Slow and steady wins the race

Things are looking much better at the allotment. Well, when I say looking, I mean I am feeling better about the lack of work that was going on. It pretty much looks the same - weeds EVERYWHERE!

I was very disciplined last week and went every evening (except Friday - I need one evening to myself!). I did about an hour and a half each day, and went from All Request Dispair Monday, to wanting to stay longer on Thursday. I managed to fill a wheel barrow of weeds every day, but still couldn't really see a big difference.

I made a start of clearing some of the rasberries that has self planted, as they were in the middle of where I wanted a new bed to be. I was pleased to find in amongst the new shoots, some established plants that had fruited, so I took them home. I also foraged some blackberries that were growing in our allotment and on the drive to the carpark, so some jam making is in order soon.

At the weekend, I was given some leek shoots that my dad had going spare after he had thinned his out, so on Tuesday I tried to extend the bed where I had some other leeks growing. I didn't manage to finish the job, as I came across yet more carpet that had been buried 4 inches into the ground by the previous people at our allotment.

After pulling the carpet out, I abandoned digging and decided to harvest my garlic, as the green stalks were dying back. I was pleased at how they turned out, as I picked a couple recently and they were very small, but there are a few that are a good size.

They are now drying on my dining room table, so most of the house smells of garlic! Our cat, Smiley is trying to help by chewing on the stalks. Very strange...

A lot of my time at the allotment was spent trying to figure out how we could get away with having a couple of pigs for two weeks or so at the alotment. If I had my own small holding (one day!) I would just leave a couple of pigs to clear all the weeds, and manure as they go, and then I could get planting. They eat the roots as well, so it would be perfect. Unfortunately, that would involve having pigs in my car, getting in trouble with the council, and possibly pigs on the escape in Nottingham when they have barged their way through a fence! There are piglets due at Stonebridge City Farm, where I volunteer with Matt, and I am sure a couple of those would love to visit the allotment. However, I remember from the last time they had piglets there, that they aren't the quietest animals to pick up and carry out under your coat!