tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44100560586802928482011-07-08T08:18:44.661+01:00My Allotment DiaryTashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.comBlogger641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-91828984262862542702011-01-30T21:52:00.000Z2011-01-30T21:52:37.402Z

Little One Number 2 Hello my blogger friends! He doesn't yet have his own wellies but he'll grow up on the plot like Little One number 1. He was born in October - actually a little early and since then we've been on wonderful babymoon!! Well, I hadn't been to the plot for absolutely ages. It was being rampaged by weeds when I saw it in Sept/Oct. I was a little daunted to go a visiting, as I'd

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-51752679143364940062010-08-01T20:26:00.002+01:002010-08-01T22:02:22.005+01:00

It's not only the blog which has been neglected, the poor lottie has been rather left too. I have been totally lifted out of my life for a whole month for work and now dropped back in. I'm playing catch up with life. My son. My man. My home. My garden...and my plot.Although the plot has had occasional waterings it has had to survive without me. If I'm honest I was totally devastated when I

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-80075383126876084562010-06-13T00:08:00.003+01:002010-06-13T00:47:38.355+01:00

The first home grown strawberry of the year!Click on image to enlargeThe yellow line marks the boundary of my plot. There are also borlotti beans along side the runner beans and peppers and chillies in the tomato bed. I have a little space in the herb beds and room next to the tayberries (where I was hoping to plant a blackberry bush, finances permitting!). I have bunged the squashes in the

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-83838187426761081662010-06-06T21:39:00.008+01:002010-06-07T10:22:32.996+01:00

So many things to do.... so little time to blog.At home I've been rescuing tomato plants which cooked whilst I was in Morocco and temperatures soared here. I've potted on about eight plants at home, with basil and marigolds and the rest are destined for the allotment. I lost my cucumber but sowed another. At the allotment it would be easy to be overcome by the weeds and the all the other of jobs

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-3020139809376566072010-05-31T21:20:00.005+01:002010-05-31T21:52:35.194+01:00

OrangesCabbagesTomatoesLettucesCourgettes and SquashesI was very lucky to spend a week in Morocco. The beautiful hotel we stayed in in Marrakech had a great potager. Just so productive. They grew all the things you would think - tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, aubergines, onions and garlic, all the herbs, fantastic fruit - figs, oranges and pomegranates. I was surprised they had huge cabbages but

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-57591734763300009972010-04-26T21:46:00.007+01:002010-04-26T23:03:03.476+01:00

from the top: Broccoli Raab, 2x rows Beetroot and the Broad BeansRejoice! as we've had some sunshine and warmth. The barbeque has been wheeled out at home and the evenings are lovely and light. I'm also pleased to say that I have finally passed through a big patch of nausea and ridiculous tiredness caused by my new pregnancy - yes! - you read it here 1st!! So now I can start to enjoy this year

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-33566670457296334002010-03-25T20:28:00.007Z2010-03-25T21:36:02.721Z

This is a bit of a religious quote for me but it grasps the potential of seeds. From one the possibility for life is endless. Springtime is seed time.So what did I sow?In the propagator:-Tomatoes: Marmande, Cuor di Bue, Datterini.Basil: Lettuce leaved and BushMarjoram, Dill, ParsleyCayenne Chilli PepperCourgette: Alberello di SarzanaCucumber: PicolinoLeek: PandoraAt the allotment:-Onions: Red

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-36460367296758567812010-03-03T22:00:00.002Z2010-03-04T20:53:16.715Z

I have been very kindly presented with this Award from Jo at The Good Life - I feel very privileged to receive it and has left me feeling proud and appreciated. Thanks again Jo.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-45947881313007169022010-03-01T20:16:00.005Z2010-03-07T10:35:46.660Z

I love this quote, it's so perfect. It's been a long weekend with my 3 year old burning a fever and the constant driving rain keeping us indoors for the most of it. Cabin fever. I was delighted to wake up to sunshine this morning which meant one thing to me - Allotment!With the help of my young under-gardener, I dug over last year's garlic and onion bed. I had tried to grow sweetcorn after the

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-5187168644152237462010-02-19T21:01:00.006Z2010-02-19T22:29:17.944Z

Super Aguadolce broad beans, first planting under cover.Pomodori Italiano!A few days ago I started to get a little buzzy feeling about this year's growing season. Opening my seed box and seeing all the potential is such a thrill. I think I learnt a lot last year, my first true season. For a start, I sowed far too many tomato seeds and each sprout I potted on, and on, and I found it impossible to

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-78591526737133210222009-12-08T16:56:00.004Z2009-12-08T17:42:18.823Z

It's hard to believe I've not written much on my blog the latter part of this year. Well, it is a diary and I have not been doing much at the allotment. Life has been keeping me busy but I did plant some japanese onions and some thermidrome garlic a few weeks. (-maybe a couple of months ago!?!) Today we went to the allotment to pull carrots and look at the overgrown cauliflower. It is past its

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-689231697066609762009-10-10T16:32:00.006+01:002009-10-14T20:03:31.782+01:00

In The Grand Plan, I was following my hero Geoff Hamilton's advice and had my bed all ready to plant strawberries in August. Although I was stumped when I went online in July to order some plants and all the big sellers quoted delivery dates in October!?! Last weekend I was at Wisley, my favourite garden centre and I bought six Pegasus strawberry plants and six Cambridge Favourite plants. I

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-22762181923720293632009-09-20T19:47:00.002+01:002009-09-20T20:22:33.716+01:00

I've been neglecting my blog for ages now, I am sorry.The allotment has been ticking over well. We've harvested untold beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes. The sweetcorn was okay but not fab the cobs were not very uniformed and I wondering if I should have watered them more when it was dry and the cukes for that matter. The carrots have never stopped coming, I should have sown some more.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-32711939027422698442009-08-05T08:54:00.008+01:002009-08-05T20:22:13.024+01:00

It's like mentioning that Scottish play backstage. The 'B' word on the allotments brings fear into the hearts of all. "BLIGHT!!Two days ago I received an email from the Allotments Association warning of blight on the allotments. Recommending Spraying with Bordeaux mixture. Warning not to compost any of the plants but destroy them. So let me tell you briefly about blight. It is caused by the

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-85944186366905719322009-07-26T22:21:00.005+01:002009-07-27T00:03:44.002+01:00

I scratched myself with the tip of my secateurs whist trimming leaves on my bushy tomatoes. A scratch it was not, in fact it was a small laceration on the top of the big knuckle on my thumb. I'll spare you the details but it was serious enough. I immediately went to my shed and pulled out a little first aid kit I had in there. I wiped the cut with an antiseptic wipe and applied some pressure to

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-23285890239074084292009-07-23T22:39:00.003+01:002009-07-23T22:45:13.930+01:00

Hugh says: This is a ‘multiple choice’ recipe for chutney, designed to help you use whatever seasonal fruit and vegetables are in full glut at the time. For me, the courgettes/overgrown marrows are pretty much a staple in August and September, and they may give way to pumpkins and squashes in October and November. Tomatoes and plums are around at roughly the same time, though the tomatoes will

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-34605821440502046942009-07-23T22:33:00.005+01:002009-07-26T22:21:22.211+01:00

Neil Perry is one of my favourite Aussie chefs, this recipe is really easily and tasty! Don't be put off by the anchovies they dissolve in the oil and just add 'taste'... trust me on that xIngredients200g/7oz pasta (any orechiette, fusilli whatever)3 large zucchinisextra virgin olive oil, for cooking6 whole anchovies3 cloves garlicsea salt and freshly ground black pepperdash fried chilli

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-1383299747471774992009-07-23T22:29:00.003+01:002009-07-23T22:46:47.795+01:00

To ensure that this courgette and pine nut cake has a sweet taste, it is best made only in early summer, when the courgettes are still very small.Ingredients150g Unsalted butter, softened175g Caster sugar3 Eggs225g Plain flour1 tsp Baking powder225g Sultanas or dried vine fruits300g Small courgettes, grated70g Pine nuts1 Lemon, finely grated zest and juiceMethodPreheat the oven to 180˚C/gas 4.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-48581267465944807672009-07-13T22:11:00.002+01:002009-07-13T22:14:38.729+01:00

Perfection in white, need I say more.Click on for detail.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-84252907618269361932009-07-13T22:01:00.003+01:002009-07-13T22:09:36.713+01:00

"Birds do it, bees do it, Even educated carrots do it Let's do it, let's fall in love!!"

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-34131379203013479192009-07-09T22:49:00.004+01:002009-07-09T23:12:46.211+01:00

I found that my sage had been munched away but this armour-plated bug. Do click on the middle picture to see it's hammered metal casing. A fine specimen. It's so cool, I found it hard to decide if I liked it more than my sage! I think by it's name it's probably safe to assume it's keen on rosemary too.It has been raining now in my corner of Surrey and the vegetables and I have been rejoicing.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-22062797848351094852009-07-03T14:36:00.003+01:002009-07-03T14:51:38.137+01:00

A pretty site at our lovely allotments Diane is unable to work on her plot whilst she is unwell but she has so many beautiful flowers it's a gorgeous site to behold. Get well soon Diane.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-70214326860890071302009-06-30T20:12:00.009+01:002009-06-30T21:37:24.957+01:00

After pulling up my cabbages because they had some speckly yellowing of the leaves - suspected mildewy sickness? I was thinking, as I always have, why bother with brassicas? They are fussy; needing rich, limey soil, they are greedy for food and water and space, they are eaten by everything - birds, slugs, aphids, cabbage whites, root flys, flea beetles, moths - oh but not eaten by teenagers and

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-52979937263903297632009-06-28T22:27:00.008+01:002009-06-28T23:35:56.007+01:00

Italian Parsley and Roma Tomatoesmy flower bedThe ground is shockingly dry. I've been really, or at least I thought I had, drenching the plants with endless cans of water, but the soil has been baked deep down. Normally the Wimbledon Tennis starting and Glastonbury festival normally ensures a decent spell of rain, but no not this year, I'm thinking we're in for another '76!! Not so long ago I was

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-44898828085485734452009-06-25T23:40:00.009+01:002009-06-28T22:22:52.318+01:00

Purple Peruvian Garlic - only formed two cloves! Purple Peruvian on left and Thermidrome on rightQ: Can you grow garlic from the supermarket?A: No, unless perhaps you are lucky enough to get a variety that is right for our climate etc.I harvested my first batch garlic today after planting it almost eight months ago. The Thermidrome variety which I got from the organic catalogue all seem to have

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-42551290379875404022009-06-22T23:24:00.005+01:002009-06-25T00:28:36.895+01:00

Bees and BorageUnidentified Caterpiller on NettlesPoached EggsGarlic needs harvesting and broad beans are ready to move on now - what shall I do next? My potatoes are not flowering - why? These are the questions I am pondering any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-91236717014442703832009-06-16T21:15:00.009+01:002009-06-18T19:21:26.446+01:00

Broad beans, broccoli (calabrese), carrots and sweet smelling sweet peas...mmm!- don't they just look perfect? So proud am I.Tonight we enjoyed a herby spatchcock chicken accompanied by the freshest and most perfect (-well I would say that) carrots, broad beans and broccoli (calabrese)...mmm...divine. I have come the swift conclusion that when you eat 'fresh as it comes' vegetables you are

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-79134296444638765702009-06-03T21:48:00.004+01:002009-06-03T22:46:59.699+01:00

Dainty AlliumsBrazen BorageI have been nipping down to the plot to water and weed a little. I'm always impressed by the speed everything is growing, weeds included. The borage is massive now and the flowers will be open in a few days I'm sure. The alliums, if they don't get decapitated by my son, will soon been in flower too. I have planted the little one's sunflowers and some sweet peas in the

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-78903007177296942652009-05-24T21:21:00.009+01:002009-05-24T23:13:46.417+01:00

Plan version 3Tomatoes precariously close to potato bed....often go awry. As you may know I love growveg.com. So here's my plan at the moment. I really wanted to clear the whole plot but I just don't have enough time at the moment; the rest of the plot is keeping me so busy with the watering and weeding etc. The weather is hot and the ground is very dusty which is not such a nice combination for

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-13569608835163441862009-05-12T23:03:00.006+01:002009-05-13T14:00:36.174+01:00

Broad beans appearingTomatoes potted onGoosegogs plumpingI have a new camera... I am so happy. Thank you my love.Good photography makes a blog so much better. I feel very spoilt to have been given a camera outside of birthday and Christmas time. Oh but how it will revolutionise my life and blog. Carrots and Kids blog is so gorgeous to look at and of a quality I aspire to. The writing is

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-60993904133624392752009-04-29T22:11:00.005+01:002009-05-01T08:51:10.806+01:00

It was the most glorious Sunday, warm and sunny. Armed with a picnic, the little one and I spent all afternoon at the allotment. We pottered around weeding and watering, making mud pies and practising scootering. I sowed a row of French Breakfast Radish and thinned carrots. We had a visit from a friend I've known since I was about the little one's age who brought sandwiches, strawberries and

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-9127367324158007372009-04-22T22:25:00.006+01:002009-06-26T00:42:52.943+01:00

Digging in the green manureI sowed some green manure five weeks ago in the bed where I am going to plant strawberries in late summer. This was packaged as a spring green manure and to be used as a soil conditioner. With the weather being wet and sunny last week it had really shot up. The packet instructed to dig in when 9'' tall. As I am not sure when I'll have much time at the allotment the next

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-71444849903507124032009-04-22T21:14:00.007+01:002009-04-22T22:23:21.674+01:00

Ignore the fact that it needs a scrub...Note: The hinged top...and the removable front panel.I have been claiming stuff from skips since we took on the allotment. As soon as I laid eyes on this pallet crate I could see it as a cold frame. It was another day and another skip when I claimed the plastic twin-wall sheeting. The other timber came from here and there. Bar the hinges which I already had

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-40549542551191635002009-04-15T14:07:00.033+01:002009-06-26T00:37:38.212+01:00

I'm trying to make a cold frame out of skip finds - halfway there.Peas under cover protection from mice and green manure in bed behind.I only managed a measly half a day at the allotment over the whole of Easter as I was working back in the (-tougher than I left it 3 years ago) world of pop videos. My head was so knotted up with stress from the job that I thought my brain was going to explode. It

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-78510570165397179282009-04-04T22:06:00.009+01:002009-04-05T23:07:47.348+01:00

Child-proof potato bed - I hope!Today was such a lovely warm sunny day. I put the sides on another bed, took time to dig in some well-rotted horse manure. My plan was to make this bed half leeks and half potatoes, but I had so many seed potatoes that I stole a bit of the leek end and I also made three potato bags.I planted swift variety and as the name implies I hope they shall be ready in no

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-70314914573302062582009-04-04T10:13:00.005+01:002009-05-01T09:46:21.313+01:00

I popped in very quickly to Lottie yesterday with some calabrese and Hispi pointy cabbage seedlings that I picked up at Wisley, where of course I had gone for something completely different. I have been very reluctant to grow brassicas as the are attacked for all directions but as I have a small (limed) bed with only one kale and one cabbage in, I thought I might as well make use of the space. I

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-3005147092679147102009-03-27T21:41:00.014Z2009-03-31T10:39:55.926+01:00

As it was after the big chop... As it is now, March 2009Okay, so it's still messy but it is shaping up now. I have hit the serious bramble infested end of the plot. Progress has slowed because of the sheer density and depth of the roots and also the rainy weather. I had a huge pile of weeds that had been drying nicely on a pallet which I joyfully incinerated. It was very cathartic burning all the

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-63560448555061132352009-03-27T17:06:00.010Z2009-03-27T23:31:59.708Z

I still love growveg.com, I have revised my plan many times....at the moment this is my plan!Click on it to see it larger.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-80983119255760380352009-03-18T21:02:00.009Z2009-03-18T22:09:02.997Z

One of the monsters I've evicted.Now as I understand if I leave even the smallest piece of couch grass in, the rhizome will sprout and more will grow so it's important to carefully get rid of the lot. I assumed that the same is true of the bramble roots. But today a chap at the allotment told me I didn't need to excavate the whole root just the crown part. Is this true?.. have I been burrowing to

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-91370569603614164742009-03-15T20:37:00.002Z2009-03-15T21:58:26.572Z

Friday saw another long day at the allotment. As well as plenty of digging and some more weed burning, the raspberries were replanted properly, singularly. I have given some of the extra raspberry canes to my sister, to friends and a couple of other allotment holders. My sister in turn has given me two gooseberry standards.Thanks to my lovely friend who has given up some of her time to help me,

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-82494114476520582552009-03-11T20:53:00.011Z2009-03-12T10:15:01.065Z

I spent nearly seven hours at the allotment today. When I got there it was lovely and quiet, as I got on with jobs I listened to the lovely bird sounds. There was one interesting one which I'm afraid I can't describe but it wasn't long until I spotted the green woodpecker that was making it. I had a real moment of feeling so perfectly contented which was made even better by glorious sunshine

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-71343774855867664592009-03-10T22:45:00.004Z2009-03-10T22:57:34.338Z

I have just watched a 'How to' plant raspberries video on bbc.com and my questions are answered - Thank you Monty, for making it so clear for me.Tomorrow I shall go and sort out the raspberries. 

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-32643912347948102292009-03-10T20:45:00.003Z2009-03-10T20:52:58.182Z

Hopefully I've caught this one early enough to rectify in time. It appears that I should have split up the canes of my raspberries before I planted them. This is not explained on the labels of any of the plants. I shall be working on my solution at once and get back to you then. I guess I was confused by the fact they were potted and not bare-rooted... and by the diagrams of the scottish stool

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-87442851419285734172009-03-02T20:08:00.004Z2009-03-02T22:28:58.254Z

... the raspberries are planted.It's always good to share a special moment with someone, especially if they happen to bring a confident approach to the whole affair. (- thank you, you know who you are)Hoping that once planted the raspberries will be there for 10 years or so I wanted to be sure to give them the best start I could, so I'd been cross referencing planting techniques. Raspberry roots

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-31140263526184099262009-02-27T23:21:00.008Z2009-02-28T00:06:41.038Z

...weeds, weeds, weeds...Some major excavating had to be done to clear the deep, winding and sprawling roots of the brambles. The alien-like bramble roots went all the way down to Hades! Often we'd have to dig 4' down into the orange sand and stoney subsoil following one to its finer hairier ends. Not to mention the couch grass and the nettles. This area perhaps 16' x 8' was the hardest so far.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-14738833793969885382009-02-27T21:30:00.005Z2009-02-27T23:20:20.214Z

Frozen ground 6.1.09I'm sorry to desert my blog for so long..... As it is a diary of Lottie I should run through what's been happening since I last posted. I dug another bed next to our seating area. This bed will be for flowers and herbs and for my little under-gardener to practice gardening in. In the picture above you can see the pallet box which I am making in to a cold frame/mini greenhouse,

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-31545698675788291442008-11-12T21:15:00.004Z2008-11-12T21:34:35.901Z

What we have here is the purple Peruvian garlic I bought from Waitrose. I can't believe it's popped up in less then two weeks! The other variety thermidrome is yet to show.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-88285775659521384402008-11-12T14:55:00.005Z2008-11-12T21:35:46.664Z

My growveg.com Allotment PlanI was the the cat with the proverbial cream the day I found growveg.com web site. What fun I have had designing and re-designing my plot. It has a way of shading around the plants so you space them correctly, the shading also categorises the plants for crop rotation. To top it all off it lists the vegetables and fruit that you want to grow on a table, showing you when

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-90042143060431941792008-11-11T21:39:00.009Z2008-11-12T21:36:11.185Z

The pale carrots are rainbow variety, middle ones rothild and flakee on the right.I had the help of my under-gardener today to pull some of our carrots. "Wow wee!" he said as they lifted easily from the ground. I shall have to remind him of this day when he's older, how he happily pulled his first carrot from the ground before he was two years old. I planted three late varieties - Flakee, Rothild

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-42348410248570936832008-11-10T23:25:00.007Z2008-11-12T21:36:46.226Z

This is the Comma butterfly or Polygonia c-album. It get's its name from the 'c' or comma shaped silver mark on the underside of it's wing. After landing on my windscreen at Wisley it dived in the window, hitched a ride on my dashboard up the road and then fluttered off. I felt very lucky to have such a fleeting visit especially when I read it should be hibernation already! 

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-20389700960474105752008-11-08T14:29:00.008Z2008-11-08T15:16:36.932Z

Traditionally with garlic ...PLANT ON THE SHORTEST DAY, HARVEST ON THE LONGEST DAY... Well I have planted mine early - on Halloween, which may help rid the allotment of evil spirits? ... the evil spirits of slugs perhaps!!With the help of Shannie I cleared another big area of weed roots and put together another bed. We burnt a lot of the weeds that weren't wet in the incinerator. This is a great

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-35749932030888738842008-10-24T21:48:00.006+01:002008-10-24T22:23:46.571+01:00

It has taken me a bit longer then planned to get some broad beans in the ground. Although I had the bed ready well over a week ago, I have been too busy to plant the beans. But I snuck down to the allotment for an hour today. I also delivered my new incinerator which I have to admit I'm overly keen to use and burn all those weed roots up. I have planted two double rows of Super Aquadolce broad

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-49681420092795956922008-10-08T22:09:00.002+01:002008-10-08T22:15:22.555+01:00

Well, I ashamed to say this is my plot. I just looks so terrible now. But I hope this will be a good photo to look back at in the future to see how much we have done.Some folks pass by and say "Oh you're brave taking on that plot!".Of the two beds covered there in envioromesh the one on the right is the carrot experiment and the one on the left is the cabbage and kale bed.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-22398448137966134762008-10-04T21:20:00.004+01:002008-10-04T21:45:03.695+01:00

This is my beautiful perfect first carrot. It's about 8" long, well, was - of course, after skipping home from lottie with it to show the family, it was devoured almost instantly. It was flakee variety..........so wonderfully straight don't you think?Aah! I'm so pleased that I took the trouble to remove the larger stones, to turn in that lovely compost and cover it in the warming envioromesh. The

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-56832388562489219662008-08-07T20:51:00.003+01:002008-08-07T21:14:20.409+01:00

My carrot success is few and far between - literally.I was very proud of my seed tapes, but really I have such a few carrots seedlings to show for it that I should have planted more conventionally run the risk of the carrot fly when thinning. I'm running the risk when I'm weeding anyhow! Perhaps I could over seed the tapes, as they did make for some seriously fast sowing?I am very happy with my

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-86632536835883942612008-08-07T20:43:00.002+01:002008-08-07T20:47:07.047+01:00

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-23419347166778139842008-07-24T21:59:00.009+01:002008-11-08T17:17:51.260Z

Carrot seeds are in the ground.So here we have the 1st bed I have dug. With 3 lines of carrot seed with my recycled wooden spoon labels.Since I had misplaced my camera cable and I was unable to upload my photos therefore I have neglected my blog for a bit. Oh and I had a weeks jolies in Cornwall too. To be honest I think the blog can be neglected whereas carrot seed shouldn't be.Actually, to date

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-50975612805011229112008-07-03T22:37:00.002+01:002008-07-03T23:00:32.005+01:00

I found a shed on Gumtree - it is pretty worn, but it was free and will be absolutely fine for now. It's a muted purple colour; not too unpleasant as it's tone is fairly grey. We 'uumm'ed and 'arrrh'ed about what to put the shed on slabs or pallets? Paving slabs would have required a gravel/sand/stone mix under and level ground. That would have meant bringing in heavy loads and fiddling about a

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-2535684266525302542008-06-26T23:14:00.008+01:002009-06-03T22:56:37.429+01:00

It looks quite post-apocalyptic ! Quite a transformation. We've unearthed the old compost heap but it will be no good any more - full of weed roots. How on earth will we get rid of it? Any ideas greatly appreciated..

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-52508632713858691402008-06-26T21:58:00.006+01:002008-11-08T20:20:13.686Z

We hired a serious strimmer with a metal blade and flattened the brambles, nettles, grass and weeds. I don't think a string strimmer would have coped with the thick brambles.I have been drawing up a plan.. well, I say a plan it's changed every day so far.  Obviously, I want it be a productive patch, but not too overwhelming and reasonably low maintenance. So we are going to try to have a plot

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-63111592846627229872008-06-23T22:47:00.001+01:002008-06-23T22:52:19.091+01:00

Muddy Face

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-40800745726984981202008-06-23T22:44:00.001+01:002008-06-23T22:47:47.823+01:00

Nettles from the Path looking into the allotment.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-16044421337122530302008-06-23T22:19:00.003+01:002008-06-23T22:43:21.873+01:00

Mama, Papa and Boy admired plot today, measured up and pondered with fertile imaginations the potential of our 42' x 21' overgrown allotment.I can't wait to see our plot without all the brambles, nettles, grass and weeds.We need a shed so we don't have to carry tools to and fro. We are starting the great scavenge from now on... looking for boards to create the raised beds, pallets to create the

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410056058680292848.post-52157911489562439102008-06-22T21:39:00.000+01:002008-06-22T21:41:24.353+01:00

Today is Day One. We have an allotment. We have a purpose.

Tashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339714972935664053noreply@blogger.com0