Allotment #146

I came across this allotment site a couple of weeks ago and after a little investigating decided to sign up. It's only a 10minute cycle from my house and is on the main bus route too, perfect.

Strolling around the sight I couldn't help feel a touch of 'Allotment envy' as I observed seasoned gardeners hoeing the ground like old pros. One chap was in the process of staining his brand new shed whilst others took well earned breaks to take a look at their perfectly aligned drills; most of

them had only been working on the plots a week or two! I'll have to work hard to keep up with these guys but I'm up for the challenge!

There's something quite intimidating about an empty allotment site. For a first time allotment owner for myself it was hard knowing where to start. As it turns out I needn't have worried as walking around my recently rotavated plot I noticed that I would have to start by moving out all the rocks and stones that seemed to be everywhere. Taking a look around my neighbouring allotments I could see that they too had this problem; one had started to move them to one corner, another had ignored them and planted anyway the other seemd to have cleared all his away, perhaps I had his too!

As I had planned to seperate my plot into managable sections I decided I would utilise the rocks and stones and use them as edging to mark the different sections and the main path. Not only does this get them out of the way but it also means I don't have to worry about having to buy an expensive edging of some type.

Having spent nearly two hours clearing rocks and stones and laying my mini-drystone wall I rushed to get some plants into the ground before I ran out of light. In roughly dug mini plots I put in young cauliflower (I bought these to give myself a headstart) and spring onions. The latter have been sitting around my garden at home in a seed tray for well too long. Then, on a recent trip to London I saw aome giant ones in a grocery store and figured I'd give mine a shot forat the big time too!

I plan to have elements of the allotment as just flower beds, cottage garden style. So at the entrance to the plot I have to round lavander plants and a small camomile for the soon to be created herb garden.

All in all a good first day at the allotment. Let's hope the local rabbits haven't fed themselves on my baby caulifllowers!