First plot ready to rotavate

I finished cleaning the weed off most of the first allotment so it's ready to rotavate as soon as it dries out enough. I will be going on to the next plot now so everything is ready to hit in one go.

I also bought a "Chillington" builders barrow today to move the top growth to the compost heap. The pneumatic tyre is a boon on the wet ground and is really easy to push around even on rough turf and soil with a full load.

Our Howard 200 rotator has arrived!

A bit of watching and waiting on ebay turned up a bargain Howard 200 rotator. It's not exactly new but it strikes up first go, runs like a watch, everything works and it's in exceptional condition for it's age. I have even bought some authentic Howard orange paint to restore it to glory in time!

Can't wait to get it on the plots when the soil dries out a bit.

I am clearing the plots of weed and will be ready to go cultivating pretty soon!

Will this be a repeat of last year

I am sure everyone is only too aware that we have been having a spot of rain lately. Rain and rain and rain. I recall last spring was frustrating for weeks as the ground was too wet  to do anything with and planting was quite late to get underway.

The heavy downpours in the last few days and weeks have left the plots waterlogged and far too soft to  dig or prepare in any way. Plus the grass paths are constantly wet preventing any grass cutting.

A few photos below of the new ponds and moats on the plots.

Mr Foxy Came

Overnight, the lovely new plot I prepared for winter leeks had obviously hosted a fox rave. It was covered in fox paw prints and little holes. So rake it over, set the leeks then hoops and nets. Then on to the next plot.

Preparing for over-winter planting

After a spell of home DIY (pointing walls!) I got back on the plot and started to prepare a bed for overwintering leeks.

A busy patch

Not too much time for adding to the blog recently as we are involved with some other projects, however after the long rainy cold bit and then the very hot dry period, the crops have caught up and we are reaping the benefits.... Tonight for instance we will have what we refer to as "smug soup" as everything comes off the allotment or garden.

Meanwhile in the garden the pumpkins in the raised beds are taking over!

The new border is settling down nicely too...

My house re-pointing project has begun which means juggling time on the plot a bit...

First Spuds

Some lovely new potatoes dug up today and they were delicious!
Also re-netted the peas against pigeons etc. they were outgrowing the hoops I had put over them.