Allotment update 4 & 5

After a little break, it was back to work last weekend at the allotment and what fine weather there was. Perfect Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning digging over yet more weed laden soil, but this time the cleared patch got planted !  It is now on it’s way  and we hope to harvest at least a few chillies before the end of summer.

One of the fellow neighbours was telling us that he hasn’t seen anyone at all doing anything useful with our plot in all the 25years that he has been growing there! Many have come, attempted half heartedly to make an impact, and gone. I don’t know how you could wait so long to get something and then just give up because it’s all just too much effort. Or maybe me & Mr.Scott just like a challenge. This is certainly a challenge and no easy ride, but we are both well and truly up for it!

Apart from the  chillies,  I planted out a tray of marigolds, some thyme, rosemary, lavender and fennel. These are things that seem to take care of themselves in the garden and require very little water. I also planted out a couple of rows of both onion and carrot seed. Not  planted either of these before so a high chance of them not working, but the seeds came free, therefore had to give them a go. I had a spare Bay leaf plant which I thought I could add to the mix. It is quite small, so I’m  hoping it will establish itself as the soil seems to be of  fairly good quality with lots of worms and a good dark colour if a little light.

Another of our friendly neighbours has offered us some cavolo nero, so we’ll be back next weekend to pick up whatever he has to offer us. Another neighbour has given us  a type of marigold that the slugs don’t like at all, and they are more daisy like in appearance with a bright yellow colour that shines against the dark soil. Then, a different neighbour said we are welcome to pick her blackcurrant bush for any rpie berries and there are masses!

All in all our fellow allotmenters are a welcoming and friendly bunch who seem to want to share their knowledge and their goods. I hope that one day, we will be in a position to return the favour and offer them some of our bountiful harvest. Better still maybe  return the favour by making jams and chutneys  for all.

I have to say, at this time of year, in the midst of summer holiday mayhem, this allotment is  a welcome retreat. All is good as soon as the gate is unlocked. A sense of calm and anticipation of how the plants are doing seems to be the only thing that matters.  No wonder my favourite childhood book was ” The secret garden “. It all makes sense.