Reviewing the diary over the last twelve years for March
2013 - Infrastructure works, picked up 17 paving slabs off Freecycle, met my plot neighbour for the first time, finally after clearing I started on digging and weeding, Comfrey roots purchased and grown in toilet rolls.
2014 - Infrastructure works continue, Erected the green house on plot 1A, lighter nights and a few extended lunch time visits from work and early evening visits, Spuds sown and solar tents to warm up the soil on beds. Sowing seeds and a hard frost at the end of March
2015 - Infrastructure Works, the very last two beds and paths on Plot 1A were formed, Greenhouse clearance ready for using, Collecting and drying Coffee Grounds, Grass cuttings and composting starts, Spuds in buckets and sowing mad March.
2016 - Infrastructure works on Spencer Road Plot 23B, Comfrey beds dug and weeded, Daleks Composting compound started, Lots of Paving Slabs off Freecycle, First two beds weeded and formed, Timber scrounged from roofing works, Spuds planted, Tomatoes sown.
2017 - Infrastructure works, Grow Stations created, walking Onions Bed and Comfrey pipe for Plot 23B, seeds sown and Grow house at home full, Onions and Beetroots sown on allotment.
2018 - The Beast from the East and snow early March this year, Infrastructure works, Woodchipped the paths on plot 1A, Catawissa Walking Onion Bed installed, Catawissa Onion Planting Membrane made, Sowing in Grow Stations from the 9th March, Onions and Beetroots sown on allotment, The Agralan Compact Plug Plant Trainer purchased and used for the first time, Raspberries purchased and planted, Soilfixer over Winter Experiment concludes, Sprout Sowing, Mr Fothergill's Optigrow® Leeks Experiment.
2019 - Infrastructure works, Buy Seed and Cutting compost from Tesco, Quad biking for my Birthday, Onions in Modules in the Growhouse, Chitting Potatoes, Woodchip behind the shed, Full day on the plot as Jen taken out for the day, Cutting and painting timbers for beds, accident injuring leg. Picked up a load of paving slabs off Freecycle, visit to hospital as I had Cellulitis as a result to the injury to my leg. First Early spuds in buckets.
2020 - Covid-19 hits the UK. Cutting weed path membrane. Attended the Gardening Press Event 3rd March. Tree is finally removed from the top of my shed on plot 1A. Visit to the allotment to get parsnips in the ground. Radish in Modules sown, Won Mr Fothergills Swift Cucumber seeds. Runner Bean frame rebuilt.
Tomatoes sown in Grow Stations 11th March. In lockdown due to Jen being high risk and not even going to the plot for exercise. Working on your allotment for exercise is allowed. You can use your car to go to the allotment. Bought more CHM Modules, Sowing Spring Onion seeds. Suttons & Dobies re uplift in business due to people working in their gardens, Composting at home in the back garden using flower buckets.
One could not believe the stupidity of the human race massing for loo rolls and taking little heed of warnings about not going to the seaside etc. Anthia & Hubby Fellow site rep got me sacks of compost and dropped them off. Mr Fothergill saw a 10 fold increase in demand over 14 days due to people working and growing in the garden.
2021 - Infrastructure works, Virtual Gardening Press Event. Keter Store retained and moved. Built and installed the timber base to the plot 1 greenhouse. Cutting path membrane for the remainder of the paths around the Rhubarb beds etc. Installing the plot 1 greenhouse cladding and weeding and clearing the path around SFG bed 1.
Cutting paving slabs for the inside of greenhouse on plot 1. D.T.Brown Raspberry collection arrives Emma on site with be but we remain over 2m appart. Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Fruit & Vegetable Compost to trial. Emma & Kelly assisted in gathering all the debris on the plot. we gathered it up and placed in the greenhouses to keep it dry until we could get it down the dump.
First signs of leaf and growth of the early raspberry canes. Cutting the timbers and painting them for the Square Foot gardening beds. Trench created with the Power Planter for a hose pipe from the tap to the corner of the plot. Emma discovered how much work is involved in removing mares tail, couch grass and bramble roots when clearing a plot. Plot clearance of rubbish with Emma and Kelly taken to the local tip.
Scaffold tubes driven into the ground each end of the Raspberry beds. Taking paving blocks from the back garden down to the allotment to replace the soft bricks (milk bottles full of sand). Hydrating Coir and home and storing on the plot in a coir dustbin.
2022 - Applying Equigrow mulch and conditioner to beds. Clearing the old leaf bin area for the grapevines. Visiting the Harry Potter Experience. fear of Covid and traveling on the tube stopped me going to the Gardening Press Event this year instead I spent time on the allotment. Second grapevine arrives and is planted. Making up the Mels Mix for the two square foot gardening beds, hydrating coir, sowing Watermelons, sowing Aubergines and planning the square foot gardening beds, Chalk Quarry Driving Experience with Emma, Radishes growing, reviewed Son of a Secret Gardener
2023 - Infrastructure works, Getting the weed membrane and paths in along the boundary beds. Freezing artic blast arrives. Unwins garden Wooden Seedbox for the new potting shed. Dalefoot Compost arrives. Building the loft extension for the plot 1A greenhouse. Hydrating Coir whist the sun shines. Weeding and Feeding beds. Asparagus bed cleared and mulched, patio in front of shed on plot 1 leveled. Pebble pool installed. Loft Conversion to Plot 1A Greenhouse installed. Last ever potatoes bought from wilko. A selection of gooseberry, blueberry and Black Current plants bought and planted. Potting shed arrives and is stacked ready for assembly. Bed 16 dressed and weeded ready for beetroots. Sorting out the components to be used in the climbing frame greenhouse.
2024 - I still had ulcers on my legs, I could not drive myself and my mobility was seriously impaired following the radiation treatment for cancer so site visits were limited to when a family member could get me to the allotment. Applying for an Allotment article written. I sorted out my seed collections and produced my seed audit for the year. LBS Waiting List and Vacant Plots information obtained and table updated. Lots of rain and flood warnings issued. Article written about the history of Mill Green Allotment. Melons sown. Harvesting French bean seeds from beans dried and saved in the potting shed, Storm Nelson damaged my windows in the potting shed and I improvised a temporary replacement.
This year I'm in a much better shape physically and mentally, and have been getting down to the allotment when the weather is conducive to a visit and working . Last PET/CT Scan Mid November said I was stable but blood results looks like I may have active disease. Another PET/CT Scan 15th February and I have an appointment with haematology to get results on 10th March.
My objective is to get as many raised beds installed by mid April
To Do List
- Greenhouse 1 - Currently being used to house all the cardboard to be used in the new raised beds, The Loft Conversion is failing and needs remedial works.
- Infrastructure - Convert standard 2.4m x 1.2m beds to 2 number 1.2 x 0.9m Raised beds with a path between for bed 16.
- Potting Shed - Finish tidying up the potting shed ready for Spring 2025
- Greenhouse 1A - Set up more Coffee to dry out
- Daleks - Dig in the additional Daleks along the path with plot 2A
- Main Crop Potatoes - Harvest the last 3 buckets as required
- Onions - Overwintering Onions and Shallots in weed bed as necessary.
- Leaf Cages - Move contents of secondary cage to primary cage half done last month
- Apple Trees - Prune & Stabilise
- Grape Vines - Prune
Sowing and Planting Plan for March
March
Infrastructure Work
Build Square Foot garden beds higher
Week 1 Asparagus – Sow seeds inside
Week 1 Parsnip – Germinate in Take-a-way containers
Week 1 Squash / Pumpkins - Prepare Soil
Week 1 Radish – Sow fortnightly until the end of September
Week 1 Lettuce (Winter) – Sow fortnightly
Week 2 Brussels Sprouts - Sow seeds of early varieties
Week 1 - 2 Carrot - sow seed of early varieties under cloches
Week 1 - 2 Carrot - sow Bugs Bunny varieties in Cut Down Water Butt
Week 1 - 2 Beetroots - sow in modules in the Greenhouse or Potting Shed
Week 2 Garlic- plant in late winter / spring
Week 2 Rhubarb - start to harvest
Week 2 Tomatoes - sow seed inside
Week 2 Melon – Amarillo Ora - sow indoors
Week 3 Asparagus - apply spring fertiliser
Week 3 Cauliflower (early summer) - harden off
Week 3 Spring Onions - start to sow fortnightly
Week 3 Spinach - sow seed outside
Week 3 Parsnip – Transplant into loo rolls once signs of germination
Week 4 Radish – Sow fortnightly
Week 4 Lettuce - start sowing seed outside every two weeks
Week 4 Beetroot - sow seeds under cloches
Week 4 Brussels Sprouts - thin seedlings as they appear
Week 4 Cauliflower (early summer) - plant out
Week 4 Onions - sow seed outdoors
Week 4 Potatoes - plant out sprouted sets
Week 4 Sweet Peppers - pot up
End of April Last Frost Date
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