January is always a fresh start. This year feels like we need one more than ever. I feel motivated to grow things when New Year’s Day begins and this is often where the frustration creeps in. It’s a slow progression into the new year and as gardeners, it can feel painfully slow. I’ve learned to fight the urge to sow anything in January. The low level of light and cold temperatures mean sowing anything this month requires heat and artificial light. It requires more of our attention and anything you grow now will always be caught up by later sowings. Personally, I don’t see the benefit of this additional resource. It is much better to do the jobs that will provide a real benefit to you when spring arrives and everything jumps into life and the jobs quickly pile up.
Continue reading “What to do at the allotment in January”Tag: Allotment Diary
Allotment Jobs for April
What a difference a month makes.
I wrote my March allotment jobs on the cusp of the Coronavirus Crisis. In the space of four weeks, the world has become a different place. Continue reading “Allotment Jobs for April”
Allotment jobs for March
Two years ago, March began in the midst of the Beast for the East. Bitterly cold weather, heavy snow and blizzards combined with Storm Emma and created some of the most difficult weather the UK had experienced for years. Continue reading “Allotment jobs for March”
Allotment Jobs for February
February is a month that both excites and frustrates me as a gardener. Daylight is reaching a crucial number of hours this month, some seeds can be sown but it’s important to remember it’s still winter.
Continue reading “Allotment Jobs for February”Allotment Jobs for January
The garden is quiet. In my mind’s eye, January is a dark, wet and bare month. However, I have learned that when you look or when you build a relationship with nature (as we do as gardeners) the reality is there is some colour to be found in the middle of winter and there is always life. Continue reading “Allotment Jobs for January”
Allotment jobs for September
It’s the end of the school summer holidays. Having an allotment is not just about growing food. It’s certainly a place to occupy children during the six-week break. However, if you embrace your plot and the community of people that come together at your allotment site you find they offer so much more.
(Note: There are some affiliate links in this post, which means you can click on them to buy. If you do, I may get a small fee. It doesn’t affect the price you pay.) Continue reading “Allotment jobs for September”
Allotment Jobs for July
The memory of last July is seared into my mind. Recalled through a painful cringe.
Diary update: May and the must have rain
On the evening of Thursday 11 May, I stood in my kitchen with the lights out. I sipped a cold beer and watched the rain pour down onto the garden. It was beautiful. Continue reading “Diary update: May and the must have rain”
Sowing the right seeds
For the first time since I began growing my own, I’ve kept the promise to myself to have patience when sowing the first seeds. Continue reading “Sowing the right seeds”
Ready for Spring
After a relaxed start to the day (I stayed in my PJs until noon!), it was time to visit the allotment. I was surprised how spring-like it was outside. Continue reading “Ready for Spring”
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