When I can't get to the allotment......

....this is what I do instead!

This is a baby blanket crocheted in a large Granny Square using Half Treble Crochet.  I did this in White, Baby Blue, Baby Pink, Baby Yellow & finished in Baby Green to cover all eventualities for the baby due any day now!

I then started a scarf.....

In Kon-Tiki Yarn - Cocoa, Pampas & Parchment Marble (Double Knit)

I then decided to Crochet a matching hat, which I had to adapt at the end as the finished product was too large - I must have a small head!!

One of the flowers, in Pampas and Parchment Marble.  I amazed myself that I could follow the pattern and get the end product looking like a flower!

My scarf and hat are both very cosy, but unfortunately FAR TOO GOOD to wear at the allotment!

With the left over wool, I have started to crochet some large granny squares, which I will make in between projects, and eventually make into a large throw or even a bed spread.  I will need some more wool, so Maxine Wools in Carshalton Beeches, here I come!

The Good Growing Guides by my friends at Fennel & Fern

Take a look at this invaluable website Fennel & Fern .  You will find lots of growing tips for all garden lovers be it flowers or vegetables.  Written by people passionate about gardening, you will soon find yourself absorbed in "Real Gardens" or "Monthly Jobs."

I want to share their "Grow" section with you.  Click on this tab "GROW" you will be directed straight to this great page.  The Good Growing Guide is a series of downloadable, quick reference postcards with all the information you will need down at your plot!  Great idea!!

On Tuesday the 5th January 2010 these postcards will be available for sale, so go and take a look - they will make a great gift for you (treat yourself) or someone that you may know who is just starting out in the wonderful world of allotment gardening!

New Year, New Decade, New Start - Happy 2010

I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year

As you can see, I have braved the cold weather, and I say that due to the fact that I have been in Jamaica for the last 3 weeks and basking in 30 degrees plus, so yes I have gone outside the front door of my centrally heated home to brave the cold weather and go to the Allotment to take a peak at what's happening.

First I went to plot 121 to see  how the onions and garlic are diddling along.

Well as you can see they are doing fine and dandy, however, Daisy the scarecrow has taken a bit of a battering.....

Yes, poor Daisy is Dead -

mejjet [mey'yet] Maltese

è morto  Italian

Has copped it

Is a gonner

Wasted

This is all that's left of her

Plot 144 now.

Not alot going on here

apart from the fact that everything is frozen......

So that's it for now as there's not alot I can report really.

The air is cold

The ground is Frozen

Nothing can be done at the Allotment at the moment.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year

I have been away for the last 3 weeks in Jamaica (I know, lucky me) and have been meaning to get to the allotment since I came back earlier this week.

However due to the very wet & cold weather (rain not snow), and my mud phobia, I have been unable to visit so far.

As soon as I do, I will give you all an update.

Until then.....

Hope you have a great 2010

My lovely greenhouse!

As you can see, I was shocked on my arrival at the allotement for shop duty today!  My Greenhouse got attacked by the winds over the weekend.  6 panels in all were missing.  All found bar one - that was until Arthur the Deliver Boy (who celebrated his 74th Birthday this week) spotted it on a small grass verge outside the allotment fencing.

The mess inside as awful, but the main job was to get the panels back on and to find all the "W" clips that had obviously NOT done their job!!

Luckily Nigel was on hand to help with the roof panels as I would never have reached up there.  I coped with the lower panels, however my nails didn't!!

So after a good hour, my lovely greenhouse, with the help of Nigel, Derek, his dog Laddy & Arthur (Derek, Laddy & Arthur formed the search party for panels) is now back to a more secure one.  I have been to the local Garden Centre and purchased a pack of 25 "W's" which I will go and distribute around the greenhouse panels later.

This is the shed on plot 119.  We called them to let them know that it would need their attention!

Lucky my Broad Beans have flourished under the protection of the mini poly tunnel, which the wind removed, and I found a few raised beds down! I have now removed the other poly tunnel, so as to harden them off before the frost well and truly come along.

The onions and garlic on 121 are both doing really well as you can see from these photo's!!