Four weeks and one and a bit days on from becoming an allotmenteer! And a tad nearer to creating a beautiful growing space 😉
The end of the first month – Plot 29 begins to take shape!
I’ve been snowed under with making things for Christmas for weeks now – my nerves are frazzled, the sewing machine sits red hot for most of the day and the folks at the local Post Office have hinted at the fact that they may well start charging me rent as I spend so much time there! Yet still I’ve managed to steal moments now and then to wander up to Plot 29 to de-stress and generally chill out and take a breather.
Not that the job’s been that easy – I’ve dug, weeded, built a few bonfires to burn some of the rubbish, humped tyres here, there and everywhere before eventually giving them their final resting place, created pathways, dry stone walls and given the inside of the shed a bit of a makeover (that deserves a post all by itself, methinks). I’ve also had an unexpected harvest of potatoes and beetroot and managed to unearth some raspberry canes which I’ve replanted in the hope of them growing on to create a fruit filled hedge next year………. Oooooh! And I’ve planted two different types of onions and two lots of garlic; I have DEFINITELY been one busy, busy bee!!!!!!
Raised beds are starting to go in ready for soft fruit, rhubarb etc – The two canes mark the entrance for a polytunnel that’s going to be erected next spring to house, amongst other things, chillis and exotic stuff!
How apt! In Hebrew, my name means ‘bee’ – Queen Bee, in fact. Apparently, ‘People with this name have a deep inner desire to create and express themselves, often in public speaking, acting, writing or singing. They also yearn to have beauty around them in their home and work environment. They are competent, practical, and often obtain great power and wealth. They tend to be successful in business and commercial affairs, and are able to achieve great material dreams’. I’ll go along with that! The power and wealth elements need a bit of working on…….. and maybe the success in business and commercial affairs – But definitely the rest of it seems to fit the bill, lol.
Bees like flowers too! Wonder if that’s why I have such an obsession with all things floral…..?
Anywhoo! One completely unexpected outcome of all my hard work has been the fact that I’ve dropped at least a dress size through all the physical labour involved – Lugging around stones and house bricks from one end of the plot to the other might have seemed a bit tedious at times – But the effort has been worth it on so many levels!
It’s burned up quite a few calories when creating things such as the grand entrance to Plot 29 – Hadn’t considered this until my jeans no longer fit as they’ve become a whole lot looser and baggier over the last few weeks 😉
There’s obviously still loads to do – Tons more digging and weeding, lots more pathways and a seating area to create, setting up some raised beds for rhubarb, globe artichokes and soft fruit bushes, planting an ‘orchard’ area, manuring the spot designated for a polytunnel that’s currently blocking the access into one of the garden sheds back at Bully Bus HQ, painting the fence and the shed aka Zen Den and putting up some nesting boxes and bug hotels for the local beasties. And speaking of our furred, feathered and invertebrate friends……….
This tiny little field mouse popped out of the undergrowth to sunbathe and watch the general proceedings at Plot 29 – He was a real cutie!
Red Kites fly overhead, a little mouse has paid a visit to check on my progress so far and apparently there’s an allotment fox that does the rounds when the sun comes out. It’s definitely a nice little haven to get away from it all – No matter how busy I may be when I consider the 101 jobs that still need tackling.
It’s been a great first month as an allotmenteer – Roll on December, the Midwinter Solstice and the next set of challenges !!!!!! I’m ready for ya!!!! 😉
The Big Blue Bully Bus 