With the shorter days and darkness from late afternoon I find that I have more time to sit at my computer and believe that it is time to restart this blog.
As in 2009 and 2010, my blog became neglected around midsummer. Through the hectic period that results in the completion of sowing and planting of the allotment for the summer season, writing a blog was no problem, just like keeping an essential diary with the enthusiasm stemming from anticipation of a successful season. For many years until 2010 I had worked for 22 days without a day off during June and the beginning of July looking after the Boat Tent at Henley Royal Regatta. Over those days the allotment was neglected and it was difficult even to find time to pick the fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have spoilt. Following my retirement from that responsibility, I won the prize for best allotment.
This year Barbara retired from her job with HRR and was free in the summer for the first time in 42 years. We both made the most of this freedom. In particular we accepted an invitation to join some friends in France for a while and to lunch with the Secretary of the HRR etc. All very enjoyable, but the allotment was once more neglected at the peak of the growing season; weeds, of course, grow much faster than cultivated crops. With long summer evenings allowing the gardening day to be extended, the blog disappeared in my list of priorities.
So, the blog is resurrected!
Over the next few weeks I will review the 2011 season, covering each group of vegetables in turn, and outline my plans or aspirations for 2012, but in this blog I will summarise the present state of the allotment.
- Crops still in the ground include beetroot, brussel sprouts, carrots, leeks, parsnips, , salad leaves in variety, salsify, spinach, spring onions, and a variety of herbs including a bonus crop of self sown coriander.
- Stored in the shed are butternut squash, garlic, onions, potatoes, shallots.
- Autumn digging is up-to-date, with just the beds that still have crops to be dug. Some areas that were dug early are covered in mypex; those dug recently are not and I wonder whether to bother. Even the weeds will not grow much over winter and laying mypex is a chore. I must work out how long each plot will be left before sowing or planting and at some time cover those that will be left until early summer.
- The greenhouse at home has been emptied, cleaned with Jeyes fluid and is ready for overwintering plants.
- The Kings’ seed order has been placed and received (thank you Margot).
- Recent sowing/plantings include two of broad beans (Aguadulce Claudia) on 31st October and 25th November, two plantings of garlic (own saved cloves), onion sets (Radar) for spring onions.
Soon I shall have to order a load of manure. Not something to look forward to in the short term, but essential for the long term.
