Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[surferdog]

Is it me or does that rooster have a tufty hairdo?

 

Yes he does! Don't know what sort he is but he was very striking

 

Travelling a fair distance defeats the object a bit. Also quite a few of the allotments have gone near the town centre and now have tower blocks growing upwards instead.

 

Ours is next to the tower blocks! Was getting a bit miffed when we were waiting as I noticed some of them are actually gardens (with patios and seats - no sign of veggies) rather than allotments. I suspect the new flat holders have nabbed them for garden space and that's why the waiting list shot up over the last 18 months. It's about 2 miles from home so have to drive unfortunately but there are none at all round here

[Valkyrie]

It could be those Hook residents too. The building project explains why (when we were hunting) that there were so many empty plots and had a general run-down appearance. But we decided it was too far for us - that was before Old Basing. I think there is another allotment site near the M3/A30 roundabout - Junction 6, I'm sure we saw some there too - Black Dam??

 

Yes he does! Don't know what sort he is but he was very striking

 

He is just a show off for his ladies! Perhaps he has some Appenzeller in him.

[henny penny]

Glad you have your allotment now. You will have a fabulous time planning and planting. My OH does the structural work and I do the planting etc . My allotment is nearly always on my mind - i love it!. Hope you enjoy yours too!

[Charlottechicken]

Congratulations, surferdog! It looks like a very managable size too

[Valkyrie]

You could be lucky on the pernicious weed front - the soil looks quite clear.

[surferdog]

Apart from the grass (which appear to be paths left to run riot) there don't appear to be too many weeds. The plot was being worked until very recently and there are still cabbages and leeks growing there, plus some odd looking things on stalks - look a bit like swedes but on a stalk - no idea what they are! We've also been left a globe artichoke

 

On the downside the council STILL haven't sent the tenancy agreement even though we asked if we could pick it up. They said they were going to send it last Wednesday, phoned them again this morning and they said we should get it today but still nothing. Very frustrating particularly when Saturday was such a lovely day and we could have been clearing rubbish and planning.

[Valkyrie]

How very frustrating, hope they buck their ideas up very soon.

 

 

plus some odd looking things on stalks - look a bit like swedes but on a stalk - no idea what they are!

 

Could they be long rooted variety? There are some wierd and wonderful shapes of things that can be sourced nowadays. I know you can get long rooted beetroot. Chard? Celeriac? I think you need to take another lot of piccies - because I am curious now!

[sparkysmum]

How exciting Happy digging Allisonx

[henny penny]

Surfer dog the odd looking things on stalks could be walking stick cabbages.

 

I just got some seed for my son to grow these. They are also called jersey tree cabbage. These were grown in jersey at one time and the stalks were used to make walking sticks. I believe they can grow up very tall 10ft? over several years.

 

we need closer pics!

[surferdog]

I'd love to find out what they are so I'll post some pics once we finally get in there - still waiting for the key!!!! I'm almost tempted to try climbing the fence like some of the local lads!

 

We finally got the tenancy agreement last Tuesday (dated Monday so patently not posted last Wednesday as we were told). We are now due to pick it up tomorrow morning but OH away for weekend so I will happy potter around taking pics!!

[Valkyrie]

Well, at least you have it all in writing now, congratties! With regards to your key - hmphh! Hang in there!

[surferdog]

For various reasons we only managed to get a couple of hours at the allotment at the weekend (thankfully before the snow deluge) but managed to get quite a bit done. Was very therapeutic after the horrible week we've had and guess who even managed to get sunburned on Saturday......

 

 

Cleared all the rubbish and rotten veg. The funny things on stalks were actually cabbages but so rotten they were unrecognisable until we started clearing them and the smell was

 

Got the compost bins set up and burned any rotten timber, dried out vegetation plus anything that looked like it might be diseased. We've decided to turn the frame into a fruit cage after all - it's too rickety to justify the expense and work of fitting a polythene cover so will be looking into other options. OH dug over the first two areas ready to get the paths in (there is a huge pile of free bark chippings and we were told to help ourselves).

 

Next step is to get all the grass out from along the edges and start replacing the main path which is very slippery and uneven. It's also apparent that we have a major slug problem - even the bean poles were covered in the slimy devils - definitely need to get the girls up there for a day out!

 

The lovely old chap who's the site representative came along to see us as 'we are the ones with the most to do' The other two sites given out that day were one that had been completely cleared and levelled and another in pretty good nick. On the plus side ours is further up the hill so gets more sun, is right next to the water trough and is fully fenced with a gate plus the brilliant frame for a fruit cage. So on balance we are glad we got the one we did even though it will be more work to get up to scratch.

[redbug]

Looks great surerdog you've done a lot of work.

[Valkyrie]

Oooh very impressed! Now the large clods will be broken down by the frost, so your timing was to perfection.

[Happy chickens!]

Wow, you've worked really fast, looks great already!

[blackgold]

People take hens to shows so i think your girls would enjoy a day sorting out the slug problem I have been told not to take mine anywhere as exbatts are prone to having heart atacks when stressed.I am so jealous I want an allotment........

[Egluntyne]

Wow! You have made an impressive start.

 

Not many folk get sunburnt in the UK in Feb! :D