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I haven't posted in a month or two so thought I would write a little update up while I sit and watch it rain outside.
I fell ill with a serious ear drum infection (on both sides) about 8 weeks ago and unfortunately I was on anti-biotics, mostly deaf and fevered and whatnot for about 6 weeks. Happy to say I am now on the mend but the allotment was very neglected during this time, resulting in a small jungle of grass on paths.
We've been up and made a start on clearing this but gosh, what hard work! We've decided to dig in proper pathways with weed resistant material topped with wood chips - this also levels out the slight slope for easier walking and the woodchips are both free and relatively light to move across the site. This will no doubt be a long job as I'm taking it slow so as not to over-do it physically but also because I don't want to wear myself out and become down about it. Luckily, the main growing areas have been largely unaffected. Well.. not quite..
First sewings of seeds and first lot of planted out plants (previously sewn and grown to around 12" on the windowsills) got munched by slugs with maybe only a small handful of things surviving. Luckily I had a second sewing planted on the windowsills so the day was saved but I do hope we don't have any further problems. I don't much like the idea of it but after loosing 30+ plants, we were offered some slug pellets and put a handful down here and there. I'll be going up to try "beer traps" and a few other things in a day or two. Hope we've not been murdered again by then.
I'm happy to say that seeds I had been given by Grapes had all germinated really well on both sewings though! And all is not lost there, I still have many saved and they won't be going to waste or simply to feed the slugs.
We went to the Gardening Scotland event this weekend past and had a brilliant time. Did anyone else go? Saw some fantastic displays of fruits and vegetables as well as all the beautiful flowers. Certainly came away with many good ideas. I'm glad we left all credit and debit cards in the house, that is the sort of place you could spend a fortune veerrryy quickly! We did buy ourselves a couple of wee treats though. Two small cacti for my partner and a bargain "just started" Bonsai Tree, which had been used in a display on how to get them going. Also picked up a stunning sunburn when walking around too, ouchies!
A week of rain forecast here, thank goodness for Springwatch for some outdoorsy entertainment.
I fell ill with a serious ear drum infection (on both sides) about 8 weeks ago and unfortunately I was on anti-biotics, mostly deaf and fevered and whatnot for about 6 weeks. Happy to say I am now on the mend but the allotment was very neglected during this time, resulting in a small jungle of grass on paths.
We've been up and made a start on clearing this but gosh, what hard work! We've decided to dig in proper pathways with weed resistant material topped with wood chips - this also levels out the slight slope for easier walking and the woodchips are both free and relatively light to move across the site. This will no doubt be a long job as I'm taking it slow so as not to over-do it physically but also because I don't want to wear myself out and become down about it. Luckily, the main growing areas have been largely unaffected. Well.. not quite..
First sewings of seeds and first lot of planted out plants (previously sewn and grown to around 12" on the windowsills) got munched by slugs with maybe only a small handful of things surviving. Luckily I had a second sewing planted on the windowsills so the day was saved but I do hope we don't have any further problems. I don't much like the idea of it but after loosing 30+ plants, we were offered some slug pellets and put a handful down here and there. I'll be going up to try "beer traps" and a few other things in a day or two. Hope we've not been murdered again by then.
I'm happy to say that seeds I had been given by Grapes had all germinated really well on both sewings though! And all is not lost there, I still have many saved and they won't be going to waste or simply to feed the slugs.
We went to the Gardening Scotland event this weekend past and had a brilliant time. Did anyone else go? Saw some fantastic displays of fruits and vegetables as well as all the beautiful flowers. Certainly came away with many good ideas. I'm glad we left all credit and debit cards in the house, that is the sort of place you could spend a fortune veerrryy quickly! We did buy ourselves a couple of wee treats though. Two small cacti for my partner and a bargain "just started" Bonsai Tree, which had been used in a display on how to get them going. Also picked up a stunning sunburn when walking around too, ouchies!
A week of rain forecast here, thank goodness for Springwatch for some outdoorsy entertainment.
but somehow they don't chomp the weeds.
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