So it was a lovely sunny mid-spring day today and I managed to get a few hours in on the allotment.
I'd kind of forgotten what slow going it is, it always takes longer to get things done than you expect, and today was no exception.
Thankfully, for this year at least, I've only got a half plot, and it's on the small side of half too, but that's GOOD as it feels easily manageable, especially as I'm starting a little late and it hasn't been that great a Spring for early planting anyways.
I actually did more than I wanted to do today, even with the longer than expected time everything took (I just spent longer down there than planned)
It's still very early days and I'm working on just a rough dig over of the beds, not worrying about the paths until later, so things will be pretty messy until Summer.
I'm really just focussing on digging over and getting stuff in, the goal is to plant the whole plot up by end of May!
I've planned the allotment into four basic beds which rotate on a four year schedule (this is standard allotment practice!)
- Bed 1 - beans and peas
- bed 2 - greens
- bed 3 - roots
- bed 4 - squash
At least I think that's right, there are different versions, but for now its..
Bed 1 - Beans and peas
I planted a few broad beans from sets a week ago, they're not looking too happy, but I was told today I should have watered them in - I didn't bother because it's been raining so much, but I'll give them a good watering tomorrow.
I also sowed some Broad Beans direct today, the mound bottom left is some artichokes or Occa (not sure which) which I have just left in!)
This bed has been relatively easy to dig over.
Bed 2 - Greens
I haven't started digging this yet, that's for tomo, but I've got some spinach and purple sprouting broccoli in modules coming up ready to go in at any point, I might even also just sow direct as I go over the next week and use the modules as back ups!
Also a nice easy bed to dig.
Bed 3 - potatoes and roots
I have now five rows of potatoes - probably too many for the size of plot, but they are easy to grow and good for the soil.
I will put radish, beetroot and spring onions in here too.
This is a bit of a bed to dig, so much grass with clay soil, nasty, but even if I just do 2 feet a session, this will be done by end May.
Bed 4 - Squash
Yet to start on this too - but I've got butternut squash in modules and you can't plant it out until end May anyway.
I'll also put a couple of courgettes in here too.
This looks like another nasty bed to dig, but I've got time.
Slowly does it!
I had a great day today, it is one of my primary joys in life: being on the allotment on a Sunny day, and the people there are lovely, two more people came up and introduced themselves today which was nice.
And I've inherited two deckchairs in the shed too, so somewhere to sit on my tea breaks!
happy days!