sunny saturday

wasn't saturday gorgeous? my in-laws came to visit and i took them to the allotment. as my arm is still plastered i couldn't do much but thanks to the sun there were plenty of allotmenteers to catch up with. my father in law kindly barrowed lots of manure to my second plot while i chatted to fellow allotment holders that I hadn't seen in ages. learnt that you came start off leeks in pots inside so that you can get a crop of leeks earlier and also give them more chance to get thicker. last year wasn't a sunny summer so leeks bit weedier than should otherwise have been.
One gentlemen had followed the advice given on gardeners world by an allotment holder to plant onions in lines at the top of mounded up earth and they seem to be doing better than the ones not planted in this manner. so energising to be out in the fresh air in the sun and so frustrating not to be able to dig! never mind my father in law has volunteered to come back and dig.

sun, plastic and onions

Loved the sun today. Hubby and kids on holiday so we all went to the science museum. Great exhibition of plastic - how can something so wrong look so great. There were massive ribbons of red plastic hanging down and kids chased each other through it like it was some weird forest. There was a big sign that scientists are trying to find a way to make plastic out of plants so it can biodegrade I suppose. Then we headed out to Hyde park lovely winter sun so delicate. Lots of walking and tea and biscuits - perfect day.
Too muddy for digging still- maybe ill dry out during the week. Need to get some onion sets as can start planting them now. These are the type of onions you can store. Wonder if it's too late to get some raspberry canes. We all really love them and have been planning for two years to get some but not got round to it yet....
Need to do a bonfire at the allotment have lots of bindweed roots to get rid of. I love the smell of fires. Round here you can only have fires from end October to end of March or is it the 1st -better get on with it anyway. Saw some cherry blossom the other day in someone's front garden - that can't be right can it?!