeds are in!

Really excited as the seeds are in and going down to the Allotment tomorrow to collect them. If its not raining too hard might put a couple of hours in tidying up the plot and marking up for the shed. Spend some of the weekend plant some early Leeks, radishes, and lettuce up in trays for the window sill. Also have a seed bed that needs looking at and I want to make a cover frame for it as it is a raised bed in the back garden.

Its great when there little things to get on with. Also thinking of growing mushrooms in the shed any body else tried this?

Free Veg Planner from the RHS

Just found this handy RHS veg Planner that you can download for free:


Click Here to Download

As the snow just does not want to go! I thought I would continue planning my plot. So here is my layout for 2010! I am gradually expanding the beds and introducing a shed, Asparagus bed and a Rhubarb patch. Might put a herb patch in too! (click image to load in large form)

Trying to find cheeap cloches

Joined the Face Book Leeds Allotments group:

Has any body tried using plastic clear mixing bowls as cloches and got results?
I have bought some from Wilkos 79p each thought I would have a go at winter lettuce and rocket.
Did my 2010 layout of crops including finally deciding where to put the shed!