Friday 27 February 2015

The February allotment


There are little shoots appearing down at the plot.  Garlic and onions, rhubarb and sedums.  I spent the morning there today, pulling out a few weeds, picking some of the biggest boy's precious leeks, spreading precious compost over the bare earth and making a short paved path to the water butt.  It was deliciously warm, once I got moving, almost t-shirt weather.

A robin watched me closely, waiting for worms.  Birds were flitting about in the trees around the edge of the site.  It occurred to me that I have one of the nicest plots.  Away from the road, next to the trees.  I can hear the stream flowing past just a few feet away.  The water is beautifully clear.  The little hazel copse has been trimmed back.  The harvested hazel will be used for bean sticks.  I took a nest box with me to put up, but in the end I didn't have the necessary equipment.  I'll do it next time.  Ideally it should be up already, but better late than never.

A couple of derelict plots have been taken over by the most enthusiastic people.  It's great to see overgrown patches of couch grass and bindweed turned into clean bare earth ready for spring planting.  Fruit bushes have been put in, sheds erected, broad beans sown.  Vive allotments and vive enthusiastic allotmenteers.

The leeks were pretty good.  The biggest boy did almost all the work himself, sowing them, potting them up, planting them out, weeding and watering.  I took over when he broke his knee cap.  It seems quite a long time ago.  Thankfully he's back at full throttle now.  There will be football this weekend, probably a hard-fought match.  I will be watching two matches at the same time.  Not sure how that will work.  I hope you have a good weekend, whatever you will be doing.

37 comments:

  1. Super post, CJ. A broken knee cap sounds very painful. Wonderful pictures- I found myself looking at our garden today thinking it won't be long now till all those outdoor jobs can be done, I have lots of pots that require attention. We need some new nest boxes too. Have a lovely weekend. xx

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  2. I took some very similar photos on our plot today. I took an almost identical photo of lichen on our plum tree today and have also been digging up leeks,

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    1. Lovely, the rhythms of the season, on plots all over the country no doubt.

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  3. Wasn't it lovely to see and feel the sun today. The bird song sounded different. It really felt as if Spring is almost here. No doubt until I watch a rugby tournament on Sunday! Enjoy your football. x

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  4. The plot is looking good. Have a fun weekend CJ x

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  5. How great to see the signs of spring, it's definitely in the air now :)
    Jillxo

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  6. I love your allotment collage. It doesn't surprise me that the robin kept you company; I really like the way they hang around when there's any gardening being done. I'd love to know what you made with the leeks; well done to your son for growing them. Good luck watching 2 matches at once! x

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    1. I made an egg and leek gratin, a Delia recipe. I've promised him a quiche before the leeks are finished, we both love them, but everyone else is less keen.

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  7. Love your photos - all that lovely green! And the sunshine too. I long for an allotment. There are none around here but I'm seriously considering trying to get something done about that.
    Hope you have a great weekend and that the weather holds for the football matches. It's raining here yet again!
    S xx

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  8. happy football watching! so exciting to think about the growing season again, we're still a bit cold up here.........

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  9. It's exciting to see things starting to pop through isn't it, have fun watching both games. I hope you don't get too dizzy xx

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  10. A nice plotting post. It's looking good and we'll soon all be getting busy again.
    Enjoy your weekend. Flighty xx

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  11. Mums do have to split themselves in two at times, don't they? I hope you manage it. I love this time of year when everything in gardens and allotments are coming back to life again, it won't be long until rhubarb is on the menu.

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  12. Your plot is looking great and I love your shed. Well done to biggest boy for growing leeks. Has he got plans to grow more things this year?

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    1. Yes, he has very grand plans and a long list!

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  13. A broken knee cap!? I didn't even know that was possible! Loving the pictures of your allotment :) can't wait for the weather to change here so I can get some more stuff in some pots! All I've got at the moment is garlic! :)

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  14. How nice to get out and get some jobs done at the allotment. It looks very tidy! Enjoy the football, I hope both matches are won xx

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  15. Your plot looks great, I will be watching with interest to pick up some tips :)

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  16. Hey CJ,
    I'm finding your plot very inspirational right now. We planned to get up to plot no 10 this weekend, but it's done nothing but rain. I have started some seeds off in the greenhouse for eventual planting up there though, so that is something.
    Leanne xx

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  17. Your allotment is gorgeous and it just occurred to me how nice it must be to be surrounded by fellow garden enthusiasts like that, being able to have a friendly chat if they are around and to watch the progress of other plots. Sorry to hear about the broken knee cap, that does sound very painful!Have a great week CJ x

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  18. Sounds as though you have been having some lovely times! xx

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  19. Wow, I can't believe the growth already. I'm very excited about it, from all the way over here. :) I'm so happy to hear that the derelict plots are being taken over by new people, it sounds like there is a lot of improvement underway already. I can't wait to see your progress this year.

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  20. You've reminded me I've a couple of nest boxes to switch around at home. Sue thinks we might fool the blue tits into nesting in our box with a camera in it.

    Hope the football went well.

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  21. the thought of the birds watching you garden - and waiting for worm opportunities - makes me smile! a space with birds is always so much cheerier. except when they eat your fruit... :-)

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  22. I've a wee Robin that follows me round the garden here. He's very cheeky, he hides in the hedge when the chickens get fed in the morning, then dives down to get his share as son as the chickens have finished :)

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  23. Leek and egg gratin sounds delicious. I don't think it would be popular here, half of the kids doesn't like cooked eggs, the other half doesn't like leeks... but eating it they would (because there is no other option, I am mean as can be). I loved the photos you show today, the light is just so lovely. Hope the football went ok! Have a great week. x

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  24. The leeks look fab! You've worked so hard on your plot. Hope you managed to split yourself in 2 for the football :) have a super week :) xx

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  25. Isn't it wonderful to see everything waking up as the earth begins to warm.

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  26. It's always lovely to share your trips to the allotment. Hope you succeeded in watching 2 matches at once and they did well! Sarah x

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  27. You must be really excited about your allotment. It's a fantastic thing to have. We will soon be planting potatoes in the garden. The garlic has been in for ages. This really is the time of year for getting things planted.

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  28. It's my husband dream to have one of these! Good luck.

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  29. Ah a new year in the allotment! The light in these photos look great. I enjoy watching the changes happen in your space.

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  30. I love it when Robins come-a-looking and they always do ....... and good for your 'biggest boy' with the leeks, growing can be such fun.

    All the best Jan

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  31. That all looks sooooo good. I do miss our little allotment, but I can't wait to see what will grow here this year.

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  32. How did I miss this post friend! Just outstanding that you are able to get working already!! It looks wonderful buddy! And to have the best plot location is just a sweet bonus isn't it?!?!? I look forward to being inspired by you this garden season CJ!!! Nicole xoxo

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  33. That's a lovely plot you have there CJ, what a nice place to be, especially with a robin to keep you company x

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  34. Utterly lovely to see sunlight and green shoots in your allotment, and also in your blog post. Spring, it's coming!

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