More Progress at the Allotment

Friday afternoons at the allotment are becoming almost a regular feature of my life at the moment.  I thought I might be needed to work at the CS last week, with the manager being away, but as I wasn't I decided to make the most of it and see if I could break the back of digging over my plot. 

As mentioned in my post last week, I managed to get about one third of the way around the plot the previous Friday afternoon, (see picture above) so last Friday, I was hoping to get at least another third done, so that I could start sowing and putting plants in.  The spring inspections are at the end of the month, so time is running out.

It was a bit of a grey, cold day, but there was no rain forecast, so I figured I'd soon warm up once I got digging. I most certainly did as the sun decided to come out whilst I was there, which made a big difference.

Digging isn't my favourite task, nor is it the most exciting task, especially combined with the weeding that was necessary, but I know it's worth persevering, as the real work of creating my new plot can begin once it's done.

I have to admit that although I think I'm reasonably fit, when I start digging at the allotment, I feel like a very old lady. I stiffen up almost immediately, because of all the bending and stretching.  It is such hard work, especially as the ground was still a bit wet after rain this week, so it was pretty heavy going. I kept plodding on for about 3-4 hours on this visit and managed to get three quarters of the way around the plot.

I also managed to sew a few seeds this visit; lettuce, curly kale and parsley.  There were already some broad bean plants and onions in that I had overwintered. I just needed to weed around them. 

Onions and broad beans that overwintered

I was completely exhausted by the time I got home, so I decided to go to bed for a nap. I think I just overdid it. As a consequence, OH volunteered to come back with me on Saturday and finish the digging, as well as planting my potato tubers for me. (He always does a better job than I do).

Potato tubers in and earthed up

We went back on Saturday morning and whilst OH started digging over the last two beds, I transplanted some rhubarb, gooseberry and blackcurrant plants into the one of the dug beds.  I'd salvaged these from my old plot before I left.

Perennial Fruit Bed

I also sowed some more seeds and planted out some petit pois plants that I'd bought from Lidl a few weeks ago.  I don't know if they'll thrive, but I gave them a shot.

We were probably on the plot for just a couple of hours on Saturday morning and finally finished digging it all over.  It was such a relief to get it done.  We then headed home for bacon sandwiches as a treat for all our hard work.

Now the interesting bit begins. Growing food.

An overall view of the whole plot

Here's a picture of the plot now. As you can see its pretty much a blank canvas save for what I we planted and sowed. I still need to devise a solution for the paths between the beds. I'm not sure what yet, as I don't really want to spend any money, or at least not much.

In any case, it will have to wait now, until we get back from holiday.  I probably won't be able to do any more work on the plot until after Easter, but least there should be a few things growing by then.
I'll keep you posted on future progress.