17 January 2011

At least it wasn't cold!

Having packed Mrs D and the kids off round to friends to knit and play respectively, I wasn't about to let a bit of rain put me off a couple of hours on the plot.

The plan was to plant up six of the rhubarb crowns to a bed at the front of the plot and then move the raspberries to the same bed. It wasn't too bad on this bed at the front as it had been covered over since last Autumn but digging out the raspberries was very muddy. The mountain of bind weed and couch grass roots that came with them didn't really help with this, but it is very satisfying to get them out. I'll need to dig this bed over again as I'm sure there will still be plenty more in there. Not to mention sort of the paths around it.

I also straightened up one of the long suffering apple trees (possibly Discovery?). The problem is, it too is congested with bindweed round there and I'm not sure if it might be easier to dig up the tree to weed around it and then plant it again, with a stake this time. It's still quite small so is a possibility.


The rhubarb and raspberries were then all planted up in the near dark, by which time I was thoroughly soaked too and headed off home for some dry clothes. OK, I admit it's not easy to see in the picture!



Earlier that day...
I'd dropped off a few of the rhubarb crowns to their new homes this morning and placed my first order of the year via the allotment shop at the nearby site. I've ordered 2.5kg of Charlotte, Pink Fir Apple, King Edward and Desiree, all very traditional and for the princely sum of £9.70. I'll probably share some of these with my Dad and then get some others to go with them. Possibly some Salad Blue and some other maincrop variety.

9 comments:

A Year In My Garden said...

Your dedication does you credit - me I'd have got myself some needles and gone kinitting with the mrs

RobD said...

I don't mind being out in the rain, you don't really notice it 'til you stop working.

Sue Garrett said...

No rain here yesterday Rob and the afternoon was lovely and sunny! Sunny now too.

RobD said...

Strictly speaking GLA it was Sunday I was writing about just never finished the post to publish that night, still drying out at the time ;>) Yes, beautiful day here today sadly stuck in working :>(

Susan said...

Ok you've inspired me. I'm going to get down there this week....

Sue Garrett said...

That explains it as I thought it was strange when you are not too far away from us. It will soon be the weekend ;)

RobD said...

You'll feel better for it Susan, it's good to get out there and everything we can do now will pay dividends come summer when it gets busy. Well hopefully ;>)

The Boy Ollerton said...

You look like your on form at the moment Rob.

Linda said...

You know you're dedicated to your allotment when you're digging and it's too dark to see!