So the Wood Pigeons have an accomplice in the form of a rabbit. I was cutting some lettuce when, from under the raspberries, it popped out and bolted for the allotment gate. No doubt it’ll be back – getting the nets on is even more important now. I’ve managed to string up a few onions. [...]
It seems the damage to our Pak Choi was caused by Wood Pigeons. One of the other plot holders told me that he saw 4 or 5 of them tucking in to it. It seems that we’re going to have to net up most of the beds from now on - a bit of a [...]
Went to the plot this evening and found the Pak Choi, Tatsoi and Senposai completely decimated. To say that I’m unhappy is an understatement. Against my better nature we have to use slug pellets otherwise we wouldn’t get anything. However, I don’t think this is slug damage. Any ideas anyone? [...]
We had our first raspberries of the season this weekend – lovely. Needless to say that the few dozen that were picked never made it beyond the allotment gates – they were eaten by Jack, Rebecca and Rory!! We also harvested some of the garlic. [...]
I pulled about 60 onions yesterday. It’s the first time that we’ve grown over-wintering onions and we’re pretty pleased with the crop. There’s still another 50-60 to pull, but these have yet to fall over. This year, we started our summer onions and shallots in modules in the greenhouse before planting them out – a [...]
The Martins are Steve, Kirsty and kids Jack aged 7, Rebecca 6 and Rory 3.
We have a reasonable sized plot in Meltham, West Yorkshire. We acquired a temporary plot in February 2005. This area was uncultivated and totally overgrown. We managed to get that area cultivated during that summer and in 2008 we were offered an adjacent plot – so now we have 2 growing areas. Through freecycle, we managed to acquire 2 greenhouses and a small shed. We have since outgrown the shed and this has been passed on to another of the plot holders. Last year I managed to build a bigger, more comfortable shed, mainly out of reclaimed timber. This new acquisiton has been invaluable in encouraging Jack, Rebecca and Rory to go to the allotment in the more inclement weather as it has a cooker, armchair and a heater. There is also enough room for them to draw.
As well as the growing areas, we have a small area for a slide, rocker and a couple of oil-drum barbeques, again, all of which encourage the kids down to the plot.
As well as the usual veg we like to grow a lot of leaf varieties such as pak choi, komatsuna, senposai and swiss chard. Most of this gets eaten straight from the plot.
Well that’s a little bit about us and our plot. I’ll soon be publishing some photos.
Steve
A cold day at the allotment. Rory, Rebecca and Jack.
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