Whats the first thing you do

[jackie j]

When you arrive at the allotment what is the first thing you do after opening the shed if you have one ?
I put the kettle on, not for a cuppa but to put the water in a washing up bowl so that I can wash my hands if I need to.
Then out comes my chair.
Survey the plot.
Decide what my next job is as its usually not what I went to do.
Kettle back on for a cuppa.
Then work might begin !!!

[marigold007]

I lay out my tools that I brought in my trolley. Find my rake and other things hidden in the nettles. Take out my cup and shandy from the trolley, and place them beside my wooden chair that I found in the brambles, sit down because I am a little tired after walking 30 minutes to get there and have a drink. I usually spend the first few minutes looking at how fast all my brassicas are growing. After about three cups, I am happily chopping down weeds and raking them into big piles.

[Headfry]

Whistle for the cats - Un lock shed, hang up coat, (maybe leave it on this summer the way it is!) Check out the girls (my bees) ...check out plot, check bird bath for water....
Start work!
This is after a huge session of getting two wayward cats across the road in the village


Cats love it over there, that's where they spend their days.
If they are already over there I will whistle for them ....they come leaping through the surrounding corn field! funny to watch, then its big loves. They are the ones giving the big loves, and they say it's only dogs that care...hmmmm these cats seem to.

I want to be over there now!!!!

[HeyWayne]

I unload the car (albeit not mine anymore) and lay the tools by the gate. Then I empty the kitchen caddy onto the compost heap and then go and give it a rinse at the tap - usually gives it time to dry out by the time I go home that way.

I then just have a wander round to see how things are - swear at the bindweed, that kinda thing.

[Hans Mum]

I put kettle onto boil, survey my plot, marvel at whats growing crop wise & curse the weeds, make a cuppa, go have a chat to whoever is about, then get on with some work

[Stacey Steve]

Clean and fill the dog's water bowl.
Open up the greenhouse, water the peppers.
Open the tunnel and water the toms.
Play ball with the dog.
Check over the plots to see what's growing.
Play ball with the dog
Get on with some work
Play ball with the dog

[Two_Sheds]

I usually bike up 2 carrier bags of compost/guinea pig bedding, so I empty that, and rinse the bags for re-use.
Open shed, wipe the cobwebs from my hair (the spiders are pets, i couldn't evict them)
Feed the Butt Fish (5 fish in my waterbutts, eating mozzies)
have a drink & walk round the plot, making a mental list of all that needs doing
Then get distracted & spend the whole time doing something not "on the list", like mulching with Just Delivered grass clippings.

[SlugLobber]

Well, my allotment is my garden, so I stand with hands on hips on the raised bit and say 'YARRRRRR!!! MY LAAAANNDD!!', then dependent on weather I either run back indoors (following the cat's example), do a harvest check, or throw balls for the cat, with accompanying coos of 'Who's a cutey kitty poooooo!' My life is simple. Sometimes I garden, too.

[Headfry]

great one SlugLobber...

"my land" now is that said in the Johny Kingdom way???

I find myself say mye laaand too! talk about a catch phrase!

[Matt.]

First thing is to check my pumpkins. Right now this means measuring them to see how much they've grown. I remember the figures and check the size to weight table when I get home! Prior to this I was checking for new fruit and pollonating if needed. After this I go a quick scan to check everything is fine whilst picking anything thats ripe and ready - beans and courgettes primarily as these grow so fast. Finally I get on with whatever specific job I've given myself that day be it grass cutting, water pumping, weeding, digging etc.

[happybunny]

I don't have an allotment so I go up the garden and have a peek and have a chat with the veg...

[Pumpkin Becki]

I take a deep breath...(its so perfect up there - time seems to stop)
Then take a leisurely wander amongst the raised beds to see what will need picking/ tying in. By the time I've got to the top of the plot I'm at my tool store and the work begins