So what’s what?

Now that things are well under way I thought it time to do another update.

As per my last update, I have to be a bit vague about some things, but I’ll do my best. But man has it been a busy few weeks.

I’ve been shown how to dig “properly” by someone who really knows what they’re talking about.

knows what they’re talking about. Dug and weeded five 2x2metre beds.

Been to a site near Warwick for inspiration.

I’ve dug a pond.

Made a bug hotel.

Made a scarecrow (with a bit of help from my godchildren).

I’ve made a compost bin.

And my shed no longer lists when you open the door.

But most importantly… I’ve started growing.

Food!!

A decision has been made to focus on only half my plot (well 5/8ths). This has made the task in hand a lot less daunting. I mean it still needs doing, just not yet.

So whilst one half will be done using the ‘no dig’ method ready for cultivation later on in the year/early next year, the other half will be looking great and producing food by the end of September at the latest.

I’ve five beds dug and weeded. I’ve a terrible problem with bindweed and couch grass so I need to be relatively on top with the weeding. Fun times. However, I’ve done my best and now four of the five beds are full of seeds, and some seem to be germinating.

All beds are separated into relevant food groups. So I’ve one for roots, one for brassicas, one for legumes, one for salad crops, one is just for pumpkins. I’ve still a bed to dig for potatoes. A four-year rotation plan is in effect.

The landlady of the local pub has given me some courgettes and these should be producing soon. And the radishes seem to growing in front of my eyes.

The following is being grown from seed: carrots, fennel, beetroot, chard, radish, spring onions, lettuce (mixed), cabbage (red and green), broccoli, turnips, chard, peas and runner beans.



I’ve also some herbs growing in the windowsill of my flat.

Fingers crossed that we won’t have the vegetable apocalypse seen last time. Mainly because I know a little bit more about what I’m doing, and a little bit to do with beer traps killing all the slugs. Aah, lovely, lovely beer traps.

Also, one bed contained one of the three rose bushes I inherited. I decided to dig it out to make space for more veggies. Man that was hard work. I had no idea how deep rose roots could get. I got very sweaty.

The rest of it

Apart from growing food, this plot is also supposed to a place to enjoy and relax. Therefore the look of the plot is almost as important as what I’ll be harvesting.

I’ve done a fair bit of grass cutting using a borrowed strimmer and I’ve marked out paths using weed suppressing fabric, which will then be covered with wood chip. I’ve chosen wood chip as it’s biodegradable and can just be dug back into the soil if I ever finish with the plot. I’m just waiting for some to be delivered.

Also, I’ve taken apart some pallets which I’ll be using for bed walls. Not for raised beds specifically, but more to delineate the paths and keep it looking tidy.

Next item on the agenda is the pimping of the shed (one of Shakespeare’s lesser known works).

As mentioned above I’ve managed to stop the shed from listing whenever you open the door just by wedging a pallet at the back. This has not only sured up the structure but also provides much needed shelving.

Pallets are excellent by the way. I’ve even made a double-compartment compost bin just by tieing a few pallets together.

I can’t really go into any more detail regarding the shed apart from I’m still going for a shed/pub hybrid. I’ve made some plans/drawings, and have an overall idea of how I’m going toput such plans in to action. But I have no carpentry skills, like, none at all, and this has now become the most daunting aspect of the whole project.

I still don’t know what to do about seating.

I’ve also built (well half built) a bug hotel with en suite pool (with steps for any hedgehogs unfortunate enough to fall in). A little haven for wildlife seemed like a good idea. Especially if it attracts any of those lovely solitary, but pollinating bees, and any slug eating beasties.



And of course there’s Rex the Scarecrow. Named after the godkids grandad, who provided the outfit, and who seems to rockin’ a bit of a YMCA vibe.

Up-to-date

So that’s where we’re at. I wish I could talk about my trip to Warwick but it’ll soon become apparent as to why I can’t. The trip really was helpful and gave me plenty of inspiration and not a little hope.

I’ve a deadline to get this allotment as good as I can get it by the end September. There’s still a bit to go, but I reckon I’ve a made a blooming good start.