Greetings Shallot Friends!
Brrrrr! It's brass monkey weather here although no snow ....yet but then again it's always great here. Because of our unique climate somewhere between sub tropical and tropical...yeah whatever..we generally are lovely and warm but occasionally we are ruddy aweful. Only joking!! But as we all know the weather plays an enormous part in what we do ...or are trying to do. So I hope the plastic keeps my spuds warm!
I've got all week to plot what's next to do. I've got to get rid of the bath and finish the fence and will plant a few more seeds in the hope that something will take. I'm also kinda planning the longer term layout of the plot. I've got a rough idea of what I want to do and hopefully it'll take more shape next year. At the mo I'm just filling space as I go. Hopefully I'll be gettting a beehive in the Spring. I took a course a couple of years ago now and am very keen on Honey! Yep I even went to a honeyfest in Germany last time I was visiting. They're faciniating creatures...bees that is. I kinda like the danger! So what I'm thinking is putting the hive in the middle about 3/4 of the way down the plot and then have beds radiating out in a sort of sunburst effect. And the wife wants some flowers so both should compliment eachother perfectly.
My next plan and which I should be able to execute more easily is to upload some photos. I've been a bit dim about it and should have taken some from the start to show you all what I've done.But never mind. A plots a plot at the end of the day. You'll just have to see the fruits of my labour. I'll be on the interweb next!
Steve where's thar sledge?
Abetot for now .
Monday 30 January 2012
Sunday 29 January 2012
Sunday.........
Greetings Allotmemteers! or as we say in Jerri...ahhrriightt ma cocqs!
Day two of the weekend and more jobs to do - off to the dump to recycle papers plastics and rusty bits of metal followed by bottle filling in readyness for the Summer drought. On the Plot and yet more digging and preparing. The bath is now upright and I have very nearly finished digging the bottom section. Only one more pallet board fence pannel to fix and we'll be done. I also started putting in my plyboard fence along the border with Olly. The old chain link has seen better days and as we know it's not Peter proof. Its dug in a good foot and a half and lined with some thick plastic sheeting hopefully to prevent it rotting too quickly. Time will tell. At least it will deter varmits and once stained up I think it will add a certain something although I know not what.
My maincrop Maris Pipers have arrived and have started to chit already. So I've stood them up in a tray and left them in the shed. Now the piece of paper says plant in May (I think) but whatever it says I'm going to put them in a month earlier cos as we know little Jersey is much different than everywhere else.
The greenhouse is looking brilliant and starting to be the little plant generator that's its designed to be. Did I tell you that I've got shelves (made by Steve - who else?) that can take 1200 seedlings? Chuffing great! I'm going to put my peas in next weekend.
The only real drawback so far is permament tennis elbow.Perhaps when I stop digging it'll recover. It is very sore! I thought that the Great Outdoors was meant to be good for you!
Well that's it for this week readers. Catch you next week.
Abetot for now as we say in Jerri.
Day two of the weekend and more jobs to do - off to the dump to recycle papers plastics and rusty bits of metal followed by bottle filling in readyness for the Summer drought. On the Plot and yet more digging and preparing. The bath is now upright and I have very nearly finished digging the bottom section. Only one more pallet board fence pannel to fix and we'll be done. I also started putting in my plyboard fence along the border with Olly. The old chain link has seen better days and as we know it's not Peter proof. Its dug in a good foot and a half and lined with some thick plastic sheeting hopefully to prevent it rotting too quickly. Time will tell. At least it will deter varmits and once stained up I think it will add a certain something although I know not what.
My maincrop Maris Pipers have arrived and have started to chit already. So I've stood them up in a tray and left them in the shed. Now the piece of paper says plant in May (I think) but whatever it says I'm going to put them in a month earlier cos as we know little Jersey is much different than everywhere else.
The greenhouse is looking brilliant and starting to be the little plant generator that's its designed to be. Did I tell you that I've got shelves (made by Steve - who else?) that can take 1200 seedlings? Chuffing great! I'm going to put my peas in next weekend.
The only real drawback so far is permament tennis elbow.Perhaps when I stop digging it'll recover. It is very sore! I thought that the Great Outdoors was meant to be good for you!
Well that's it for this week readers. Catch you next week.
Abetot for now as we say in Jerri.
Saturday 28 January 2012
Saturday shallot
Greetings Allotfetishists!
Let's hear it for the Weekend! Huzzar!
Up bright and early followed by a beautiful homemade bacon butty by my own fair hand. I'm a natural cook and as the wife and offspring are away I have all weekend to myself. So off to fill up Flower Power ( the car ) did I mention she was free? and off to pick up this weeks horse offerings but Hell! they had hardly done anything this week. So off down the local farm round the corner to pick up some second hand tomato grow bags which I've used in the greenhouse. I've filled my seed trays and preped my tomato beds and it's all looking tickety boo.
Seeds- yep we all have them and the books tell us and the packets tell us and everyone tells us whens the best time to sow? Well here in Sunny Jersey I have decided to try and go ahead of what the packet says by a month...ish. So today I've put in some runner and broad beans in and we'll see what happens. Now a couple of weeks ago my neighbour Ollie planted some peas and by the next day a mouse had dug up and had the lot. So clever clogs here has put an upturned seed tray over his with a full one on top to keep the varmits out. Germination allegedly takes a week so we'll see what happens.
Much that I hate it I've followed the farmers and covered my spuds in plastic. Next year I'll vraic early and we'll see how diferent they are. I notice my other neighbour Chris has also covered his. Typically like his immaculate planting his plastic is beautifuly neat. Mine is shabby chique or so I like to think. Proof will be in the pudding.
Back to the water problem - I decided today that it was about time to get my butt up and running. Yes yes...I know ...funny...my water butt people...stay focussed! What with all the French mist we've been getting it seems silly not to prepare for those dusty times.
Didn't do much more other than clear the broken glass and metal bits that I've been digging up...nearly there.
Tomorro's another 'lotment day.
Abetot for now as we say in Jerri.
Let's hear it for the Weekend! Huzzar!
Up bright and early followed by a beautiful homemade bacon butty by my own fair hand. I'm a natural cook and as the wife and offspring are away I have all weekend to myself. So off to fill up Flower Power ( the car ) did I mention she was free? and off to pick up this weeks horse offerings but Hell! they had hardly done anything this week. So off down the local farm round the corner to pick up some second hand tomato grow bags which I've used in the greenhouse. I've filled my seed trays and preped my tomato beds and it's all looking tickety boo.
Seeds- yep we all have them and the books tell us and the packets tell us and everyone tells us whens the best time to sow? Well here in Sunny Jersey I have decided to try and go ahead of what the packet says by a month...ish. So today I've put in some runner and broad beans in and we'll see what happens. Now a couple of weeks ago my neighbour Ollie planted some peas and by the next day a mouse had dug up and had the lot. So clever clogs here has put an upturned seed tray over his with a full one on top to keep the varmits out. Germination allegedly takes a week so we'll see what happens.
Much that I hate it I've followed the farmers and covered my spuds in plastic. Next year I'll vraic early and we'll see how diferent they are. I notice my other neighbour Chris has also covered his. Typically like his immaculate planting his plastic is beautifuly neat. Mine is shabby chique or so I like to think. Proof will be in the pudding.
Back to the water problem - I decided today that it was about time to get my butt up and running. Yes yes...I know ...funny...my water butt people...stay focussed! What with all the French mist we've been getting it seems silly not to prepare for those dusty times.
Didn't do much more other than clear the broken glass and metal bits that I've been digging up...nearly there.
Tomorro's another 'lotment day.
Abetot for now as we say in Jerri.
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Brambleing on....
Ah ha! Back again? Yesterday I mentioned water and kettles...thats the next best thing after a Steve and a Pip because said kettle was a prezzie from Jane ( Steve's missus - he's brill eh?) and now I can brew up after some digging. Very pleasant once one's learnt that when the gas runs low not so much heat is generated and the kettle will never boil. The thing about water is that on our Plot we have none which poses quite a problem as you, dear reader, can imagine. Last year prior to the Peter problem I was filling up recycled pop bottles and carrying them from home. Rather inconvenient. Now most allotploteers have very large water containers 1000lts so I must source me one or two. The next problem will be how to fill them as we get so little rain here in Sunny Jersey eh!
Now then ....vraic or plastic? Vraic being Jerri for seaweed and plastic being...well I won't insult your intelligence.I'm keen on vraic it being the true Jersey way , organic and all things good and free. Oh I didn't tell you but the Plot is about ohhh how far?.....about 100m from the sea. Indeed ( I love that word) I've a lovely view. But we are well past vraicing time (September is best) and my spuds are in so I'm going to bow and take the plastic.Well at least I'm not putting any chemicals on them. It'll keep them nice and warm and toastie.
I bust my spade the other day - devastated! then again I've got a new dibber. Every cloud..... So I had to go buy me a new one and ,bi cri ,have I got me a nice new shiney one. Yes ind... well you get the picture.
But Sod's Law what should happen? That very night I'd invited Pip and his good lady wife for Duck Night...long story shory Pip had given us some duck foie gras and some confit and some neck(I think) from France so I thought it would be good to have a fancy dinner. He bought me a present - wrapped and all - and yep you've guessed it ..not only a spade but the very same as I'd just bought. I got me two now!
Nah the nights are drawing out we'll all soon to be spending more time art and abart on our Plots. Ah can't wait !(Note Jersey accent - I'll be teaching you some more along the way but in the meantime try using a South African accent and you're almost there) But for now I 'll spend ny time brambleing on.....any ideas how much an iron bath is for scrap?
Abetot as we say in Jerri.
Now then ....vraic or plastic? Vraic being Jerri for seaweed and plastic being...well I won't insult your intelligence.I'm keen on vraic it being the true Jersey way , organic and all things good and free. Oh I didn't tell you but the Plot is about ohhh how far?.....about 100m from the sea. Indeed ( I love that word) I've a lovely view. But we are well past vraicing time (September is best) and my spuds are in so I'm going to bow and take the plastic.Well at least I'm not putting any chemicals on them. It'll keep them nice and warm and toastie.
I bust my spade the other day - devastated! then again I've got a new dibber. Every cloud..... So I had to go buy me a new one and ,bi cri ,have I got me a nice new shiney one. Yes ind... well you get the picture.
But Sod's Law what should happen? That very night I'd invited Pip and his good lady wife for Duck Night...long story shory Pip had given us some duck foie gras and some confit and some neck(I think) from France so I thought it would be good to have a fancy dinner. He bought me a present - wrapped and all - and yep you've guessed it ..not only a spade but the very same as I'd just bought. I got me two now!
Nah the nights are drawing out we'll all soon to be spending more time art and abart on our Plots. Ah can't wait !(Note Jersey accent - I'll be teaching you some more along the way but in the meantime try using a South African accent and you're almost there) But for now I 'll spend ny time brambleing on.....any ideas how much an iron bath is for scrap?
Abetot as we say in Jerri.
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Shallot more......
Greetings followers! Well not much has happened overnight - as it usually doesn't and I do have a day job. Of course I have months of catching up to do so I will regale you with yet more Woe. Unfortunately we in Jersey are not excempt from wind...no no not that type but Force 8 stuff blowing in from the West. And lo and behold on my attendance at the Plot , or the Farm as Pip likes to call it, a mini disaster has become me. Glass everywhere and two panes out of my greenhouse. Oh well not a huge problem and my fault for not putting enough clippy things in.
Christmas was lovely this year - I got books and books about allotments. Marvelous. But they mostly cover the same thing in the same way. Don't worry Allotmentalists for Bob will put this right by telling you how it really is! So far pretty disappointing if truth be told but chins up Spring is comming yes indeed!
But fyi it already has - Daffs in December? Yep in our temperate climate the daffs and Springy flowers appeared just before Christmas. Mad eh or what? Or is this a bad omen? Are they all confused? Does this mean things will be all head over bottom this year? I hope not. I'm looking forward to sowing my seeds and all being well. Well with such a bad start and things happening in threes my bad luck must be due a turnabout. The Winds of Time will Tell.
I have also no doubt done a Cardinal Sin. I suspect that no end of Confessions will not solve my problem. I thought manure was good! So good that I have been collecting it religiously every week from Brenda's field and spreading it thickly over half of the Plot. And when I say thick I mean it! I thought it must be good. And its free stuff too. But those older and wiser advise that I have gone mad and am storing up trouble. Acid soil and green manure = not good. But on the flip side it will be well rotted by next year and as good as rocket fuel! I just don't know. Bad or Good ....the jury's out.
Well people I've run dry...and that's another problem....water but more of that another time and kettles - please remind me to mention it. Keep following followers.
Abetot as we say in Jerri!
Christmas was lovely this year - I got books and books about allotments. Marvelous. But they mostly cover the same thing in the same way. Don't worry Allotmentalists for Bob will put this right by telling you how it really is! So far pretty disappointing if truth be told but chins up Spring is comming yes indeed!
But fyi it already has - Daffs in December? Yep in our temperate climate the daffs and Springy flowers appeared just before Christmas. Mad eh or what? Or is this a bad omen? Are they all confused? Does this mean things will be all head over bottom this year? I hope not. I'm looking forward to sowing my seeds and all being well. Well with such a bad start and things happening in threes my bad luck must be due a turnabout. The Winds of Time will Tell.
I have also no doubt done a Cardinal Sin. I suspect that no end of Confessions will not solve my problem. I thought manure was good! So good that I have been collecting it religiously every week from Brenda's field and spreading it thickly over half of the Plot. And when I say thick I mean it! I thought it must be good. And its free stuff too. But those older and wiser advise that I have gone mad and am storing up trouble. Acid soil and green manure = not good. But on the flip side it will be well rotted by next year and as good as rocket fuel! I just don't know. Bad or Good ....the jury's out.
Well people I've run dry...and that's another problem....water but more of that another time and kettles - please remind me to mention it. Keep following followers.
Abetot as we say in Jerri!
Monday 23 January 2012
Breaking News...
Hi...just to let you all know I am neither an Author or Writer, a Journalist or even a keen Diarist, I am just an Allotment bloke.
I'm not full of tips or hints although I've learnt that the first thing you need is a Steve. Every shed and greenhouse needs a Steve and also a Pip if you have one handy. After all the first words that one usually utters is "Steve have you got......?" "Pip can I borrow...?"and usually he has because his garage is full of exciting stuff that he's collected over the years and that I can't afford and even if I could I wouldn't know what to do with it.
Grumpy he may be and after a good moan he usually drags his sorry self out to help me and very grateful I am too beleive me. I mean, as one but example, I managed to purchase - yes I know I actually parted with £50 and for a Jerseyman thats a hard thing to do - a second hand hot or green house. Indeed, a splendid thing. But how to move such an edifice from St Ouen to Grouville? For those of you unfamiliar with Jersey its a bloomin long way - a good 40 minute drive. I hadn't considered how to put a 6'x8' frame onto a 3'x6' trailer safely. That's when you need a Steve. And it was F1 race day - very grumpy indeed. Nevertheless we made it and thankfully the kind vendor had taken it apart and labelled everything. Unfortunately the fragile frame took a bit of a battering as we manhandled it out of the back garden. I almost managed to sell the thing off the back of the trailer on the way home, as, having stopped for some running repairs, I was asked if I was going to the local Dump!Good news - we made it back to the Plot intact and Steve got home in time for the Grand Prix.
But I should start at the start and explain how I got into Allotment life. That's mostly down to Pip and his generous offer which securred my "rarer than rocking horse poo" plot. I won't bore you with the detail but some shenanigans went on and the deal was done leaving me in charge of a 30' x 90' field complete with shed. So in August 2011 I started the transformation from field with shed to where I am now...which is field with shed. No no I actually have worked my boots off and have the Alllotment Elbow to prove it. I have hand dug 90% and put a new free (pallet board) fence in at the bottom. ( The plot faces South on a nice gentle slope - perfect for early Jersey Royals)
So I decided to put some winter greens in just to get going you know - first flush of keenness and all- and I invested in some cabbage and kale and sprouts and some purple sprouting - nice. I kinda checked the fencing and by day 2 everything was looking fine. We're off thought I...or so it was until day 3 when I discovered Peter loking very content in the middle of my patch having devoured 90% of my lush young shoots. Varmit! Being made of strong stuff I carried on regardless. I put in a few late spuds and watched them grow and flourish. Lovely green stems which flowered nicely giving hope for a bumper crop. I've learnt that one must spray for blight.....I got a lovely crop of what I like to call Breakfast potatoes - tiny marbles which in large quantities fried can produce just enough for breakfast.
But I'm not detered by these harsh lessons. Indeed it makes me more determined especially as I owe Ross the price of a car which he gave me for free. A nice Mitsubishi auto 1.5 with tow bar - white with pink flowers and named "Flower Power". On her last legs but is doing marvelous service towing my trailer ( borrowed off Pip) collecting manure (off my friend Brenda.) So I devoted the rest of the year digging and digging and digging.
They say that bad news should probably be burried and so it passed last week that I discovered it. Yes , a cast iron bathtub. Having dug it out it has now become a hedgehog hazard and I am quite concerned for their welfare so ...Steve.....can you help move it? It's heavier than a Sumo wrestler and as awkward as a chocolate hip. So close to finishing yet so far...
But there's always something to do and as we are quite lucky here in Sunny Jersey I got my first early spuds in ( free from my St Ouen friends) on Jan 02. And the next tray in last weekend. As a rank amateur the rows aren't pretty but hopefully they'll do the job.Actually I'm green with envy as my neighbours spuds are ramrod straight and all beautifully banked. And they're pensioners!
Well thats enough for now. I'm not quite sure why I'm doing this . Even if it is just a living tekkie diary where I can jot down my successes and failures. If you have found me leave a mark so I know you've been here.
If you like what you've seen please come back again. Abetot as we say in Jerri.
I'm not full of tips or hints although I've learnt that the first thing you need is a Steve. Every shed and greenhouse needs a Steve and also a Pip if you have one handy. After all the first words that one usually utters is "Steve have you got......?" "Pip can I borrow...?"and usually he has because his garage is full of exciting stuff that he's collected over the years and that I can't afford and even if I could I wouldn't know what to do with it.
Grumpy he may be and after a good moan he usually drags his sorry self out to help me and very grateful I am too beleive me. I mean, as one but example, I managed to purchase - yes I know I actually parted with £50 and for a Jerseyman thats a hard thing to do - a second hand hot or green house. Indeed, a splendid thing. But how to move such an edifice from St Ouen to Grouville? For those of you unfamiliar with Jersey its a bloomin long way - a good 40 minute drive. I hadn't considered how to put a 6'x8' frame onto a 3'x6' trailer safely. That's when you need a Steve. And it was F1 race day - very grumpy indeed. Nevertheless we made it and thankfully the kind vendor had taken it apart and labelled everything. Unfortunately the fragile frame took a bit of a battering as we manhandled it out of the back garden. I almost managed to sell the thing off the back of the trailer on the way home, as, having stopped for some running repairs, I was asked if I was going to the local Dump!Good news - we made it back to the Plot intact and Steve got home in time for the Grand Prix.
But I should start at the start and explain how I got into Allotment life. That's mostly down to Pip and his generous offer which securred my "rarer than rocking horse poo" plot. I won't bore you with the detail but some shenanigans went on and the deal was done leaving me in charge of a 30' x 90' field complete with shed. So in August 2011 I started the transformation from field with shed to where I am now...which is field with shed. No no I actually have worked my boots off and have the Alllotment Elbow to prove it. I have hand dug 90% and put a new free (pallet board) fence in at the bottom. ( The plot faces South on a nice gentle slope - perfect for early Jersey Royals)
So I decided to put some winter greens in just to get going you know - first flush of keenness and all- and I invested in some cabbage and kale and sprouts and some purple sprouting - nice. I kinda checked the fencing and by day 2 everything was looking fine. We're off thought I...or so it was until day 3 when I discovered Peter loking very content in the middle of my patch having devoured 90% of my lush young shoots. Varmit! Being made of strong stuff I carried on regardless. I put in a few late spuds and watched them grow and flourish. Lovely green stems which flowered nicely giving hope for a bumper crop. I've learnt that one must spray for blight.....I got a lovely crop of what I like to call Breakfast potatoes - tiny marbles which in large quantities fried can produce just enough for breakfast.
But I'm not detered by these harsh lessons. Indeed it makes me more determined especially as I owe Ross the price of a car which he gave me for free. A nice Mitsubishi auto 1.5 with tow bar - white with pink flowers and named "Flower Power". On her last legs but is doing marvelous service towing my trailer ( borrowed off Pip) collecting manure (off my friend Brenda.) So I devoted the rest of the year digging and digging and digging.
They say that bad news should probably be burried and so it passed last week that I discovered it. Yes , a cast iron bathtub. Having dug it out it has now become a hedgehog hazard and I am quite concerned for their welfare so ...Steve.....can you help move it? It's heavier than a Sumo wrestler and as awkward as a chocolate hip. So close to finishing yet so far...
But there's always something to do and as we are quite lucky here in Sunny Jersey I got my first early spuds in ( free from my St Ouen friends) on Jan 02. And the next tray in last weekend. As a rank amateur the rows aren't pretty but hopefully they'll do the job.Actually I'm green with envy as my neighbours spuds are ramrod straight and all beautifully banked. And they're pensioners!
Well thats enough for now. I'm not quite sure why I'm doing this . Even if it is just a living tekkie diary where I can jot down my successes and failures. If you have found me leave a mark so I know you've been here.
If you like what you've seen please come back again. Abetot as we say in Jerri.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)