Saturday brought us a rare gap in bad weather. The fluffy clouds in the blue sky and being surrounded by green and productive plants just makes makes you happy. Perhaps having had almost 3 weeks of constant rain make you appreciate things all the more. All that rain has also meant that crops are swelling almost as you look at them - runner beans are growing prolifically, tomatoes are splitting with juices and courgettes are turning into marrows if you don't spot them early enough. I discovered this monster when clearing the mildew-y courgette leaves. It weighed a massive 3.2 kilos. Luckily I bought "What will I do with all those courgettes?" by Elaine Borish which should help me find some recipe ideas on how to use the beast.
It is hard to believe on days like this but winter is coming - the mornings are getting chilly and in Scotland they are being threatened with light frosts. At this time of year it is important to keep harvesting but start to clear plants that are past their best. I have already cleared the last of the tumbling cherry tomatoes and pulled up a courgette plant that was suffering from mildew. When clearing the worst of the leaves on the other plants I had to debate with myself whether to compost leaves or to burn them as recommended by some. In the end I compromise by piling them up around the corner and wait to see if it rots down without contaminating the rest of the compost.
I have also started to plan ahead for next year. I already ordered in vast quantities of seed (despite having loads left over from my binge buying in Spring). I have also planted a soft fruit collection which includes a thornless blackberry, an autumn fruiting raspberry and a red gooseberry. As the gooseberry is spiky and grows vigorously I need to allow space. Unfortunately this is something that is running out on the plot. Maybe I can consider training it like they do at West Dean Gardens in West Sussex - amazing kitchen gardens that put my humble allotment to shame.
I also bought some scaffolding planks from the allotment organisers to make raised beds. This will make access easier and the marginally warmer atmosphere might make plants grow earlier. The only downside, apart from having to build them, is that I will lose a bit of space as I sacrifice space for paths. I did apply for another plot that has been overgrown on the allotment but it's a strictly one plot per person policy. I am still considering applying for one on another plot for my soft fruit (which are less trouble than vegetables I think)but I'm not sure if I can wait another 5 years.
In areas I have cleared I have sowed green manures which can be used to block out weeds and enrich the soil when they are dug into the soil. I started with Phacelia which is a quick growing hardy annual green manure that germinates at low temperatures and is ideal for sowing from March until September. Now all I need is on that is suitable for overwintering - mustard is a strong candidate.
Top tip:
Take things slowly and don't overtax your back. Use a fork rather than a spade - it's lighter. Avoid compacting your freshly dug earth by creating pathways. Consider raised beds or a no dig system to reduce work later. Potatoes are an efficient way of breaking up soil and bringing nutrients to the surface.
27.03.10
One month on and I have finished digging over the whole plot.
I was told to take it easy and that I wouldn’t have the plot ready in first year and to just plant potatoes as they are great at clearing plots of weeds and breaking up the soil but I am greedy and impatient so was determined to get it finished in time for a proper April sowing of a wide variety of vegetables. Luckily I have time on my hands to devote to this and the threat or promise of any possible future full time job has made me want to make the most of the time I do have available now.
On average I did 3 hours every day of digging. I calculate it has taken around 75 hours to prepare the ground and clear the plot of weeds. I do hope that with regular harvesting and work I won’t have to do this every year. I'm sure all the work is very healthy and my arms definitely look more toned but my back also complained a fair amount. I can sympathise with the wartime cartoons of men bent over double after their efforts to Dig for Victory. At least I don't then have to go to work on top of it.
I am planning on building raised beds in the future to cut down on the amount that I walk on the growing areas – this should make digging much easier. My neighbour spotted me hopping like a mountain goat (or a flatlands goat) from one part of the plot to another and was horrified at the amount of damage I might be doing to the quality of the soil. He insisted I get some scaffolding boards to initially create permanent pathways and eventually, in the autumn, create these raised beds.
