If we could eat weeds I would be cooking up a feast...

So I haven't been well this week and this morning was the first trip up to the allotment since the weekend. Things I have learnt so far...

1. Do little and often, don't go overboard else you will put yourself off
2. When you want things to grow (to see progress), you need a lot more patience than I have 
3. If weeds were diamonds I would be wealthy beyond my widest dreams!
4. I love it 

 This morning was mainly about getting the dutch hoe out and attacking the weeds before they took over the plot. So far the early potatoes are in, onions (they haven't woken up at all!), rhubarb planted at the weekend and today I sowed a row of parsnips - very easy as they only need to be 1.5cm down with a light covering of soil. The herb garden is doing ok and the wild flowers are a no show at present.

I might put some lettuce plugs in this weekend, covered with a miniature poly tunnel to keep them toasty but I will wait for the other half to ensure the tunnel is erected properly.

I can't really do too much more until the ground gets a little warmer, so the next few weeks is really about keeping the ground happy and maintaining everything. However, at home there is quite a lot of preparation going on... 

Courgettes

Strawbs and chillis

Chitting pots, sweetcorn and tomato seedlings

Fingers crossed for warmer weather soon! 

Lots of love and happy digging

Tracey xx

Heaven is a half plot (well a third plot if you want to be pedantic)

So this morning was the first time I made it to the allotment this week and it was a well needed retreat. Up with the lark this morning, the sun was shining and with only the birds for  company I got some Maris Piper spuds in. A little more tricky than I thought I as forgot Rhys took our spade home, so trying to dig a trench with a fork and a rake took a little longer but wasn't beyond the realms of possibility. 12 well chitted tats are now in plot 364a with soil mounted up to protect them from any further frosts we may have (I have heard if you plant them after St Patrick's Day you can't go far wrong). I have more chitting in the window at home, along with sweetcorn, toms and courgettes sitting in the propagators (only the courgettes have woken up so far).

We have also sowed some wild flower seed at the bottom of our plot and Rhys has brought us a lovely insect hotel to try and encourage the good bugs in, to combat the bad. Apparently in Summer we get a lot of newts round here, very exciting!

I also planted a rosemary, lavender and thyme plant in my little raised bed - I like planting established plants as you get the instant hit whilst waiting for everything else to grow. 

Did any one witness the eclipse on their allotment today? For me it just went a little dark and a lot colder. 

Been very down this week, but gardening therapy cheered me no end this morning. Ever think that modern life is making us sick? It would be lovely if we could all go back to being self sufficient in some way shape or form.  

Much love and happy digging 

Tracey xx

Know your onions, or grow them, or something like that

So yesterday was the first day I went to the allotment without my partner in crime and I was terrified. I sometimes lack self confidence so plucking up courage to go and work on the plot took quite a lot, as a newbie I am worried I will be watched and judged. Luckily no one was up there so I could rake the land and I even sowed my first veg, onions! It is peeing down today so I hope I haven't planted them too soon, however I only sowed three rows of onion sets as I am going to stagger them a bit. They were pretty easy, just pushed into the ground 4 inches apart, roots down.

My friend and experienced allotmenteer Jackie Pedley advised that I need to keep the cost of my allotment as low as possible. So for anyone who hasn't bought their onions yet, I got these sets from Lidl for 75p each!


Next Tuesday is St Patrick's Day and I have been told after then I can plant my potatoes so I will put my chitting ones in and then get a second crop in the window as preparation.

Early days but I can already feel the benefit it is having on my soul.

Much love and happy digging
Tracey xx

Plot 364A

Plot 364A

So on Friday we finally got to choose our plot and get our keys! It was a bit like an interview and there were a few bits of paperwork to fill out as well as a whole list of rules but I didn't care. We were shown a couple of plots but decided as first timers we would go for a third plot (not a full). I fell in love with plot 364A immediately. We have nice neighbours apparently (haven't met them yet) the water source is right by us and there is a shed held together with cobwebs and wasp nests. A small raised bed for herbs and well, it is a little shabby, but also just perfect.

First things first is to dig over and prepare the ground. As much as I want to get planting I need to wait a couple more weeks (not something I am good at).

So far we have got up early both mornings to work on the land and there have only been Robins to keep us company (to be honest that is my favourite type of company).

Rhys has been digging over and I have been cutting back the raspberry canes, the right hand side and bottom of our plot is covered in them - so I am hoping I will be making lots of raspberry jam this year. I have been raking over the land and we are basically trying to get it in a good state for planting.

Here are some pictures for you (and me).

Coming soon...

Ginger Rogers and Dolores

Myself and my partner, Rhys, have just been granted an allotment. I am so excited! I am going to grow all the things.

I have a terrible time with depression and I find gardening really helps as therapy. Our garden however is quite small and is shared with two ex battery chickens and our beautiful (crazy) cat family. So a place where we can grow things without the feathered ladies eating our crops before we get the chance to, is a real boon.

I am starting this blog to record our journey about growing a better life.