A bit of news

Something pretty awesome is happening. And I’m not too sure what I’m allowed to share with your good selves, if anything at all.

So I apologise in advance for being a bit vague here, but let’s just say it involves myself, my allotment, the television, and somebody else. Somebody pretty frickin’ awesome.

I’ve not done a great deal to the plot since I’ve had this news. I’ve still been going up a couple of times a week, but mainly just to weed/enjoy the sunshine (…and a bit of cider when it came to the Community Orchard open day).

Fishponds Community Orchard

On Sunday 5th June, as part of the citywide Get Growing Garden Trail, the Fishponds Community Orchard held an open day. Situated within Thingwall Park allotments (where my plot is) is a lovely little oasis of apples and pears.

I drank cider (Janet’s Jungle Juice and a bit of the orchards own if you’re interested – both ridiculously delicious and moorish), I was given a tour by some properly expertly experts, discussed the how’s and what’s of making cider and generally had a lovely couple of hours.

Anyone can become a member of the orchard (you don’t have to have a plot or anything) and you’ll be invited to help out, press apples for cider, wassailing, and to attend talks and events. And all for the grand fee of £5 a year. I’m joining and I’d recommend you do as well.

Growing pains

Basically, I’ve been told not to do anything to my plot until the ‘thing’ starts. Which has been quite annoying, but the excitement certainly outdoes the frustration.

The only significant thing I’ve really done is bodged together a potting table using an old pallet.

And anyway, I’m not going to lie to you – it’s not been a massive success so far.

Here’s a quick run down of where we are at the minute​:

Beetroot – Moved outdoors to potting table.

Broccoli – Moved outdoors to potting table.

Brussels Sprouts – Moved outdoors to potting table.

Cabbage – Slug ravaged – dead.

Carrots – Nothing.

Cauliflower – Slug ravaged – dead.

Celery – soooo sloooow.

Cherry tomatoes – Indoors and doing well.

Chillies (Thai) – One left – still indoors, coming along okay-ish.

Courgette – Not sure if anything is even happening.

Garlic – Going well – inside and out.

Maris piper potatoes – Going well.

Onions – Zero sign.

Peas – Slug murdered.

Strawberries – Starting to fruit.

I’ve also planted some of the following, currently at seedling stage, again using the pallet potting table:

Collard.

Mizuna mustard.

Pak choi.

More peas.

Scotch bonnet – yeah I know I should be growing them indoors or in a greenhouse.

And some herbs – thyme and mint mainly.

And, despite a total lack of interference, my rose beds are starting to look all lovely.

We’ll have to wait and see as to what ends up staying/going.

The plot

I’ve covered half the plot (the none-dug half) in sheeting to stop anymore grass growing/kill off existing sod. It was starting to resemble the Serengeti and half expect to trip over a sleeping lion.

I’ve also been given some wood (fnaar, fnaar) which I’ll probably use for bedding.

The rest is as was.

The end AKA the beginning

I really am sorry about the vagueness of some of this post, but just know that, pretty soon I’m going to have a lot more direction and resourcing, and will be able to make a real, REAL start to this allotment malarkey.

It all starts officially tomorrow, and by the end of September, with a lot of hard work, I’m going to have a properly sexy plot (and hopefully my pub/shed – the one I mentioned in Part 2).

I hope I’ll be allowed to write about what’s about to happen. Spill the beans as it were (thanks Mum for that gem of a pun).

If not – I’ll see you in September.