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. 

up until today we have had snow.sometimes heavy,otherwise just a scattering.
its lovely to look at but a nasty reminder that we cant plant out or do the everyday things we normally do in spring.
ive still not been able to fill my last 2 raised beds but found a vegetable planter in Asda for the pricely sum of £3.50.it measures roughly 4' square and about 10" deep.a real bargain.  it has 12 compartments so have decided to use it for my tomatoes. i have also put it inside one of my raised beds frames so it looks in use.

yesterday i pushed  about 8,  8' bamboo canes into my boggy soil against a low fence and used twine to weave around  them. im going to plant my runner beans (when weather allows) there in grow bags. it will also act as a screen as my plot is very open at the front. i dont mind that but it looks uninteresting. height always makes things more interesting. just hope it stays where it is and no vandals come along to ruin things.

we havent had trouble for awhile in our plots (touch wood) except for the dumping of green waste on empty land. the sad thing is - its being done by  fellow allotmentors who should know better.the whole point of composting-is to do exactly that! compost-on your own plot. 
a pal of mine had words when he saw them doing it but they were aggressive and uninterested. shameful-the land they dunped on could be used for a plot-all allotments have waitings lists.

our local coucil is not funding anything this year . we have potholes the size of small continents-dangerous to walkers and vehicles.yet they plan to raise our rents.
 disgraceful-the rents should be paying for the maintenance !!

rant over. today is dry-no snow...will go to plot later for a short while. ive offered to help my neighbour erect a shed on their plot if they need help so watch this space.

happy gardening

Ah  spring -wherefore art thou??

We had hail today,and rain. With  more freezing weather to come!! o come on!!
Not only cant we get anything in the ground but the seedlings weve all potted on are suffering.
Tho mine seem fine (so far) my fellow allotmenters are losing theirs.

 The frogs will soon think its time to emerge..what a shock awaits them! Their population will suffer again this year.As will the bees and other wildlife.

Nature can be very cruel -some think of it as a sort of 'cleansing'.. mother natures way of  punishing us for ruining the planet, but the innocent suffer along with the guilty.

Hopefully , we might have a longer ,warmer summer. We/ll just have to delay things.

Fingers crossed springs comes very soon with warm ,sunny weather.

Good luck fellow gardeners. Lets see how we all do.

whoa is me

SPRING HAS SPRUNG -  AND WITH IT HAS COME BAD NEWS.

WENT TO THE BEBINGTON RD. ALLOTMENTS AGM LAST NIGHT.MY FIRST TIME SINCE I GOT MY PLOT LAST JUNE. 
GOT A LIFT FROM MY ALLOTMENT NEIGHBOUR CATHY. QUITE A GOOD TURN OUT AND REFRESHMENTS TOO.
THERE WAS ALSO A COUPLE OF RAFFLES-I DIDNT WIN-SOB.
MET UP WITH FELLOW ALLONTMENTERS AND HAD A BRIEF CHINWAG.

AS THE MEETING WENT ON AND THINGS WERE DISCUSSED , IT CAME UP THAT WE ARE MOST PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE A STEEP INCREASE IN OUR RENTS.
BY STEEP,I CAN ONLY PRESUME IT WILL BE THE SAME AS OTHER COUNCILS-SOME UP TO 300% INCREASE!!
AT THE MOMENT I PAY £32.00 A YEAR - RUMOURS SAY IT COULD GO UP TO £100.00

THERE IS NO WAY I CAN ,  OR WILL PAY THAT AMOUNT.
 I WAS ALWAYS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE PURPOSE OF ALLOTMENTS CAME ABOUT AROUND THE 1ST WORLD WAR.

IT WAS TO HELP PEOPLE FEED THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. FOOD WAS SCARSE AND RATIONED.SOME PEOPLE WERE,IN FACT,STARVING-HENCE THE ALLOTMENT IDEA.

IVE BEEN TOLD THAT COUNCILS  HAVE TO PROVIDE ALLOTMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF GROWING PRODUCE.TO FEED THEMSELVES HEALTHILY AND CHEAPLY.
SURELY THERE MUST BE A LAW SOMEWHERE STATING THIS-
HOW THEY CAN JUSTIFY THE INCREASES ARE SCANDULOUS.

OUR COUNCIL (WIRRAL BOROUGH) HAVE STOPPED ALL FUNDING TO OUR SOCIETY. NO FUNDING.NO REPAIRS AND NO MAINTENANCE. THE ROADS AND PATHS ARE CRUMBLING AND DANGEROUS YET THEY SEEM INTENT ON HIKING UP OUR RENTS WHILST DOING NOTHING!! WE HAVE REGULAR BREAK INS,SHEDS SET ALIGHT AND FLY TIPPING!

IT SEEMS THE NEXT STEP IS TO GO 'SELF MANAGED'...WE HAVE TO HAVE A YES FROM THE MAJORITY OF THE PLOT HOLDERS AND SOMEHOW,FUND OURSELVES. 
IF WE GO DOWN THIS ROOT,IT WILL BE HARD GRAFT.
THE IDEA IS BEING MULLED OVER SERIOUSLY...WATCH THIS SPACE.

OH-DID I MENTION? I WAS VOTED IN AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE AT THE MEETING TOO. I'L DO MY BEST TO HELP THINGS ALONG.

lovely weather for it

THE WEATHER THE LAST 2 DAYS HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL. LUCKILY IVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO BOG END ON BOTH DAYS.

FRIDAY I DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER A METAL GARDEN ARCH.
I BOUGHT SOME GRAPE VINES FROM WILKINSONS -A FIVER FOR TWO.
 I PLAN TO GROW A GRAPEVINE OVER IT, HAVEN'T DECIDED ON A RED OR A WHITE YET.
 THINK I'L GROW THE OTHER INSIDE MY RICKETY OLD GREENHOUSE-COME -SHED. WHO KNOWS , IT MIGHT EVEN KEEP THE THING FROM FALLING DOWN!

PUTTING THE ARCH TOGETHER WAS A PAIN IN THE REAR END.
MY FELLOW ALLOTMENTERS MUST THINK IM BARMY COS I TALK OUT LOUD TO MYSELF. THERE IS ALSO ALOT OF SWEARING - SO I APOLOGISE TO WHOEVER READS THIS.

I FINALLY ERECTED IT AFTER ABOUT 1/2 AN HOUR-HONESTLY,SHOULD'VE TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I HAVENT GOT THE BRAIN FOR PUTTING STUFF TOGETHER. IM MORE OF A DEMOLISHER.
I BOUGHT 2 SMALL VEGETABLE BAGS FROM POUNDLAND.
IM GOING TO GROW THE GRAPE IN ONE AND A CLIMBER OF SOME SORT IN THE OTHER..EITHER SIDE. IVE DONE IT THIS WAY BECAUSE THE SOIL IS VERY POOR AND VERY WET.SO ITL HAVE A GOOD START BEING RAISED AND IN BETTER SOIL. IVE CUT THE BASE OUT OF THE BAG SO EVENTUALLY THE ROOTS WILL TRAVEL DOWN TO THE GROUND BELOW.

SATURDAY I DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER A PLASTIC WALK-IN GREENHOUSE WITH THE HELP OF MY HUBS. GOOD GOD -TOOK US WELL OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF.
COULDNT PUSH THE RODS IN FAR ENOUGH , PUT THE WRONG ELBOWS UP , USED THE WRONG SIZE RODS-I COULD GO ON BUT IM BORING MYSELF.
FINALLY FINISHING,MY HUBS LEFT TO SOOTHE HIS ACHING HANDS AND I WAS LEFT TO PUT ON THE COVER AND SECURE IT TO THE BASE.

FLAMING HECK-WHOEVER DESIGNED THE THING SHOULD BE ,SHALL WE SAY-SEVERELY REPRIMANDED. COULDNT GET THE COVER TO FIT SO LEFT IT IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE TO SOFTEN AND STRETCH. NO SUCH LUCK. 
DOESNT REACH THE FLOOR AND I CAN ONLY ZIP UP ONE SIDE. I SHALL BE EMAILING THE SELLER. WATCH THIS SPACE. IF ALL FAILS - I'L NET IT. WASTE OF FLAMIMG MONEY. HAD IT A FEW WEEKS SO TOO LATE TO RETURN IT.

THE BIGTEST WILL BE NEXT TIME WE HAVE STRONG WINDS-WILL PROBABLY END UP IN ANOTHER PLOT.
HAPPY GARDENING PEEPS.

MY LATEST ATTEMPT AT TRYING TO IMPROVE MY PLOT CONSISTS OF 2 THINGS..

1 - POTTING UP MORE SEEDS , PLANTING BULBS ETC...AND

2 -  ERECTING ( OO VICAR ) A WALK-IN PLASTIC COVERED GREENHOUSE.

THE FIRST WENT FINE. ITS BEEN FREEZING OUT BUT AT LEAST THE SNOW HAS GONE.
THE SECOND, NOT SO FINE. MY DAUGHTER AMY HAS THE ALLOTMENT BUG AGAIN ( YAY) SO OFFERED TO PUT THE GREENHOUSE TOGETHER WHILE I DUG OVER A CORNER OF THE PLOT.

I SCRAPED BACK THE WOOD CHIPPINGS AND STARTED OFF WELL ONLY TO DISCOVER BURIED CARPETS. 
WHY DO SO-CALLED ALLOTMENTERS DO THIS?
ITS BEEN PROVEN THAT ROTTING CARPETS GIVE OFF CHEMICALS THAT ARE DANGEROUS TO THE SOIL AND FUTURE PLANTING. SURE WE USE THEM TO COVER THE COMPOST BUT THATS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN ACTUALLY BURYING THE THINGS.
NOW I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO GET RID OF THEM.

THAT DONE I SCOURED THE SITE WITH MY RUSTY WHEELBARROW LOOKING FOR DISCARDED BROKEN FLAG STONES. THERES BEEN A LOT OF DUMPING AND FLY TIPPING AT THE SITE SO AT LEAST I HELPED TO CLEAR A BIT AWAY.
I ALSO GOT SOME OFF FELLOW ALLOTMENTER PAUL - HIS PLOT IS GOING TO BE MASSIVE WHEN ITS FINISHED. HES PUTTING UP STURDY WOODEN FENCES AT THE MOMENT AND HAS STARTED A CHICKEN COUP. GOING TO LOOK LIKE THE RITZ WHEN ITS FINISHED !
BACK AT BOG END I LAID THE FLAGS - BY LAID,I MEAN I DROPPED THEM ON THE BARE EARTH AND TRIED TO LEVEL THEM - THEN BRACKETED 3 SCAFFOLDING BOARDS TOGETHER FOR THE FLOOR.

MEANWHILE - AMY'S STILL STRUGGLING WITH THE GREENHOUSE FRAME.
AFTER COMPLAINING OF FEELING SICK -SHE WENT HOME. IVE NOT TOUCHED IT - SHE WANTS TO DO IT HERSELF , SO FOR THE TIME BEING I DONT MIND- ITS STILL TOO WINDY AND WILL PROBABLY END UP IN SOMEONES ELSES PLOT.

IN THE MEANTIME , THE GLASS PANES IN MY RICKETY POTTING SHED HAVE STARTED TO SLIDE OUT.THE TARP I PUT UP A WEEK AGO HAS STARTED TO TEAR AS WELL.
 AT LEAST THE FLAT ROOFED SHED IS STILL WATER PROOF- THO I HAD TO HAUL SOME WOODEN PALLETS UP TO HOLD DOWN THE TARP.  HOW THE WIND MANAGED TO WORK ITS WAY UNDER IT IS BAFFLING ME!

ON A SAD NOTE ...A GUNNER I PLANTED LAST SUMMER IN THE WETTEST SPOT HAS DIED. GUTTED - NO IDEA WHY , THE GARDEN CENTRE GUARANTEES ITS PLANTS FOR A YEAR  BUT I NEVER KEEP RECEIPTS OR LABELS FOR THAT LONG!! 

ROLL ON SPRING - WHEN  MY LOVELY PLOT NEIGHBOUR CARL IS GOING TO COLLECT A TONNE OF COMPOST FOR ME. THAT WILL FILL MY REMAINING 2 RAISED   BEDS AND I CAN PLANT IN EARNEST.

leaks and tarpaulin

I HAVE 2 SHEDS ON MY PLOT. ONE IS A RICKETY OLD GREENHOUSE ,COME POTTING SHED , AND THE OTHER IS A METAL STORAGE SHED.

SINCE I GOT MY PLOT I HAVE HALF TARPED THE POTTING SHED. IT HAS MISSING WINDOWS BUT 2 LARGE ONES TOGETHER CAUSED FLOODING. ALAS,THE TARP DIDNT LAST LONG BECAUSE OF HIGH WINDS' AND THE FACT THAT THE ROOFS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD ANY WEIGHT - ESPECIALLY MINE -IT WAS NAILED FROM THE INSIDE. I DO,HOWEVER ,HAVE A PLAN FOR THAT-WATCH THIS SPACE.

TODAY I TACKLED THE LARGER METAL SHED. ITS BEEN LEAKING SINCE I GOT IT AND LETS IN SLUGS AND SNAILS.GROSS=CANT STAND THE BUGGERS. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROOF WINDOW BUT ON CLOSER INSPECTION,ITS THE WHOLE BLOODY ROOF.

SO I ORDERED A 12 BY 8 FOOT TARP FROM GOOD OLD EBAY. 
TODAY WAS THE DAY TO TACKLE IT -NO RAIN AND THE SUN WAS ACTUALLY OUT!
AS SOON AS I STARTED I REGRETTED IT.
I COULDNT GET DOWN ONE SIDE AS IT BELONGED TO A FELLOW ALLOTMENTER THAT HASENT BEEN AROUND LATELY -SO UP THE LADDER I WENT TO REACH AS FAR AS A COULD WITH A BAG OF NAILS AND MY TRUSTY HAMMER.
 I DID QUITE WELL - BUT I'D HAVE DONE BETTER IF MY RATHER LARGE CHEST AREA HADNT GOTTEN IN THE WAY . ITS A WOMAN THING - I COULD TELL YOU SOME STORIES,
 BUT I WONT.
NOW THE OTHER 3 SIDES...EASY - SO I THOUGHT-I HAD TO FIGURE A WAY OF GETTING UP THE OTHER SIDE WHICH HOLDS A HUGE WATER TANK.SO I WALKED THE PLANK -LITERALLY. GOT ONE OF MY SCAFFOLDING PLANKS AND STOOD ON THAT.
IF YOU COULDVE HEARD ME. EFFING AND BLINDING-HOPE NOBODY DID HEAR ME ACTUALLY....IM USUALLY SUCH A LADY.
MANAGED TO FINISH THE ROOF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF. HOPE IT WORKS=IF NOT ....WHO KNOWS? NOT ALOT I CAN DO ABOUT IT NOW.
GOD LOVES A TRYER.

SPRING?? i dont think so

I PLANTED A BUCKET FULL (LITERALLY) OF BULBS LAST NOVEMBER IN MY PLOT , BOG END.
IVE NOTICED THE ODD PATCH POPPING UP ON ONE SIDE OF MY PLOT BUT NOT THE OTHER. THINK THE REST HAVE ROTTED , BEEN A TERRIBLE YEAR FOR GARDENERS AND ALLOTMENTERS. 
MY PLOT IS NEXT  TO A RAISED ONE , SO I GET EXTRA RAINWATER - THANKS FOR THAT. THO IF WE EVER GET A HOT SUMMER IL PROBABLY BE GRATEFUL.7

TODAY I KNOCKED TOGETHER ANOTHER RAISED BED FRAME. SUPPLIED BY MY LOVEY ALLOTMENT PAL BOB BAXTER. I HAVE TO WAIT TIL MARCH THO TO FILL IT.
I SAY 'KNOCKED TOGETHER' BECAUSE I USED MY HANDY TOOLS - 3 INCH NAILS AND A HAMMER. 
IL BE TRUTHFUL..THEYRE QUICKER THAN SCREWS AND LESS OF A HASSLE.BUT I DO USE SCREWS FOR SECURITY ..HINGES AND LOCKS ETC AND THEN I FILL IN THE THREADS WITH NO NAILS OR SUPER GLUE.SO THEYRE PRETTY PERMANENT.
IM A LAZY DIY-ER. I TRY HARD BUT END UP DOING THINGS THE QUICK AND EASY WAY.

I POTTED UP SOME SEEDS FOR MY GREENHOUSE TOO. TOMATOES AND LEEKS. I ALSO PLANTED OUT SOME SPRING ONON SEEDS DIRECTLY INTO MY ONION AND GARLIC BED.

COME NEXT MONTH THERES A PLETHORA  (LOVE THAT WORD ) OF SEEDS IN MY SHED TO START OFF IN MY GREENHOUSE. 
THINK IL BE GIVING STUFF AWAY IF IM LUCKY. FINGERS CROSSED.

WENT SHOPPING IN TOWN YESTERDAY. FIRST STOP - WILKINSONS.
THEYRE THE BEST FOR GARDEN PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIES...BOUGHT SOME SEEDS ,
 I HAVE ABOUT 2 DOZEN PACKETS ALREADY, BUT THOUGHT ID GET MORE -3 FOR 2 AS WELL!!

THEYRE ROSE BUSHES WERE HALF PRICE SO I GOT 3 FOR MY PLOT. A SPLASH OF COLOUR AND ROSEHIPS FOR THE BIRDS IN THE AUTUMN AND WINTER. MIGHT  USE THEM FOR ROSEHIP SYRUP OR EVEN WINE IF  I HAVE THE CHANCE.
ITS STILL VERY BOGGY SO ADDED  SOME WOOD CHIPPINGS TO THE HOLES FOR DRAINAGE.

 DID SOME WEEDING , WHICH CAME UP VERY EASILY COS OF THE WET SOIL AND LOOSENED THE FLEECE AROUND MY RHUBARB. KEEPS IT WARM AND FROST-FREE.

NEED TO GET A BAG OF GOOD COMPOST TO START MY SEEDS OFF NEXT.
LOOKING FORWARD TO GROWING MORE THIS YEAR.

FINAL JOB OF THE DAY WAS TO PUT UP MY SIGN ON THE FRONT FENCE. 
BOG END , OF COURSE.  SO FAR ITS LIVING UP TO ITS NAME.