It's March
It is March and the allotment is getting busier each time I visit. Today the allotment shop had no compost because yesterday (a Saturday) was busy enough that they sold 50 bags. Fortunately this lack of compost did not really make a huge difference to my plans.
Today I hand weeded 2 of my main beds, pulling out glass and other rubbish too as I went along. The small bed needs some compost mixing in when I start to plant stuff and I have added manure based soil improver to the bigger of the two weeded beds. I went to B&Q again, using the leftovers on my voucher and an additional £19.09 I got a sieve, staples, seed compost and soil improver. I purchased some more weed fabric at the plot for £2 using it to finish marking out my paths and, somewhat optimistically, to suppress a nettle patch until I am ready to tackle it.
The good news is that this it starting to dry out a bit and the mud was not clinging to my boots like it has on previous visits. It is not ready to go through the sieve, but it is certainly better! I stopped at Lidl on my way home and got 3 bags of compost. (£12) In addition to the jobs at the plot I wanted to get my Dahlia tubers started. Most are in plastic tubs with lids and some are in my grow frame cupboard thing. I am looking forward to May when I can move them onto the plot. They have to actually sprout first. I wonder how long they will take to grow, and if there will be enough shoots to take some cuttings. Would be good to be able to propagate some myself.
There are lots of mixed instructions about planting dahlia tubers, I did not pre-soak mine. I did not get on to sowing sweet-peas or the sugar peas. But I am still happy with my progress. Particularly now that there are two beds close to ready for planting. Will need to get some seeds going this week though.
In other news the raspberry trellis is almost ready. One of the two posts has been shrink wrapped by my brother. The second one needs wrapping and then I will need to dig some big holes ready to install them. I am so eager to get planting.
Oh, the plum tree has blossom. The mystery tree has leaf buds and the fruit bush has some little leaves too. Spring is Springing. Also those glove liners I purchased turned out to be helpful today. They went under the gardening gloves and helped to fend off friction from all the hand digging. I did still manage to get one blister.
Mood: Eager
Spend: What on earth made me decide to track spend??? Another £33.09
Time on the plot: I'm going to say 3 hours, but it is a guesstimate because I forgot to write it down. (Is the new project hyper focus slipping??)
I like finding plants that are good colours, and also ones that have names that link to loved ones. Who else has plants for people they love?