Busy,busy,busy.

[Diggory]

What a busy time it is now on the allotment.My first early potatoes are coming through,hopefully the seconds are not far behind.The broad beans I planted in November under fleece (Aquadulce) are a mass of blossom and some tiny pods are evident.Also,the early peas (Meteor) are in flower,and the Alderman peas are coming along nicely.I have transplanted my cabbage plants (Greyhound and Primo) which I grew from seed in the greenhouse,and they seem to have picked up.Also,the broccoli (Ironman-which was a freebie) is doing well.Today I am transplanting cauliflower plants (All Year Round).

I have runner beans,Kenya (dwarf) beans,and yard-long beans in the greenhouse ready to go out next month - the yard-long beans were given to me by a gardening friend and they are what it says,the pods grow up to a yard long.I also have leeks coming along nicely in the greenhouse (Malabar and Musselborough)

One disappointment has been my carrot sowings (Early Nantes) which have not come through,I suspect the soil was too cold when I sowed them (we have clay soil on our allotment site,which takes some warming up.)I will have to re-sow.

The rhubarb has given us some delicious stalks so far,the gooseberry and blueberry plants are in blossom and the pear and apple trees also.The herb patch I leave to my wife,but it is a picture,the chives are flowering,there are tiny blue flowers on the rosemary,the thyme is flourishing,as are the two types of mint and the coriander plant.

Of course,the weeds are doing well too ( ) so the dutch hoe is constantly on the go.

But never fear...we do take a few minutes to sit and admire our work as well.

Happy gardening Everyone.

[runnerbean]

Diggory, I am now going to sit in the garden with a glass of wine, as you have worn me out, you will be wearing your spade out. Put yopur feet up for a while Diggory!!!!!

[Diggory]

Well....I ought to mention that my trusty assistant ( aka my wife) does lend a hand so I am not doing it all on my own. Actually,she does most of the greenhouse jobs,as she can handle tiny seeds better than me.

But you are right..you should take time out to sit and chill and just admire your plot,otherwise it could become a chore.My favourite time is June,when the beans are growing up the sticks and 'everything in the garden (or allotment) is lovely.' Then I will certainly be putting my feet up,listening to the soft hum of the bumble bees,the mellow song of the visiting birds,feeling the warm sun on my face..... Mmmm.

[Bec]

Your plot sounds wonderful. It seems the plants are doing most of the work, and moving up plants is more fun than labor. Enjoying the "work" part of gardening is enjoying the moment for what it is. Personally, I think playing tennis is a lot more work than puttering around in my garden.

[Diggory]

I think the key is how much you enjoy what you are doing.I love my plot,it is my little world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.So even the 'tough' tasks like digging over the soil to prepare for the new season are a joy not a chore.My wife enjoys weeding () as she says she feels at one with the soil when she is down on her knees.Some days you do come away hot,sweaty and grimy,but the satisfaction you get from looking at a well-tended plot and knowing it has all been achieved with your hard work is tremendous.

On my allotment site I have seen newcomers arrive full of enthusiasm having been watching Garden Force or some other telly prog,full of the romantic idea of 'growing their own' and then a month down the line they have downed spades when they realise the hard work involved.But you only get out of your plot what you are prepared to put in.But it keeps you fit,and the reward when you are filling your freezer or giving grateful friends some of your produce is worth it.

I've never had a better hobby .