Hectic Week, Weird & Wonderful Weather

It’s been a pretty hectic week here in the asylum. One piece of advice I’ve given is to always grab any time you can on the plot. If you plan a day there, it’s bound to rain or something. Perhaps I should listen to myself.

It’s also been quite an amazing week, the web site being mentioned in the Sunday Times, on the Channel 4 web site and apparently in the back of Jamie Oliver’s latest book. I’m having a hard time getting my head through doors with all this.

Wednesday we went over to Val’s father to help him move into a sheltered flat. He’s made the choice for himself and is really happy with it. It maintains his independence but provides the security of support as needed. Not to mention company of people his own age group.

Anyway, he’s clearing his house so we came away with some nice concrete pots for the front of the house. They should be fairly secure, just about killed me carting them up his garden.

We’re now the proud owners of his electric shredder. I noticed Aldi were selling generators cheap but it is 1400 watts and the generator is 1,000 watts so another cunning plan bites the dust.

Still, it will be useful for the garden shrubs and suchlike. Shredded twigs compost really quickly. I’ll have to look at generators on ebay or figure out how to tap into the power lines over the plot (joke!)

Various bags of compost, gravel trays and gravel made it into the car but the prize gift and it was a prize, was his hoe. It was the first tool he bought when he started growing veggies to feed his family. Not a ‘hobby’ or ‘lifestyle choice’ but a way of stretching a wage to cover the increasing family.

It’s very narrow, just 2″ and with chamfered shoulders, it is perfect for getting close up to plants without damaging them and between close spacings. It’s a little older than me at 54 years old but it’s just what I want. Amazing to think that was made before I was born yet it’s still just the job.

Saturday was beautiful, but I had a panic job on. Blinking typical, best day for ages and I was stuck in front of the computer. I did grab an hour to mow the lawn. It’s incredible how it’s grown. Set the lawnmower, a Flymo, to the highest cut and it looked a bit better.

It was warm enough to enjoy sitting on the patio with a cup of tea. Frightening, this is mid-February and should be cold enough to need a sweater. It was almost T shirt weather.

Sunday was, again, beautiful and I didn’t have any panics to cope with so down to the plot. Before I went, though, the lawn got another trim. I set the lawnmower one lower and it looks a lot better. Never try to take them down in one go, easy stages.

It was, as you might expect, quite busy on the allotment site. Lots of people taking advantage of the fine weather to catch up with things. The ground is soggy in places but up on plot 29, which is drier, it’s fine to work.

The Jerusalem artichokes came up. These are a really easy crop to grow and very productive but we really don’t like them much. They seem to be one of those things that some people love and others loathe. Bit like celery, Val likes it but I can’t stand the stuff even in small amounts in a stew.

Anyway, gave the crop away so those who like them can enjoy. I won’t be growing them again. My advice, try before you grow.

Had a chat with the lady on plot 1, she’s got a rather fancy shed. It’s painted green and purple with curtains at the window! Pretty sure there’s a bar in there. Got some digging over done until the sun set. I’m planning on taking advantage of the good weather this week.