Preparing the beds

This is what the tree looked like when we first went on the plot some of the very low branches were at Mini's eye level which wasn't safe and also caused a lot of shadow
This is the tree now I have pruned it and trimmed off some of the lower branches, this should raise the canopy a bit and make it safer

After many discussions about how we will lay out our plot and several different plans I think we have finally agreed this years layout. We've also been split between making raised beds which would be my preferred option and digging the ground, my husbands preference. So as in all things an element of compromise is required. We have settled that for this year the main four rotation beds will be in the ground with the other areas planted in raised beds and even some pots and compost growbags for fruit, salads etc.

This week it's done nothing but rain here, and it's been a busy week workwise and family wise so we haven't done much physically on the plot. The amount of water is amazing and after so much rain it is really collecting in the uneven areas, it makes me wonder about how we will get on next year if we actually have winter veg in the ground but I suppose it is trial and error. We have however made further decisions about varieties we want to grow and I now have a stack of seed catalogues. We visited our local plant nursery to take a look at some different fruit trees and we are planning to have one apple tree this year and some some raspberry canes, possibly some strawberries too. I'd also like a pear tree in the future and a few outdoor grape wines but you can't do everything at once. I'd also like to grow blueberries maybe next year but you need a specially prepared peat bed and with everything else we have to do in our first year this is a future development plan.

Obsessed?

Last night I was in bed reading seed catalogues at 11pm!!! My husband is concerned I have gone mad, six months ago I would have had a lot to say had he been reading a seed catalogue and trying to discuss varieties with me at that time of night but I have really got the bug. I felt quite cross that it was so dark tonight when I came home from work because I drive past the end of the road where our plot is and I would have liked to call in, roll on spring when the nights are longer.

It was the first day back at work for me today after Christmas and an opportunity to tell my colleagues about our new alloment, they were all surprisingly positive and one has even offered to help me scrounge a few pallets from somewhere she knows. She also told me that Wilkinsons and Poundland do some good gardening stuff at times so there may be a bargain to be had if you go at the right time.

Mini now has her own little toddler size spade, a metal one which is really cute, I haven't bought her all the other tools yet as she is only 16 months but she does need a few bits to keep her occupied and she loves to copy what we are doing at the moment so just walking around with her little spade will keep her happy, that's the plan anyway.

Our family have also been very positive about the new allotment, I don't know why I expected they wouldn't be really and they have been encouraging and quite helpful. My Dad and his wife have bought us a great allotment book and are very positive about Mini being involved, my Mum and her husband are coming to visit the plot at the weekend, that one really was a shocker when she said that because she doesn't like to get dirty but at least she is showing an interest and my husbands parents have also bought us a book that we haven't got yet and they've also offered us some stuff from their garage and shed. They're probably all keeping us sweet just in case we pull it off and actually manage to grow some delicious fruit and veg ha ha.

My plan for the allotment has developed some more after looking at the plot again and marking out with garden twine some 4 foot wide beds for the four main rotation beds. I also wanted to have an asparagus bed but I need to find out more about this and the difference between growing from seed or growing from 1/2yr old crowns, I sometimes feel I am making this up as I go along but I have sometimes felt that about my parenting since Mini came along and she's doing ok, so hopefully the plot will be the same.