Monthly Archive

I was going to do lots of research on the right things to grow but I got carried away and have ordered a bunch of seeds to get me started, no doubt there will be a number of other frenzied seed buying stints, but for now here’s my list:

• Calabrese ‘Marathon’ F1 (Brocolli)
  “The commercial best-seller - producing large heads on sturdy stems. Can be sown and harvested successionally over a very long period.”
• Cucumber ‘Futura’ F1
  “An all female variety which has good resistance to powdery mildew. Heavy cropping, slim long fruits.”
• Lettuce ‘Flamenco’
  “This delicious improved red oakleaf will add colour and flavour to salads. Resistant to mildew and is slow to bolt.” - which is handy!
• Pepper (Capsicum) ‘Pepper Apple‘
  “Mild and juicy, almost apple-like flavour and distinctive top shape. Quick to mature in variable weather conditions, you can pick green or, if you can wait approx. 3 weeks when red.”
• Squash ‘Pilgrim Butternut’ F1
  “A selection of the ever popular Butternut family with a less vigorous vine habit. It exhibits outstanding resistance to cracking and has long storage ability. Good sweet orange flesh (Semi-bush type).”
• Squash, Butternut ‘Barbara’ F1
  “Attractive high quality ‘butternut’ variety, with a unique green and orange stripy pattern o the outer skin. The interior flesh is sweet and an intense orange, which is high in beto-carotene. Stores well if kept in a frost-free room after harvest.”
• Basil ‘Sweet Genovese’
  “This is an aromatic herb which has many culinary uses, particularly popular in Mediterranean dishes.”

I’ve set up a group on Flickr.com where other Otley allotment owners can post their pictures, share advice etc etc . Take a look… http://flickr.com/groups/otleydiggers/

well, made a start at least - only problem is I ran out of sand!! grrr.

It’s even harder work with a furry jacket. Midge takes a break whilst laying the foundations to the new shed.

I’ve taken a panorama shot so I can chart my progress and hopefully look back later in a year and be happy with my handywork.

Clearing the ground in preperation for my shed started in earnest today. 16 paving stones and 600 weight of river sand was hauled to site (thanks Mark) in the back of my little red mini.

This is my first post as an allotment owner. I’m plot no. 27 on the Burras site in Otley, West Yorkshire. Plan is to create a personal diary of my progress and put together some useful links to other blogs. Well, that’ s the plan…