Friday 27th September 2013 – What a difference cooler weather makes to the soil.

Posted on September 27, 2013 by clairesallotment

When I’d got all my plants in the allotment at the middle of this season this year, I had a bed at the very end that I’d left untouched last year, and not used so far this year. With nothing to do on the allotment (that doesn’t happen very often) I decided to start and turn it over. But because the weather had been so hot and dry, the soil was like concrete. I managed to dig a very small part of it and then gave up. I don’t give up very often, but thought that it could wait until later in the Autumn when we’d had some rain. So this afternoon I gave it another go. Oh my goodness it was so easy! I managed 2 barrow loads of weeds, stinging nettles and grass in about 45 minutes! I’m a speedy girl. It’s now so easy to dig and turn over, just because the weather has now cooled down, and we’ve had some rain. I was on a role with it, but had to stop because I needed to get home for the kids. They can get in the house themselves, but they do like me to be at home to greet them after their hard day. They get lonely if I’m not in. If I’m working I’ll leave them a little note on the kitchen side with juice and a snack for them both. Then instructions to start their homework, and roughly what time I’ll be home. Then they’re happy, especially when I get home, then it’s all cuddles and snuggles. My mum was the same, so I guess it’s just what we do. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thursday 26th September 2013 – I was caught singing (or trying to) today by another plot holder.

Posted on September 26, 2013 by clairesallotment

How long they’d be standing at the end of my plot is anyones guess. Hopefully they were just passing from one of their plots to another. I do get carried away when I’m digging, and it’s not that I have my music loud or anything, it’s just that my earphones are really good and snug in my ears. I can’t really remember what I was singing at the time, but I don’t think it was anything rude. But apart from that I had a very successful morning digging another couple of beds and in the process harvesting some potatoes that I’d missed. I really do think that I’ve dug all my Potatoes up now, but you never know. If I have left the odd one in the soil, then they’ll sprout next Spring and then I’ll find them. I also harvested another Cabbage. I’m really chuffed with them this year as they’ve grown really well, and most importantly they taste fantastic. It’s the first year that I’ve grown them really, so it’s definitely something to grow again. They don’t need any special care, just a net over the top to stop the birds, but that’s really it.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

TomTato from Thompson and Morgan.

Posted on September 25, 2013 by clairesallotment

Yes you are reading this right, and it’s not a spelling error. I got an email from Thompson and Morgan today and they have a new plant called the TomTato!! Now I’m all for growing interesting plants, as you know, but haven’t we always been told to keep our Tomatoes and Potatoes apart from each other because they both get Blight and can give it to each other? This is rather odd, and slightly alien. I’m not sure if I could bring myself to try one of these. If anyone is brave enough, please let me know how you get on.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wednesday 25th September 2013 – Digging can be very exhausting, but beware of fizzy water!

Posted on September 25, 2013 by clairesallotment

Well another glorious day to play on the allotment…I say play, but I’m really working hard. Digging and turning the soil over for 2 hours straight can get very exhausting, and occasionally you need to sit down (or perch your bottom on your compost heap) and have a rest. I had a bit of an accident this morning with my bottle of fizzy flavoured water. Yes, I’m sure you can imagine what happened. I’d drunk some, and put it down to continue playing in the soil, and then picked it up for another swig. I didn’t shake it or anything, but it fizzed quite a lot, and the fizz came out of the bottle and went up my nose. I don’t think anyone saw, but it’s a very strange sensation. I don’t suggest you try it, but just be warned with fizzy stuff. Anyway, after I’d composed myself I then continued digging. I harvest a couple of Butternut Squash, but I think they were a bit confused as to what shape they’re supposed to be. Instead of the normal shape they tend to be, mine decided to grow round, about the size of a tennis ball! Don’t ask, I’m not going to even try to figure that one out. Anyway, the plant was brown, and the skins of the Butternuts were yellow, so they were ready. Having dug for 2 hours it was time to come home for lunch. Let’s see what mischief I can get up to tomorrow.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tuesday 24th September 2013 – A foggy day, at Claire’s Allotment…..

Posted on September 25, 2013 by clairesallotment

It didn’t make me low or make me down, just incase you were wondering. It was the first fog we’ve had this Autumn, but it soon cleared and the sun came out and was really hot!! I think we got up to 21 degrees. It was quite chilly when I first got to the allotment, but soon I was shedding my layers (no naked gardening though). I think I’ve now dug up all my Potatoes, unless I find some lurking somewhere that I’ve forgotten about. I think we’ve now got loads to eat, and hopefully they’ll keep us going til into the New Year, or maybe even longer. I also harvested all my Popcorn Fiesta, so they’re now drying in a cardboard tray in the greenhouse. The best cardboard trays to use are the ones you find in the supermarket that they keep the fruit in. Just reshuffle the fruit around and put one in your trolley. They’re free, and the supermarkets don’t mind. I’ve also dug over another bed ready for the winter. I’ll have to get a load of manure soon, but that’ll have to wait for a bit. Home for some well earned lunch, but I think a shower first and a change of clothes, as I don’t smell very ladylike at the moment.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Monday 23rd September 2013 – What’s been eating my Popcorn?

Posted on September 23, 2013 by clairesallotment

If you’ve read my previous blog from today, let me reassure you that before I went down the allotment I got dressed, and was not some mad lady gardening in her pj’s. I’ve dug over another 2 beds of Potatoes. I’ve nearly dug them all up…I think, but I’m sure I’ll find some that I’ve forgotten about. Then I went to look at my various types of corn. The normal large Sweetcorn has now finished, and I had the last few small ones for my lunch. Then I went to look at my Britpop Popcorn, and noticed that some of the cobs have been partly eaten. Firstly I blamed the mice (I know we have some on site, as I’ve seen 1, and after all it’s like a field in places), then the pigeons and finally the crows. But then as I was harvesting it I noticed red ants on the cobs. So I think I owe the mice and birds an apology as I think the blasted red ants have been having a nibble. Having shaken them all off, I harvested the lot, they were ready anyway, and then I dug up the plants and turned over the bed they were in. Now the potatoes need to go in the greenhouse to dry for a bit before going in their potato sack in the shed, and the corn to, before I take it all off the cobs and store for snack time over the winter.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can anyone help with my little conundrum?

Posted on September 23, 2013 by clairesallotment

There I was this morning hanging my washing out on the line in my pj’s (I’m allowed to), when I looked down and saw these little yellow eggs on my grass. They were no were else on the lawn. Does anyone know what they are? I know they’re not Lady Bird eggs, as I’ve seen those before, and I was wondering if they were Crane Fly (Daddy Longlegs) eggs instead, but they’re darker brown/black. Can anyone help me with this little question as I’m curious?

What are these eggs that appeared on my grass, anyone know?

What are these eggs that appeared on my grass, anyone know?

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Perfect way to spend a Sunday with the family.

Posted on September 22, 2013 by clairesallotment

Well we had a little trip today to various places. Firstly we drove down to Chiddingstone village in Kent. If you’ve not been to see it, and you’re in the area do. It’s very olde worlde, with a few shops, a church, several walks to various places, tea rooms, and most importantly a pub. We arrived about 11am, and went to find the Chiding Stone. The nagging wives used to be taken there to be told off (if we didn’t nag the world would fall apart). Then as we were walking back to the road the church service was finishing, and the bells started to ring. Being a bell ringer and not wanting to miss an opportunity to go and ring some other bells, I left Mark and the kids and went to investigate. I’d just like to add, I didn’t just run off and leave them in the middle of the village, but asked first.  I could only hear 5 bells ringing, and it’s always better with 6. Mark said I could take as long as I wanted and they would be the pub having a drink. So off I pootled and rang all sorts of interesting stuff. It was good that I turned up because a little later there were 8 of us so, we could get all 8 bells going instead. I was in very good company as one members of the band rang at Canterbury Cathedral!! So 45 minutes later I found them in the pub and we ordered lunch. Afterwards we wandered round the village for a bit and then got back in the car and drove to Chartwell House. It’s a lovely place to go and have a wander round. We went inside the House and had a nose, then wandered down to the lake where the black swans decided that George look interesting. So we made sure he didn’t get too close as the male one could become aggressive. We then wandered to the Rose garden, the Pet Graves (you’ve got to do this bit) and then finally the Kitchen Garden. It was all set up so lovely and neatly, with some produce harvested and others still growing. I noticed a mis-spelling on one of the Beetroot labels. There were some massive pumpkins, which I can only dream of growing (one year I will grow a huge one!). After a good old wander round we went to have afternoon tea, then I went to look in the shop, and of course purchased 3 plants, then we left to drive home. We arrived home at about 4.30, so a full on day, and lots to tell you.

All so neatly planted in rows.

All so neatly planted in rows.the back.

 

Their Pumpkin bed. There were some huge ones at the back.

Their Pumpkin bed. There were some huge ones at the back.

Mis-spelling I noticed, should be "Boltardy". Trust me to notice.

Mis-spelling I noticed, should be “Boltardy”. Trust me to notice.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments