Super Sunday

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 inherited and last year separated into two as it was so large.

We paid our rent for the coming year and were asked if we would man the trading shed for about five Sunday mornings. We both enjoy this as it gives us a chance to chat to other allotmanteers that we may not otherwise get to meet.

We have been trying to decide what to grow in each bed but every time we make a decision when we reach the plot we change our minds.

It seems that birds love peanut butter as it was the first thing to disappear from the tree we made.

Birds Xmas Tree

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 birds and really enjoyed doing it. You could hear them all in the trees chattering urging us to leave so that they could get to the feast.

Tried a bit of hoeing but it was really to wet so pruned our winter raspberries and tidied the herb garden. We also sorted out our compost heap. It has taken two years to get it to a usable state and the next time that we need some good compost we can use our very own, how good is that?

We have decided to try to grow one vegetable that is new to us each year, this time it is Kohl Rabi. Know very little about it so any recipes welcome, will update on how it goes.

This Sunday ( 22nd ) we are off to the Potato Fair at Dulwich, all very exciting.

Happy New Year - we are back

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 hoeing and dug up the parsnips for Christmas dinner while Barbara set about making a xmas tree for the plot out of twigs and branches from our plum trees. The decorations were milk bottle tops which my mum gave us and the robin came from the pocket of our scarecrow that my grandson made for us. It was a lovely warm sunny day and was a perfect way to relax before the next hectic few days.

We are going to plant our Christmas tree and redecorate it with fat balls, millet and peanut butter filled cones for the birds and will post pictures later.

Frosty Plot

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 the week it is 6am so they do get a bit of a lay in. Barb was a bit put off as next to the shoulders they had sheeps heads complete with eyes ( apologies to all veggies reading this )

Last Saturday we visited Borough Market near London Bridge. If you have never been it is really well worth a visit. Lots of stalls selling fresh vegetables, meat, fish, cheese,oils, herbs, wines, bread. I could go on and on.

These are a few pictures we took today.

XXXXXXX Foxes

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 sheep and hen pens to deter the foxes. Anyone know if this works? I would not mind so much ( he says through gritted teeth ) if they ate the garlic and onion bulbs but the just throw them around. They seem to like chewing string for some reason, the next time I shall impregnate the string with mustard, that should make there eyes water.

Harvested some swede and chard and raspberries yesterday so was not a complete waste of time, will try to replant tomorrow if it is dry enough.

A Little Rain Works Wonders

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

Pure Bliss

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 the shed { two customers all morning } I was able to prepare the bit where my garlic and broad beans will be planted next weekend. It was really wonderful on the plot today and made us realize how lucky we are to be able to do something we both enjoy and have a shared interest, we are also having for lunch homegrown pumpkin, parsnips, potatoes, and I am making a tomato and basil sauce, and later in the week, sage and leek stuffing all from our plot.

Pure Bliss