Reclaiming the Plot!!!

[Daisy]

I know I've moaned all spring about the rain and how everywhere was under water. Normally I like to start on the allotment early in March, but yesterday was the first day it's been dry enough this year! One chap keeps a record of rainfall and in March and April this year we had more than twice the normal amount, and over 3 times what we'd get in a 'good' year! The ground is quite boggy anyway which doesn't help.

In the autumn we covered most of the growing areas with black sheeting which has kept the weeds down, and yesterday OH and a friend fetched a trailer load of lovely manure and barrowed it down to the middle of the plot.

Last night we planted two rows of broad beans and prepared the potato bed and the garlic and onion beds.

It was a lovely evening, with the birds singing, ponies grazing, and no-one else there as the sun slipped gently towards the Forest. So peaceful, and it reminded me why I put myself through the frustration and hard work! Hopefully we'll get our reward with broad beans!!

There was a notice up on the board saying that there are vacant plots available to anyone who lives in the parish, but I think I'll resist the temptation to take on a second plot!!!

[Plantaholic]

My OH used to love his veg. Garden and was so pleased when he picked the veg, I can still see him in my mind sitting on a bench stringing his onions. . He would spend hours there and visitors admired his work. I think you are wise not taking on another plot Daisy.

[Mimi]

Daisy your allotment puts me in mind of my dad. He was a keen gardener and along with the garden we had back on front of the house, front for flowers, back for greenhouse , veg and extra flowers for cutting to go indoors , he also had use of next door neighbours garden for more veg on the understanding that the neighbours could have some of the veg . It doesn't stop there , he also had an allotment ! Goodness where he got the time and energy from because he also worked full time .
We used to have a lovely veg garden before we downsized . We still manage to grow some veg. I have got second early potatoes coming along nicely in an old (clean) black bin , strawberries in a strawberry planter , tumbling toms in a hanging basket and tomatoes in the grow house so a bit of dad is in me !

[Gemini]

Daisy, I know from OH and her golf course how much the wet spring we had has affected everything.

Good for you making a start at last, and yes, do resist the temptation to get a 2nd plot!
DD3 and OH have now given up theirs in time for their trip to Canada.

[Libra Gran]

Matthew has a half plot a few minutes from where he lives, he is one of only two younger men to have a plot. He loves it and had put in a lot of raised beds. He is growing greens,pots,carrots you name it he is growing it.

[Nanto2girls]

Daisy, i think you did right to resist a 2nd plot.

My grandad always had an allotment,and you name it,he grew it.

[Daisy]

Libra - good luck to M with his plot. There's quite a mix of retired people, empty nesters and young families on our allotments. Sadly most people find it too much hard work and there's quite a fast turnover of plotters. The allotments in the next village are much, much better and as a result are better cared for and more sought after. Our site is on low lying land, very open to the south and west and the east - so very windy, and the Forestry commission has a policy of trying to reclaim (as they see it) land for bogland, so the drainage is awful. We've no facilities at all - not even a water tap - and quite a lot of restrictions on what we can and cannot do - like no greenhouses/polytunnels or anything that would help with the winter flooding.

But it is set in the most idyllic surroundings, quiet and peaceful with all the wildlife of the Forest around it.