Strawberry planter made from old drain pipe.

The planter is filled with compost.

Fennel #1

This fennel was lifted from the old herb garden.

The rosemary is from cuttings taken last summer.

Decking

As a temporary fixture we've decided to lay some pallets as decking.

The ideal is to stand our potted plants and herbs on here until ready for planting in spring.

Some black plastic sheeting has been placed under the pallets to help suppress weeds.

The blue line on the left marks the edible hedge, beneath which are our raspberry canes.

Spot The Hen Pheasant?

While walking up to the hut to ask the committee about planning for a poly-tunnel, a hen bird (female pheasant), dashed under some raspberry canes. Good job I had a digi camera in my pocket cause far few would believe me if I said we had pheasants on site... allotment19 sits in the suburbs... the nearest shoot is at least a mile away.

Pheasants are a great addition to the site since we are not allowed to keep fowl and pheasant eat lots of insects. The overgrown plots on site no doubt provide ideal shelter and habitat.

The hen sits central to the frame. Sorry about the poor quality.

This shot involved a quick stalk, after which the hen took flight down hill (think the flash might have scared it off).

Low Fencing

We did a lot of prep. work today. The herbs have been lifted and potted up from the old herb bed. The measurements for our poly-tunnel have been taken. The next bed (#5) has been turned over ready for working. The pirate flag is up.




Last but not least the low fence from the old herb garden has been placed along the back path with more wood chippings added.

Jolly Roger

The decking is a shivering with timbers (old pallets) and the main mast (tent pole) is set.

A-hoy, land a-head mee hearties. Let the JOLLY ROGER flag be a flying.

From now on, if anyone asks, we'll be "The Pirates of alloment19".

Seedlings Under Glass

The first flush of seedlings now stay under glass all night ( 10c ).

I bought this bench inside from the garage to keep things tidy.

Garlic #1

Despite the normal practise of planting garlic in late Autumn or early Spring, I've decided to plant out x2 rows of garlic now as an experiment.

By planting cloves with an already established root system, and mounding the earth about the stems, each plant should be just about hardy enough to take the expected frost next week.

The main threat to these tender shoots remains the wind at present.

Wood Chippings

We have just started to make use of the wood chippings that the local council dumps at the main gates on site.

I'm wary about adding these chippings to any of our soil beds or compost heaps since who only knows which micro-bacterium might be present in them (cheers for the reminder NFG).

Wood chippings will however be extremely useful in helping to suppress some of the weeds on our back path.

Radish #1

These radish seedlings have been thinned out.

Tomato Seedlings

The first batch of tomato seedlings were transplanted into the first stage pots today.

The first varieties of tomato sown were Breefsteak (BFT) and Money Maker (MMT). These varieties have shown equal viability rates so far. The seedtrays have been re-watered and placed back into the kitchen to see what else hatches.

horse muck

Some horse muck has been collected and taken to the site (thanks Dad).
This manure was from a paddock (thanks Chris and Sarah).
Some sacs have added to bed #2, #3, and #4 already.
The other sacs have been left to rot some more on site :o)

Edible Hedge

As a natural barrier and focal feature of Allotment19 we plan to plant an Edible Hedge.

The hedge will extend from the existing rasberry canes along the full length of our southern boundary/boarder. Rather than planting a solid hedge (that would abstract light and ebb wind onto the next plot) we have decided to plant an undulating hedge as shown belowThis should provided a functional framework against which a variety of climbing canes, shubs, and annuals (squashes, beans and peas) can be grown. Likewise, once established the hedge should help screen envasive brambles from the vaccant plot behind. New neighbors may then also reap fruits on their side of the hedge.

Luckily we have lifted several mature currant canes/bushes, from the garden at home, that are already and waiting to be planted on site.

Kohl Rabi #1

The Kohl Rabi seedlings are the first to hatch this season 28th Dec 2006. Closely followed by our Beefsteak tomatoe seeds 1st Jan 2007.

The seedlings above are sown directly into a tray of damp compost and perlite, covered with more medium and placed in the kitchen at 25c (approx.).

Once sprouted they are thinned out and placed on a light (not bright) windowsill at 18c (approx.).