Building things

There's been a lot of construction work going on at our allotments recently. The shed and the cold frame I have blogged about. The other things, well first there was the growhouse.  That's on Plot 8. It's only a plastic walk in growhouse from Aldi and we don't know how well it will work.  But it's got a good solid wooden base to stand on and it's well secured to this base because we know how easy it is for growhouses to fly away on a windy day. A cheap growhouse like this is not the ideal, but we're on a tight budget and if it doesn't last long then at least it will put us on until we can afford a better one and there will be a good base to fix it to.

On plot 10b a recent 'structure' is a platform for the water butts.  They needed to be raised up so the taps could be fitted and we could easily get a watering can underneath.  It looks very smart and has tidied up the front of the shed area. 

The latest new project on plot 8 has been making a level  area outside the shed  where we can put the table and chairs. It's all ready now to put some membrane down and then top with gravel. I love this little space. With the weather improving we will soon be having our allotment picnics and this will be a good place to sit out when we want to take a break from our hard work.

All of these new projects as usual have been made using recycled wood or paving.  It keeps my husband busy. He loves a building project, I only have to say I would like something and he gets his tape measure out and starts to rummage through our collection of wood. The least amount of money spent the better. Now what next? It could be gravel paths, which might involve spending some money. I suppose it had to happen sometime.

Sowing seeds and planting out

 

We had some lovely days down at the allotment recently.  The weather has been fine, dry and sunny.  It was surprisingly quiet over Easter, I thought there would be more people down there working on their plots.  Although I like to chat to our neighbours, it was good to have that time of peace and quiet. I could have stayed there just listening to the birdsong and enjoying the tranquillity.  But there was work to be done. 

My daughter Helen and I have done lots of seed sowing and transplanting of seedlings. It's a job which I find really relaxing and on warm days I set the trays out on the outside table to work in the sunshine. The polytunnel and new growhouse are filling up with seed trays and each time I go down to the allotment I excitedly check for signs of new growth. The early sowings of brassicas which I started off at home were a bit disappointing so I've done another lot in the polytunnel which are growing well now. The salad bowl lettuce are nearly ready for planting out. I must not make the same mistake as last year by planting too many. We had some tomato plants given to us a few weeks back--Roma and Golden Sunrise. I have also sown some seeds myself. These are Moneymaker, Ailsa Craig,  Sweet million and Red Cherry.

We've planted and sown out in the ground too--broad beans, peas, parsnip, radish and lettuce.  The onions are all planted and most of the potatoes are now in their containers.  There's so much to do now, making sure everything is planted and sown at the right time, it can be hard to keep up. But gardening is to be enjoyed so that's what I'm doing.

We seem to have been adopted by a robin on plot 8. He's a very happy robin who follows us around as we work. We're keeping him supplied with plenty of worms. As long as he leaves some for the soil we don't mind sharing.

A new fruit bed

the fruit bed and apple tree last year

Plot 8 is progressing well and our latest addition is the fruit bed.   Last year when we took the plot on we found an apple tree amongst all the rubbish and tangled mess of weeds. In another part of the plot we found some raspberries. We decided we would have a fruit bed centred around the apple tree.  We dug over this area, moved the raspberries and recently planted strawberries around the apple tree. We also planted some rhubarb.

the new fruit bed

My daughter was given a plant which she was told was an apple tree. It was very pot bound and we have planted this in the new fruit bed. It has perked up quite a bit since being planted, we are not convinced it is an apple tree though. Also in the bed we have planted a blueberry. In the last few weeks the fruit bed has been extended and we have planted more raspberries, some gooseberries and a redcurrant. 

I'm really loving this fruit bed having seen it develop from an area full of weeds, rubble and all sorts of rubbish to a tidy controlled space. All the plants are looking happy, and we are looking forward to seeing fruit later in the year.