Sunshine on the plot

I had to pop to the plot to pick up my fork this afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised to see the sunshine break through the clouds for a few moments. I was also pleased to see the soil was looking distinctly dry, yes the clods were drying in the sun and cold wind. I didn't post any pics after last Tuesday, so I snapped some on my mobile while I was there.

Rear view

Left side. From front to back, new Glen Ample Raspberries, salad bed (kind of sloping/raised bed!), behind that will be the brassica bed, and the black polythene covers what is to be the legumes bed.

Right side. From front to back: strawberry/rhubarb bed. Asparagus bed, behind that, potatoes. Behind that the roots bed (with onions and spinach inbetween) and lastly the autumn and summer raspberries.

The best laid plans....

I thought I might share with you some of the plans I have made from my plot and how they have evolved during the past month. I have attempted to employ some crop rotation here, you will see my plot revolves around 4 basic beds, a,b,c and d. There areas that remain unchanged are the fruit beds, asparagus bed, strawberry/rhubarb bed and composting area. We are not allowed sheds or any buildings at all on our plots, so I have not incorporated an area for that purpose, although I do include an area specifically for the children. This year I will be making a bean tepee covered in creeping flowers and runner beans (I have to say I have no love for eating runner beans, they are just for coverage and donation!)

Original first draft plans for 2011, showing crop rotation. This sketch show what I grew last year and what should replace it.

 

 Basic Plan for 2011

Revised plan

 Redesign 27/02/2011

  As usual when I plan, I discover that I have been frivolous with my seed purchases and not stuck to my original idea, meaning I never have enough space. I get too excited! This year I will plant my brassicas like broccoli, sprouts, etc where the peas and beans are once the early varieties have finished. Goodness knows where the red cabbage will go!

Slow progress

Today was clement enough to visit the plot for a spot of digging. Even though in retrospect I achieved quite a lot, looking at the plot it seems like slow progress. It's times like these that I realise how big the plot actually is and how many weeds have managed to take root over winter!

Today I:

1. Dug the area behind the asparagus, making a new herb bed which will also house my strawberries.
2. Make a timber surround around asparagus and infill with compost. Same with the herb bed (see below)

3. Weeded in the potato bed
4. Planted strawberries
5. Cleared out compost bin (being used as tool storage)

At this point a friend turned up with a flask of tea and biscuits and production inevitably slowed! Still got quite a bit done. Although didn't get around to planting onions and broad beans this time. Not sure what to do with my onion sets as they are sprouting already, keep them cool or plant them?