All Spring we've been swaying one way and then the other as we discuss whether to keep on with the allotment. First of all I was absolutely convinced that we should give it up. We would have so much more time for all sorts of things we keep meaning to do but never get round to. Escaping Edinburgh and going walking at weekends. Staying in Edinburgh and discovering parts we have never visited in 28 years here. Tidying the loft. Painting the house.
My conviction was absolute. Then we went to the plot one glorious May evening, and I wavered. The next day I swung back to my original gut feel. The following weekend I sowed lettuce, Swiss chard, beetroot, carrots, spinach, rocket, and veered sharply in the opposite direction.
And so it has continued, and at the moment we are being swayed by a bountiful harvest of strawberries and blackcurrants.
We have more lettuce than we can handle. Our neighbours are resorting to making soup with what we inflict on them.
The onions are filling out, and it looks as if we will have a crop worth lifting this year.
And even the neglected and weedy pile of earth (a former compost heap/weed dump of the previous plot-holders) has put forth a stunning display of self-seeded foxgloves.
For the moment it seems as if we are staying put for another year. But we still have to find time to squeeze in our list of 'must-do' and 'nice to do'. A few more hours each day, and a few more days each weekend would be good.
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8 comments:
Nice looking garden! And your photos are first-rate!
TRy doing as we are doing and using a weed control fabric - it's cut down our work considerably
I'm sure the weather will have played its part. when you get sunshine the crops do so much better - and we as people feel more positive too. I certainly wish I had as many blackcurrants as you have!
I'm so relieved to hear you've dropped any notion of giving up. I just can't loose my sole fellow Edinburgh allotmenteer! Clearly you are getting results and that is the best spur there is (although the FEDAGA stormtroopers enjoy wielding the stick in preference to the carrot.) You're already growing soft fruit which takes care of one patch, particularly if you use weed control fabric as Sue suggests. Your onions and lettuce look great. After the spuds there's not much room left to look after, is there...?
Must now confess that my gooseberry bushes (and redcurrant and blackcurrants) came from the pound shop. After a few years to settle in they do quite well. They came in two varities - green and red. Mind you I bought bluberry bushes from a pukka nursery by post and they were just twigs when they arrived.
Keep on keeping on - That's an order! Mal
Nice pictures of the summertime!
What bumper crops you are having. An allotment, I imagine, is something that needs 100% commitment if you are going to make best use of it. It's good to know you are not making any hasty decisions - good luck with what ever you choose to do!
I am pleased that you kept your allotment!:)
It is nice (and inspirering.)
The fruits look fab as does the lettuce. Bet your glad you staying another year. I'll have to look into lettuce soup, sounds interesting.
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