27/2/2009

The plot has been mine for a year now. Although parts of it are still overgrown with brambles the area that I am working is looking quite good.

When I took it over at the end of Februaury last year it was a patch of earth covered with brambles, weeds and couch grass. It had a sick plum tree, a patch of raspberry canes and rhubarb crowns hidden by grass and brambles.

With a bit of effort I managed to grow potatoes, lettuce, peas, and beans a couple of courgettes last year.

This year I start the growing season with a bed of strawberry plants, raspberry canes (autumn and summer), redcurrant bush, blackcurrant bushes, 2 goseberry bushes, and two struggling blueberry plants. The plum tree has been cut back in an attempt to save it and the rhubarb and raspberry areas are tidier.

My garlic and onions planted in the autumn seem to be ok. My first earlies are chitting in the shed and I am clearing the area that will be the place where I plant them.

Am I going to give up the allotment -and do I regret taking it on- no. Is it hardwork- yes, I do n't even have a shed there so cannot leave any tools there and it is at least a 20 min. walk there and back.