Short and sweet - or is that the asparagus gene?

Despite my best efforts, I didn't get this blog completed on time....perhaps I should make it my full time occupation and it will be done!!


On a very wet day, there's not a lot to write about. The first of the new compost bins was completed and the first asparagus was planted.

Apart from that, it was mainly potting seedlings on in the polytunnel.


So, on to next week.....


Remember, you can view all photographs here and follow on Twitter

RHS Wildflower Sowing

An extra blog this week. Today, a few of us gathered at the allotment to sow the wildflower seeds as part oif the RHS Britain in Bloom.

Seeds at the ready

The area we are planting the seeds in has been dug over, raked and weeded over the last few weeks and all that effort was in readiness for today.

A small number of plants have also been planted along with the seeds, such as corn cockle.

Hopefully, the wildflowers will be produce a stunning display and provide plenty of food for our pollinators.

Back at the normal time next week
@SeftonGreenGym

Weed it and reap

Yet another lovely sunny day at Queensway Allotments today, although I don't think it will last much after the weekend. Still, it should wait until we've completed our RHS wildlfower seed sowing on Sunday.


So what have we been up to today? Lots of planting on of seedlings into the raised beds, mainly peas and salad crops. We have got something a bit special in today though, globe artichokes. Made sure they're far apart to avoid being prickled to death by them though!! A big well done to Val and Mads for their efforts digging over the bed and then planting out. I got tired just watching them.

Plenty of weeding needed to be done of the beds containing crops that we've already planted out and also in the area set aside for wildflower planting. Lots of time spent kneeling, hoeing and pulling. I have the sore back to prove it!


The seed cataloguing is continuing and it's a real surprise just how many get collected over the years, so much so that quite a number get thrown away because they are past their use before date. Hopefully the cataloguing will end this and any that don't get used will be given to those who can use them. Is seed waste as bad as food waste I wonder?


The fence, which I reported as being finished some weeks ago is, well, finally finished. There was a little corner occupied by compost bins which we've reclaimed as an area that can be used for seating allowing a little time for relaxation and naval gazing, an important part of any allotment!!

This area will have raised beds with sensory planting as well as climbers. We're also considering whether to put trellis on top to allow the climbers to create a shaded area.


Before I go, there's generally something that happens which makes me wonder if we have people with special powers amongst us. This week it was a bit of Jedi mind games....

So, ever onwards and upwards. You can view more photographs in the usual place and keep up to date with goings on via Twitter.


Until next time.....
@SeftonGreenGym

Compost corner

Today was to be a day of compost bins. Not the kind you buy ready made but hand built - and hand moved!! The plan was to construct two large compost bins and relocate the contents of two existing compost bins to the new ones and also to spread the good compost around the site. However, this was scuppered by a nesting robin. One of the old bins will have to remain until the eggs have hatched and the fledglings have flown.

The compost we can't move

And the reason why we can't move it

The other pile was moved, partially to the area for the new compost bins (new compost that hasn't yet rotted down) and the older rotted down material mainly used in the smaller polytunnel.

Last year, strong winds blew down a large tree. The remains were removed but a large stump was left behind. We decided to employ the services of a local tree carver Roy Bouffler. Roy has done many tree carvings in and around the area in return for a donation to the local Jospice. Examples of his work can be seen in Victoria Park amongst others.

The stump before Roy started

Roy in action hand carving his design

The main work now is planting seeds and planting out crops, such as salad, potatoes etc. Although one final piece of work on the rain collection system has been completed. So as we prepare for a wet Easter weekend, the rain collection is in place.

More next week, but remember to follow us on Twitter and have a look at the other photographs from today on Picasa

See you next week

@SeftonGreenGym

Hello me old china

I was right, a list appeared!! Ah well, never mind.


The guttering for the shed was delivered (by hand I might add) and a mountain of topsoil for the reclaimed land next to the small polytunnel. This is where we'll be building the fruit cage to kepp our welcome (but not on the fruit) feathered fiends, i mean friends at bay. (I love them really - RSPB member). In addition, the wood for the compost bins was also delivered so plenty to keep us busy over the coming weeks.

2 tons!!

Finished off the digging for the wildflowers. It's funny how the large square areas seem to take longer than the long strips. I turned up this old piece of crockery and as yet, have not been able to find anyone in the group who remembers the company (despite some of them being in Waterloo for longer than the allotments!) If anyone remembers the company I'd be glad to hear about them. Just add a comment.

The guttering was added to the new shed to collect the rain water, if it ever comes back, so that we can water without using precious resources from the mains. We have four 200 litre water butts that will be linked to ensure we have a plentiful supply.

It's not a small shed, David is nearly as tall as Hadrig

Work is ongoing cataloguing the seeds that we have and is about halfway through - that's a lot of seeds. More trays have been planted and some of those planted in the past weeks are beginning to grow.

Potatoes have been planted in the raised beds and Jenny and Marion's herb garden has been planted - the aroma from this will be fantastic as the temperatures rise and it should be buzzing with insects.

We've also started to prepare the second polytunnel for tomatoes. The soil in here is a bit weak at the moment so will need some organic matter adding, but I'm sure that we'll have a bountiful crop this year. 

Finally, we've planted some shrubs specifically for pollinators. We really do need all the help we can get from them and in return, we are doing what we can to provide food for them.

 We've planted a lavender hedge

And this is manuka

So what will next week bring? More of the same. It's planting time and still structural work to complete. Time to prepare for those warm up exercises and get the tools ready.

As usual, more pictures here and keep in touch via Twitter.

It would be lovely to hear what you think of the work we are doing and of the blog so please leave a comment, it will be greatly appreciated.

See you next week and happy gardening

@SeftonGreenGym