Allotment Garden

Janice and Gianni hold the first plot you see as you enter the site and it's certainly a good advert for us. They've made it one of if not the most attractive plots on the site. Even put raised deep beds for flowers on the carpark side.

It's more of a garden, including hidden patio area behind the sunflowers and pergola, than a traditional plot, which I don't think is any bad thing.

Jerusalem Artichokes Growing Tall

Looking down plot 29, in the foreground the potato haulm and centre you can see the bolted lettuces (oops) before the Jerusalem artichokes.

They're really quite impressive, about 8 feet high. The idea of planting there was to provide some summer shade to the greenhouse. All we needed was a summer to shade from, but that's British weather.

Compost Piles on Plot 5

My simple and very scientific method of applying the correct amount of compost to the top end of plot 5. Wheelbarrow load by wheelbarrow load.

On the left is a courgette and behind some leeks with the brassica cage behind them.

I'll level the compost and dig it into the top later.

Our New Shed

Back on the home front we've had a new shed to replace the old pair, which were rotten and leaking. This one is 12' by 9' and seems huge. The stuff around it is waiting to go back in as soon as the preservative dries.

It's quite amazing how we fitted everything into the old sheds.

Onions and Potatoes in the New Shed

The new shed's getting fitted out - on the far side from the window I've put a partition wall and slatted shelves for the potatoes, which are in our unconventional sacks made from pillow cases.

The onions are strung up from cup hooks in the dark area as well - notice the light above. Yes, I'm really pleased with it.

Success With Carrots

I've been growing some carrots in a half blue barrel on plot 29 and I must say I'm really impressed with the results considering I've not paid them half the attention I should have.

The 'normal' carrots are Osiris, which were a free gift from the NVS and the purple ones are Healthmaster from Thompson & Morgan.

The full story is in my diary, under Healthy Organic Carrots Success

Sarpo Mira Blight Resistant Potatoes

This is the harvest from just two plants in my wheelbarrow. The Sarpo Mira are exceptional. They produce really well and they are not only blight resistant but also seem slug resistant. There's very little slug damage with them.

They are only available from Thompson & Morgan - full details here

My diary entry gives more on this harvest - Harvesting Blight Resistant Sarpo Mira Potatoes