It’s been a while since I shared any pictures of our allotment. This hasn’t been deliberate, I just haven’t got myself organised!
I feel like I’ve been behind the whole way with the allotment this year. Last year I had the plot rotavated in early Spring, which meant I was good to go with the planting nice and early. This year however there’s a greenhouse slap bang in the middle of the plot, a few raised beds and some permanent fruit canes, so a man with a big tractor isn’t really an option any more, and I decided in my wisdom to just dig it over myself. Of course family life took first priority and I was still digging in May! Now while I love gardening, I’m not one of those gardeners who digs for the sheer joy of it (yes, they do exist – there are quite a few at my allotment site putting us all to shame). Next year I WILL rent or borrow a small rotavator and get it done early – there, I’ve put it in writing so now it has to happen 😉
Anyway, the upshot of all this playing catch-up is a less-than-pristine plot…
All the crops are in the ground and doing perfectly well, but the weeds!! I can’t keep up with the weeds!!
And my broad beans and runner beans are covered in blackfly (I’ll spare you a photo, urghh) – apparently it’s a terrible year for them, is anyone else having the same problem?
Despite the weeds, bugs and general disorder, there’s still plenty to enjoy on our little plot.
I do think it’s important to not beat ourselves up for less than gardening perfection; where’s the fun in a hobby where you just feel bad about what you haven’t done? And why should we try to keep nature tidy anyway? We’ll still have loads of food to eat, flowers to enjoy and happy times spent together pottering in the fresh air, so that’s a success in my book.
Joining in with Annie’s ‘How Does Your Garden Grow’ series at Mammasaurus.
I totally agree Catherine, weeds as annoying as they are are hardly the anti-christ and a few won’t hurt. I only have a couple of raised beds here and the weeds this week have gone bonkers – rain after the sun I guess, at least everything else is growing too 🙂
We have some sort of blackfly on the tips of the branches of our apple tree – my mother in law pointed out that I could use ‘Rose Clear’ on it so that’s what I am about to set off to buy! Frustrating isn’t it, and makes me itch to look at them!
Your plot is looking lovely – and more importantly is being productive!
Thanks for joining in and sharing x
I too have invested in a spray for the bugs – I try to avoid this kind of thing but it was all just so vile and spreading to the other crops that I had to. I feel bad though 🙁
Aww it still looks lovely! I have a potted plant with a small weed and I just looked at it and said to myself that I would take them off some time. Now that plant which I value a lot died and the small looking weed actually covered the whole pot and the real plants root is no much to how thick the weed’s root are! I was like how did that happen? The weed look small and harmless! Now I have learned my lesson. #hdygg
I don’t think I’ll ever learn, I always leave it too late!
Just like our plot! We don’t have the time to have an immaculate allotment but we certainly have lots of goodies growing. Blackfly! Yes! My poor broadbeans. Did you take the soft tips off them as that’s what they are attracted to. Absolutely awful aren’t they?!
I pinched out the tips but I think I was a couple of days too late and that gave the bloomin’ things enough time to get well and truly comfortable! Lesson learned…
It still looks like you’re growing some wonderful flowers and vegetables on your allotment. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the fruits of your allotment rather than going nuts over all the weeds.
It is looking really pretty – as long as you know where to look 😉
what a great lot! enough to keep many of you busy that’s for sure. loving the red boxes and i spot some pink cosmos. they’re favorites of mine
Cosmos are wonderful, so easy to grow and make a real statement – the kids love them too.
You’re right, I often feel bad about not keeping up to date with all the little jobs around the garden – I’ll try and be more relaxed about it. Lovely photos, so envious of your allotment.
I think gardening is one of those hobbies where you never feel like you’re in control – as a control freak this is probably quite good for me!
That still looks like a pretty impressive plot to me! Have you considered using the no-dig approach to save all that digging over? I have to say I’ve been impressed since discovering it.
Yes I’ve been thinking about getting more raised beds on the plot for that very reason – must get myself sorted at the end of this season!
I spend more time battling with weeds than anything else! As long as you have good crops coming I think the weeds can be left alone. That’s why I like my greenhouse as there are no weeds in there!
I know what you mean about a greenhouse, this is my first year with one and it’s a joy to find only what I planted in there!
Our allotment is exactly the same…blackfly on the broad beans and weeds galore. It is a constant battle to keep up. I think if you are getting some crops & enjoying the plot…then some weeds will just have to stay, there’s only so much you can do! We’ve started to enjoy the fruits of our labour this month, with our plot providing us with spuds, broad beans, garlic, beetroot, tayberries and a few strawberries. #HDYGG
Ooh I’m jealous of your tayberries – I bought a plant this year but it looks like it won’t fruit until next year. Sounds like your plot is very productive this month 🙂
Unruly is good, but don’t let the weeds take over or you’ll just spend all your time weeding and no growing
I know – how is it that weeds grow so much faster than anything else?!
The allotment looks wonderful, so much going on, and a few weeds just add to the whole shebang!
Blackfly are being horrendously persistent this year, I’ve resorted to snipping away whole branches to get rid of the things.
Me too! They just keep on coming back don’t they, urghh.