The Big Allotment Challenge – the Final!!

Posted on May 16, 2014 by clairesallotment

Firstly congratulation to all the finalists, Rupert & Dimi, Kate & Eleanor and last but no means least Alex & Ed. What an amazing array of produce they have shown for Jim to inspect, all those wonderful items that they’ve created for Jonathan to judge and Thane to try. So to the first round to grow the perfect Sweetcorn and Melon. Now I’ve grown various Sweetcorn in my time, sometimes they’ve grown lovely and tall, and other times they’ve been a bit on the short side. This years ones are still in the greenhouse, and will be going out in the allotment in about 3 weeks time. As long as they taste wonderful, I don’t mind if the cornels aren’t straight. Each variety of sweet corn is ready at a different time. Baby Corn you have to harvest when the tassels just start to show, and popcorn when the wrapping of the cob goes brown. So if you’re new to growing corn, watch out for this. They also had to grow a melon. Now these are very difficult to grow in the UK as they need heat and humidity to grow. I’ve managed some a couple of years ago, and yes they may have been small, but wow they tasted gorgeous. Such a shame that Kate and Eleanor lost all their melons due to splitting and ripening too early. But at least they got to share their last one with Ed and Alex. Congratulations finally to Ed and Alex for winning Best in Show for both their Sweetcorn and Melon. You finally did it boys!! Then round 2, the most adventurous of the flower designs. I wouldn’t know where to start with a hanging design, I’m not at all artistic, and the fact that they all managed to deliver just amazes me every week. Dahlias are beautiful flowers. I don’t have any in my garden, but would like to grow some, I’m sure I can find a spot somewhere. Congratulations to Kate and Eleanor for winning the best Dahlias, and Rupert and Dimi for their hanging design. But before we came to the final challenge the judges took us on a tour of the finalists plots. It was very interesting to see the differences in the way they garden. Then we came to the final challenge which Thane set, a goodie basket of 3 items and a mystery one that they could choose themselves. Kate and Eleanor’s choice of potpourri I thought was very inventive. An item that needed no cooking, and just sorted itself out over the time they were in the competition. Alex and Ed chose Artichoke hearts, which I love. In fact I noticed today when I was on my plot that they’re coming in to flower. And these chaps grow the best tomatoes ever. Then finally Rupert and Dimi, who made a Golden berry Jam. I’ve grow these before and they are really sweet. I must hunt out a recipe. Their Chilli Vodka surprised Fern a bit, and they’d diluted it!! Ed and Alex won Best in Show for their hamper. I think we know what all their relatives will be getting for Christmas this year. Then it was the time for the judges to go and decide who to choose to be the winning pair. I know who I was rooting for (excuse the pun), but really I didn’t mind who won, they all deserved it. A HUGE congratulations to Ed and Alex for winning, I believe I went “Yes!” when it was announced. Very well done lads, such a lovely pair, I expect they’re very famous now down on their plot.

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The Big Allotment Challenge – Semi final.

Posted on May 15, 2014 by clairesallotment

Now before you say anything, I know this was on 2 days ago, but I had to record it as I was out, and today at lunch time was the first chance I got to watch it. Well, it’s getting very exciting. Congratulations to all those who have got this far, and good luck to those of you who make it to the final. I wouldn’t like to be a judge on this programme as in my opinion it’s very close at the moment between all 5 pairs. So this episode, what happened? Well firstly they had to grow the perfect onion. Now I’ve grown many varieties, shapes and colours of onions. And only mine make me cry when I cut them up. They’re obviously so much stronger than shop ones, as they’ve not been sitting round for ages. There were some wonderful specimens, and various ways of planting. I personally do the companion planting as Gary and Pete mentioned. It works brilliantly every year and there is never any attack from onion and carrot fly. No one however started theirs off in half toilet rolls as I do every year. Click HERE to see how I do it. Maybe that’s just my little trick. Then when the harvesting and preparing to show came along, I had never seen anyone using a sponge to clean off their onions before. Congratulations to Kate and Eleanor for winning Best in Show. It was a very close call for everyone as they all looked amazing. Then the second challenge of the floral display. I love chrysanthemums, I think they are one of the most giving of flowers. Congratulations to Alex and Ed for showing us the perfect blooms. Then the pedestal arrangement, well if I had to do something like that, I would have had a real problem. I’m not artistic at all, and the thought of doing just a small posy is too much for me. They have such a short time in which to complete their task, which they all manage to do. I’m in awe of them all. Congratulations to Rupert and Dimi for their outstanding arrangement. It looked amazing!! Then we come to the final challenge, which to be honest wasn’t anyones best. They had to make a jelly and a fruit butter. Now I’ve never made either before, but I’m sure one day I’ll make a jelly. Thane clearly wasn’t pleased with anyones jelly, it was either too runny or too thick. There were some lovely combinations of flavours, and I think my favourite was Alex and Ed’s tomato and chilli. I’d like to give that one a go….do you have the recipe lads? I’d never heard of a fruit butter before, and it has no butter in it at all!! Personally I don’t really like butter, it’s too rich, so just usually have marmalade or jam on my toast. Congratulations to Jo and Avril for winning Best in Show for their fruit butter, but no one won for their jelly. Then we had to come to the sad decision of sending 2 pairs home. I didn’t want to see any of them go as they are all so wonderful. But it was Pete and Gary, the 2 bearded wonders who do as little work as possible to their plants (their own words) and who always wear a shirt and tie. And also goodbye to Jo and Avril who are such a wonderful couple. Good luck to those who have reached the final and huge congratulations. I’ll be watching later to see who wins.

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Thursday 15th May 2014 – More seedlings are now in.

Posted on May 15, 2014 by clairesallotment

I love this time of year when you can start getting all your seedlings in the ground that you’ve cared for since they were seeds. It must be the same feeling when your children finally leave home. I’ve not experienced that yet, and to be honest, am not really looking forward to it. Today I planted out the rest of my Kohl Rabi, so they’re now all in. Then in the same bed I planted out my Cauliflowers. I have 8 very strong plants, so hopefully I’ll get a lovely big purple flower on each of them. And then finally my Broccoli Spring Sprouting mixture. As with all brassicas make sure that you protect them from the birds by using netting or something similar, and also protect from slugs and snails at the bottom. Which ever way you feel is best for you. I doubt if I’ll be able to get to the allotment tomorrow afternoon, as I’m working in the morning, but I’ll see how I feel. I would like to get down and do something, but only time will tell. Hopefully I’ll get chance to go in the greenhouse this afternoon to do some more potting on, and get the next lot of seedlings on the garden table ready for their trip up to the allotment next week. We’re having a glorious day today, very sunny this morning, and a little cloudy this afternoon, but at least no rain and thunder. Apparently the rest of the week is supposed to be wonderful, so if you’ve got the same weather as I have, I hope you enjoy it.

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Wednesday 14th May 2014 – The first of the Kohl Rabi is in.

Posted on May 14, 2014 by clairesallotment

I managed just under 3 hours at the allotment today before I had to leave to be somewhere else. And there was no being disturbed by thunder and lightning today which was brilliant. When I first arrived on my plot I got out my petrol strimmer to see if it would start. No is the answer to that. In fact the starter cord wouldn’t even move. I’ll have to take it in to get it fixed. Fortunately there is a place very near me. How much it’ll cost is anyones guess. Maybe I can get a quote first. As a back up, just incase the strimmer wanted to be awkward I took my grass shears, so I had to use those to cut the grass. I also managed to weed a load more, and plant the first tray of Kohl Rabi. I’ve got the rest ready to put in tomorrow. Then later this afternoon I potted up the rest of the Ambrosia Cantaloupe melons. They’re all growing well, so I’ve taken the best for myself, and the slightly smaller ones I’ll give to my sister and our allotment plant sale which is in a couple of weeks. If they grown well, I may have a lovely pair of melons to show you later on in the summer!!

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Tuesday 13th May 2014 – More potting up.

Posted on May 13, 2014 by clairesallotment

I managed to hide in the greenhouse this afternoon and get on with some more potting up. Firstly I had to make room, which at the moment is easier said than done. So as the Kohl Rabi are ready to go out in the allotment, they have been taken out, and are now on the garden table getting used to the big wide world. I may get some planted out tomorrow, and hopefully the rest on Thursday. After moving round various other plants I potted up my Savoy Cabbage. There are only I think 6 of these, which is fine as I’ve got loads of other cabbages, which are already in the allotment. Then it was the turn of the Okra. They have been growing really well on my kitchen window sill. I sowed 18 seeds and all but 1 germinated. But 3 plants were a bit small and weedy looking, and I accidentally broke 1 stem as I was potting it up, so am left with 13! I’ll give one to my sister next time I see her, I’m sure she’ll enjoy it. I also made a little film about potting them on. Then finally I started on my Cantaloupe Melons that Chuck Fenster sent me. They are growing really well, but I only managed to get a few done as I had to then go and pick Emily up from school (on Tuesday she finished at 5pm). So I’ll have to do the rest tomorrow sometime…or the day after. I’ve been looking at my little Great Tits lately, and they’re growing fast. I expect they’ll fledge in a couple of days, but they don’t seem to be in any hurry. I’ll miss them when they’ve gone.

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Tuesday 13th May 2014 – Thunder and rain stopped play!

Posted on May 13, 2014 by clairesallotment

Now I’m not one to let anything get in the way of me gardening, BUT thunder and lightning is one of them AND torrential down pours. This morning I only managed just over 30 minutes of weeding time before the thunder and lightning came a knockin’. There I was minding my own business when there was a flash of lightning. I managed to think….”was that a…” and then BANG! It was practically over head. It was so loud that all the birds in the trees took off and flew away. I was on my knees when the flash came, but ducked down even further when the rumble sounded. Now I’m not scared of thunder and lightning, but don’t like to be in a big open space holding something metal at the time. The sky was looking ominously black, so I decided that even though the sun was still shining that I should give up and go home. Lucky I did, as when I arrived in the house the rain started to come down rather heavily. Still I have loads to do in the greenhouse this afternoon, so if it thunders again, I’m not far from the house. I’ll be lovely and dry in the greenhouse though, so that’s a good thing. Tomorrow is supposed to be wonderful so I’ll finish what I started….There goes another rumble of thunder!

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Monday 12th May 2014 – I feel like I’m starting to win!

Posted on May 12, 2014 by clairesallotment

I think I’m at the stage where I’m making progress, and not chasing my tail at the allotment all the time. I finished digging over the last bed on plot 2 today, so they’re all dug and manured now. All I need to do now is to go through all the beds and meticulously remove any weeds, and then strim the the grass round the outside. I did start to weed today, and got 3 beds done. So tomorrow (weather depending) I’ll carry on weeding each bed and if I’m lucky my strimmer will start and I can get the grass strimmed. It will be the first time I’ve used the strimmer this year, so the likely hood of it starting first time is very low. Saying that, last year it started without any problems, so keep your fingers crossed that all will be simple again this year. I think I may take down my shears just incase. Once plot 2 is perfect them I can put all my attention onto plot 1. This does have about half of it all sorted already, but I can then tackle the other half, which I’m not looking at because it has too many tall weeds and grass on at the moment. The wind was much better than over the weekend, it blew very hard sometimes and it was very tricky to do anything out in the garden. Rain is due later, but it could be hit and miss. If we do get rain, we may get thunder thrown in for good measure. I don’t mind, as long as the kids are home from school before it starts, and Mark can avoid any showers on his way home from the station.

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Shine Night Walk 27th September 2014

Posted on May 11, 2014 by clairesallotment

I’ve decided that I needed a challenge this year, and having walked the Race for Life 10k twice (last year and the year before), I felt that I needed to go the next step. Running is not a option for me, I just don’t like doing it, and my legs don’t like it either. They much prefer to do a speedy walk, so I have booked my place at the Shine Night Walk. This is a double challenge for me as firstly you need to walk 26.2 miles, yes you heard me correctly. Now this is a massive challenge in itself, but the more challenging bit for me is that it’s at night! Now for those of you who don’t know me that well, I’m usually asleep at 9.30pm at the very latest. My walk starts at 9pm and should take me about 8 – 9 hours. I expect I’ll be walking like a sleep walking zombie by the time it gets to midnight. I’ve already started training, as it’s not a walk you can just turn up for and do. So today I walked for what I planned would be about an hour, but turned into 1 hour 19 minutes…I got a bit lost. Luckily I have Google maps on my phone, other wise I could have ended up goodness knows where. I managed to walk 3.35 miles which I was really pleased about. Every week I’ll increase my walking by half an hour, so by the time the walk comes around I’d have walked far enough. I’ll keep you updated with my progress, but won’t bore you silly with it. As long as I have my music plugged into my ears then I’m fine. You can click HERE for my fundraising page and thank you.

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Wednesday 7th May 2014 – Cabbages ahoy!!

Posted on May 7, 2014 by clairesallotment

Well I just about managed a couple of hours on the allotment this morning before the rain started. But I got done what I wanted to. Firstly it was yet more weeding, which at the moment is quite easy to do as the soil is fairly dry so the weeds are coming up relativley easily. Once space was cleared, then more manure was spread. I’m going through the mound that my friend Clair delivered on Saturday really fast, so may need another loads in the next few weeks or so. I also planted out some of my Cabbage, the variety is “Primo”. These ones don’t have to wait until frost has passed so that’s good, and it’s made more room in the greenhouse for other things. I had to also buy some new netting. I’ve had mine for years, and I’ve been patching it up for several years. But now it’s passed it, so I had to invest in some new stuff. Hopefully it’ll keep the birds off my brassicas!! Well I think that’s all for today, and tomorrow is supposed to pour down, so going to the allotment isn’t an option, but I’m working all day so that’s ok. We’ll have to see what friday afternoon brings.

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Big Allotment Challenge – Episode 4

Posted on May 7, 2014 by clairesallotment

What an exciting programme it was this week. Firstly we started with Aubergines. Now I’ve tried many times to grow these, and always different varieties. I only did well one year, and that was before I started with my allotment videos. If the weather is too cold then they don’t like it. I did love Kate and Eleanor’s phallic specimen. Something that I would grow myself. I wonder what Jim Buttress would have said if they’d have presented that one on the bench!! Then we came to sunflowers for the second challenge. Again I’ve grown a variety of these, from Russian Giants that I think grew to about 13 feet tall, to Teddy Bears which are so called because they look so fluffy. I grew this mutant one a couple of years ago…

"My Freaky Sunflower", it has 6 others growing in the middle of the 1 flower.

“My Freaky Sunflower”, it has 6 others growing in the middle of the 1 flower.

Congratulations to Alex and Ed for their sunflower specimens and their Topiary Tree. Ed was clearly very happy about that. Then finally we came to Pickles and Piccalilli. Now I love both, and my mum makes a mean Piccalilli. It should be crunchy with not too much sauce, that’s my opinion. It’s very difficult to find any decent ones in the shops. Congratulations to Gary and Pete our 2 bearded wonders for getting Best in Show for theirs. Then to the sad part of having to say goodbye to another pair. I was sitting wondering who it would be, not wanting any of them to go. But it was Victoria and Shirley’s time. Well done ladies for getting so far, and I hope you had a wonderful time.

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