Frosty Raised Bed

Well the weather is certainly unusual again. Now that it’s stopped raining the days are absolutely beautiful but the nights are really cold. Still, it gives me a chance to catch up on the plot without wading through mud.

Saturday I went down to the site in the afternoon and it was quite busy. By the time I’d said hello to everyone, put the world to rights etc I wondered if I’d get anything done. I’d cleared the area for the fourth deep bed and having looked again at the slope on the land, I’ve decided to make this bed double deep. That’s only 300mm or a foot, so not too deep but it works better with the slope.

Spent the rest of the afternoon sawing wood and painting with Cuprinol by which time the sun was dropping behind the trees. I was amazed how quickly the temperature dropped. Went from almost T shirt to shivering with jacket zipped up so I headed for home.

One plot holder turned up at the site in his car, which really amazed me. He refuses to lock the gate when he’s on the site as he fears he might have a heart attack and the paramedics would not be able to get on to him. However, despite being stalked by the grim reaper, he’s quite happy to drive around and put everyone else’s life at risk. That assumes he’s not just excusing being too lazy to turn a key.

Therese off plot one was decorating her purple and green shed with painted flowers. I did warn her that the 1914 Prohibition of Flowery Things on Allotments Act makes that illegal. Her young son nearly fell for it, for a minute.

Sunday was, if anything, colder than Saturday but I was prepared this time. Donned my super sexy long johns and was quite toasty As the afternoon came on I had to pop the jumper on and the jacket at the end, but at least I wasn’t frozen when I got back.

I did notice that, where things were in shadow, the frost lingered all day. I didn’t measure the temperature but I doubt the air rose above freezing all day. I think the Norwegians have a saying that’s something like “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing”

I nearly finished the raised bed but one plank has bent, as Larry charmingly explained from being stacked too long. So I turned it over and popped a brick on the middle to weigh it back straight. Shouldn’t take too long to finish it off tomorrow.

Early Sowing?

One thing I did notice was Andy was planting his potatoes in compost in large plastic bags and Gianni told me he’d planted his runner beans. I know we’re getting a few sunny days, but I think they’re a bit premature. Maybe the potatoes will be OK but I’d give 10 to 1 against on the runner beans.

Still, the way the weather is playing I could end up eating my words!

Newsletter

Talking of my words, I used to send out a monthly newsletter. Nothing too long, just any bits added to the web site, a few comments and tips and any offers I’ve managed to extract from the site sponsors.

It went out to the forum members but when we reached 2,000 it took 2 days just to send out the email Then my ISP started to ask why I was sending so many emails – was I secretly selling Viagra or wonder grow pills – and I don’t mean plant fertilizer!

There was another problem as well, I couldn’t run a list separate to the forum so some members got the newsletter or left. A pal pointed me to a company that handle the whole thing for me, all I have to do is write and they do the rest.

They’re very keen to ensure people don’t feel spammed so the existing forum members have to follow a link in the email going to them on Monday or Tuesday to agree to get the newsletter. New members and anyone else who wants can sign up to get the newsletter here.

 

Posted in Allotment Garden Diary

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