This is not how we found it.
Towards the end of the summer 2023, I’d finally got my hands on a full-size allotment plot, but it hadn’t been touched in years and was completely overgrown. Being heavily pregnant and still working at the office, so any thoughts of clearing it were at the back of my mind. I’m just pleased to have a spot to call our own.
The plot measures approximately 25m x 7.5m, not including the shed area at the back and the compost area off to the side. Not a bad size!
There was also a huge burn pit pile that was severely “dug in” at the top. That had to go.
Luckily, I’ve got my dad on hand to help! (Do ALOT of hard work and digging). Turns out, its not easy to turn over tough land after a c section and with a nursing baby.
Making Fast Progress
With the February half term was upon us, it was time to take advantage of my much younger, but much bigger and stronger 16 year old cousin. This, along with my partner and my dad to really get the ground cleared and turned over. It was a bit of a challenge due to the constant rain, but we managed it in about two weeks.
The Little Helpers
We do have the cutest little helpers though. Avalyn, is always eating lunch and drinking tea, sometimes shifting weeds. Aurora on the other hand, is happy just bopping along in the carrier. Not so easy when I’m trying to bend down!
Final Touches
Now that the ground has been dug over and I don’t think that there are any nasty weeds (such a couch grass), we can rotavate the top part of the plot and start laying the foundations for the polytunnel. This will allow me to grow heat loving foods in the summer, like chillies, peppers and tomatoes. Another advantage, is that I will grow hardy brassicas and root vegetables throughout the winter.
For now, I thought it best to plant some fruit trees too. I’ve bought two apple trees – one green and one red. Planting them close allows them to pollinate each other.
Et voilà! Hopefully I can get some early potatoes dug in this week.
Is my polytunnel up yet?
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