The shallotment: May 2012

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Bad back halts progress

Ok so I have hurt my back and it is driving me crazy. It is such a busy time of year and as you can see from the photos the plot could really do with some hours spent tidying, weeding and planting some of the seedlings that are almost ready at home.
Typical - why couldn't this have happened in January - I hope there is some tolerance from the other plot holders and committee as I don't want to kicked out for spreading weed seeds!

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Strawbs on the way

The strawberries are looking good, this will be the 3rd year and 2nd proper full growing year for them so they are showing good crops at the moment.

Disappointed that the weeds are growing so quickly in between and having to spend so much time clearing when I could be more productive elsewhere. Will lay some straw this year around the base and hope the ferocious winds on the open plot dont blow it away. Must also remember to peg the runners and remove to proper rows this year.

My first ever broad beans

This is the first time I have ever grown broad beans, as truthfully, they are not one of my favourites. This was an experiment and glad I have done it as I do love the shape of the plants and the rate of growth recently has been great. There are a number of pods and its looking promising for a good harvest very soon.

Will definitely do more next season.

Bountiful borage

Borage self seeded from last year is looking really lovely. Has given me an idea to keep growing lots more (have some in coldframes at home already) and use this to help manage the weed issue as the area around the borage is relatively ok.

Willow bed

Really pleased with the progress of the willow plants so far despite the set back on a few which I suspect was a cheeky deer having a little snack!

However, the area around the willow bed has erupted in thistles which seems to be an ongoing problem and the mini beds have also been engulfed.

The area behind and next to the compost bins has exploded with grasses, I think as overspill from the wildflower meadow. Not sure I am the most popular tenant on the allotment but it is good for wildlife!

Potatoes unfleeced

The potatoes had been fleeced since planting as the night time was still bringing frosts. Then I went on holiday and left the fleece on as once again frosts had been present and predicted. Well the summer started whilst away so the fleeced potatoes were definitely snug.

To be honest when uncovered they looked good, albeit with more weeding to do.

Lets call it a meadow

The first season I planted the wildflower meadow nothing really happened. Last year it looked reasonable good with a few flowers and grasses present.

This is how it looks now - a prevalence of grasses which have seeded outside of the meadow area and are blurring the boundaries between my plot and my new neighbour. Am suspecting he may not be too chuffed.

However, it is what it is and hopefully will attract plenty of beneficial insects for the whole site to benefit from. I think that once the other areas and the pathway are cleared a bit, it will look much better.