More planting and weeding

I visited again this evening as I’m about to go away for five days.  I had a general weeding session and also planted some more onions as well as some rocket.  I’m no good at growing rocket so I’m trying some new seeds to see if I have greater success.

I also planted the courgettes out through the mypex at the front of the plot.  I’ll do the pumpkins and the butternut squash next week.

No picture today as the camera phone  I take to the plot had a dead battery!

Mypex, sowing lettuces and planting onions

I made a good long visit today.  I met one of the allotments committee first and she sold me some new mypex to put on the front of my plot to keep the weeds down and sow the curcurbits through. I did quite a bit more weeding before laying the mypex and it was pretty hard to fix the edges in as the ground is so dry and crumbly.  I used a few bricks to hold it down so I hope it's OK.

I also sowed a row of mixed lettuce seeds in the bit with the egg-shell rich compost on it and also a couple of rows of onions.  There are more onions to plant but this, at least, is a start.  I put some canes at the end of the onion rows, about a foot high, with string between.  I wrapped bits of foil around the string at intervals to deter birds from stealing the onions.

I was on the plot for a total of 2.5 hours today.  It was nice that the only thing that made me return home was the fact that it was getting dark and a bit chilly.

Another weeding visit

I feel like I'm starting to get on top of the weeds now.  I spent a couple of hours today weeding around the raspberry canes and things are starting to look much better.  I'll get some mypex on Tuesday so I can cover the front of the plot then and get ready to plant some courgette, squash and pumpkin plants later in the week.

I had meant to plant onions and lettuces today also but I figured getting on top of the weeds was more important and I ran out of time.  I must have pulled about 2 bin bags full!

Weeding and Strimming

I spent another hour or so at the plot today.  I did a huge amount of weeding of the front bed.  It was just wet enough for the weeds to come out quite easily and with their roots intact.  Very satisfying!

I cleared quite a lots of the weeds around the raspberries too and then had a good strim of the front bed and the edges.  I am waiting for someone from the committee to reply to me so I can buy some more mypex to put over the front bed now it is weeded and strimmed.  Then I'll be able to plant out the curcurbits that are currently at home in pots in the garden.

Clearing the mess

It's not been a good allotment year so far.  We were away for the Easter long weekend and the Royal Wedding long weekend and this has really let the weeds and grass take hold.  We've also had a massively dry March and April but has some much needed rain at the weekend.

Today I've cleared the bed that was covered in mypex and it's come up really well but the rest is a bit of a nightmare.  I think I'll need some new mypex to cover the front bed and will grow curcubits through it as I've done so successfully before.  I'll plant onions (which were really successful last year) and lettuces in the bed I've just cleared.  I've got lots of good healthy pumpkin, squash and courgette seedlings ready to plant once the front bit is covered with mypex.

I must visit more often too!