1st for a long time

Well I can't believe where this year has gone !! I haven't got much to report really. Last was crap and I nearly gave up but I've kept the plot on for another year whilst I make my mind up. In the mean time I've been looking at the garden at home and a redesign is underway with the bottom half no longer the preserve of my beloved Chrysanths but being turned over to a wildlife patch. More of that later though ...

First for a long time ......

Well, this is my first post since May! I just can't believe where this year has gone. The Summer was a washout and then work conspired against me so I've written 2007 off as a bad lot.

On the up side of things I've had time to sit and work out a plan of attack for next year and I decided that the one plot would be enough as my friend won't be borrowing part of the lottie so I have a blank canvas again to re plan things.

Top of the list is a polytunnel, I've been looking around at different ones and for various reasons not just price I've decided on a Citadel Space saver Polytunnel as it has higher sides than the normal ones and I'll probably go for a 30ft x 12ft this will leave me a bit of space down the side where I can stand a few pots of Chrysanths that will flower next November and are OK to flower in a cold house. the rest of the space on the bottom half of the plot will be taken up with Early spray chrysanthemum's and Dahlia's that I can grow on raised beds to help with the drainage and make it easier to dig. This leaves me with about 60ft of allotment to grow veg on. I still haven't decided if I'm going to bother with Main crop spuds next year after this year but I'll certainly grow loads of New potatoes in pots & tubs as these were a roaring success in the Grief house this year.

The Polytunnel will allow me to grow a few pots fullbefoer the ones in the ground come in to production. Other early crops I can get out of it will be Beans, Peas, Carrots etc. I must admit it has re-kindled the spirit after the disappointment of this year where I almost gave up.

At Home No1 son has been hard at it and has marked out a plot to grow some of the more choice veg that needs regular attention & picking like Salad stuff, Beetroot, Beans, Peas etc.

After the problems with the ground water logging so badly I have decided to go for Raised beds wherever possible at home and to this end I'm looking into getting a Mantis or the Honda equivalent to give me the opportunity to catch up with jobs when work gets in the way but I'll have to see.

So to end on a brighter note, we have just held our two chrysanthemum shows, 1 in September & 1 in November and a riot of colour they were, So I'll post some photo's for you look at.


First the Early Show .......



And now the Late show ....

Meet Plot 57...

Well in a moment of madness the other day I decided to take on another plot. it came about because one of the guys has a polytunnel and the stuff he has had from it so far is unbelievable and i heard this little voice shouting "want one, want one"

As most of my existing plot is taken up with veg Ii couldn't really afford the room for a tunnel so I spied a couple of likely vacant plots and thought

"hmmmmm, 1 of those could be just what I need"

So I approached our site manager and whilst in conversation with him I thought I could also use it for fruit, Chrysanths, Dahlia's and Cut-flowers .... I know how to creep

So here she is, warts and all ( or should I say weeds and all)

Above is the view from about 1/3 of the way down looking back towards the roadway ( where the galvanised water tank is). The 1st 30ft or so is just this years annual weeds nothing a good hoeing won't sort out. Then if I put some membrane down & plant the Dahlia's through this it will keep them weed free.

The 2nd 30ft is a mix of Grass, old Carrots, Parsnips & Brussels - I think. This will need a tad more work on it but it can soon be licked into shape.
This is the remaining 130ft of which about 60ft is fairly clear and it's just the bottom bit that is untouched, but a dose of round-up and a whizz with the rotavator and it will be as good as new. This is where the polytunnel is going to go. I have sort of earmarked a 24ft x 14ft but one of the guys knows of some that are in need of a new skin and away you go so if they are the right price it may be bigger !

So as it is going to pissistantly rain this week end, it's noses in the catalogues & look at fruit. The plot next to me has some small trees on there already so there isn't a problem with me having any and I fancy 2 or 3 apples, 2 or 3 pears, a plum then the usual Raspberries, Currants and a couple of Strawberry beds ( that will please Mrs Grief as they are her favourites !!)

Meet