Some of our newest followers may not know about the third allotment girl, so we thought we’d re-introduce her!

This is Sallie… the crazy collie with the waggiest tail in town!

We wondered how many allotment owners take their dogs to the plot and whether dogs are even allowed on some allotments? We’ve heard some allotment associations don’t allow them… we think that’s a real shame – Sal loves to sit and just watch anyone and anything, ok so she sits on our thyme on occasions, but overall she’s very well-behaved and loves to be sat with us.

Love to all allotment dogs!!

With Marjory threatening to take over the entire plot, we thought we should move her to a new home…

An enjoyable lunch and wander round Gates Nurseries prompted us to buy a ‘flat-pack’ composter. It was hard work slimming down Marjory and getting her moved in, but it has made such a difference to the plot. It looks so much tidier and the Marjory’s bottom had turned into the most lovely compost so we were about to use it where the ground had sunk a little.

Our cheapo asparagus crowns from Wilko have been planted… followed the instructions, a little odd, but hey-ho!

We’ve planted them in a ‘ditch’ which we have to top up as they grow (if they grow!)… the roots didn’t spread out terribly well as they seemed to snap when we did that, so hopefully we’ll still get something – we have to wait til next season for a proper crop anyway.

On our way back from the plot we got stuck at the traffic lights and, rather childishly(!), made fun of the highly-styled, hair-perfected ladies waiting to go in to a special event at the town’s poshest clothes shop…

We were dressed in our paint-splattered, mud-covered allotment clothes, and when we were spotted smirking and chortling, hung our heads in shame, gazing into our laps….

“Oh!” said Siobhan, “these are my fancy jeans!”
Hysterical laughter ensued… Lisa was also wearing her Paul Smith jeans.
Both pairs having been purchased from said posh clothes shop!

So there we were, all evening, oblivious to our designer digging… you CAN be stylish on the allotment after all! Ahem……

Ok, not quite unearthing, but deep in the back of the cupboard we found some old seeds… no idea whether they’re any good, but thought it was worth a bash!

Planted in an old drawer (recycling as well!) we have sowed Sweet Marjoram, Parsley, Sage, Thyme and Basil (Sweet Genovese and Red Bordeaux).

With a bit of luck they’ll be springing into life and we can transplant them into the main plot

Also today we purchased some asparagus crowns and Maris Piper seed potatoes from Wilko – not sure where to put them yet though!

No, not us! Spring is definitely here with green shoots sprouting up all over the place – thankfully they’re not all weeds…

The rhubarb is coming up really well and the raspberry canes are going mad, so we’ll be ok for puddings this year!

Tonight we completed the weeding around all the crops, so it looks so much better now. Just the rest to dig over and a strip of grass that previous owners had as a path to get rid of – we may have to cover that over for a few weeks to help shift it.

Looks like we’ve got ants back in the compost bin… might try the cinnamon technique on them, it worked well in Lisa’s wormery so is worth a try.

A good old digging and weeding session this morning… the rain held off for us and there was a slight glimmer of sunshine for about two seconds!

Siobhan cleared the weeds around the raspberry canes, which we can see new growth on (can’t wait for some fresh raspberry cocktails this summer!), while Lisa rather haphazardly dug out some of the main plot which the grass is working it’s way into

Stopped for a brief cuppa too, from a very girly flask, but got spotted and ribbed by another allotmenteer!

Also coming through is one of the rhubarb plants, there’s some growth on the rose bush and the onions that overwintered may just be ok after all

We haven’t been good allotmenteers this past year, not that we gave up altogether, we just hardly grew a thing and only just kept on top of the weeds and the general state of the plot.

We’re sure many allotment owners have moments like that. What we always remember is how good we feel after a bout of digging or a dinner made with the fabulous food we’ve grown ourselves…

This and the Spring sunshine has brought renewed enthusiasm and we’re getting back on track with our updated website and plans for new planting.

So watch out… allotmentgirls are back!!