Thursday 9 March 2017

An Allotment Reunion

What the bloomin' heck happened to February!?
I think someone stole mine; I remember so very little, I've lost time (anyone believe in UFOs?) There are some photos of me out hiking, hiking with Andrew and Toby and again with Andrew in the rain and such but apart from that, I think I slept. Seriously, I think I slept February away though I can see I read some good books - The Handmaid's Tail for instance. Anyway, it wasn't a good month and I can tell you, I'm glad March is here. The back garden has shown me some much needed hope in it's little blooms, that is something I remember smiling over, in the darkness.

But let us not dwell and instead talk of good stuff! We visited the allotment last Saturday what? - YES! We saw our land again after a very long absence and it didn't look too bad. I'm so glad we did all that work in the depths of winter, so cold and warming ourselves up with many a cup of tea. Apart from the field being a quagmire and the 'devastation' of Storm Doris (a little bit of our netting came down, it's nothing) it looks great, how surprising.


It's not that we fell out with the place but that the weather has been crappy and of course the field was never prepared properly and there is no drainage in place. This year, as last, we're absolute champions of the no dig system and we are going to sow direct as much as possible; in our 9 years at lottie owners we can't see that home sowing and planting out seedlings makes that much difference.

However, one thing we do plant out early is our garlic. We love our garlic and it loves us - 100% germination this year again. Aren't they just a happy sight standing like little soldiers all their rows.


Even had we wanted to do any work or even fork some wheelbarrows of newly delivered manure to the plot, we couldn't. The paths were sodden and these two very inadequate photos try to show. Look, even the slugs were being flooded out!


But TRUE JOY was to be found on 14b with our rhubarb patches. These young forced stalks had been so happy to get to the sun that they had pushed off the forcer lid :) We naturally took all these beauties home and I was supposed to make some of my compote and even some compote with ginger - but I've been a crappity mess so far this week. Poop.


There were also some purple sprouting broccoli plants that I reckon deserve a mention and these glorious little daffodils - what a happy sight.


Love and hugs
Carrie

So this weekend we are trying to go for a good hike and I'm not sure if we'll be at the lottie. This hiking lark has really given us a great joint hobby that's healthy and fun. It's just as, if not more, important than the lottie these days! x

7 comments:

  1. Well done! The photos and post invited me in, and I was rewarded, fabulous. I spent the afternoon today up at my allotment and you have reminded me
    1) to take my camera and
    2) IT REALLY IS THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT HELP LIFE TICK OVER and allotmenteering at this time of year is just SO rewarding.
    I have been whistling along with a bird high in a tree (probably a Blackbird), sipping tea with my face in the sun, pruning very old rose bushes and mowing the grass with a simple push mower. I just felt SO good to come home after that, yes my hip hurts, and it got pretty cold very quickly as the sun went down but plum blossom and bird song - you can't beat it.
    I read the handmaids tale many years ago - interesting take on the female role as I remember. Enjoy your hiking with Andrew, and the sparkle in Toby's eyes and that rhubarb - well I am envious as mine is nowhere near ready yet - but it will be .......soon. As you said, March is here and that means Spring!!!!!!! Thanks Carrie

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    1. Oh Mary aren't you lovely, you've brightened up my day with your comment. Cameras (to capture moments I would otherwise forget) and appreciating the little things are my 'will to live' they give life meaning.
      I'm a little jealous or your duet with that blackbird but i really get that pain being a joy - you know you've worked hard.

      Off hiking tomorrow with my boys but the spuds are a-chitting and allotment time may happen on Sunday xx

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  2. Our plot os very wet and claggy so there are few allotment visits for us too. At least lots of signs of spring are cheering.

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    1. Oh, so soggy! There's just no way soil can be worked or paths walked on. A quagmire indeed, i wasn't exaggerating. Sorry your plots are the same. But yes! Daffodils and longer days 😊

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  3. I'm glad to see your plots looking good. Enjoy the rhubarb. Daffodils are always a happy sight.
    Happy hiking and plotting. Flighty xx

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    1. That burst of gold in the sunlight against even the darkest grey sky can only give hope!
      Hiking tomorrow but maybe we can drag our tired legs to the plot on Sunday xx

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  4. Oh Carrie dear what a great Spring post ! You are way ahead of us here in the frozen north ... it was -18 at 6 this morning ... so sad and brownish and dry here ... and yet we are changing our time tonight .. springing forward .. but no Spring to be seen.
    I am hanging on though ... because Spring has to come some time right ? .. I want to sleep until it has come and I see life in the garden once more.
    Lovely pictures Carrie .. even the funny slugs which look HUGE ! haha
    Take care dear heart : )
    Joy

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