Last Years Plot Plans.....

I know that this looks terribly complicated, but it all makes complete sense to me.

Throughout the year I made a note of what went where, so it looks like I have planted seeds on top of seeds etc., but that's not the case.

I know exactly what's gone where, so I won't be planting this years potatoes in last years potato beds!

I then had the good sense to note the Autumn to Winter plot plan in October 2009 so I could see where I had dug in manure and where I hadn't quite got round to it!

Onwards!

It's so exciting......

Yes, is very exciting!

It's nearly March,

I now have all the time in the world

I can spend all day on my allotment if I want to

and Spring is around the corner

So whilst it's wet and windy out there, I thought I would dig out my two favourite allotment books...

They have become invaluable over the last 2 years - if there is anything you need to know, and there are no old boys from the allotment available to hand then just pick up one of these!

I am about to have a good read of March, and note down what I need to do.

I have my plot lay out from last year, so I will have to jig it about (to anyone one else, that's crop rotation) and put it down on paper before I am let loose on the plot itself.

The weather for next week is dry and getting milder, so I am "thrilled" with the timings!

Another Blog has begun.....

I have decided to dedicate a separate blog to my crochet projects, so if you are still interested, please go to

http://www.macscrochet.blogspot.com/

Thank You!

The Blanket Grows.....

Amongst a few / many "granny squares" I have had time to make a few different squares to "Jolly" up the texture of the blanket overall

Here is multi coloured "plain ridged" square

This is the "wheel in a square" which I have attached to the main piece to make up the last piece in that block

Now, this I am rather proud of - ok it's only a treble square, but I used the pattern that I got from the Art of Crochet Magazine, and had to calculate the foundation row to make the square the right size to fit with the rest of my 7 row Granny Squares.  I love the pattern created here.

Another plain ridged square in Paprika and Parchment

And finally another pattern from the art of crochet that I had to adapt / calculate.  This is a row of Double crochet with a row of alternating double and treble crochet.  This again gives a lovely patter to the finished square and something a little different to the classic Granny Square.

And here it is so far.........

I have another 10 squares which I have just finished and they will be added soon - about another 120+ squares to go I reckon.

I love Crochet.

I love Allotments.

I love blogging!

Potatoes, Spuds, Tatties are chitting in my bath - yes my bath!

Well, as per last year, this is the only available place left - the family bath in the family bath room.  Fortunately we have an ensuite shower room and to be "greener" we do take 99% showers and 1% baths, so this seems like the obvious best use of space!

As you can see, I have used currently unused seed trays, as I didn't save enough egg boxes,  but I have labelled them all up with my trusty DYMO so that they don't get confused.  I mean I don't get confused!!

The surplus went into the few egg boxes that I did save!

I have chitting away....

 1kg of Pentland Javelin

These first early Pentland Javelin seed potatoes have white, waxy flesh and a creamy texture making them an ideal potato for boiling or in salads. These are slightly later than other first earlies, but grow well in all soil types and have good all-round disease resistance, especially golden eelworm.

Earlies are less likely to encounter pest problems as they are lifted so much earlier in the year. These can be planted in the south ( UK) mid March; further north by late March / early April.The actual time will depend on weather conditions. First early potatoes should be planted in rows allowing about 30cm between tubers, and 60cm between rows.

 

3kg Desiree

Desiree is the most popular red potato – it’s a main crop, dependable and a good all rounder. This red skinned, yellow-fleshed potato produces heavy crops, even in dry seasons. These have a waxy texture, excellent flavour and are great for baking and lovely mashed, it also stores well too.

Main Crop potatoes such as these can be planted in the south ( UK) during the first half of April; further north by late April - the actual time will depend on weather conditions. These potatoes should be planted in rows allowing about 30cm between tubers, and 75cm between rows.These potatoes can also be grown in a potato barrel or a patio potato planter. Remember, these give a heavier crop than the Earlies.

 

3kg Cara

Late Maincrop.

Round/oval pinkish-red eyed tubers with soft moist flesh. Particularly good baker. Withstands drought. Very disease resistant, including golden eelworm and blight. The allotment favourite.

1kg Rooster

Maincrop

A very tasty red potato originly from Ireland. It is a truly excellent all round potato, producing oval tubers with pale yellow, dry, floury flesh. This will soon become a popular standard - so do give it a try.

Uses: Baker/ Fryer/ General Purpose.

 

So I will be a busy bee soon!

 

Chits away.....

It's getting bigger & Crochet at the allotment

35 Squares later - ok so there this one missing, but I have started it as you can see below......

I have to go and help at the allotment shop this morning from 945am to 1200 noon.

I might take it with me.

I did last week, but we were so busy, I didn't get a chance to put the hook through, or the yarn over once!!

If I don't take it today then it will be quiet and I will get bored.

So decision made.

My crochet bag will come with me.

Crochet at the allotment!

I managed to crochet a square and a half!

Toodle Pip

Crochet again .......

I have decided to start to join a few granny squares as after looking on the WWW yesterday, I saw a few references to people getting bored to death of sewing 100's of squares together at one time!  I can imagine - it's not very exciting.

So I have put a few squares together.

I have done odd shapes as you can see - the first  reason for my madness is that I could continue to use the same yarn without having to fasten off & the second reason is that I ordered LOADS of Double Knit in different colours from EbaY yesterday, so once they arrive, more squares will be crocheted & I can add these on anywhere, without making them look "odd" in the final sew up!

So here is the first sew up....

And the second.....

This is a close up of the back of the work - quite neat I thought!

And the front of the work looks good too - I like the fact that I have used a light colour as I like the finished "rustic" look.

Until next time.....

Back to the Crochet Squares....

Paprika and Cream square....

Cocoa & Cream Square &

This odd shaped thing is Pampas with holes - I know it looks an odd shape but I will pin it out and square it up. Once it's been sown into place it will be fine!

Cocoa Treble Square

Marble Treble square!

I will try to get another one done later.

Seed Count!

Yes, today was seed count day.  My Quality Street tin was bursting at the seems, so I thought I had better do a stock take......

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Pak Choi



Parsley

Organic Coriander

Chives

Coriander

Basil

Dill



Cos

Mixed Salad Leaves

Salad Leaves mixed

Rocket

Mizuna

Romaine Lettuce

Red & Green Mixed

Lollo Rossa



Swede



Carrots – Nantes 2

Carrots – Paris Mkt Baron



Sweetcorn



Dwarf French Beans


Beetroot


Aubergine


Spinach


Parsnips



Peas

Mange Tout



Onions Spanish Yellow

Onions Bedfordshire

Onions Red Kamal F1

Spring Onion

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash

Radish Golf Ball

Radish Purple

Leeks – Carlton F1



Cucumber – Cucino

Cucumber – Bedfordshire



Courgettes All Green Bush

Courgettes Summer Ball

Courgettes Jemmer F1

Marrow Long Green Bush





Tomato Red Cherry

Tomato Roma

Tomato Garden Pearl

Tomato Costoluto Fiorentino

Pepper World Beater

Pepper Californian Wonder

Chilli Pepper Cayene

Chilli Pepper Chilli Shake

So the only Seeds I have to purchase this year are the ones above listed in GREEN

After finishing my duties at the allotment shop this morning - gosh were we busy!  I took my crochet with me, but didn't get a chance to even do a foundation chain! Anyway, what I was going to say is that I bought a bag of potting compost so that I can start some seeds off at home in the utility room - here's what I am going to "sow" this week:

• Peppers
• Sweet Peppers
• Tomatos - 4 varieties
• Courgettes
• Onions - White & Red
• Dwarf French Beans (this will be an experimental sowing  as the seeds sow by date is June 2009

News flash - Woman spotted on plot 144 - Digging!

There have been confirmed sightings today, of a small woman, no taller than 5ft, brown long hair and brown eyes, wrapped up warmly in a dark blue jacket and a black scarf, digging, yes digging, ladies and gentlemen!!

Only a small patch was dug over, as the earth, which had before the end of 2009, had some horse manure dug into it, was still a little wet, as it clung to the spade, making digging heavier work than usual.  As one on looker said "At least it's a start!"

More pictures from today......

The broad beans are coming along nicely

The Leeks have done well

And the Greenhouse is in need of a good clean up!

144 is looking sad and in good need of a spruce up.  As the weather improves then so will the plot, especially as the plot holder has loads of time to dedicate to plots 144 and 121 this year!

Watch this space!

And the next lot.....

I found this Kaliedescope Square on the WWW. I had to adapt it slightly to make it

big enough to match up with my other squares, so not a precise copy.

I know it looks a little curly at the edges, but you are supposed to "pin" or "flatten" your crochet, so I will have to do this.

This is one of my favourites so far - my Paprika Square - I just love the colours

And my final square yesterday was a mixed colour granny square.

And this is them all laid out together!

I normally manage to create 3 squares a day, so i have to do 4 today to catch up!!

More Crochet.......

Yes, the weather has been very "winter like" with some snow showers yesterday, so I stayed home in the afternoon, and got my hook and wool out.  Another Granny Square.....

....Followed by another Granny Square......

........followed by an "old american square"......

And, a totally different square made in Treble Crochet....

So getting a little bit of variety now!

When I can't get to the allotment #2

It was the "Art of Crochet" advertised on the telly that got me started - here are some of the squares that have been made so far - will eventually be made into a large throw.

This is the leftover wool from the scarf and hat.

As you can see.....

I have started to make Granny Squares.....

Which will eventually be sown together and make a bedspread.

Just need more wool and another colour or two!