The darn gon' freaking weeds are just too much to handle and I swear that plot is the major breeding ground for, oh let's say, half the known slugs in the world! We are miserable every time we look at it and I just seem to waste hours every weekend in there battling with some really stubborn mutant dandelions the size of my head and grass, grass growing everywhere. It's cleared one day and they're back the next. On top of this the soil is terrible no matter how much we improve it with compost, manure, grit etc.
****** Its a freaking money pit! ******
So more love and attention is going to given to 24a and I think in the end we won't renew our ownership of the other half plot when spring comes around again in 2015. That's just how we feel right now. 14b I think we shall have to part next year, you take up too emotional and physical energy from us.
To be honest we are having differences in our lookout on the allotment means to us. This year particularly,
* Andrew is NOT enjoying the plot, he believes himself to be so far behind with everything, complains about the soil, the weather the way the seedlings aren't growing right, the fact that we have every pest there is and the pigeons, do not get him started on the pigeons! Then again he is the gardener and does the majority of the work.
* Me, I'm proud of it. I am proud that we are in this for the long game and aren't thinking along the same paths as so many young people today - we don't need to have it now, it's not like some video game, we aren't doing this to gain fame and fortune. I have wanted to be there more often this year than the last 3 years put together, I've even been by myself! I can work for an hour or so alone as Andrew drives off to collect supplies and guess what - I haven't completely freaked out. It's pretty much been the only consistent thing that gets me out of the house.
Yes I see all the problems and I do lament the loss of seedlings and 10, 10! marigold plants over night. I don't like slugs, aphids or cheeky birds eating my food. It's hard work for me to get myself there, I often don't enjoy it and feel often like giving up bar the fact we have spent so much money on it and of, lordy,..so much time.
But it feels meaningful to be growing our food. I don't know that I would have anything to do with my life if I didn't have those days of taking photos and working the day away, putting what energy I have into this blog... It helps save my sanity.
It's Friday, we ought to be happy, sorry..
I did this last Saturday on 14b all by hand as we don't have any petrol strimmers or lawnmowers....
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| saved the blackberry and rhubarb from so much grass |
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| Beautiful produce - chives, gooseberries, blackcurrants plus new dahlias and roses in place |
Carrie xx
It's my first year having allotment 8b and it started out as a mass of weeds two weeks constant clearing I the hot weather in April. I have managed to spend a bit if time each week but this last week is constant rain and with heavy clay soil it's a no go area popping in yesterday the weeds have taken over again along with the peas being eaten and carrots being a no show. This year I'm taking it's as a learning curve biting back the tears and plodding on. Sometimes I wonder why but the. When I spend time there with the children the husband not interested it does make it worthwhile even if I have nothing to show for it. Keep your head up xx
ReplyDeleteWe've had a problem with bindweed and dandelions in our back garden. One thing that worked for us was to put down old newspapers and then cover the newspapers with black plastic or landscape fabric. It does cut way down on the amount of weeds that come up after you take it up (at least one year).
ReplyDeleteI would say it is worth it friend...if you need a split from a bit of it I say do that but what you have created here is breath taking! Yes....hard work and good things take time but boy like at what you are growing! Bravo to you both and a lovely weekend to you! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteAs gardeners/allotmenteers we all have periods when things get us down This year the weather seems to have held up progress. A few good days though and we will feel different. There are always setbacks too - fruit falling off, fruit being stolen, manure with weedkiller, too much rain, not enough rain, too many pest. We have found growing through the weed fabric has helped us so much. We still have some weeding to do but it's not a constant battle. It's especially valuable under fruit bushes and trees Maybe you need to sit and assess the situation. Decide what you enjoy doing and what is getting on top of you and then think of ways of remedying things. Be systematic and try to leave some time to boyj sit back and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a minimalist so my half plot is enough for me. I'd say that's it's better to do less better than struggle with more. It obviously needs thinking about what you both really what to do.
ReplyDeleteFlighty xx
Thank goodness it's not just me who's feeling overwhelmed by the weeds and everything. I just wrote a post about how out of control everything feels at my plot, I think it must be this time of year, when everything just explodes into growth (except the food crops that is!) I feel like giving up sometimes, but I know that it will pass. When I'm feeling enthusiastic about it, it scares me that I nearly gave up because I know I'd regret it at times. But right now, it's a struggle, it really is. I think it's the right decision to give back 14b and concentrate on a smaller area. It does sound like a thankless task, and I think the fact that the soil is poor must make it very difficult. My soil at home isn't good, and time and again things just fail to thrive. I hope you have a good week Carrie, despite the weeds! CJ xx
ReplyDelete