Its Feb 2012 now and I'll recap on the first 6 months on my new allotment In Lymm, Cheshire with a few pictures to bring it to life. Throughout this year I'll add more photos and update with the latest news and goings on in my first year on the allotment.
Mid June 2011: The challenge ahead. Only a half sized plot that would be enough for me what with work and children aged 2 and 5. The lady before me was a flower arranger and grew shrubs, conifers and flowers but had neglected the plot for two years before leaving. So I took on a field of grass and weeds that was soon strimmed down...
July 2011: I was keen to get started and plant some veg! After a good few evenings digging up the top 6 inches of turf and then digging about 1.5 foot down and pulling out lots of couch grass roots I cleared some ground for planting. Managed to get some Sarpo Mira potatoes from a fellow allotmenteer, some french beans and also planted two courgettes and pumpkins. Managed to gather carpet and tarpaulin to slowly cover the rest of the plot to prevent further grass and weed growth.
Here you can see the potatoes, beans and courgettes :-)
Sept 2011: Very pleased with the sarpo mira potato harvest, had lots of beans and plenty of courgettes. Here's the biggest pumpkin we grew. By then I had managed to cover the rest of the plot with carpet and planted some golden ball turnip seeds from france that germinated in August and were ready to harvest in Oct the size of golf balls.
Oct 2011: Where the potatoes, beans and squashes had been harvested I planted some garlic, shallots and onion sets to ensure there was something growing overwinter.
Dec 2011: Managed to pick up some 2nd hand flags to provide a base for a shed and to create a pathway up the middle of the allotment. Lots of designing going on for the allotment - will post my ever changing plans later! The nice thing as 2011 drew to a close was that we had enjoyed some great veg and the the allotment under control. Roll on 2012 and my first full season!!
