A Good Heart

Welcome back to Reads Allotment Retreat, our diary for our growing project! I'm pleased to announce that 1 of our Red Cabbages is hearting up nicely, despite a couple of the others having gone to seed. We had some funny weather this year: hot one minute, wet the next etc., and a few plants seem to have gone to seed as a result. The onion sets that were planted about two months ago are also having mixed success. The Red's seem to be fairing better than the whites, but we're still hoping for a good crop. Only time will tell. Next year I'm thinking of just sowing seed as opposed to sets, as the results always seem to be a bit better. We have a dozen or so (v.Bedfordshire Champion) growing at home in a raised bed, and these seem to be much healthier specimens.

I've managed to spend quite a bit of time at the plot this week, mainly due to the fact that my shift pattern has changed (for the better), allowing me to get a good few jobs done. I even managed a quick hour of work after my last 12 hour night shift - how's that for commitment! The bed that I dug recently has now been extended and weeded, making much needed space for more plantings! The B&Q bucket has been placed over the Rhubarb crown that I have moved to this bed. Previously the rhubarb was in a footpath - a design error from the early days of the plot! It had not grown well in it's previous position, as occasionally it was trampled underfoot! Hopefully now it will grow on well, and the bucket over the top might "force" the root growth? Let's hope so eh!

In the foreground of the previous pic (larger here) we have planted a marrow (v. Marketmore) plant, that we hope hope will grow well. The concrete blocks that have been dug up are now forming a much needed windbreak. The blocks were a real pain to hue from the ground, but now I find I'm looking for more of them. I know of at least a few more around the site that i will be commandeering in the very near future!




As more ground becomes available, it's quickly being weeded and made ready for more crops. This small bed was home to our overwintering onions, most of which have now been eaten! After clearing this patch of earth, I made 3 drills and gave them a good soaking. After draining away we planted 3 rows of Chard(v.Zilver). This will hopefully keep us in winter greens during the leaner months of the year, as well as providing a bit of structure to the planting area. Also, in terms of the planning, we're now trying to decide what to plant to follow the spuds ? We have started to harvest the First Earlies (v.Rocket), and over the coming weeks envisage the the bed will soon be cleared. Any ideas ? We're thinking of Turnip / Swede / Courgettes.

Our Runners are putting on good growth now, and following some "expert" advice from fellow plotholders, we have drawn the earth up around the plants. The idea apparently is that the rainwater will run off the mounds and go straight to the roots, which sounds like a fine idea to me. All we need now then is some rain! I'm off to the plot to water stuff today, and will have to remember where to water! Note to myself: Sort out hosepipe fittings!!

Our Leek bed is doing well, we are really glad to report! Since this was taken we have hand weeded the area, and it looks a lot tidier! There's also a row of Parsnips (v.Hollow Crown) down the left side, and these too are growing really well. It's only a small bed(approx 6x 4) but there's a lot packet into it. If it gets too crowded we can simply pull some of the Leeks a bit early, that would be a treat !


Back on the subject of winter greens, wifey has planted up a bed full of wintery delights consisting of Spinach Beet and Curly Leafed Kale. These are now starting to put on good growth, along with the left over Leeks down each side of the bed. It's gonna be a bumper Leek year!
As soon as more growth takes place, we;ll be able to get in there and pull the weeds. Weeds - god they grow well. Can we eat them too ? I have in the last couple of days found cause to speak to the site manager regarding neighboring plots that are not being tended. The problem is that weeds are growing all around, and the constant wind across the site is spreading the seeds from them, mainly it seems over my plot. We have also stated that if these plot are not sorted and become "available" then will will take one or both of them on. Let's wait and see!

Having completed all my chores for the day, I then hired the lawnmower and set about tidying the plot. Doesn't it look smart ? Only costs 50p for as long as it takes to mow - can't say fairer than that ! And, the more it gets mowed, the easier the mowing gets, and the grass clippings go straight in the compost bin. (2nd note to myself: Need another compost bin!).


And here' the view from the other end of the plot. A few months ago it was all overgrown and unkempt, but now look at it. We've patted ourselves on the back already, and can now get on with enjoying our plot!





That's all for today, thank you for visiting! We hope you enjoyed this update, and we look forward to welcoming you all back to our Allotment Retreat.

Take care all and enjoy your plots and gardens.

TTFN.