Finally back doing a bit..

Haven't visited in days. But ground a lot firmer now. Was going to plant my first earlies which I've been chitting..

But after reading Allotment Gardening for Dummies by Sven Wombwell (which I just picked up from the library) which says on p144 put plenty of well rotted organic matter down under the spuds and talking with Paddy (allotment neighbour) who says the ground is too cold I think I'll hold off till after the weekend.

So I started weeding the last bed which is in a desperate state...

Which hopefully I'll finish tomorrow..

And start enjoying my red cabbage and rhubarb will I just pulled :)

So I bring the large black trug back up tomorrow with the contents of the rotating composter and start added that to my spud drills :)

Hopefully, my allotment composters will start producing this year as well :)

Great aerial photos..

Not at allotment myself today as concentrating on burying concrete roof pieces! See http://tolaparkstudio.blogspot.ie/ But my neighbour Noel Moore of Up the Banner Photography took these amazing shots!

Thanks a million Noel! :)

Weeded two raised beds in the sunshine..

Great sunny weather today. So weeded two more raised beds. Before..

And after :)

Great dry day and weeded a bed..

Cycled to allotment and it stayed dry. Before..

and after..

Here are some of the good (runner bean seeds) and bad guys (nettles, ..) found!

Also potted a lettuce - still have frost so not letting it out yet! (and improved my spud chitting)

And ate half of one of my red cabbages :)

Good day yesterday at the allotment I finished digging the second drill, formed drills and put some weed barrier down to form a water sump at the end of the drills and at the side of the allotment. Though my right hip played up a lot.

Next to concentrate on weeding existing beds and bringing on seeds :) Especially those given to me for my Birthday! Should be ready on St Pat's day to plant my chitted first earlies.

Had a nice chat with two fellow allotmenteers - both called Toms. It was thirsty work yesterday :)

Finished digging first drill..

The switched to adding a pipe to drain bottom of plot (which is also where all the long white couch grass roots are!)..

Bought 15m of pipe and drilled holes at each end and then used sheet staples to hold it down in trench...

Looks like its doing the trick! :) Before..

and after..

with the water going downhill past the plots..

Then started on weeding the beds :)

slow but satisfying - especially when I remove some slugs and free my onions knowing that last year's beans have nitrogenated the soil for me :)

Finally started to dig.... ! :)

Well after a few days of heavy rain I'm finally starting to dig a few drills for my spuds.

I will redig the existing drills which I have covered over since I got the allotment.

Should have both drills dug in a few days weather permitting - hard to ensure I get all the weeds out though!

I also took down the plastic greenhouse from the backyard to take to Mayo later in the month along with the glass greenhouse I bought last year :) Here's a picture from the Co-op Superstore website:

Meanwhile my first early spuds (Sharpe's Express and Home Guard) are now chitting:

Storm Doris took away my shed roof!

First time at the allotment this afternoon since I came back from London late Sunday.

I was met with my roof blown off ...

... but still in tact so easy put back ...

and fix down this time! 😆

Then cleared out all the junk and reworked original gaffer taped frame so I have 8 stable shelves to put seed trays on.

Finally, added door knob. Pity the inner one clashes with the wood!

Tomorrow I'll take down the 2nd plastic greenhouse from the back yard and put its potting desk, etc. in the wooden allotment greenhouse.

Let's hope its drier tomorrow and I don't have to sit out the rain like today! Especially as I just paid €45 to Clare Council today for 2017.