14 August 2006
Getting our just desserts
After hours of regular and dedicated graft (doesn’t sound like us, does it?) the plot is finally starting to look as though someone cares for it instead of the tatty, abandoned face it presented to the world when we got back from our holiday. I won’t pretend that the bindweed is not still threatening to engulf everything edible, but we’re slowly beating it into retreat, if not submission.
Owen has displayed admirable dedication in carefully unravelling the french beans from the bindweed tendrils. It’s a labour of love and you just know that those neckar gold and blauhilde are going to taste all the better for it. Today I dug over and liberally mulched what I think will become one of the many garlic beds. (note to self: I have already ordered garlic and over-wintering onions, so there’s no need to do what I did last year and order again in the mistaken belief that I’ve forgotten. Remember – no more garlic and onions.)
Having tamed the weeds, there is still plenty to keep us busy. Over the coming weeks we have to prepare the brassica beds by digging them over and putting posts in place so we can erect some netting to keep the birds off. There is also the final section of the plot that needs covering with plastic until spring. And, of course, there is the joyous task of planning what seeds to buy in the new year (I think I might take a radical step and set myself a budget this time around).
In the meantime, we have our dinner to look forward to – wild alaskan salmon accompanied by vegetables from the plot and followed by home-made triple chocolate ice cream. It’s a hard life.
Filed under: Hard labour, Review & plan — Clare @ 7:51 pm
A budget? Good grief woman! Wash your mouth out!
(14.08.06 @ 10:05 pm)
I know. A moment of madness there. It won’t happen again.
(14.08.06 @ 10:44 pm)
I can imagine the salmon was wild! Can I ask where you have ordered your onions and garlic from please – there are so many to choose from, as in companies who sell them that its difficult to know whos are best.
(15.08.06 @ 1:27 pm)
Hi Clare i know this message isn’t about your latest blog but it is about the allotments. I had a phone call today from Chris (the sec of the BDAC). She was trying to get hold of Ben for a few days but he is not returning her phone calls , Well anyway a lady wanted a plot and Chris wanted me to meet them both at the allotments. Chris has given her a plot but it is rent free till October and she needs to know the number of it aswell. Thought i should let you know.
AND TO ANYONE OUT THERE THE VEGGIES ON PUMKIN SOUP ARE LOVELY. I KNOW I’VE TASTED THEM FIRST HAND.
(15.08.06 @ 5:22 pm)
Jooles – I’ve ordered garlic from here: http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/
Last year I got my onions from Dobies : http://www.dobies.co.uk/ which were fine. I’ve ordered my brassicas from them this year.
This year my onions will be from here: http://www.organicplants.co.uk/acatalog/ as I was so impressed with the leeks they sent me.
You can see I’ve had to buy quite a lot because I’m not skilled enough to have seedlings that survive!
Pappy – I think Ben has been poorly, I know he was in hospital for a while, so perhaps that’s why he’s not been replying to Chris. I’ll see if I can get hold of him later in the week. I have no idea about the plot numbers without checking the plan in the shed (I don’t even know the numberof my own plot!). Hope to see you down there soon. And thank you for the compliments!
(15.08.06 @ 7:06 pm)