Life on the allotment !

[Fletcher]

Now dug a quarter of the plot.
Spuds go in today.
Covered the rest with a discarded swimming pool cover to keep the weeds down till it is required and re-dug.
My back, backside and arms ache but at least it is exercise and I'm only doing it in small doses.

[acko 338]

Sorry for not being anywhere on here over the last couple of months - wife had a bad fall nearly four months ago and only just diagnosed properly as ruptured shoulder tendons last week.

Been a house proud hubby along with safety work and allotment work.

Still working on buying into a third company so life is really busy.

A new associate has pulled me into the 21st century on Facebook & Twitter, so lots to do to modernise myself!

Now waiting for wifey's operation date, well, first the specialist appointment would be a start !

On hols next week, so the rest will be welcome !

Currently gathering loads of materials to build a DIY greenhouse - two sides and roof from removed uPVC windows and roof sheets + a brand new discarded shed side c/w door.

Got the slabs for the floor (free), and 4" square fence posts (free) for the framework - just looking on our local Freecycle posts for other discards - going to be built for free hopefully !

I love the word... FREE!

ONCE COMPLETED LATER IN THE YEAR, I MAY EVEN PUT UP A PICCIE!

Keep growing, back after my hols !!

[Alexis]

Hi Acko.

Great to see you again, although very sorry to hear of Mrs A's fall. Hopefully she can have some treatment to alleviate her pain very soon.

Good to you are going to be Tweeting and FB-ing.

[Fletcher]

Now is picking time.
I really was late this year and disorganised but
Had a few pounds of delicious new potatoes planted back end of April.
Rhubarb crumble and Raspberry Eton mess.
Not a lot but so fresh and lovely.
Gooseberries are looking good for Gooseberry Fool.
Had a couple of showers so better get up the plot and huck out the weeds.

[acko 338]

Remember me ??? - I used to have spare time to post updates for my allotment !!

Currently working 7 x 10's on a local construction project for five weeks, so allotment has been handed over to the reserve crew, including a new recruit, my wife's cousin.

Finally got an appointment date for the wife's operation which will be a shoulder tendon repair ???

Strange change from an original fracture prognosis and useless painful physiotherapy. The misdiagnosis claim is ongoing !

At least we get the holiday before she has the knife - back two days, then in!!

Allotment - best harvest of fruit since we got the two plots - 80 foot stretch of jostaberries picked regularly over the last three weeks - more apples & pears per tree in the orchard plot, cherries for the first time, gooseberries survived this year, huge crops of vine tomatoes, grapes from the greenhouse vine, and three little melons also in the big greenhouse, just need a bit more sun to boost them for size, please.

Strawberry beds quite poor this year, and the courgettes aren't up to speed as normal, but sprouts are forming and the cabbages are forming hearts well - leeks never fail, and loads of potatoes as well.

Will have to make up in the autumn with some maintenance time to make up for summer absences = new wood drying shed is earning it's money so we have really good freely donated materials for fence repairs.

Main job is to strengthen the two big manure beds to make them easier to work from by side boarding the fronts instead of doors as now.

Still got the untended nightmare plot next door - strong weedkiller still doing it's job in stopping rampant growth.

Right, less writing on here, daily report to write up now !

Happy growing, everyone !

[Alexis]

Remember me ??? - I used to have spare time to post updates for my allotment !!

Currently working 7 x 10's on a local construction project for five weeks, so allotment has been handed over to the reserve crew, including a new recruit, my wife's cousin.

Finally got an appointment date for the wife's operation which will be a shoulder tendon repair ???

Strange change from an original fracture prognosis and useless painful physiotherapy. The misdiagnosis claim is ongoing !

At least we get the holiday before she has the knife - back two days, then in!!

Allotment - best harvest of fruit since we got the two plots - 80 foot stretch of jostaberries picked regularly over the last three weeks - more apples & pears per tree in the orchard plot, cherries for the first time, gooseberries survived this year, huge crops of vine tomatoes, grapes from the greenhouse vine, and three little melons also in the big greenhouse, just need a bit more sun to boost them for size, please.

Strawberry beds quite poor this year, and the courgettes aren't up to speed as normal, but sprouts are forming and the cabbages are forming hearts well - leeks never fail, and loads of potatoes as well.

Will have to make up in the autumn with some maintenance time to make up for summer absences = new wood drying shed is earning it's money so we have really good freely donated materials for fence repairs.

Main job is to strengthen the two big manure beds to make them easier to work from by side boarding the fronts instead of doors as now.

Still got the untended nightmare plot next door - strong weedkiller still doing it's job in stopping rampant growth.

Right, less writing on here, daily report to write up now !

Happy growing, everyone !

Yooohoooooo Acko!

How could we forget you!!!!!!

Good to hear your lovely Wife is getting some proper help at last. Long overdue! Sending good vibes for her speedy recovery.

Your allotment has come on a treat by the sounds of things. After all your initial hard work, I am not at all surprised. Pity you still have the neighbour from hell next door!

Always good to "see" you in the fold Acko.

Now....go get that report done!

[acko 338]

It's not a neighbour on the next plot - the plot has been un-worked and abandoned with everyone's waste and rubbish dumped on it for over 5 years now - no one will take it on with the unkempt state of it.

I have put in 4 stakes and some netting to form something of a 2 metre square manure / waste gardening bay to help make some decent top soil for whoever gets the plot eventually.

I put in any waste vegetable stalks, grass cuttings , some waste shredded paper and kitchen wastes to make up for the rough clay on the plot. We also put a bit of horse manure in layers as well, just to bulk it out, but can't do anything about Asbestos waste buried and a couple of rusty garden gates thrown onto the start of an Autumn bonfire area in the middle - council just not bothered and won't spend anything to put the plot right for a new user.

if no one takes on the plot, we have another source of soil next to the 2nd plot of ours next year ! At least our heap suppresses a bit of weed growth.

[acko 338]

And the allotment grower returns for another season, albeit very late !

Life really busy in the H&S world - have had several long term contracts that have kept me off here for months, but back on here at last !

Oh, and the other half is up to 85 percent recovered from her shoulder op, almost 8 months on !

[Alexis]

And the allotment grower returns for another season, albeit very late !

Life really busy in the H&S world - have had several long term contracts that have kept me off here for months, but back on here at last !

Oh, and the other half is up to 85 percent recovered from her shoulder op, almost 8 months on !

Hello Greenfingers!!

Good to have you back in the fold!

Really pleased to hear you have been busy with work and even more pleased to hear Mrs A is recovering steadily.

[Fletcher]

After a long absence, I have a bit of time to update.

The local "allotment starzy" have sent me two threatening letters because I have not kept my plot perfect and weed free.
I have ignored them, having worked in the marine and dock industry for most of my life local jobsworths hold no threat.

The reality is that my full time carer role means I don't get enough time or time flexibility to visit my plot so I have decided that I will be giving it up at the end of this season.
One season of potatoes, raspberries, gooseberries and rhubarb then that's it.

Pity and not the way I had planned my retirement but we have to make the best of the cards that are dealt us.

Take Care ALL

[Waterbaby]

The local "allotment starzy" have sent me two threatening letters because I have not kept my plot perfect and weed free.
I have ignored them, having worked in the marine and dock industry for most of my life local jobsworths hold no threat.

Take Care ALL

WB

[Alexis]

Hi Fletcher.

Sounds as though you certainly don't need this grief from these "jobsworths".

If you have a moment to spare, please come in and "see" us. We will always be available to chat with you.

Remember to take care of yourself too Fletcher!