escapethekids's Blog Just another Vegblogs weblog 

Not been to the allotment much this month …..couple of brief broc picking trips with the kids!  Too cold and ground frozen to dig or finish building the last bed ready for planting.

Still trying to beg, borrow or steal from skips – some shelves for the shed to that I can clear the clutter…no joy as yet though.

Also need to build my compost bin – have 3 pallets ready just need 2 more ( picking these up tomorrow from mum ).

Must be nearly time to start sowing seeds – but not sure where I am going to put them in the house – as window sills all full of kids stuff these days!!

Good news is the broad beans seem to have survived the frost and snow and the onions are still doing well!

  Why oh why is Jan such a depressing Month at the allotment…… my Kale is about all that is left standing and the site generally looks so sad!

I cant even image how it will look in a few months as things start to grow again !

Anyway, new seeds have arrived and now I just have to be patent and wait 6 weeks or so to start planting them.

At least we can start to chit our potatoes, I have 4 egg boxes lines up on my window sil already awaiting little shoots!

Has anyone got any ideas on what else I can be planting seed wise now?

1st day of the new planting calendar and I have already failed my promise to myself to get to the alloment today!

It was raining though and the plan is to go up tomorrow instead.

For tonight I am looking forward to a glass of wine and going through seed catalogues

www.vegatableseeds.net will be my first port of call – as I still have £10 voucher to use up on seeds galore …so exciting

I am also wanting to get some hens on my plot – is this easy?  I know costs and space needed but can anyone that has done this already advise on the work required and time etc …

Happy new year all …

There is nothing more enjoyable than an allotment bonfire on a frosty morning ( in the sun).

Hubby has the kids for 2 hours ( off swimming) so I have a delightfull 2 hours on my own in my fav place. Pure bliss.

There is still an amazing amount to harvest thanks to the warm weather and my discovery of xmas new potatoes. They are fab – anyone that has not found them yet needs too becasue fresh new pots in October are smothing else ( melt in the mouth )…

However I do have to admit that men do seem to have a nack when it comes to lighting bonfires ….that I dont seem to posess.

Oh it is looking sad on the plot now…..everything is starting to fad and fall over under its own weight ( runner beans).

I hate this part – as I know I am going to have to admit that the main season is over and start clearing beds and covering them over for the winter!

There is only one thing to do – the only thing to get me out of this downer and that is to start planning next years crops and visit www.vegetableseeds.net   and get shopping !!

Then I can draw up my planting plans and try and remember to learn from this years mistakes of planting too much courgettes.

The shed has had a makeover – thanks to my dearest hubby the shed – which was reclaimed from our next door neighbour – now looks like it may last through the winter !

It has had a lick of paint and a new roof in the last 2 weekends and not looks so nice I might move in and hibernate like a bear through the winter …

All I need now are some shelves in there so I can get organised and maybe a camping stove and a kettle for those little brew ups and hobnob monents.  Freeads and loot here I come!

Is it sad that I have ask hubby for wood to build a 4th bed for xmas ???

  As september approaches and the nights are too dark to escape after the kids are in bed …I find myself limited to grabbing an hour or 2 at the weekend if I am lucky !

Its odd though – I am sure this time last year we were still in full cropping mode – yet this year everything seems to be coming to an end already !

I have been keeping a log of all the produce we have harvested this year as I want to prove to hubby that it is worth all the love and attention that it gets…

So far I am well over £100 – which is pretty good I think!

Not marrow for tea again mummy !

OMG …I was so not ready for this !

We have so many courgettes and marrows we dont know what to do this them…..

Just over a year ago – I finally got the text I had been waiting for for 3 years!   YOU HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED PLOT 1ABA.

Excited …..oh yes just a little….finally somewhere that was just mine …just for me ….

If your a mum you will understand the importance of this last statement !!

  I eagerly texted my hubby to let him know the good news —-although to him it just meant he would be babysitting alot more and having to build a shed and shift some serious mud !

 Anyway – 3 weeks later, plans were drawn up and seeds ordered!  5 weeks later and my back garden table looks like a grave yard for pots and mud !! 

Grow seeds grow !!