Henry and I popped down to the allotment after school today to plant the shallots and garlic.
We put two rows of Shallots inbetween the Red Electric onions and the Little Gem lettuce, a row of garlic (Solent Wight) inbetween the Red Electric onions and the Shallots, one row of garlic (Purple Moldovan) inbetween the leeks and the Radar onions, and one row of garlic (3 Solent Wight, and the rest Purple Moldovan) in Henry's patch which he was very pleased about.
The spinach we planted has started to come through and most of the Red Electric onions have grown too.
When we got home we noticed that the Broad Bean plants have started to grow up through the soil as well so that is good, so far we can count 18 plants !!!
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Sunday 21st September 2008
All of us went down this morning and managed to build 2 more beds in the new plot. It's looking really good and I'll have to take the camera down later this week and take some photos.
We also cut the first cabbage - it was in Henry's patch which he was very pleased about and it was a good size and tastes lovely !
We also cut the first cabbage - it was in Henry's patch which he was very pleased about and it was a good size and tastes lovely !
Saturday morning - buying garlic & shallots !
Henry and I popped to the Allotment shop on the way back from town this morning to see if the garlic had arrived. On the way in Graham stopped us to tell us it had and there were some good shallots as well, so we went in and bought one large bulb of Purple Wight (it is supposed to be earlier than Solent Wight and ready to lift from June), and a bulb of Solent Wight which is ready for lifting from July. We also bought 95p worth of Shallot Griselle bulbs, then came home.
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Wednesday 18th May 2008
Henry and I went to the allotment after school today and first we planted the onion sets that we had bought from Graham in the allotment shop - we put 3 rows in where the runner beans had been. We then tidied up some of the other beds and we did some digging in the big new bed. After this was partially dug over we sowed one long row of spinach. After labelling everything we went to have a look what else was ready to take home to eat. We picked some green and purple sprouting broccoli, then we cut 3 courgettes. The butternut squashes are growing well - there are piles of them all over the plant !
Then I had a look at the cauliflowers, they really are a mystery - they have gone to seed. We called Graham over to have a look and he said they had gone to seed, this is apparently to do with the weather and nothing we have done so thats good - I just wished we had picked them about 2 weeks ago though ! Never mind, you live and learn. He had a look at the cabbages though and said as I had suspected that he thought some of them were ready so we'll cut one of them this weekend maybe.
Then he took us to his plot and gave us a cauliflower, 3 beetroot, 4 tomatoes, a sweetcorn cob and a giant tomato too ! We were very pleased. We cycled home and Henry had the corn on the cob for his tea !
Then I had a look at the cauliflowers, they really are a mystery - they have gone to seed. We called Graham over to have a look and he said they had gone to seed, this is apparently to do with the weather and nothing we have done so thats good - I just wished we had picked them about 2 weeks ago though ! Never mind, you live and learn. He had a look at the cabbages though and said as I had suspected that he thought some of them were ready so we'll cut one of them this weekend maybe.
Then he took us to his plot and gave us a cauliflower, 3 beetroot, 4 tomatoes, a sweetcorn cob and a giant tomato too ! We were very pleased. We cycled home and Henry had the corn on the cob for his tea !
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
One of the baby Butternut Squashes
The plants are heaving with these - the biggest being about 10cm long but I could get to that one to take a photo !!
Making the first bed on the new plot !
This bed will be used for the potatoes next year, and here is Daddy making it !It is huge ! 2.4m wide and 3.6m long - lots of lovely potatoes next year !
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Sunday 14th September 2008
Daddy came down with us this morning and we built the first bed in the new plot - it is a big one, intended for potatoes for next year, but we think we'll plant some spinach in it now as it will be finished before the early potatoes go in next year.
The photos show the new position of the shed down the bottom of the plot and the new bark chippings in the area at the front where the shed originally was.
Saturday 13th September 2008
Uncle Nige & all of us were at the allotment first thing this morning to move the shed from the top of the plot to right down at the bottom with the chickens ! Uncle Nige & Daddy managed to level the ground out and place the concrete slabs down so it will be level while Mummy & Henry weeded and did some digging.
Then with Henry acting as foreman we carried the shed down to its new situation. We had a couple of falls on the way, and unfortunately it fell on the runner beans, so after repositioning it down the far end of the plot we dug up the remaining runner bean plants and disposed of them - to be honest they were coming to an end and we had eaten enough runner beans anyway !!
Then Henry and I went to the Allotment shop to find out if the garlic had arrived yet. It was its first day opening after being shut in August. Graham said the garlic would be in next week, and we then bought some normal onion sets for over-wintering (60p !) and also some Claudia Aquadulce Broad beans for over-wintering as well (they were only 70p !). So when we got home, Uncle Nige & Daddy built the steps for the decking and we planted all the runner beans - there are piles and piles of them !
Then with Henry acting as foreman we carried the shed down to its new situation. We had a couple of falls on the way, and unfortunately it fell on the runner beans, so after repositioning it down the far end of the plot we dug up the remaining runner bean plants and disposed of them - to be honest they were coming to an end and we had eaten enough runner beans anyway !!
Then Henry and I went to the Allotment shop to find out if the garlic had arrived yet. It was its first day opening after being shut in August. Graham said the garlic would be in next week, and we then bought some normal onion sets for over-wintering (60p !) and also some Claudia Aquadulce Broad beans for over-wintering as well (they were only 70p !). So when we got home, Uncle Nige & Daddy built the steps for the decking and we planted all the runner beans - there are piles and piles of them !
Monday, 8 September 2008
Sunday 7th September 2008
Henry and I went down after lunch today, we had been to the garden centre in the morning and had bought some onion sets (Red Onion - Electric), and some Spinach seeds.
First thing we did was clear out the potato bed (we dug up and collected all the potatoes, and then disposed of the foliage on the compost heap). We had two big baskets full of potatoes ! Then we dug over and weeded the bed taking care not to damage the Little Gem lettuces we have at one end and then Henry did a really good raking job, and we removed some stones and bricks (I mustn't have been as thorough in digging the bed in the beginning !). Then we planted 5 rows of red onions. We covered them with netting as we'd read that birds like to pull them out of the ground.
We didn't have time to plant the spinach seeds, and we are not quite sure where to plant them as we wanted to leave the space inbetween the onions and Little Gem lettuce for garlic (the Allotment Shop opens this Saturday and they have some Garlic for sale). We'll sort it out though I'm sure !
Then we picked a courgette and a load of broccoli (purple and green) and went home.
Thursday 4th September 2008
Henry & I cycled down to the allotment to check whether everything was going OK down there tonight after school.
There are lots of tomatoes on Henry's plants none of which are even vaguely turning red !!! May have to try hanging them upside down in the shed or bringing them home to ripen in a drawer with a banana (apparently the ethylene that the banana releases helps them ripen). If not, maybe I'll have to look up a recipe for green tomato chutney !
We picked a couple of courgettes, and also had a look at the butternut squash which are now a couple of inches long !
There are lots of tomatoes on Henry's plants none of which are even vaguely turning red !!! May have to try hanging them upside down in the shed or bringing them home to ripen in a drawer with a banana (apparently the ethylene that the banana releases helps them ripen). If not, maybe I'll have to look up a recipe for green tomato chutney !
We picked a couple of courgettes, and also had a look at the butternut squash which are now a couple of inches long !
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Wednesday 3rd September 2008
Well, the weather has been awful, and it's stopped us going down to see what has been happening. We were hoping to cycle down after school today but it is raining, raining and raining, with no end in sight. The weather is supposed to be like this till Sunday, but we are praying for a break in the weather after school so we can just pop down and see whether anything needs picking !
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Sunday 31st August 2008
Hooray ! We have finally finished digging over the new plot. We've all been working on it any spare time we had over the last few days.
Daddy cleared some of the branches from the tree at the bottom of the plot so it looks neater and is ready for when we can move the shed down there. We measured it properly and it is 5m across and 17m long (just the extra bit), so we now have a plot that is 5m by 25m :-)
We used some of the black matting that the previous guy had left behind and put in a new path with new bark chipping at the back of our existing plot ready for a new bed in the new plot (Plot 122).
Daddy also managed to break both forks (ours and Uncle Nige's) with his vigorous digging today ! Henry thought it was most amusing !
One of the other allotmenters came over and asked us if we wanted any leeks as he had piles of them, so we said yes and when he brought them over there were loads of them ! We dug out the Dwarf French Beans and picked the last of them, and then planted the new leeks (Musselburgh) in there.
Daddy cleared some of the branches from the tree at the bottom of the plot so it looks neater and is ready for when we can move the shed down there. We measured it properly and it is 5m across and 17m long (just the extra bit), so we now have a plot that is 5m by 25m :-)
We used some of the black matting that the previous guy had left behind and put in a new path with new bark chipping at the back of our existing plot ready for a new bed in the new plot (Plot 122).
Daddy also managed to break both forks (ours and Uncle Nige's) with his vigorous digging today ! Henry thought it was most amusing !
One of the other allotmenters came over and asked us if we wanted any leeks as he had piles of them, so we said yes and when he brought them over there were loads of them ! We dug out the Dwarf French Beans and picked the last of them, and then planted the new leeks (Musselburgh) in there.
Bank Holiday Weekend 23rd-25th August 2008
Daddy came down with us this weekend, as surprisingly the weather was OK, and we have nearly finished digging over all the new plot. We can see Mark's chickens now, right next to our plot which pleased Henry !
Still need to properly measure the plot now, but according to Dave's strides the old plot was 8 strides and the new plot is 17 strides, so the plot is now 25 strides long ! Will measure it sometime this week or next weekend and then we can start planning where we can put the new beds, and the fruit trees.
Still need to properly measure the plot now, but according to Dave's strides the old plot was 8 strides and the new plot is 17 strides, so the plot is now 25 strides long ! Will measure it sometime this week or next weekend and then we can start planning where we can put the new beds, and the fruit trees.
Friday 22nd August (am)
Henry and I went down to the allotment after getting the weekly shopping and started clearing more of the new plot. After about 20 minutes we had a break and decided to dig over where we had the lettuce and radish (that had been swamped by the peas that had fallen over). So we dug it over and then had a look through our little box of seeds. We decided to sow another row of carrots as although Henry's small row was doing well, Mummy's had been swamped by the courgette plants and so hadn't grown very well at all. Then we decided to give the radish another go, and we thought for good measure we would sow another row of Swiss Chard ! So after sowing all 3 rows we went back to clearing, digging and removing rubble !
Saturday 16th August 2008
All three of us went down to the allotment this morning, and we all cleared a big area of weeds (Daddy mostly, but Henry and Mummy did help !). Graham arrived (with Rupert the dog) and chatted to us for a while then took us to his plot to give us some tomatoes, a couple of peppers, some Little Gem lettuce plants and then Monty (from the next door plot to Graham) called us over to ask if we wanted a cabbage. We said that would be lovely, so we thanked Graham and walked round to Monty's plot. He gave Henry and I some peas to eat (Hurst something, they seemed to be sweeter than ours so I will look out for those next year). Then he cut us the MOST ENORMOUS cabbage (see photo - although the photo has about 10 leaves already removed !). After a little chat with Monty we went back to our plot laden down with goods !
Daddy and Henry carried on clearing the weeds on the new plot and Mummy started to take down the pea plants as they had started to go a bit funny (and had fallen over and covered the radish), so we collected all the pea pods, cleared the ground and then planted Graham's Little Gem lettuce in the soil inbetween the Dwarf Green Beans and the Runner Beans. We had some more plants too so we planted a row in the Potato bed where the first row of potatoes had been. Henry watered them in and we are looking forward to seeing how they get on
Wednesday 20th August 2008
Henry and I popped down to do some digging and clearing of the new plot. Nothing much else has happened apart from FINALLY Henry's tomatoes have started growing !!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray !
Friday 15th August 2008
Henry and I spent an hour and a half at the allotment this morning mainly tidying up the new plot and removing weeds and rubble ! We picked some runner beans, went to see the chickens, made the most of the sunshine and managed to remember to take the camera down !
We also started to remove the black matting that the people had put down before we had the plot and have started relocating it under our bark chippings so no weeds can grow through and it looks neater.
Tuesday 12th August 2008
We went down this afternoon to try and tidy the plot up a bit and also start work on the new plot behind (Plot 122). Within 5 mins of being there I got stung by a bee on my arm !! Ouch !!! We cut off all the flower-heads on the broccoli to stimuate more growth, we found one strawberry which was ready, and we weeded around some of the existing plants.
Then we got Great Grandpa's wheelbarrow out and Henry wheeled it to the new plot and we started pulling weeds out and digging it over. I removed the first strip of black matting and put it in the shed for storage. We cleared and area about a metre wide by 3 metres long and then I decided to clear away the bark chippings that were already there and put the matting down underneath to prevent the weeds growing through as they had already started growing through where we just had the bark chippings down wiht nothing underneath. So we covered the front of the plot and by the side of the shed but we now need more bark chippings - we'll have to wait till Mr Tree Surgeon does his cutting and delivers a new load !
Then we got Great Grandpa's wheelbarrow out and Henry wheeled it to the new plot and we started pulling weeds out and digging it over. I removed the first strip of black matting and put it in the shed for storage. We cleared and area about a metre wide by 3 metres long and then I decided to clear away the bark chippings that were already there and put the matting down underneath to prevent the weeds growing through as they had already started growing through where we just had the bark chippings down wiht nothing underneath. So we covered the front of the plot and by the side of the shed but we now need more bark chippings - we'll have to wait till Mr Tree Surgeon does his cutting and delivers a new load !
Monday 11th August 2008
After returning from a lovely two week holiday in France we popped down today when Daddy was back at work to see how the allotment was coming on. We were genuinely totally suprised !
We filled all 3 baskets full of stuff to bring home. We dug up two potato plants and the potatoes are lovely, they have a little scab on them but I have looked it up and it is only a surface thing. We picked 2 courgettes although you could be mistaken for thinking one of them was a marrow ! We dug out the remaining yellow courgette plant as it appeared diseased (when we put it in the compost heap there were another couple in there, so maybe there was a disease in the area). The butternut squash plants have gone bananas - so much so they are shading the new beetroot, and tte Swiss Chard that was next to them - I have tried to put some canes in to try and stop them taking over quite so much. We picked a pile of runner beans, french beans and pea pods. The second lot of peas had fallen over the lettuce in the wind and that in turn had fallen on the radish. We removed the lettuce that was left, and lifted up the peas in the hope that the radish may come back again ? We'll have to wait and see I suppose. The broccoli was in flower, and some small heads elsewhere so we cut those down. Also there are tiny cauliflowers about 5 cm wide :-)
Will have to bring the camera down to take some photos I think.
We filled all 3 baskets full of stuff to bring home. We dug up two potato plants and the potatoes are lovely, they have a little scab on them but I have looked it up and it is only a surface thing. We picked 2 courgettes although you could be mistaken for thinking one of them was a marrow ! We dug out the remaining yellow courgette plant as it appeared diseased (when we put it in the compost heap there were another couple in there, so maybe there was a disease in the area). The butternut squash plants have gone bananas - so much so they are shading the new beetroot, and tte Swiss Chard that was next to them - I have tried to put some canes in to try and stop them taking over quite so much. We picked a pile of runner beans, french beans and pea pods. The second lot of peas had fallen over the lettuce in the wind and that in turn had fallen on the radish. We removed the lettuce that was left, and lifted up the peas in the hope that the radish may come back again ? We'll have to wait and see I suppose. The broccoli was in flower, and some small heads elsewhere so we cut those down. Also there are tiny cauliflowers about 5 cm wide :-)
Will have to bring the camera down to take some photos I think.
Hooray - News on the plot behind us !
I received an e-mail from Nicky Ellis (Wrexham Council) this morning confirming the people behind me have given up their plot and she is happy to give it over to us.
That is brilliant news - It will cost an extra £15 a year so the whole plot (two quarters) will be £30 a year, but as most of this year has gone it will only be £10 for the remainder of this year.
We can start work on it as soon as we want. It's a shame we all have to visit the dentist this afternoon as I can't wait to get down there and start digging it over !
Will have to adapt my plan now of what we can put in, I would like to have a compost heap (so I can use Great Grandpa's Compost Accelerator he gave me), and maybe a nice seating area. We would also like some fruit trees/bushes. Will have to have a word with Henry and get planning !
That is brilliant news - It will cost an extra £15 a year so the whole plot (two quarters) will be £30 a year, but as most of this year has gone it will only be £10 for the remainder of this year.
We can start work on it as soon as we want. It's a shame we all have to visit the dentist this afternoon as I can't wait to get down there and start digging it over !
Will have to adapt my plan now of what we can put in, I would like to have a compost heap (so I can use Great Grandpa's Compost Accelerator he gave me), and maybe a nice seating area. We would also like some fruit trees/bushes. Will have to have a word with Henry and get planning !
Sunday 20th July 2008
Henry and I went down for an hour or so this afternoon as Daddy needed to catch up on some sleep - Mummy went to a car boot sale with a friend from work early this morning and Daddy didn't get back to sleep !
We had a good look round and picked some runner beans and some French beans (that Uncle Carl gave us), we also picked 2 green courgettes, 5 strawberries and some lettuce.
Our Dwarf French beans are flowering a lovely purple flower (whereas Uncle Carl's was a white flower), and we have quite a few pea pods as well now. We picked one that was ready and broke it open and ate the peas ! Henry thought it was lovely !
The new row of radish is coming up nicely, and also the Swiss Chard and Red Chicory.
We had a chat to the man on plot 123 (next to ours), who had brought a big strimmer to cut all the grass down, and also to Mark (with the chickens). He has a few chicks with their mummy down there so Henry went to see them, and managed to find a chicken feather to bring home !
We had a good look round and picked some runner beans and some French beans (that Uncle Carl gave us), we also picked 2 green courgettes, 5 strawberries and some lettuce.
Our Dwarf French beans are flowering a lovely purple flower (whereas Uncle Carl's was a white flower), and we have quite a few pea pods as well now. We picked one that was ready and broke it open and ate the peas ! Henry thought it was lovely !
The new row of radish is coming up nicely, and also the Swiss Chard and Red Chicory.
We had a chat to the man on plot 123 (next to ours), who had brought a big strimmer to cut all the grass down, and also to Mark (with the chickens). He has a few chicks with their mummy down there so Henry went to see them, and managed to find a chicken feather to bring home !
Monday 14th July 2008
Henry and I went down after school today - only to check on things but then Henry got his desk and chair out and started colouring so I did some weeding and checked on things in general.
There are quite a few runner beans now, and the peas are coming too. We both did some watering in the hope it would start Henry's tomato plant into making tomatoes !!
Dave came to introduce himself (he has a plot across the lane to us), and he had a chat and gave us a cauliflower he had grown, also he wanted us to have some Kale plants he had grown to plant in our allotment but we don't have the room which is disappointing. I am hoping we hear from the Council soon about the bit behind ours).
We picked 2 yellow courgettes and 2 strawberries and then came home !
There are quite a few runner beans now, and the peas are coming too. We both did some watering in the hope it would start Henry's tomato plant into making tomatoes !!
Dave came to introduce himself (he has a plot across the lane to us), and he had a chat and gave us a cauliflower he had grown, also he wanted us to have some Kale plants he had grown to plant in our allotment but we don't have the room which is disappointing. I am hoping we hear from the Council soon about the bit behind ours).
We picked 2 yellow courgettes and 2 strawberries and then came home !
Sunday 13th July 2008
We all went down this morning, firstly to take Great Grandpa's wheelbarrow down as that means I can now use it to carry the bark chippings to our plot - we were using buckets before !!
Then we cleared the area where there were the beetroot, did a spot of general weeding and then planted 2 new rows of late beetroot (Kestrel F1 Hybrid) and a row of radish at the end of the 'Legumes' bed next to the new row of lettuce leaves.
The Swiss chard had started to come through and the red chicory seemed to be doing quite well.
Will try and take the camera down tomorrow afternoon and take some photos.
Then we cleared the area where there were the beetroot, did a spot of general weeding and then planted 2 new rows of late beetroot (Kestrel F1 Hybrid) and a row of radish at the end of the 'Legumes' bed next to the new row of lettuce leaves.
The Swiss chard had started to come through and the red chicory seemed to be doing quite well.
Will try and take the camera down tomorrow afternoon and take some photos.
Friday 11th July 2008
Dave, Henry and I went down to the allotment to pick the remainder of the beetroot (I picked most of it yesterday and made a beetroot soup from it). We also noticed there are quite a few runner beans and the peas are coming too. We also saw some purple flowers on the dwarf green beans.
There are still no tomatoes on Henry's plant so I think they must be dry set - at least that is what it looks like from what I read in the vegetable book I have. It is still flowering so we'll have to wait and see whether anything comes from them. If not, we'll have to hope that the 3 new plants Uncle Carl gave him will flower and produce tomatoes instead !
The old Italian guy from the plot next door but on to ours was there and immdeiately struck up a conversation - luckily Dave was here as well so after a good half hour of chat and his views on the country and where it was or wasn't going, we ended up with 3 of his lettuces, and a huge pile of spinach ! He said we could raid his spinach whenever we liked which is nice.
We picked the rest of the beetroot, and a couple of courgettes as well.
There are still no tomatoes on Henry's plant so I think they must be dry set - at least that is what it looks like from what I read in the vegetable book I have. It is still flowering so we'll have to wait and see whether anything comes from them. If not, we'll have to hope that the 3 new plants Uncle Carl gave him will flower and produce tomatoes instead !
The old Italian guy from the plot next door but on to ours was there and immdeiately struck up a conversation - luckily Dave was here as well so after a good half hour of chat and his views on the country and where it was or wasn't going, we ended up with 3 of his lettuces, and a huge pile of spinach ! He said we could raid his spinach whenever we liked which is nice.
We picked the rest of the beetroot, and a couple of courgettes as well.
Friday 4th July 2008
Uncle Carl had come back from a short break in Italy yesterday and had bought us some seeds, and as he was off work today he came round at 9:00am and we went down to see the allotment. He seemed really impressed as it had grown alot since he had last seen it.
The potatoes are now all flowering (Maris Piper is a lovely yellow, white and purple flower, and the salad potato is a white flower). Carl said generally they are ready to start digging up 3 weeks after flowering so we're looking forward to sampling our own potatoes :-)
Uncle Carl had brought us a packet of Italian plum tomatoes, Italian courgettes (which we can sow next year), and a packet of Swiss Chard, and red chicory. So we have put in a row of red chicory at the end of the 'Brassica's' bed, and a row of Swiss Chard inbetween the Butternut squash and celeriac.
The potatoes are now all flowering (Maris Piper is a lovely yellow, white and purple flower, and the salad potato is a white flower). Carl said generally they are ready to start digging up 3 weeks after flowering so we're looking forward to sampling our own potatoes :-)
Uncle Carl had brought us a packet of Italian plum tomatoes, Italian courgettes (which we can sow next year), and a packet of Swiss Chard, and red chicory. So we have put in a row of red chicory at the end of the 'Brassica's' bed, and a row of Swiss Chard inbetween the Butternut squash and celeriac.
Tuesday 1st July 2008
Uncle Nige, Daddy and one of Uncle Nige's friends took the shed down to the allotment mid-afternoon, and then about 4:30 Henry, Daddy and I picked up Uncle Nige and went down to put the shed together. Daddy and Uncle Nige did a brilliant job (whilst Henry and I helped with providing screws, holding certain parts, and weeding the allotment !).
It looks really really good now, I'm so proud ! Yesterday I e-mailed Nicky Ellis to ask about the plot behind me as the people still haven't been to do anything. I would be so chuffed if she would let me have a bit of it before they hand it all to the next person on the list. I am still waiting to hear from her.
We got some more bark chippings and put it down in the areas all around the shed, so it looks really nice and neat now. Will have to take the camera down to take more photos.
It looks really really good now, I'm so proud ! Yesterday I e-mailed Nicky Ellis to ask about the plot behind me as the people still haven't been to do anything. I would be so chuffed if she would let me have a bit of it before they hand it all to the next person on the list. I am still waiting to hear from her.
We got some more bark chippings and put it down in the areas all around the shed, so it looks really nice and neat now. Will have to take the camera down to take more photos.
Wednesday 22nd June 2008 - Levelling the Land !
Daddy came down with us today to level the area where the shed will be going - we did a really good job and Henry collected his first red strawberry which he was so proud of !!!
Monday 30th June 2008
The runner beans are looking fine now they have been sprayed. There are tiny beans beginning to form and Uncle Carls are all flowering and producing tiny beans too. Uncle Carl's beans have not climbed at all though - so it will be interesting to see the difference when the beans are fully formed (our runner beans are red flowered and Uncle Carls are a beautiful cream colour).The peas are now coming up in the spaces that were missed before, and we noticed today that we have one solitary pea-pod on the first row we sowed ! Very exciting !
Here is a photo of the plot now, hopefully tomorrow we will be able to get the shed up with Uncle Nige's help.
Monday 23rd June 2008
I picked Henry up from school on my bike and we cycled down to the allotment today. Having inspected the runner beans closely, I think they have blackfly, so I am going down tomorrow after school to spray them. The potatoes have the flowers forming on them which Henry was very excited about. And we have another 4 little courgettes on the green plant and one forming on the yellow plant.
We did quite a bit of weeding and replanted some peas in the gaps that were there from ones which didn't germinate or were eaten by mice.
I think as well, after looking closely at the butternut squash which we dind't think were doing anything there may be some kind of flowers forming ?!?! Will have to wait and see !
I'll try and take the camera if I remember tomorrow and get some more photos.
We did quite a bit of weeding and replanted some peas in the gaps that were there from ones which didn't germinate or were eaten by mice.
I think as well, after looking closely at the butternut squash which we dind't think were doing anything there may be some kind of flowers forming ?!?! Will have to wait and see !
I'll try and take the camera if I remember tomorrow and get some more photos.
Sunday 22nd June 2008
We all went down to the allotment this afternoon. Daddy levelled the area where the shed will go (hopefully next weekend). Henry and I weeded, and we also had a good look at how everything was growing. Most of the runner beans have red flowers now, apart from the small ones Uncle Carl gave us. We tied together the canes to make them climb better. The peas are looking OK, but there must be piles of mice around as most of them haven't come through (I think there is only one plant in Henry's patch). I'll sow some more tomorrow after school. One of Henry's strawberry plants does look very poorly. Dave said it looked like something had sat on it - it does just look flattened. But the others are doing well, strawberries all on, but still green. His large tomato plant is flowering, but no sign of any tomatoes yet. The second row of lettuce is coming through, so we picked some of the first row for Mummy to have for lunch at work tomorrow. We then picked our first courgette which we all shared for tea ! Henry noticed there is a yellow one on its way too ! The beetroot is looking very healthy and the carrots are still growing. The celeriac is getting bigger as well, which is pleasing as I didn't think they seemed to be doing much at all. The butternut squash don't appear to be doing very much, but we'll see.
Monday 16th June 2008
Henry and I nipped down to the allotment after school today to see how everything was doing. We gave everything a big water and picked some lettuce to take home. I had it for lunch the next day and it was delicious !!!
The tomato plants Uncle Carl brought down to put in Henry's patch didn't look too healthy but we'll see.
Really need to spend a bit more time down there and do some weeding. I also want to buy some garden string to rig up a support for the second batch of peas.
The tomato plants Uncle Carl brought down to put in Henry's patch didn't look too healthy but we'll see.
Really need to spend a bit more time down there and do some weeding. I also want to buy some garden string to rig up a support for the second batch of peas.
Saturday 14th June 2008
Nanna & Grandad were coming for a Thai meal tonight, so they arrived about 4pm and Uncle Carl & Auntie Julie came as well to see the allotment. We all went straight down and everyone seemed quite impressed. Grandad pinched out some shoots on Henry's tomato plant to make it grow better, Uncle Carl had brought 3 baby tomato plants for Henry's patch which he planted. He then sourced some pea sticks for Henry's row of peas.
Grandad and Henry did some watering of everything and we got the dregs of the bark chippings on some of the paths, just need another delivery now !! Everything looking really good though.
Grandad and Henry did some watering of everything and we got the dregs of the bark chippings on some of the paths, just need another delivery now !! Everything looking really good though.
Thursday 12th June 2008
Dave and I picked Henry up from school and we all went down to the allotment to finish edging the last border. It now looks really good, and we are just waiting for the tree surgeon to deliver more bark chippings so we can put the paths down around it all.
The table that Nicky Ellis had rescued from another allotment shed was there this time and Henry was in his element, it is like a little old-style school desk with a flip top, and inside was a pencil case with colouring pencils and pens and also an A4 plain book which he scribbled on !!
The shed arrived on Wednesday and hopefully Uncle Nige is going to borrow a van to take it down here a week on Saturday and then they will put it up. I can't wait for it to go up as then everything will be finished really.
Everything is growing well, I think there were the start of little courgettes on the green plant, the runner beans were flowering, the peas seemed to be doing well. Henry's tomato plant and his strawberries seem to be really growing well. Henry had a good munch on the lettuce again and then we went home.
The table that Nicky Ellis had rescued from another allotment shed was there this time and Henry was in his element, it is like a little old-style school desk with a flip top, and inside was a pencil case with colouring pencils and pens and also an A4 plain book which he scribbled on !!
The shed arrived on Wednesday and hopefully Uncle Nige is going to borrow a van to take it down here a week on Saturday and then they will put it up. I can't wait for it to go up as then everything will be finished really.
Everything is growing well, I think there were the start of little courgettes on the green plant, the runner beans were flowering, the peas seemed to be doing well. Henry's tomato plant and his strawberries seem to be really growing well. Henry had a good munch on the lettuce again and then we went home.
Tuesday 10th June 2008
We went down to the allotment after school today. First thing we did was plant a new row of mixed lettuce leaves at the end of the new row of peas, and then we did a real good weeding jon in the 'Legumes' bed. Everything in here seems to be growing well - the beans and peas I re-sowed are coming through now, and hopefully with having them now netted, and slug pellets down it will stop them being massacred !!! Henry was impressed with how much the potatoes and the lettuce had grown and we even tried some lettuce - Henry liked it so much, he sat next to the row of lettuce tucking in, whilst I weeded !!!
We then gave everything a really big water (using Henry's special watering can too), and put the rubbish in the area where it should go, only to find two great baskets which we thought we could use to collect our produce when it was ready and take home to Daddy !! So, we picked some lettuce leaves to take home and have with our tea !
Saturday 8th June 2008
On our weekend without Henry (as he was staying with Nanna & Grandad for our Wedding Anniversary), Dave & I went down to the Allotment early on Sunday morning to try and build more of the edging boards on the beds. We managed to build the edging boards for the potatoes bed, and also for the 'Roots' bed. There is a little room left at the end of the 'Roots' bed so I will probably sow some more lettuce as the lettuce already in seems to be not far off ready now !
Everything seemed to be growing really well, the second batch of peas had all come up which I was really pleased with. Henry's tomato plant is flowering, the strawberries are all flowering, the green courgette plant looks like it is about to start growing it's courgettes ! We ordered the shed on Wednesday last week, and it is being delivered this Wednesday to our house. Nige has acquired a van to transport it down to the allotment so hopefully come the end of next weekend we should have a fully functional shed down there (and maybe the last bed - the Brassica's will be edged as well !). Fingers crossed !
Thursday 5th June 2008
We went down after school and put some netting over the Brassica's bed and over Henry's strawberries and the new peas and Dwarf Green Beans. Also planted a row of carrots for Henry as well in his patch.
Tuesday 3rd June 2008
Henry and I went to the allotment after school today. Firstly we planted the leeks that Uncle Carl had given to us. We planted a row of leeks inbetween each row of potatoes, and then Henry had two in his patch (inbetween his tomato and strawberry plant). We then planted the broccoli and the cabbage plants we had grown from seed at home. Henry had 3 cabbage plants and 3 broccoli plants. We also planted a small row of peas for him too. He is very excited about it now, and can't wait for tomorrow to sow some carrot seeds !!!
Everything else seems to be coming on well - the runner beans are about to flower their red flowers, the lettuce is getting bigger by the day. The potatoes seem to be on a mission to grow the fastest out of everything as they are huge ! We gave everything a bit of a water and then came home.
Everything else seems to be coming on well - the runner beans are about to flower their red flowers, the lettuce is getting bigger by the day. The potatoes seem to be on a mission to grow the fastest out of everything as they are huge ! We gave everything a bit of a water and then came home.
Monday 2nd June 2008
I had half a days leave today so I popped down after an early lunch to see what was happening. I found a couple more bean plants through, but they've defintely been had/nibbled by slugs, so I bought some slug pellets, and some fine mesh netting to cover some of the plants. However I had forgotten to bring any scissors and had nothing to secure it with either, so I spent the afternoon weeding, replanting the dwarf green beans (two to a hole this time as Dad had recommended in the first place). I also replanted the missing pea plants as they hopefully will now be protected by the pea sticks in place. I noticed the other pea plants had started to come through as well, so I started putting pea sticks in there too.
Other than that I watered everything, generally weeded and then added alot more bark chippings which the tree surgeon had left.
Other than that I watered everything, generally weeded and then added alot more bark chippings which the tree surgeon had left.
Friday 30th May 2008
I popped down to the Allotment today just to check on Henry's strawberries and tomato plant. The strawberries are flowering and the tomato plant looks like it is not far off flowering. I didn't think they would produce fruit this year, so I'm really pleased about that - not as much as Henry was though !!!
Monday 26th May 2008 - Henry's Bed
Dave came down this afternoon to make Henry's bed out of our old compost bin planks of wood. They were the ideal size, so we built his bed and planted his strawberries (Elsante), and a tomato plant. He was very very pleased with his bed ! After that we did a spot of watering and took a couple of photos of one of the Butternut Squash plants, and one of the little celeriac plants.
Monday 26th May 2008
Henry and I went down to the Allotment at about 9:00 this morning, it was quite busy, but I expect that was because it was a Bank Holiday. We did some weeding and also planted another row of beetroot in the 'Brassica's' bed as we had some left over and we didn't want to throw them away. We also planted another row of peas in the 'Legumes' bed, and we noticed that the dwarf green beans are just starting to come through ! It's so nice to see. We did a general tidy up and then took some photos.
Saturday 24th May 2008
Daddy & Uncle Nige were levelling out the side of the house and shovelling all the soil and rubble into the skip at home so Henry and I went shopping at Homebase and bought 2 Butternut Squash plants, a tray of beetroot, and a redcurrant bush.
We then went down to the Allotment and started looking around at what had happened since we had last been on Wednesday. Some more of the potatoes had come through, and some more peas, and the lettuce had grown a bit but no sign of anything else yet.
Uncle Carl & Auntie Julie visited then and Uncle Carl helped by edging the front of our plot. We planted the redcurrant bush at the front right of our plot, and then we put some replacement beans in the 'Legumes' bed to replace the one which had died. Uncle Carl had quite a few of them so we planted some in the middle of the existing 6 as well. Then Uncle Carl and Henry went to find some branches to use as pea sticks to support the peas when they start growing properly.
Then we planted a yellow courgette plant that Uncle Carl brought too, and planted 2 rows of beetroot, the 2 Butternut Squash plants and a row of celeriac that Uncle Carl had grown. That has finished the 'Roots' bed as far as planting goes. The only thing we are missing now really is the wood to be able to edge the existing beds and create Henry's new bed. While all the planting was going on Henry and Auntie Julie were doing lots and lots and lots of watering !
In the afternoon Nanna & Grandad came to see it, and Grandad piled the soil up on the potatoes, and it looked really neat - the only problem is that we can't see our lovely little potato plants any more !!! We'll have to be patient and wait for them to break through !
Wednesday 21st May 2008
Well - much to Henry's and my excitement the potatoes have started to come through - and Dad was right - there is no mistaking them really ! I can't see any of the salad potatoes yet, but maybe they take a bit longer ? There were some more peas as well. Its really nice to see things coming through.
The Runner Bean plant I thought was not good, has died I think, and one of the others has started to wilt so I think that might be on its way out but Uncle Carl said he has a couple of climbing beans we could have and also a yellow courgette plant. Really looking foward to seeing them in the ground !
We then planted another row of carrots, and gave everything a good water.
The Runner Bean plant I thought was not good, has died I think, and one of the others has started to wilt so I think that might be on its way out but Uncle Carl said he has a couple of climbing beans we could have and also a yellow courgette plant. Really looking foward to seeing them in the ground !
We then planted another row of carrots, and gave everything a good water.
Tuesday 20th May 2008
We had quite a productive time at the allotment today. Some people from the council and the allotment association came round and they seemed very pleased at what we had achieved already so that was nice. One of them had a look at 
my shoots coming through to help me identify whether they were actually weeds or vegetables !!! And he confirmed that the things I thought might be potato plants were weeds, but that we did have a row of lettuce leaves coming through which was very exciting.
After he left Henry discovered that we had a few pea plants starting to push through the surface as well. It is such a nice feeling to think that we just put a little seed down and now it is a little plant which willl hopefully give us some nice peas in a couple of months time :-)
Other than watering all the plants we just continued the digging and now the whole plot is nearly dug over. Dave asked Nige whether he would be able to get some boards to continue edging the beds and he will look at what they have at the weekend. It really is coming on !
my shoots coming through to help me identify whether they were actually weeds or vegetables !!! And he confirmed that the things I thought might be potato plants were weeds, but that we did have a row of lettuce leaves coming through which was very exciting.After he left Henry discovered that we had a few pea plants starting to push through the surface as well. It is such a nice feeling to think that we just put a little seed down and now it is a little plant which willl hopefully give us some nice peas in a couple of months time :-)
Other than watering all the plants we just continued the digging and now the whole plot is nearly dug over. Dave asked Nige whether he would be able to get some boards to continue edging the beds and he will look at what they have at the weekend. It really is coming on !
Monday 19th May 2008
After Henry had finished pre-school we went down to the allotment and carried on digging. I managed to finish digging out all the way up to the front so hopefully we can buld Henry's bed because we are buying some Strawberry plants on Thursday and he wants to plant them !!!
Other than that we just watered everything. There are some shoots coming through but I am unsure as to whether they are weeds or plants as I haven't grown anything before ! So we have left them to get a bit bigger before we decide what to do with them !
Sunday afternoon - Edging Boards
Daddy came down this afternoon and we edged the 'Legumes' bed with the boards that Grandad acquired ! It really neatened the area up and it looks really nice now. We just need more boards to edge the others. We met the people that have the plot behind us, and they are really nice. I think their names were Ian and Jane, he said he had been working away and had not had the chance to do anything other than rotovate it last weekend, but they placed the black matting down to start some pathways.
I dug over a little more so we can hopefully build Henry's own little bed shortly and he can plant his strawberry plants in it !!
I dug over a little more so we can hopefully build Henry's own little bed shortly and he can plant his strawberry plants in it !!
Sunday 18th May 2008
We didn't get down to the allotment at all yesterday as the weather was appalling - it rained all day - although it was probably good for all the vegetables we have growing. We were hoping it wouldn't have the same effect on the weeds but they have loved the warm weather and then the rain yesterday and were out in full force. So this morning we have been doing some weeding, checking whether anything had grown (I don't think so, but I am unsure to whether we have a very small potato plant, pea plant etc, or whether we have weeds !!! Time will tell ! One of the Runner Bean plants hasn't grown at all and doesn't look too healthy but the others are all looking really good.
We then carried on digging over the soil and removing weeds towards the front of our plot ready for this afternoon when Daddy is coming down to help us put the edging boards on the beds. Really looking forwrad to seeing them in place :-) Henry did alot of raking and some digging too.
We then planted a row of cauliflower (F1 Hybrid Dunkeld) next to the existing purple sprouting broccoli plants.
We then carried on digging over the soil and removing weeds towards the front of our plot ready for this afternoon when Daddy is coming down to help us put the edging boards on the beds. Really looking forwrad to seeing them in place :-) Henry did alot of raking and some digging too.
We then planted a row of cauliflower (F1 Hybrid Dunkeld) next to the existing purple sprouting broccoli plants.
Thursday 15th May 2008
Today at the allotment we prepared the 'Roots' bed for planting. I dug the soil over and Henry did a very good job of raking the area. After we had done enough we planted one row of carrots (Autumn King 2) and then put in the courgette plant (Courgette Ambassador F1) that Uncle Carl gave us at the weekend.
The tree surgeon delivered a load more bark chippings as well so we continued to make our paths around our beds. We gave everything a good water and pulled out some weeds. 
Then we carried on digging and raking to try and move further down the plot so we can get Henry's bed ready for planting some strawberry plants in !
Then we carried on digging and raking to try and move further down the plot so we can get Henry's bed ready for planting some strawberry plants in !Wednesday 14th May 2008
I didn't have a lot of time today so just nipped down to the allotment and watered what was there and removed a few weeds that were starting to grow through. Still no sign of anything coming through yet - at least I have the Runner Bean plants and the Purple Sprouting Broccoli plants to look at !
Then after I had picked Henry up from pre-school we planted the cabbage (January King 3) and broccoli (Autumn Calabrese) seeds in seed trays in the back garden and gave them a good water !
Tuesday 13th May 2008
After I picked Henry up from pre-school we went down and planted 2 rows of purple sprouting broccoli plants that Uncle Carl had given us at the weekend. A lovely lady from a plot further up the road came to talk to us and gave us a bag of 2 lettuces, some red lettuce leaves and 3 big radishes ! I gave her the left-over purple sprouting broccoli plants - she was really chuffed as she and her husband were new to allotments and hadn't tried growing it yet. The tree surgeon had also delivered a pile of wood chippings so we started to put some down for our pathways ! It really seems to be coming together now.
Monday 12th May 2008
I had half a days leave from work today, Grandad came over to bring some boards to edge one of the beds, some chicken wire for supporting the peas when they being to grow, a rake (Great Grandpa's old one), and Great Grandpa's old watering can too. In the afternoon I planted a double row of Dwarf French Beans (Tendercrop).
Saturday 10th May 2008
After Henry had been to Eleanor Bealey's 4th Birthday Party at Blue Bear's Playbarn we went down to the allotment. Daddy & Uncle Nige came too and brought 4 concrete slabs down so we can put the shed on them when we buy it.
We then planted a row of peas (Early - Kelvedon Wonder) next to the runner beans.
We then planted a row of peas (Early - Kelvedon Wonder) next to the runner beans.
6th - 8th May 2008 - Potatoes !
After picking up some seed potatoes from Bellis's we planted 4 rows of Maris Piper (seed potatoes), and one row of salad potatoes that we had in the kitchen at home (they had started to sprout in the cupboard !).
So we now have a full Potato bed and the Runner Beans in the 'Legumes' bed !
Monday 5th May 2008 - Nanna & Grandad Visit !
Bank Holiday Monday, after a trip to Chirk Car Boot Sale, Nanna & Grandad called around and wanted to visit the allotment, so they came down and helped remove weeds and do some digging.
A man from a plot across the road gave us some runner bean plants that were spare and also some canes and a basket to put weeds in.
So Grandad planted them and we started to wind them around the canes, and by lunchtime we had 6 runner bean plants in the start of our 'Legumes' bed !
A man from a plot across the road gave us some runner bean plants that were spare and also some canes and a basket to put weeds in.
So Grandad planted them and we started to wind them around the canes, and by lunchtime we had 6 runner bean plants in the start of our 'Legumes' bed !
Saturday 3rd May 2008 - Uncle Carl & Auntie Julie help !
On Saturday afternoon Uncle Carl and Auntie Julie came down to see the allotment and we did alot of digging. Henry went on a great adventure with Auntie Julie and discovered parts of the allotment which I have not been to yet !
By the time we had finished on the Saturday afternoon we had cleared/dug over almost 2/3 of the plot - hooray !
By the time we had finished on the Saturday afternoon we had cleared/dug over almost 2/3 of the plot - hooray !
25th April 2008 - Starting Out !
It all started with a meeting on 25th April 2008 with Nicky Ellis from Wrexham Council to go and visit 2 plots at the Price's Lane Allotments in Wrexham.
We chose Plot 121 because it was in a prettier area, and had a grassy area for Henry to run around on next to it.
The plot is a 'quarter plot' and is 8.5m by 4.5m. It was already marked out and needed some major digging !!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
