Enough of this trying-to-be poetic looking into the heart of Spring stuff. This is the other side of my Spring - getting going with tidying up at the allotment. Every week I take photos and never get round to posting them, for a variety of reasons. Aching muscles, ironing, watching Grey's Anatomy, reading (just finished The Idea of North, by Peter Davidson), trying to visit other blogs, working too late, exhaustion, making ominous lists of Things To Do In The House...
So catching up, from a few weeks back here is the first of our Spring harvest. Rubbish left behind by the previous plotholder underneath a lid of corrugated iron sheets.
This is just a small sample. The rest included old carpet, which we had to wait to shift until a nesting bees had moved on elsewhere, stones and glass.
We now have another patch of reclaimed soil, once a few remaining brambles are cut out and the corrugated iron sheets removed. The plan is to plant potatoes this year, and then next year to dig out the grass separating it from the rest of the plot. At the same time we'll try to relocate the mound of earth that's sitting to the left of the cleared space. It's the remains of a massive weed-dump that has slowly composted over the years. It's going to be a long haul, but it will extend the plot by a full bed.
Meantime I hope to visit some blogs and see what other harvests this Spring has brought.
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15 comments:
Did you dig up the trolley - we dug ine up when we first got one of our plots alongs with various TV aerials, metal garting and a carpet that fell into pieces to name just some bits.
Hope you get everything sort out soon.
I am fascinated to watch how your allotment is clean out and looking beautiful. It's really interesting to me because we do not live in an area where there are allotments and I imagine that it is special to have one. Which befuddles me that someone would leave so much trash behind? Good thing the area is in your hands now :)
Hi Linda; hope mine will be one of the blogs you will visit!
Looks like your predecessors on the plot were "junkies"! :)
Your post reminds me.. its that time of year... spring cleaning, including the garden. Your extended plot will be great. P.S. Your magnolia in your last post is beautiful.
I hope the last of the back breaking work is nearly done for you,we did the same for the first couple of years clearing and extending the plot bed by bed. It was tiring but had a great sense of achievement when done.
Green Lane Allotments, no, the trolley wasn't a 'find'! It's one of the communal service vehicles. I don't know which plotholder liberated it from a supermarket. Or perhaps they found it in the river that runs through Edinburgh - it seems to be a favourite place to dump trolleys.
Malay-Kadazan girl - thank you! We're working hard on it.
Jenni, it is quite special to have an allotment. Somehow it's different from having a garden just outside the door. We really feel that we get away from it all when we go to the plot.
Mark - you're on my list!
Kelly, you've just reminded me about spring cleaning in the house! Glad you enjoyed the mamgnolia.
Peggy, your plot looks so neat now that it's hard to imagine that it was ever overgrown.
Hi Linda, here is the recipe..it's not very original
http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18476/Original-NESTL%C3%89-TOLL-HOUSE-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies/detail.aspx
I just have it memorized ;) What is a favorite cookie recipe in Scotland?
Familiar sight, that trolley. I've been using one like it as an overflow for the compost bin.
Esther
Hi Linda. Your list of reasons for why you don't get around to posting all your photos looks a lot like my list of excuses...errrr...reasons. ha-ha
Wednesday was a warm day here and I worked outside for 3 hours cutting down some huge clumps of ornamental grasses. I came inside so tired and concluded that I might be more of a gardener in my dreams than in real life.
donna
Hi linda,
That trolley is generating a lot of comment! It could be your good luck symbol! More seriously, I love the idea of allotments, we don't have many where I live, actually I've only ever seen one on my travels, in Melbourne, St Kilda, and that was unbeliabable, they hold lots of classes for anyone and have BBQ's etc. I would love the social connection with like minded people.
Keep up the good work on Mother Earth.
Vickixx
Having a good clear up is so satisfying! Real worthwhile work!
Dear friend you reach the dearest wishes to you and your family a happy and peaceful Easter,ad maiora Elettra
I have tomato plants started inside the house but we won't be planting until after May 15th as it can frost up until then.
Linda, I hope that you will link back to this post when you show us what you grow in the new bed. I love before and after photos.
Thank you for commenting on my hollyhock photos. I am amazed at the growing season here, too. The farmers all around have already harvested the first cutting of alfalfa. When we lived in New England, that cutting wouldn't have happened for almost another 2 months!
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