No rest for the wicked

I took this photo yesterday, and as I took it I realsed I had taken a similar photo a couple of years ago when we first took on the allotment. We have done some work in that time. I have three beds dug, and there is a raised bed. But each year we lose the battle with the weeds.

So, this week Operation Allotment began. My hours have changed at work, and I now finish an hour earlier. I am taking the oportunity to go to the allotment on my way home and get in an hour or two of work. Slowly fighting the battle of the weeds.

Yesterday was slightly depressing as I checked on the onions in the raised bed to find most of the stalks had been eaten and the remaining onion below was pretty pathetic, more the size of a shallot. Last year, the onions did really well and I had a bumper crop of onions and shallots that were massive. I don't think I will be using the words "bumper crop" much this year!

The strawberries have been a disaster as well. I decided to put them in the ground rather than the usual strawberry planter. But the surrounding weeds overshadowed then, and the net tunnel I put over them didn't even let light in so there was nothing to protect from the birds! I took the netting off last night to reveal three small green strawberries from about 6 plants.

The potatoes were more succesful, and despite only getting about 3 potatoes per plant, there was more than enough for some of Matt's famous homemade chips!

I picked some garlic at the weekend, but was disappointed to find it hadn't split into cloves. I know the frosty weather is supposed to do this, and I can't remember if it has been cold enough since I planted them. I had thought that the wet weather would have really suited them. I am wondering if the soil needs a bit of a boost from some manure or green manure before planting next year.

I haven't given up on this year yet though. I am planning on putting some brassicas where the potatoes were, growing them at home from seed and then planting when they are established.

At home I have had my first tomatoes, which seem very late. Some plants have only just begun to get flowers.