Introduction Part 3

Above is a shot of the allotment from the bottom west corner looking into the rest of the surrounding plots. Its useful to give a bit of context. It shows some of the other allotments adn gives an impression of the character of the place with its random constctions and working plots.

So then, as i was saying, the summer was a pleasure-popping down in the light summer evenings (pine, pine) to pull a few weeds or a spot of planting, and then the pleasure off seeing the veggies grow and of course eating them.

The sketch below shows the dimentions of the plot and what was planted last year. It also show phase 2, the area i am dealing with this year.

Introduction Part 2

So the weeds, that was where I started. Spent 4 months, start of last year, clearing the ground of existing surface debris, digging it over with a spade and then forking out all the roots. This part took 3 goes to clear them all.

This worked really well preventing pretty much all of the mad weeds returning apart from the horsetails. They just keep on coming.

Reckon I got half the site cultivatable and have the joy of phase 2 (See plan below) to do this year. I love it really.

After getting that area done I got a load of stuff planted. It really was great in the more celment weather of the summer to pop down once or twice a week and do a spot of weeding or just have a beer.

The Plan 2004 

Time for an Introduction. Part 1

As the title says this is a blog charting the rise and rise of my own allotment here in Belfast.

The piece of land situated at Annadale allotments, beside the River Lagan, was given to me by Belfast city council one year ago. When I worked at the council about 5 years ago I put my name down on the allotment list in the hope of maybe getting one in the next 20 years. But due to council efficiency I got a letter last year bequeathing one to myself. I was very excited!

A small film of this excitement was lightly sanded off when I first went to visit my new piece of paradise as it was hip high in 6 years of crouch grass nettles and other all-sorted weeds.

And the digging goes on

Another Monday in the middle of winter. apparently the most depressing day of the year.

I reckon the allotment with its inherent qualities of outstanding, sun or rain light and fresh air are helping to keep a few of my spirits up.

Saturday was a good few hours digging that seen the bottom corner turned over and a start made on the edges.

Am aiming to get the edges into shape as I feel it would be good to have a clear idea of what I am cultivating and what is fallow ground. At least for morale reasons.

THE SUMMER IDYLL

Summer Goodness

What is my motivation?

Flicking through a couple of photos the other day and in the allotment file found this summery one and thought I would put it up to remind me of the lush idyll it can be, as things in the depths of winter are not just as exciting.

An insight into allotment blogs

Had a wee search there at lunch time on google for allotment blog and first up was Jane perrone's organic gardening blog. Wow, i am rather impressed. Inspiration abounds. Stuff like the links, her interests, the fact she writes for the Guardian, its all very impressive. here

Also felt a bit overwhelmed about what i have just begun. But i guess its ok and who knows maybe one day i will have a links on her site!

Dig it!

After a good lie in, sunday morn, got myself up, had a tasty bagel then headed to the allotment. It was a joy to be back after a week.

After last weeks strong winds, the shed my brother joe made for me is still standing strong and was a welcome sight amonst the scarey weed riden ground. But there was nothing else for it, so out came me spade. Managed a good area of digging in the bottom corner of the site that has been covered with plastic for a year. It was hard going to start but then the ground became a bit easier to work. Got a good 9 m2 done in under an hour give of take a cup of tea and stevo visiting.

Spoke to the great Tom who had popped in to tend to his beetroot. He reckoned i should get the poly tunnel that Nigel has for me. It might be susceptable to vandals though. He also offered me a load of strawberry plants which is just what im after.

a cupa

this is me having a cuppa at the new shed ater a good bit of digging.
the new shed

oh dear what do i do now!

right ok here we go. Where do i start. Could talk about