Catching Up

No sowing, planting, weeding, or tea drinking happened on my allotments during spring and summer. I didn’t visit until recently, which is the longest I’ve been away. Life got busy, and my plots suffered as a result. Since my last post in February, I’ve been focused on house renovations – new windows, a family bathroom, and a master bedroom with an en-suite. The dust was overwhelming! The project took over three months, but the results are amazing – it’s even better than I expected. I still feel like I’m in someone else’s house! I now have a degree in tea making; you have to keep builders well-watered.

While the building work was going on inside the house, I made good use of the wonderful weather and continued designing and working on the garden. Aside from my love of allotments and growing food, I also enjoy gardening with ornamentals. I am very lucky to have a larger-than-average garden where I can surround myself with beautiful grasses, shrubs and perennials and I’m really happy with how the plans are progressing.

Something very special has been planned for this year too; my daughter is getting married in 2 weeks. Eek! I really have been very busy! The excitement is through the roof, and after a year of planning, the magical day is almost here. I have my frock and fascinator and I am bursting with happiness to see my firstborn enter the next chapter of her life.

Back to allotment stuff. I organised a work party in mid-August to paint the community shed. Plot holders arrived eager to help out, which was brilliant; lots of chatting took place while we painted the tired-looking shed, and before we knew it, the shed looked smart again and ready for winter.

I have already finished weeding my plots, which wasn’t too hard because of this year’s droughts, but bindweed didn’t get the memo! Does anyone else find pulling up bindweed roots weirdly satisfying, or is it just me?

I am turning the compost bins and adding compost to the beds. I sowed some dwarf French beans, which mostly germinated, and filled in gaps with extras. They might not thrive if we have an early frost, but it’s worth trying. Pak choi and other Asian greens prefer cooler weather, so I might have a crop this year. I also have chard, spring and winter cabbage, and kale seedlings ready to plant soon.

I hope your gardening year has been successful so far with plenty of harvests. I’m really looking forward to getting back to visiting the allotment more and preparing and planning for next year!