Message for Monty
First up I would like to wish Monty a speedy recovery. As well as a great work colleague, he has become a good friend over the last few years and I'll really miss seeing him every week at Berryfields, and of course on the TV on Friday nights as we all will. He's planning on spending plenty of time in his own garden, which I'm sure is just what the doctor ordered and the best place to relax for as long as it takes to get better.
After a seriously busy Chelsea last week I went away for a few days with the family, although I mostly slept! And then went straight back up to Berryfields to film in the herb garden. I dug out a few overgrown plants such as the rosemary, angelica and lovage, which were casting too much shade and were out of scale in general, with a plan to create more space for herbs that would get eaten on a regular basis.
I haven't been to the allotment since the day before Chelsea started, when I frantically weeded and watered and covered the areas that weren't under cultivation with fabric, cardboard and anything else I could get my hands on, to suppress any weeds. The weather has been pretty kind recently with great growing conditions - a combination of warmth and rain - so hopefully everything will be ok. Being at Berryfields made me want to get some more herbs into my allotment too - as well as sow some more seed - to give me a good continuation of fodder through the summer. My situation with the allotment is probably pretty common as I'm trying to find a balance between work and other commitments, while keeping it all going. I've been reading Terry Walton's book My Life on a Hillside Allotment, which is full of good tips as well as great stories of his life. He spends around four hours a day on his, which can't be the norm can it? If it is... help!
I'll let you know how I get on and how it's all looking next week. Cheers, Joe
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~56~RS~)
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Four hours Can NOT be the average in my limited experiance.
Having just started the allotment thing at the beginning of May I'm bearly averaging 4 hours a week. The allotment site I'm on only has 6 plots and so far I've only seen two of the other plot holders so I'm guessing they aren't there that much either.
If I'm honest though I guess I'm not counting the time I spend in the garden at home sowing the odd cell tray of Sweetcorn, corgette etc... There's possibly a couple of hours a week extra there but it tends to be in between the usual household jobs so it doesn't seem like it should count towards the time I'm on allotmenting.
Keep at it,
Sean
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Firstly, all the best to The Don!
Secondly, I am rather tired of the doom and gloom merchants who deride your efforts. I am new to allotments but not to growing and welcome your discoveries, mistakes and successes, whilst they mirror my own!
I like the joy you have for space and the involvement of family.
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Sorry to hear about Monty. If it's that bloody depression again, don't give in Ive been there. Regret you overdid it travelling round the world. Take your time getting better, you have been an inspiration to myself and many others I'm sure Take care of yourself Gordon G Kelman [Personal details removed by Moderator]
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I've been on my current allotment for about 8 years now. I NEVER manage to get it weed free, but I do grow a good selection of veg, and am reasonably satisfied with the crops. At the moment, I'm recovering from a hip replacement, so I'm working more slowly than befeore. I reckon on a good week, I put in at least 8 hours. I do, however, have advantages: I'm retired, and my lovely husband does all the shopping AND the cooking!
I'm on a fairly big site, and I'm sure that a lot of the blokes on the site spend FAR longer than I do. But their plots look better: weed free and trimmed paths.
You can get to ambitious in early dyas: its the food you produce that counts!!
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