Day 11 onwards ......

chard from Steve



close up of chard - notice the red on the leaves and stems - rainbow chard to follow even more colourful !

 I have been down various times since last entry but have not been able to update blog.  Computer at home not working and computers in college can't handle the blog.

I have gained a belfast sink courtesy of sue and freecyle.  Sue rang last Saturday to say she'd won a ceramic sink but two other ladies had been and couldn't lift it.    So Sue came to pick me up and in Doublebert we went to Waterside and were taken into a back garden to view it.   A fabulous belfast sink was awaiting us.   I was helped into the car with it by the owner and we took it straight down to the allotment, borrowed a wheel barrow and tipped it sideways out of the barrow onto my carpeted patio !   Haven't decided yet whether to plant it with flowers or use it as a pond - am leaning towards planting it up.   Did also have the idea though of having a "beach bed" - i have 2 beds left in front of the patio area - going to use one for parsnips and the other ????   I thought sand, buckets, deck chair, sink filled with water for dipping in the toes !!   .....

Also this week, I visited on Monday and did a bit of weeding.  I discovered my potatoes were starting to come through - or weeds !!  but as they're in the potato bed where I planted the potatoes there's a good chance it's the spuds !!   I covered them up and watered everything.   Whilst there, Fran rang asking if wanted to adopt some cabbages and collies.  She had read the instruction leaflet and it said plant 12 inches apart but she was putting them in pots so not quite enough room....

I have peas in the pods fattening up each time I go.   

Flowers on the strawberries.....

Tadpoles still in the pond..... Jan visited the plot on Tuesday though as she wanted some tadpoles which she duly went and got.  Whilst there, she was visited by Maurice who she thought was going to tell her off for being on my plot.  However he was after some tadpoles for his pond and in return I can have some beans !  Good swap, although I can't place Maurice's face yet.... Need to track him down when I next visit.   Have seen his pond but not him....  Jan was also visited by Stuart (Lady's dad) who was giving me 4 tomato plants.  

I went down on Wednesday evening after collecting the cabbages and collies from Fran.   Just me and Steve down there tonight.   I planted the tomatoe plants from Stuart in with the salad bed.  In a separate bed I forked it over and put the cabbages and collies.    Everything was watered, tadpoles given a bit of fresh water.     Pictures to follow.....