We visited Mamma G and Maggie got a cuddle and kisses. Those are her daffs too and look at that sky = gardening weather!
Then we went and got a few bits and bobs, such as these new flowers for 14b (and much more than this photo shows) and a new kettle for the shed - hurrah!! Hot drinks are back :) Now we can warm ourselves up after facing the N. Irish winds - bbbrrr.
* I strongly believe in buying flowers and even some vegetable seeds in these discount shops. Not everything has to come from a great nursery or a named supplier. We regularly get things for next to nothing and they turn out to be just as good. If you aren't looking for a certain type - I say go cheap and you may be very surprised. For example our spuds last year came from a nursery and some from a pound shop, different types but both extremely abundant when harvest time came.
Look how happy Maggie is and how shiny our new wee kettle is :) The sky was blue but there's usually a nip in the air, hence the jumper and need for tea. Earl Gray for Andrew and Three Mint tea for me...you are always welcome by the way and sometimes we even do coffee, plus you'll always find a biscuit or two :)
Okay, ready to go. These are the weekend's 'Before' photos. The 24a one will not shock anyone but I have until now, resisted showing you the unbearable shame of 14b. Maybe I should explain? Blush! Last year we decided were going to give up this plot and just sort of forgot about it, thinking we shouldn't waste anymore time there. The plots around it are so terribly neglected that the weeds from them had invaded ours and simply - we were miserable. But, during the winter we had ideas flowing and not enough room in one half plot to accommodate them, so.... It's an ugly duckling ready to bloom :)
Andrew kept going on 24a, getting rid of the last of the chard and mooli which had gone over and mulching everywhere liberally with horse manure. There were a great deal of times that I could have sworn that he was just standing there, doing nought, but I am assured in my heart that he was planning, always planning ;) Haha.
Though it is true.... Had there been anyone else down there they may have thought he was a slave driver, but there wasn't, not a one in our field and the others looked empty too, to be frank. Kind of makes you mad...
Yes! I tackled and sort of conquered/ made a dent in 14b; got rid of the dead raspberry canes and I honestly don't know how many massive thistles and dandelion plants, not to mention the grass that had conquered the beds. Is there much better than getting the whole root of a weed out in one swift movement? :)
I did enough work to get really excited about and even lament home time; though I was exhausted and sleeping standing up. It's been a long time since I felt that strongly about the place and how we (Nature and I) were nurturing one another. I felt such love for my plots, my wee pieces (literally) of Eden.
The Allotment Gardens as a whole are a damnable shame and to my eyes, a failure. Poor infrastructure, lack of commitment, still poor access and a real need for strong leadership and rule reinforcement! I could rant for days but I shan't, instead here are the 'After' photos for Day 1 - I believe Maggie was quite happy with our progress :)
Hugs and love
LOADS more to come :)
Your
Carrie x
I like those white and yellow daffodils. It sounds, and looks, like you were busy so welcomed a nice cup of tea and a couple of biscuits.
ReplyDeleteA lovely springy post, and terrific photos. Happy gardening, Flighty xx
They are lovely, there are a good few gems in Mamma's garden - we're going to give it a good tidy up and show them off better. Thank you for your praise. Happy gardening to you my friend xx
DeleteDid Maggie get a new shed bowl too?
ReplyDeleteUummmmm, nope. She got a lovely hand painted ceramic one last summer though :)
DeleteNice jumper, Maggie x
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I think is sets off my eyes, haha x
DeleteLovely job! You (and your allotment) are really making progress. My back garden looks a lot like your 14B before picture...it has been neglected for a few years due to health problems and I hope to at least make a dent in it this year. I've managed to get myself outside on the nice days and clean up the vegetable garden, trim up the strawberries, and plant lettuce, carrots and other salad greens. Peas are next.....I hoping to get my garden "mojo" back. Take care, lovely girl
ReplyDeleteIt's taken a lot of effort and the two of us working really hard but thank you very much. I am so happy that this year you well more well and able to tackle your own neglected plot of land, the starting is the hardest bit. Sounds like you have fab plans and it will all be worth it later when you get to eat your food :) Your mojo is coming back!! Hugs C xxx
DeleteI had a fantastic day at the allotment last week as well. I think it must be the time of year. I fell in love with it all over again. Yes please, three mint tea for me please, I love it. How did your mooli do? We like them, but I've never tried growing them. Sounds like you've done some good work at your second plot. I hope the rest of the week is good. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteIt was an allotment-y kind of week, eh! All the cool kids were doing it, haha. Our Mooli were okay, not sure if we're doing them again, it was a flirtation with something new. We didn't end up eating as much of it as we should = not worth wasting effort on for us, but they grew well. I think we'll be there on Friday again, but for now I am still trying to get all the notes and photos together from the Bank Holiday :) xx
DeleteYour Maggie has such a delightful expression on her face!
ReplyDeleteShe really is a wee dote. Can't remember life without her. xx
DeleteSo proud of you guys for sticking it out! What you have done is absolutely beautiful! I say you keep it going and with your hard work maybe it will be a message to the other gardeners to maintain their plots as well! Wishing you an outstanding week! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicole. There are many times we have thought of giving up but we've really put so much of ourselves into this that it would be hard to walk away. Best to just keep the head down and ignore the abandoned plots. We've lost some great people over the years and newbies do not seem to understand the level of commitment needed :(
DeleteHugs to you xx
I'm always the odd one out here as I don't garden, but you give me a chance to see the beauty of doing it with all your wonderful pictures. Wow. What changes you made and it did look like a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteI liked the ladybug. I love ladybugs. It seems to me I don't see them as often anymore, but I'm always careful when they land on me to make sure they leave safely.
Looks like it was nice day had by all:~)