tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-130689062011-11-27T23:43:26.594ZTo own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do. - Charles Dudley WarnerJim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.comBlogger831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-18709409864963371992009-03-28T17:56:00.001Z2009-03-28T17:58:33.015Z

After the success of last years largest pumpkin competition our quest this year is to see who can grow the biggest marrow.Free seeds are now available either from Clive or the trading shed on Sunday mornings.The judging will take place at a social gathering on 20th September when marrow soup(yummy!!)will be available.Please bring along anything you may have made from marrow or squashes (jam,

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-38371877603162766262009-03-28T13:16:00.000Z2009-03-28T13:18:14.762Z

Hello everyone:We are very pleased to announce that Jack Dudley Swale of Spa Hill and the Spa Hill Organic Gardening Group will be talking on organic gardening on Saturday, May 9th at 3.00pm at the Forster Road Allotments Community House.Jack has much experience in this area; he says that "the secret is in the soil". There'll be lots of time for questions and it is free of charge. Coffee and tea

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-59533542681372830572009-03-28T13:08:00.002Z2009-03-28T13:13:01.715Z

Everybody is welcome to come along to the Forster Road allotments Seed Swap and Coffee morning. Bring a long any seeds that you no longer need or want, and add them to the "Seed Swap" table. Then have a rummage through the table to see if there is anything you fancy... you never know what you will find.Tea's, coffee's, cakes and maybe even bacon sandwiches will be available for the duration.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-82519705187747321172009-02-16T14:50:00.003Z2009-02-16T15:11:20.812Z

This is Simba our "Bengal" which is a cross between a domestic cat and a wild Asian Leopard Cat. Simba is three generations away from the wild cat but is a real softy though he has his "mad half hour moments"I don't know this persons name but rain,snow or shine he(or she)is always there.As it is now warming up the bees are beginning to be more active.As I took this picture I should really have

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-56022460744864421362009-02-16T08:58:00.002Z2009-02-16T09:19:36.165Z

We were really looking forward to Sunday to finally get some work done on the plot. When we arrived I discovered that I had a puncture and spent the next half hour changing the wheel,not a very good start to the day.The metal pole that Barb is holding I have been trying to remove for the last five years and yesterday finally succeeded as the ground was so wet. We are trying to level off the

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-37925025226972826852009-02-14T15:37:00.003Z2009-02-14T16:50:25.411Z

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.- Martin BuberNot much happening at the moment.I went to the allotments this morning just to top up the bird feeders and hang up a peanut ring that my grandchildren gave me.It was their birthdays this week my granddaughter Cassie was five and Rhys was nine.They were both born on February 11th 2000 and 2004.I went to the garden centre

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-42720244079152597902009-02-08T16:17:00.006Z2009-02-08T21:12:28.308Z

It took a supreme effort to get out of a warm bed this morning to go and man the trading shed. I really did not think that we would see anyone but when we arrived Mike was already underway in the site hall giving one of his bee keeping lessons to quite a few people. We did have a few visitors to the shed. Some to pay rents for the next year and I sold a few bags of John Innes and even some slug

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-53391535785438734512009-02-07T09:48:00.012Z2009-02-08T21:24:48.307Z

It is hard to believe that only a short while ago we were sitting here in the sun having our BBQ and sipping wine. I really do love our seasons even though I am itching to do some allotmenteering. It is our turn to man the trading shed tomorrow so hope we have a customer or two but if it stays as cold as it is I doubt it. "There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter.One

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-69441985212848852022009-02-03T09:20:00.004Z2009-02-03T13:45:06.668Z

This picture was taken from my kitchen window yesterday morning.I was unable to get my car out of the garage and as the trains and buses were not running I reluctantly? stayed at home.Barbara had already booked this week as holiday but as she works at a hospital was waiting for a phone call to ask her to go in but she wasn't needed.We would have liked to have visited the allotment to take

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-71001952836488733542009-01-25T13:14:00.003Z2009-01-25T13:37:23.188Z

We spent a very pleasant three hours on the plot yesterday.The weather was kind and we were able to catch up a bit on a number of jobs that had been neglected. I removed the bean canes and put on the compost heap what remained of our failed sprouts. I will give them one more try this year to see if I can get any bigger than marbles.I went to the potato fair today and just bought some Charlotte. I

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-42557280181153864052009-01-24T10:14:00.002Z2009-01-24T10:27:29.894Z

Belated happy new year.Well after all the trauma of last year Barbara and I are determined to have a productive and stress free 2009. We still have our two plots and Barbara has been elected onto our site committee with me.We are going to the plot this morning to do a bit of planning and tomorrow I am going to the potato fair at Peckham. They have people from The Rustic Mushroom Company there and

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-60390328624570782252008-05-07T15:22:00.002+01:002008-05-07T15:40:41.729+01:00

I really would like to thank everyone who has been so kind to us over the last few months. A special thank you to a lady called Margaret who was a complete stranger who I met in the cafe of our Sainsbury store the day before my mum's funeral. While Barbara was shopping I sat having a coffee not really wanting to have anything to do with anyone. Margaret asked me if I was OK and when I explained

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1854836770647424322008-01-26T12:35:00.000Z2008-01-26T12:55:48.965Z

Really sorry for the gap between posts.My Mum passed away before Christmas so the last thing on my mind was my plot or blog.I am now just beginning to come to terms with our loss.I have planted a rose called "Remember me" on the plot which is the same peach colour that she loved.My mum 'Bet' also liked to feed the birds on her balcony so we have put a bird bath on the plot.I will start blogging

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-39955388549395235972007-09-04T14:43:00.000+01:002007-09-04T15:05:22.075+01:00

I was working at Sandown Park races on Saturday. While I was there I met a friend of mine who owns a few horses and she had one running that day.Unfortunately the horse was not placed but still managed to smile for the picture that I took after the race.I go racing once a year working for the same client and this was my 31st year.In all that time I have never had a bet (to much of a bad loser)

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-59132772448191482832007-08-27T08:28:00.000+01:002007-08-27T08:33:53.595+01:00

I do not think that this would pass the supermarket censor and make it to the shelves.It will however taste SO much better than those insipid,tasteless ones that they sell. Who cares that it is not straight?

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-44305418116217919622007-08-18T08:00:00.000+01:002007-08-18T08:08:34.431+01:00

The beast does produce a nice flower though.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-45246573946899659612007-08-17T11:59:00.000+01:002007-08-17T12:09:50.666+01:00

My favourite time on our site is early morning. I am probably a boring old fxxt but love to have the place to myself for a while. These are a few random pictures taken today.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-5799254569523289302007-08-16T20:17:00.000+01:002007-08-16T20:26:01.347+01:00

We have been really pleased with the Dahlias this year. We just really let them fend for themselves. The tubers are never dug up so stay in the ground over winter and I just give them a bit of liquid tomato feed every ten days or so. We are going to try adding some different colours next year.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-44404212226230457892007-08-16T18:06:00.000+01:002007-08-16T18:13:46.107+01:00

I went to the plot today to pick a few runner beans for tea. Each time that I thought I had picked them all I found more hiding. We have decided to make chutney with them.The old roller we found under all the undergrowth when we cleared the plot four years ago. Once upon a time it was some body's pride and joy.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-63525119020157209292007-08-16T13:34:00.000+01:002007-08-16T13:35:14.938+01:00

Whether you love them or hate them you can't deny how stunning a healthy fox looks.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-33622136411395700632007-08-15T08:40:00.000+01:002007-08-15T09:10:19.629+01:00

I did not feel to well at the weekend so had to make quite an effort to go to the allotment. We intended to stay a short while just to tidy up a bit but ended up staying three hours.We managed to harvest a fair bit as you can see in the picture. The jar is plum jam which our neighbour Ann kindly gave us from plums which we gave her last week. This is the second jar she has given us, the first

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-91350657969848474032007-08-05T08:19:00.000+01:002007-08-05T08:35:36.495+01:00

After all the rotten weather of late we took advantage of a beautiful day yesterday. The foxes turned up and were just lying in the shade among the trees.We spent a lazy few hours just pottering and harvested, carrots,runner beans,beetroot,chard,turnips,courgettes and swede.We used one of the courgettes straight from the plot and Barbara cooked us brunch. There is nothing quite like eating

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-49021081092300301952007-07-29T16:37:00.000+01:002007-07-29T16:41:28.113+01:00

Sunday extra pictures

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-4432441581426277762007-07-29T16:27:00.000+01:002007-07-29T16:37:25.943+01:00

Today on the allotment.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-28646383378227186122007-07-29T15:38:00.000+01:002007-07-29T15:41:45.395+01:00

This is what we harvested today.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-66372424345016172612007-07-26T18:42:00.000+01:002007-07-26T18:50:00.048+01:00

We have never had so many flowers on our Runner Beans the variety is Enorma and it seems that we are in for a bumper crop.I think that we should have thinned the Plums there are lots of them but seem a bit crowded. I have no idea what variety they are but they taste very good when fully ripe.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-46314706250267692722007-07-25T09:52:00.000+01:002007-07-25T09:56:23.910+01:00

With all the wet weather I wondered why I had very few slugs on my plot. Now I know why.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-61135830539379371642007-07-24T17:38:00.001+01:002007-07-24T17:42:00.447+01:00

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-38008192455049229302007-07-24T15:59:00.000+01:002007-07-24T16:19:22.695+01:00

My sister has been exploring our family tree on our Dad's side. She has got back to 1806 and we were then all living in Chiddingstone in Kent. She and I went to Chiddingstone last week. It is a really beautiful village and we found the grave of what would have been our great great uncle who died aged 7 which is in the village church, that is 136 years since his death.My name is James Nye and up

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-48321232602928694352007-07-24T11:55:00.000+01:002007-07-24T12:04:13.491+01:00

First of all good luck to all that have been affected by the floods. We really hope that you are able to get back to some sort of normality very soon.Very sorry for the lack of posts but very difficult when you cannot use the computer. The picture shows the bit that I spent so long digging in the early spring. I shall write more later.It is good to be back.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-45097595450053556892007-05-18T17:50:00.000+01:002007-05-18T18:05:03.069+01:00

I was working at a city livery company a few nights ago which had a wonderful garden surrounded by concrete and glass office blocks.The big square planter was a Victorian water cistern which was salvaged from a building in Threadneedle Street.It was an oasis, just feet away from the rush and noise of the city.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-66017394390654129172007-05-09T16:26:00.000+01:002007-05-09T16:33:25.484+01:00

Meant to post this a few days ago.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-64391556423183927052007-05-09T15:28:00.000+01:002007-05-09T15:42:37.897+01:00

I have not seen the cubs for a few days, I think that they may have moved on. The Great Tits seem to be doing well. Each time that I have been to the plot this week the parents have been coming and going all the time. The chicks make a real noise when being fed.It has been quite windy on the plot this week. Have had some rain but could do with loads more but the Peony seems to be fine.I thought

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-75096845707042631902007-04-23T20:24:00.000+01:002007-04-23T20:29:06.875+01:00

This is how much they have changed in one week. They are losing their baby fluff and getting their adult coats.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-85390511709323373842007-04-23T20:00:00.000+01:002007-04-23T20:18:05.594+01:00

After a bit of a slog the bed is ready and awaiting the runner bean seeds. The wind sock does not really do much but other plot holders who travel into town by train which runs alongside our site say they like to see it , especially on the return journey.In a few days the small bundles of grey fluff have started to turn a foxy red, I have now counted seven cubs, mum has her work cut out to feed

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-11812007965553302872007-04-20T17:10:00.000+01:002007-04-22T07:49:36.862+01:00

Our plot backs on to the railway line. I was having a well earned cup of coffee when out of the corner of my eye I saw my new neighbors offspring.I grabbed a camera and got a few snatched pictures. Yesterday they all came out to play with mum, five cubs in all but I had no camera with me. I think that they are wonderful and have as much right to be on my plot as I do.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-40633433380316809642007-04-18T19:10:00.000+01:002007-04-18T19:28:41.290+01:00

Well I have finished digging the couch out of the new bed. It took me over a week doing a couple of hours work as often as I could. This bit of ground had not been dug for at least ten years and I was still finding loads of bits of plastic, bags, ties, labels. While digging I have been watching the Great Tits going to and from the nest box. Perhaps after last years upset they will be left alone

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-84821988336730868712007-04-13T08:20:00.000+01:002007-04-13T09:09:24.925+01:00

Next Tuesday we will have had the plot for three years. There is a small bit that has not been touched and as it is covered in couch grass I have been putting of digging it. I bit the bullet last weekend and made a start. It really is evil stuff , it only goes down about six inches but some of the roots were at least two feet long. I have probably missed some but if I had rotorvated it I would

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-45272655516542743082007-04-03T15:01:00.000+01:002007-04-03T15:19:25.368+01:00

I really can't believe that it is now April. March seems to have passed me by. In my defence for not updating the blog for ages my laptop has been a bit temperamental but fingers crossed it is now back to normal.Here is a picture of the plot taken a week or so ago and it really does not look much different so I shall take another this Easter weekend, as the blossom on the plum trees has really

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-75185131428682876632007-02-24T14:07:00.000Z2007-02-24T14:14:41.152Z

We thought that it would be an idea to take a picture from the same spot once a month to see how the plot changes through the seasons. This is the first. All looking a bit bare and bleak, will post another on the 24th March.We are going to leave this pile of logs in among the plum trees to see what wildlife might make use of it.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-57173768339044000722007-02-24T13:49:00.000Z2007-02-24T14:01:14.524Z

Barbara and a friend spent 5 hours in Ikea at Croydon yesterday !!!!!!!!! Three hours shopping and two lunching. She came home fluent in Swedish and won't stop singing "Mama Mia"The shopping amounted to one lamp, and some industrial strength crispbreads that even Jaws would break his teeth on. I was going to compost them but decided to see if the woodpeckers which visit our plot could handle them

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-12859190127042865492007-02-17T16:56:00.000Z2007-02-17T17:14:30.836Z

After waiting three years for it we decided our compost was fit for use. Barbara used loads of it to mulch her herb bed and to cover the rhubarb.I just love having bonfires but we always have to be very careful which way the wind is blowing so as not to upset our neighbors. This week was OK and managed to burn loads of wood that had been collecting on the plot. The larger branches I cut up and

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-66850735869852290042007-02-16T09:31:00.000Z2007-02-16T09:32:07.186Z

We came across this chap recently at Portland. He seemed to know that the shop was about to open but as he was

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-15003016292428452302007-02-10T18:17:00.000Z2007-02-10T18:03:01.018Z

Fingers crossed we may have a tenant for our new nesting box. We have had Blue Tits and Great Tits looking it over. I hope that they can decide between them who shall live in it without to many fights.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-33747314360822228852007-02-10T17:55:00.000Z2007-02-10T18:02:09.326Z

Just some of our visitors this week.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-53302614833250005502007-02-03T20:15:00.000Z2007-02-03T21:00:38.077Z

After many years of tending his plot one of our older neighbours, Fred, has decided to call it a day. He always had plenty of great veg growing all year round and his cabbages put the rest of our efforts to shame.The picture is "Fred's Shed" which I understand will shortly be demolished. Personally I think that it should be made a listed building, but thinking about it maybe it has been listing

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-9202319076402988272007-01-30T15:39:00.000Z2007-01-30T16:10:06.296Z

Two seasons ago when we first started on the plot we dug up a horseshoe. We had just cut down a Maple which had grown quite large and was shading a lot of the plot. The shoe was placed on one of the stumps and today I thought that I would move it and nail it to our shed. It is impossible as the tree has started to grow round it.I spent some time hoeing this afternoon and was also able to pick

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-79923266989438595992007-01-28T17:29:00.000Z2007-01-28T18:13:38.770Z

We arrived early at the potato fair today as in previous years it has been quite crowded. And you are more likely to get the variety of potato that you are after.We bought Sarpo Mira and Axona as we are only growing maincrop this year. They did so well for us last time, not a sign of blight and plenty of good size spuds. They were great for baking and mash,not so good for chips which suited us

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-3350093884503158892007-01-17T20:09:00.000Z2007-01-28T19:13:59.456Z

We spent a wonderful four hours on the plot on Sunday. The weather was kind and it was quite warm and sunny with very little wind for a change. We started a bonfire and managed to burn all the cuttings from the plum trees that we have had piling up for ages. A corner of the plot gets shaded in the late afternoon so we have to keep the trees well under control.I had some really great Xmas pressies

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-40004103830812576342006-12-17T13:07:00.000Z2007-01-28T19:15:59.692Z

We attended our AGM and were very pleased that a lot more people turned up than usual. Quite a few new faces who all seemed very enthusiastic about their plots and the coming season.The garlic is doing very well but yet again this year more problems kept us from the plot so missed out on planting early onions and broad beans.Will try again with bird boxes but will site them higher up the trees so

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-62647245451240611532006-11-25T13:50:00.000Z2006-11-25T19:34:00.340Z

Here we are again, back at last.It has been a strange year on the allotment. We have had all sorts of things happening at home so have not spent anywhere near as much time on the plot as we would have liked. Hopefully we can now spend more time preparing for next season. We have still got leeks growing and some herbs and recently dug 110 pounds of Sarpo potatoes which we thought we had left to

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1145014651328253242006-04-14T12:14:00.000+01:002006-04-14T12:53:17.830+01:00

Was meant to post this days ago but have had to cover at work as the chap that I work with had heart problems and he is still in hospital waiting for his op.We went to the plot early last Sunday ( 8.30 ) was a bit chilly but the sun was shining and we had the place to ourselves. Saw the blue tit still busy in and out of the nest box, the robin box is still vacant though. Planted some new herbs

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1144326997518170022006-04-06T13:25:00.000+01:002006-04-06T13:36:37.543+01:00

After reading in yesterdays GARDEN NEWS that beetroot was considered to be an aphrodisiac I went to the plot today and cleared every bed so that I could fill them with the magic seeds. How many do you have to eat to make a difference? Boiled,roasted,raw? I think that a candle lit supper and a good bottle of wine would work better but my memory is not what it used to be.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1143549827490038182006-03-28T13:26:00.000+01:002006-03-28T13:43:47.516+01:00

Exciting news we will soon be hearing the sound of tiny wings. Blue Tits have decided to set up home in the bird box which we put among the plum trees a year ago. We stood and watched for ages as mum and dad went back and forth with nestmaking stuff, will try and get some pictures but do not want to spook them.We agreed to go to the plot on Saturday whatever the weather as we were getting very

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1141573124209176852006-03-05T15:15:00.000Z2006-03-29T17:29:26.166+01:00

I would really like to add links to our blog but for the life of me I can't work out how. So many people have us as a link that I would like to put them on our site .BUT HOW DO I DO IT ?I am probably being very thick here.We went to Coolings Garden Centre this morning to buy some more seeds. We bought some on tape, has anyone tried them? Meant to cut down on thinning, will give them a go. We also

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1141467108645448592006-03-04T09:48:00.000Z2006-03-04T18:49:42.050Z

Our first time to man the trading shed this year. We tried to keep warm by weighing and bagging fertilizers, bird food etc. We had three visitors all morning and only one of them bought something, three bags of stable manure. Our site took over the running of the trading shed last year and we are ( well Reg mainly ) trying to smarten it up a bit. We are just beginning to show a bit of a profit

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1138125555934148772006-01-24T17:37:00.000Z2006-02-21T17:14:32.166Z

We went to the Dulwich potato fair Sunday morning. We arrived soon after it opened and it was quite busy. I managed to buy some Sarpo Mira and Axona as we were badly visited by blight last year so thought that we would give them a try and see if they are as good at resisting it as is claimed. Barbara bought a dwarf iris for the flower bed on the plot and planted it next to the peony which we

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1137686691984033942006-01-19T15:41:00.000Z2006-01-19T16:04:52.076Z

Spent Sunday afternoon on the plot. We have discovered that to maintain the plot 2and a half hours is just enough at each weekly visit this time of year. It has taken me two years to learn to slow down and finish one job before I start another and if I don't finish then there is always tomorrow, it is after all a hobby. I must learn to relax more.Barbara redecorated our small Xmas tree for the

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1136733757698286802006-01-08T15:07:00.000Z2006-01-08T18:29:43.493Z

We did not go to the allotment to do any work for about three weeks before Christmas as we were so busy and I had caught a dreadful cold. We just called in every now and then to make sure all was ok. The plot is looking very bleak but the garlic, onions and cabbages and chard are all looking healthy.Christmas eve we decided that we needed some time out so went to the plot. I did a bit of gentle

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1132490933945504362005-11-20T12:29:00.000Z2005-11-21T12:12:19.223Z

Have not been to well of late so have not visited the plot as often as usual. Barbara and I did go early this morning though and it was perishing. We were able to take home some potatoes, swede, parsnips and a cabbage and also some rosemary and thyme to go with the shoulder of lamb that we bought from our favorite Greek shop. This shop is wonderful and opens at 7am on a Sunday morning, rest of

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1129722434346696142005-10-19T12:31:00.000+01:002005-10-19T12:47:14.353+01:00

Spent loads of time on the plot yesterday planting my Garlic and Onions. I left the lines of string as I was going to put name tags in today. It seems that during the night the local foxes had a get together and danced the night away on my plot. Grrrrrrrrr. On River Cottage yesterday Hugh F.W. went to his local barbers and collected the cut hair and hung it in bags, old tights etc. around his

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1129308646323411642005-10-14T17:44:00.000+01:002005-10-14T17:50:46.333+01:00

Went to the plot today and was amazed how a few hours rain can freshen everything up.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1128868693534465862005-10-09T15:20:00.000+01:002005-10-09T15:38:13.540+01:00

It was my turn to man the trading shed today, 10.30 till 12.00 but because it was such a perfect day to be on the plot, sunshine, cool, no wind, I was chomping at the bit to get started.Barb reorganized her herb plot and dug up the mint and replanted it in a pot into the ground to limit the root growth but the fennel roots had grown much more and so she did the same with that.When I finally shut

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1128589616787678802005-10-06T09:48:00.000+01:002005-10-06T10:06:56.806+01:00

I managed to get to the plot yesterday for the first time in a week. The weather really had a feel of autumn about it and made me realize just how much I love our seasons. Cleared all the runner bean canes but felt like I was being attacked by Triffids trying to compost all the foliage wrapped around them. Nothing much growing at present, Swede,Parsnips, Cabbage and Chard ,which we tried for the

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1126708078421225312005-09-17T13:32:00.000+01:002005-09-17T13:32:47.553+01:00

I really can't believe that we are nearing Autumn already. We have had a fairly good summer, loads of tomatoes, runner beans, carrot's, beetroot, potatoes, and for the first time really good cauliflowers but the courgettes and marrows were a real disaster when last year we had loads.We won first prize for our herbs at our local show and second for Barbaras shortbread biscuits and first prize for

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1122654234397493812005-07-29T17:09:00.000+01:002005-07-29T17:27:11.036+01:00

After all the recent rain yesterday and today the weeds had no chance. Awhile back I bought a small hand held rake from Lidl for £1.50 and it is the best value piece of kit that I have bought for weeding. I never buy anything else from Lidl but there gardening bits and pieces are a bargain.I really want to be on the plot tomorrow but have to work at a wedding at Oxford a place that I can get into

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1122653031501615002005-07-29T17:00:00.000+01:002005-07-29T17:03:51.510+01:00

Well here he is and growing bigger day by day.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1122386454358436762005-07-26T15:00:00.000+01:002005-07-26T15:00:54.363+01:00

What a difference some rain makes. I was even scraping mud from the bottom of my boots,something that I had not had to do for months.Today I bought home four pounds of Kestrel potatoes, some parsley,mint and lemon thyme to go with the shoulder of lamb from our Greek supermarket. I also picked almost a pound of blackberries and our plums are beginning to turn, well plum colour, and getting

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1122207167318840532005-07-24T12:59:00.000+01:002005-07-24T13:12:47.323+01:00

At long last it is raining. It looks like Barbara's dancing had the desired effect , or maybe the rain Gods did not wish to witness a repeat perfomance.It is quite heavy here in Beckenham but I think we needs days of the stuff to make any real difference. Anyway must not grumble as it may stop just to spite me.The combined sigh of all my poor shriveled plants was quite deafening when I arrived

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1122136356002035772005-07-23T17:20:00.000+01:002005-07-23T17:32:36.006+01:00

Visited the plot today and saw tumbleweed blowing gently across it and where we had foxes they have been replaced by camel's and the odd palm tree can be seen.Barbara had a go at performing a rain dance without any luck, but she is now down to a size 8.We are quite lucky as we have a water tank on our plot so not to much carrying but you can't beat proper rain for getting everything growing. Our

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1121193765802505642005-07-12T19:34:00.000+01:002005-07-12T19:42:45.806+01:00

Being quite new to growing veg and still wet behind the ears I was under the impression that a courgette was just a baby marrow.How is it then that you can buy both marrow and courgette seeds? I have three courgette plants and one marrow . The small marrow has stripes but the baby courgettes are all dark green. Can I eat baby marrows as I would courgettes or do I have to let them grow big .My

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1121018920604802552005-07-10T18:58:00.000+01:002005-07-10T19:31:21.290+01:00

We both spent yesterday afternoon and a lot of today on the plot. We harvested the remaining beetroot and have sown another two rows of a different variety ( Solist ) and also planted some January King cabbage. Everything seems to be doing quite well , especially the weeds, and yesterday we were able to take home some potatoes, spring onions, beetroot, cabbage, carrots and a couple of courgettes.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1120904530934294522005-07-09T11:22:00.000+01:002005-07-09T11:22:10.940+01:00

After all of the horror of the last few days we send our prayers to anyone involved in the madness. I spent a few hours trying to find out if my sons were ok and thank God they were.When things get to much and I need to de-stress I visit our plot which I did that afternoon. It was raining and I was the only one there but it did help,in a strange sort of way I felt safe there and though only 10

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1120405577791231112005-07-03T16:41:00.000+01:002005-07-03T16:46:17.796+01:00

We have just returned from three hours on the plot. We have four pounds of Duke of York new potatoes, a couple of pound of carrots and best of all six beetroot. We have loads of beets still to come and its a good job we both love it.The plot was really dry but its nice that we have a tank on our plot so not far to walk. The plum trees looked very sorry for themselves but are smothered with plums

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1119262275672721502005-06-20T11:10:00.000+01:002005-06-20T11:13:27.873+01:00

A great day but far to hot for me. Started the morning watching my grandson Rhys at football training, watching lots of six year olds running around in that heat was quite impressive.We did intend to go to Beaver World but thought that it was to hot and we would have a barbie in the garden instead, made more sense sitting in the shade drinking cool beer.Did go to the allotment early evening and

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1119018579381077802005-06-17T15:14:00.000+01:002005-06-17T15:29:39.386+01:00

I finished work early today and visited the plot as I had not been since Monday. Everything has taken off and all looked so dry even after a bit of rain the last few days. I saw four small birds which up untill yesterday I would not have been able to identify but saw the same on Springwatch last night and they are young Robins, brown with spotted breasts, not a red breast to be seen.My first

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1118675332313743972005-06-13T16:01:00.000+01:002005-06-13T16:08:52.316+01:00

Visited the plot today and my near neighbour told me that he had found two dead fox cubs on the overgrown plot between us. One had been quite badly attacked , no idea by what though.I know that these things happen but I had seen these cubs playing a few days ago.A lot needs doing on the plot but could not get motivated today.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1118591723251747472005-06-12T16:55:00.000+01:002005-06-12T16:55:23.256+01:00

We have just returned home after four hours working on the plot. I felt a bit weary today as I spent most of yesterday walking round Harbour Park at Littlehampton with hundreds of children making quite a racket, bless them !Picked the last of the Broad Beans and cut off the plants at ground level and left the roots in the soil, apparently it adds nitrogen to the soil as the roots rot. We have had

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1118154733372220052005-06-07T15:32:00.000+01:002005-06-07T15:32:13.376+01:00

Intended to spend a lot of time on the plot last week, and then my working partner was taken ill and ended up in hospital having a pacemaker fitted. Barbara happens to work at the same hospital he was taken to so instead of giving my veg some tlc I have been back and forth to the ward. It was also Barbara's birthday and my Mum and sister put on a party for her, and very nice it was to,but all the

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1117445864691582172005-05-30T10:37:00.000+01:002005-05-30T10:37:44.706+01:00

We have agreed to have a rest day today after spending six hours onSaturday and four on Sunday working on the plot. Sorted out the weeds round the potatoes, untill the next time. We called it a day with the peas, in since last October and produced about six pods but the broad beans which we sowed at the same time are brilliant, lots and lots of healthy pods.Planted three Alicante tomato plants

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1116777451422940972005-05-22T16:46:00.000+01:002005-05-22T16:57:31.426+01:00

Barbara arrived at the plot well before me today as I went to watch my grandson play football.I joined her just after mid-day and she had thinned the carrots and beetroot and they look very good. The herb garden also is producing loads of new growth. We took home lots of broad beans which we planted last September and as I type this, Barbara has bought me a hot platefull and they are delicious.

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1116681293601721012005-05-21T14:14:00.001+01:002005-05-21T14:27:16.170+01:00

This is how it looked a few months later

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13068906.post-1116681247802889842005-05-21T14:14:00.000+01:002005-05-21T14:25:09.590+01:00

This is how we started on the plot in April 2004

Jim and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09819018025505516019noreply@blogger.com0