My allotment progress log!

[Digindeep]

Peony...Stand up and take a Bow....that plot is a credit to You....You've certainly come a long way... I've known many a plotter who has certainly not done as well and achieved so much as yourself...In fact I can point my finger at one particular guy , in 12mths he's managed the area of a postage stamp .....Well done to You and Your Little Helper...
Can't realy see the damage to your brassicas, I'd leave them be, they will more than likely pull round...
Have a great season...a well deserved season...

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Peony, your plot looks superb! You have done fabulous in the short time that you have had your plot. Well done!

One tiny tip for your "little helper" - ask him to water the ground around the plants rather than getting the leaves wet to avoid scorch.

[Chris7]

very nice read and what a great job you have done.

I have just got a allotment plot myself so was looking for tips n stuff

[Husker]

Things really look great Peony! You've worked hard and it shows. If the birds didn't take too much of the foliage I think your cabbage will be just fine, they're pretty tough plants. Give a "well done" to your helper too.

[Hammer]

Well, If effort has any rewards you deserve them in Spades (pun unintended) It,s a credit to you that you have achieved all this by your own hard work.
If i understand you right you have dug a trench by your compost heap to help with the waterlogged ground, now after all your hard work i don,t want to put any more work on you BUT if that trench was to be say 12 or 18 inches deep you could turn it into a French Drain/ Soak trench just by filling it with stones, maybe any stones you dig up in your beds could also go in there, it is better to use fairly big stones as this leaves bigger spaces between them for the water - half inch stones or bigger would do, if the trench is near a cultivated area or spills from the compost you could put a strip if mesh half way through the stones to stop clay being washed down and clogging up the soakage, if the trench was very difficult to dig because the ground is compacted you can drive the prongs of your digging fork into the bottom of the trench to help with soakaway. I,d do it for you but i,m in Ireland. Sounds a lot of work but it really is,nt that much.
Anyway, this may not be a priority for you at present.
All the very best,
Regards Hammer

[Lady of Shallots]

Hi Peony, I have to say I'm so impressed with how you've been getting on! I've just been offered an allotment and have been to have a look at it for the first time this morning. I have to say I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much there is to do, but you have inspired me to crack on with it! You plot looks absolutely beautiful, I hope you get some bumper crops this season! I'll keep reading your updates to keep on inspiring me and providing lots of helpful advice. I've had the same problem with bindweed in my garden and despite going over the whole plot on hands and knees pulling out the roots, it still comes back, so I would just say do what you can, and keep an eye on new growth and just pull them up when you see them. It will probably die back in the winter so at least your winter crops will be bindweed free!

Good luck with everything, and of course, enjoy the eating of all those lovely veggies!

[Mrs Dobby]

Fantastic job you've done there Peony, a vast difference in such a short time!

Best way to get rid of bindweed..... there isnt one! We double dug whole plot (it was totally covered in it when we took it over, stretched 45' from front to back), and removed as much as possible, but it still comes back, although weaker than it was! I'd suggest just pulling it up every time you see it (which is what we're still doing, 4 years on), it does (eventually) weaken and not come back as strong!