summer at last?

I havent posted for such a long time. the miserable spring meant no motivation for me. the wet ground prevents me doing the simplest of things.

But at last we have sunshine! the nights are still a bit cold to plant out most veg but my onions and potatoes are doing great.

My daughter helped on the plot last week.She erected a couple of metal arches across the path-im growing beans over them,itl be nice walking under them and leaves my beds free for other things. 

I was at my most most of the day yesterday.
I framed off a small patch which houses my blackcurrants and a few strawberries...and then put down membrane and topped it off with wood chippings.
After lunch helped a couple of my friends cover a polytunnel .After that i gave everything a good soaking after tea.

Im in need of a shed that i can sit in,ive a rickety one that leaks and a metal one with no windows which is like an oven. got sun burnt too so im a sticky mess today with all the lotions ive plastered all over.

Wont  be at plot this weekend..always miss it while im away visiting Dad. I sit there twiddling my thumbs with frustration.

Anyway , happy easter. 

well ...ive not 'blogged' for a while now. no reason except forgetfullness.

my plots been put to bed for the winter.


last year i grew veg through the winter but this year ive only got the last of my sprouts and winter onions in their beds. ive decided to start anew in the spring. 

the rains we have had have  left Bogend living up to its name-another reason not to plant til the spring.

my xmas potatoes died with the frosts(sob) and i had a pane of glass broken in my good greenhouse by the high winds last month. fortunately for me,my allotent pal Bob came to the rescue and replaced it promptly.

i have leeks in a bathtub that havent done well but im still to pull them.hoping for a late miracle i suppose.ha

its looking pretty sad but its neat and tidy.
my blackcurrants and gooseberries have been pruned and i disinfected my good greenhouse today.

the snow and ice will be here soon so frequent trips to my plot are a necessary to inspect and correct any damage.

id like to wish you all a happy xmas and a happy and healthy new year.

cheers. 

well - its officially autumn. the weather is cooler , so i get more done.unfortunately,we dont get as many light hours.
my allotment is winding down now.the only produce i have left to pick are a few beans,tomatoes,leeks and kale.

ive cut down my peas and most of my green beans (making sure to leave the roots in to rot down)
theres still weeds popping up, tho not as much as usual.its looking quite sad actually.

my game plan for next year has changed.im not planting anything over the winter except for green manure in my greenhouse and my huge bag of spare compost (almost a tonne).il cover the beds with tarp instead.

as you know,my first year was a washout so this year i bunged in anything i could-resulting in stuff i dont usually eat so gave alot away.
ive made a list of what im planting and im sticking to it_hopefully.

yesterday i picked  a few goodies -ive got an over abundance of spaghetti squash (not impressed) so they will become mini jack-o-lanterns for halloween.
ive been lucky with butternut squash too.

ive got 3 small pumkins to carve too.one is still in the ground but will be coming up soon.
today is lovely and sunny. rain was forecast but they got it wrong so il get my gear on and get to my plot.make the most of the sunshine.
il also take a walk around our site and see whos about.our site is the biggest in the north-west and were getting more new plot holders all the time.

i wish i was as interested in my little garden at home.its gone to pot since i got my allotment-its tidy but very sad.also we lost our beloved dog Dillon around the time i got the plot..he never got to visit-he wouldve loved it..
happy gardening....

IVE BEEN BUSY IN MY PLOT-MOSTLY WEEDING.
BECAUSE OF THE HEAT,AND MY GINGER GENES I HAVE TO GO WHEN ITS COOL OR I FRAZZLE.
 ITS A SHAME BECAUSE I COULD SO MUCH MORE BUT THATS JUST THE WAY IT IS.

IVE HAD COURGETTES-BUT NOT AS MANY AS LAST YEAR. THINK IL PLANT THEM OUTDOORS NEXT YEAR INSTEAD OF THE GREENHOUSE. THE SPAGHETTI SQUASH IS LOOKING GOOD AND SO ARE MY TOMS.

MY GARLIC , LEEK AND ONION BED IS ALMOST EMPTY NOW-NOT SURE WHETHER TO PLANT WINTER CABBAGES OR GREEN MANURE.IL LET YOU KNOW
.
THE PEAS AND BEANS HAVE BEEN GREAT THIS YEAR-MY CARROTS HAVE LET ME DOWN. I PLANTED THEM IN BATHS BUT IT SEEMS THE SOIL HAD STONES SO ALL ARE TWISTED AND DEFORMED. STILL EDIBLE THO-ONE CARROT IS ACTUALLY FLOWERING SO IM LEAVING IT TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN FULL BLOOM. THAT IS-IF IT BLOOMS.I REALLY AM A NOVICE.

THE GREAT MONTY DON SAID TO CUT THE TOPS OFF ALL MY STRAWBERRIES THIS WEEKEND...SO BE IT.

 IM ALSO GOING TO DIG UP SOME SPUDS-THEY SEEM TO BE TRYING TO GET OUT THEMSELVES SO WILL HELP THEM ALONG.
MY TOMS ALSO ARE FINALLY RIPENING-I GET QUITE EXCITED WHEN SOMETHING IVE PLANTED FINALLY MATURES AND RIPENS.

WERE EXPECTING BAD WEATHER FROM MONDAY SO IM OFF TO MY DADS.
I VISIT FORTNIGHTLY-HES IN THE MIDDLE -OR END- OF BUILDING A DECK AT THE GRAND OLD AGE OF 80! BLESS HIM...HE LOVES HIS GARDEN BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A BUILDING SITE NOW AND THE GRASS IS A FOOT HIGH !

HAPPY GARDENING EVERYONE-KEEP USING THE SUNBLOCK.X

Where did the summer go?We waited months for spring...then summer...and now its turned into autumn.
Global warming is to blame,of course ,but humankind are to blame for global warming.
I remember years ago reading about Prince Charles and his eco-war...i thought he was a nutjob.
If only more people listened then, the planet might stand a better chance.We can only hope.

On a lighter note-my plots looking good-tho wet. Dont forget its name- Bog End.
Ive got cauliflowers (tho some have bolted,still taste good tho). my brussel sprouts,green and red cabbages are all looking good.
Sweetcorn's growing fast and so are my broad beans (tho i stupidly thought they were runner beans and thought they tasted funky-haha) Peas are growing but not as quickly as i hoped.
My turnips have seeded - no idea why,so they have to come up.Think i'l leave them in tho,cos the bed looks fuller.

Ive had loads of lettuce and radishes-so easy to grow. Ive got potatoes everywhere..in the ground,in bags and even an old wheelbarrow.
Strawberries are tiny green fruits-i blame the weather.Shouldve left them in the greenhouse-speaking of which-is over run with tomatoes ,courgettes and spaghetti squash-like 'day of the triffids'-haha.
Even had a frog in there.

Ive also got a beetroot patch which seems to be working out well.
Went to my plot to weed today....where do they come from?
Was there a couple of hours and got rained off.Was wearing the wrong clothes,no hood on my jacket so my glasses were dripping and steamed up which meant i could no longer see.Fely like Mr.Magoo.
I also intended to dig up my garlic and red onions.They are my pride and joy-put them in last winter and theyve done me proud.Just need to get them up-and soon.

Ive got blackcurrants galore..gooseberrys,raspberrys even a gojiberry plant.Not expecting much from the latter in its first year tho.
At the back of my plot is my personal space.A patio with my fruit trees -plum,cherry and pears.
Will have a go at more chutney again and maybe even some jam later on.
Hope we have some sun soon.The rains good but we need sun to set everything off at a gallop now.
Happy gardening.

YAY

iI FINALLY HAVE MY LAST RAISED BED FILLED!!
MY ALLOTMENT BUDDY CARL GOT ME A TRAILER FULL OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONES LAWN.THERE'S ALOT OF SODS AND STONES ETC... IN IT BUT THE SOIL UNDERNEATH IS LOVELY.

IT TOOK ME 3 DAYS TO SHOVEL AND BARROW IT TO MY PLOT-MY ARTHRITIS RESTRICTS ME-BUT I COULDNT BE HAPPIER.
 AFTER FILLING MY BED AND THINKING ID FINISHED,THE LOVELY CARL SUGGESTED I TAKE WHAT I CAN OF THE SODS AND LEAVE THEM SOMEWHERE TO ROT DOWN.

GREAT IDEA - JUST WISH ID THOUGHT OF IT COS ALOT OF MY TIME WAS WASTED SORTING THE SODS TO ONE SIDE WHILE I DUG OUT THE SOIL!

SO IVE FILLED AN OLD BATH AND THEN FILLED A   BIG GARDEN WASTE BAG WITH THE SODS AND TOPPED IT UP WITH SOIL.THEN I PLANTED A PUMPKIN WE GREW FROM SEED INTO THE TOP-WASTE NOT,WANT NOT. 
THIS WAY,WHEN THE PUMPKIN GETS BIG,I CAN LOWER IT FROM THE TOP OF THE BAG TO A RAISED PILE OF LOGS.

AT THE FRONT OF MY PLOT I HAVE A COMPOST HEAP THAT RUNS ALMOST THE ENTIRE WIDTH . UNFORTUNATELY,ITS FULL OF BRAMBLES AND OLD STUFF FROM THE PREVIOUS TENANT.
I DINT WANT TO PLANT THE REMAINING PUMPKINS IN MY RAISED BED AS THEY TAKE UP AN AWFUL LOT OF ROOM SO HIT UPON AN IDEA.
.
A FELLOW ALLOTMENTOR HAD A HUGE PILE OF MOSS AT HIS PLOT AND SAID TO HELP MYSELF.I DIVIDED MY COMPOST HEAP INTO 2 AND MADE A THICK MATTRESS OF MOSS AND THEN COVERED THAT IN A THICK BLANKET OF SOIL.
2 PUMPKIN PLANTS HAVE GONE INTO THAT .IVE BEEN TOLD THE PUMPKIN WILL SUCK UP THE GOODNESS THATS UNDERNEATH AND GROW AND SPREAD-  OUT OF THE WAY FROM MY OTHER PLANTS. FINGERS CROSSED ANYWAY.

AS FOR MY RAISED BED? I DINT KNOW WHEN I WAS GOING TO GET THE SOIL SO HAD NO SEEDLINGS OR PLANTS TO PUT IN SO HAD A VISIT TO A GARDEN CENTRE.
I BOUGHT SOME BABY CARROTS,TURNIPS  AND PEA SEEDLINGS.
THE CARROTS WENT INTO THE OLD BATH I FOUND DUMPED ON THE SITE AND THE REST HAVE GONE INTO MY NEW BED.ITS ONLY HALF FULL-AND BEING RAIDED BY SLUGS AND SNAILS...SO WILL NEED TO GET MORE SEEDS ON THE GO.

ALSO-MY GRAPE VINES HAVE FINALLY SYARTED BUDDING!!I THOUGHT THEY WERE DEAD TO BE HONEST.THERES NO WAY IL GET GRAPES THIS YEAR BUT I HOPE IL AT LEAST GET SOME HEIGHT INTO MY PLOT COS ITS ALL LOOKING VERY FLAT. IM STILL WAITING FOR MY RUNNER BEANS TO COME UP TOO. SOMETHINGS BEEN DIGGING THEM UP AND NIBBLING ON THEM , SO IM A BIT PEEVED. ALL PART  OF ALLOTMENTING,I SUPPOSE. BUT MY BEETROOT ARE COMING UP LOVELY.

IM AWAY AGAIN AT THE WEEKEND FOR A FEW DAYS.SO THE WEEDING I DID YESTERDAY WILL HAVE TO BE REDONE WHEN I GET BACK-BUT IM LOVING IT.

spring has sprung

SPRING AND SUMMER  HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED AT BOG END...TOGETHER!!
  I HAVE SEEDLINGS IN MY POTTING SHED,GREEN HOUSE AND ON MY KITCHEN WINDOWSILL
. I HAD A FEW DISASTERS WITH MY TOMATOE SEEDS WHICH FAILED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS.
MY FIRST WERE PLANTED TOO DEEP (ACCORDING TO THE GREAT MONTY DON) SO A 2ND BATCH WERE PLANTED ONLY TO DO NOTHING . MY 3RD WERE IN A PLASTIC GREENHOUSE WHICH WAS BATTERED BY HIGH WINDS. NO DOUBT THERE WILL BE TOMATOES GROWING WILD AROUND THE ALLOTMENTS.
MY ALLOTMENT NEIGHBOUR CARL GAVE ME A TRAY OF TINY SEEDLINGS WHICH TOOK OFF AT GREAT SPEED.ALONG WITH OTHER MINI PLANTS.
 IN THE MEANTIME I DISCOVERED MY FAILED BATCH HAD DECIDED TO SPROUT SO NOW I HAVE A MASS OF MINI TOMATO PLANTS.SO I GAVE 18 BACK TO CARL .
 I HAVE CABBAGES,CAULIFLOWERS,KALE,DWARF GREEN BEANS,GARLIC RED & WHITE ONIONS AND GARLIC PLANTED OUTSIDE.ALL DOING WELL-FINGERS CROSSED.
THE PEAS I PLANTED FROM SEEDS DID WELL BUT DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY MICE BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE SOME SORT OF GRUB IN THE SOIL-THO THE BEANS PLANTED NEXT TO THEM DID GREAT.
TODAY I SOWED MORE PARSNIP SEEDS AND RUNNER BEANS.IVE USED GROW BAGS ON TOP OF THE SOIL BECAUSE ITS SO POOR. ITS ALSO DRY AS A BONE.LAST YEAR I WAS PRACTICALLY UNDER WATER!! 
IVE ALSO PLANTED OUT WILD FLOWER SEEDS AND BULBS TO ADD MORE HEIGHT AND COLOUR TO BOG END.
I WANT A 'PRETTY' PLOT WITH LOTS OF VEG,SO THAT ITS SOMETHING NICE TO LOOK AT WHEN IM JUST CHILLING OR READING.
ITS MY ESCAPE FROM HOME-THO ITS ONLY 2 MINS AWAY...BUT TOO FAR FOR ME TO HEAR ANY SHOUTS FROM THE BACK GARDEN.
MY LITTLE GARDEN AT HOME HAS BEEN NEGLECTED FOR A WHILE SO IM TRYING TO BRING THAT UP TO SCRATCH NOW AS WELL.
HAPPY GARDENING TO ALL-LETS HOPE THE WARM WEATHER STAYS TIL AT LEAST EARLY WINTER.