sun and boys

Neil had some work to do today and the sun was shining so I took the boys to the plot to water/weed/cut back which is the usual thing needed regularly at this time of year. Some friends were going to be there so some fun to be had. When we got there, there were some more friends too Lukas and Sophia so the boys were very happy. Bill, Tom and Lizzie arrived who have newly taken on two plots up from us and have put in a swing (hurray!). Amidst surveillance making sure other peoples plot's weren't COMPLETELY destroyed and a bit of light first aid and recovery from Stinging Nettles, I actually managed quite a lot.

Sophia followed me around watering and chatting and and one point she and Sammy sat in the shade chatting over chicken sandwiches about their schools (they are both 4!). Very very sweet.

Everything looks great. I earthed up the Pots which are fab right now, big and strong. The Raspberries look great and the Peas are trying. Beets are coming through bigger now and the Courgette, Pumpkin and Squash haven't been eaten by Slugs. Yet.....

A quick cut of the grass and the boys were ready to pootle off. 3 hours though, come on that's got to be a record with the boys. Thank you my lovely Lou and Sammy for putting up with my growing despite not really wanting to eat any of it in the end! The day will come boys.......

Visitors and bikes

Nanny and BB were here today and G-Ma so we popped to the plot and watered. Sammy learnt to ride his bike this morning (Go Sammy!) so the boys wanted to ride at the plot. An early fall for Louis as the plot is at the top of a hill (!) and lots of tears but they both had a go on the flat gravel.

Meanwhile G-Ma, and BB watered and weeded and consoled. Louis was distracted by turning Photographer for a bit and took theses pix.  Everything looking great and this is the exciting time, I love it!

Wild

The plot today was gorgeous and green what with all the rain we have had. A moment in between the showers to do some work and check out the wild Garlic and Cow Parsley. Wonderful.

My Robin friend was fluttering about and singing to me as I weeded the soil. So many weeds as always. I planted some Stripy Courgettes and some Pumpkins (all with cloches - I trust no slug/snail) and some Calendula flowers.

The Raspberries are great, the Potatoes are peeking through the soil and the Peas haven't been damaged despite all of the Marigolds planted around them being chewed to death!! The Beets are clinging on (slug pellets have HAD to be used in full force) and the Onions and Garlic are really reaching up straight for the sky. Neil gave me some organic wool slug pellets which I put around the Butternut Squash, they deter the slugs and apparently rot down to feed the crop too. Fab if it works.

A trim of the grass with my Shears ( a long and tough way of keeping grass short!) and a weary sit down and times up, off I go for another day.

It's here it really is

Yes the sun is here and May has started very warm indeed. A sunny morning after a day stuck indoors til late means only one thing, allotment time! Things are flying now and the grass height tells me that at a glance.

I cut back the grass in places to see the borders and tidied up a bit. I managed to plant two Butternut Squash I have grown on and some Tagetes around them to ward off the old enemies and to look beautiful of course. I also dug a trench for the Peas and put them in along with some supporting Pea Sticks. More Tagetes and hopefully the tender young shoots won't get toooooo nibbled.

I checked on the Beets which are poking up. Unbelievably it has been so dry (!) the soil up there is like builder's rubble and so they are starting slow.

I covered over the shoots peeking out from the Potato trenches and we are away. Courgettes and Pumpkin on the go at home next and must plant more flowers, Dahlia's and SweetPeas. Got to get onto the Tomatoes too.

Hot work but so great to be getting on. This is the exciting time when all the waiting in hibernation

becomes worth it.