Friday, June 30

A Manic Monday

The weather forecast, which turned out to be fairly accurate, was poor for this week so we decided that we needed to make the most of Monday and carry out a long overdue task. We don't usually go to the plot on a morning but we decided on Monday to make a special effort.

So what was the task that drew us? Nothing really directly gardening focused. We really, really needed to sort out the shed.
We don't keep anything in our allotment shed that is of any value as sheds tend to be broken into. Our shed is full of things like fertilisers, netting, gardening gloves and items such as plastic cartons for transporting harvests. Useful things which would be of little value to someone intent in acquiring items to sell on. It's other purpose is to give us somewhere to shelter during showers or as a place to make a drink. The clutter meant that we could hardly fit inside. It was also in need of a good clean. We needed a dry day for this big clear out as the first task was to take everything out and sweep out the cobwebs.

Martyn headed off to the tip with bags of rubbish whilst I washed the shelves the floors and - don't laugh - cleaned the windows. Well I want would-be thieves to be able to get a good look inside to see that there is nothing worth stealing housed in there.

Everything back in place and we have a suitable hidewaway.
It didn't actually take as long to sort the shed out as we thought it would, so in the afternoon, there was time to do a bit more plot tidying. This time the focus area was under the greengage trees. Over the years this area had gradually become overgrown so Martyn had been tidying it bit by bit.
We now have another area where we can sit in shade - when it is sunny - and enjoy a coffee break.

This isn't just a seating area. Firstly we have made use of our old wheelbarrow. A scrap of weed control fabric was placed in the base as the barrow has a hole in it which will serve as a drainage hole, but we didn't want compost to fall out. The wheelbarrow was filled with home produced compost. I then planted it up with nasturtiums which were transplanted from areas around the plot where they had self sown.
We also had some large bags that we were sent as a freebie with an order a couple of years or so ago. Last year we grew tomatoes in them in the garden greenhouse but they needed a lot of compost to fill them and only supported three tomato plants as does a large grow bag.

We have decided to fill them with more home-made compost and use these as mini raised beds.
In one I planted some lettuce seedlings and sowed salad leaves, mizuna and radishes and in the other I sowed swedes, beetroot and spring onions. In another I will sow pak choy. We think that we may have at least another bag hiding elsewhere in which I may grow some mini carrots next year. Anyone any suggestions for other things that I could grow in them?

It was as well we did have a manic Monday as the weather has been wet for the rest of the week and we haven't been back to the plot. Maybe now that we have a shady sitting area "the sun aint gonna shine anymore".


19 comments:

  1. Goodness ~ you don't fancy a break in west Wales in exchange for garage clearing, do you? Mind, mine wouldn't be half as bad as it is if I wasn't terrified of spiders. Yikes!
    I think salad type crops are perfect in those bags, although I'd be tempted to try a single pumpkin in each and let the vines ramble. Of course, it would mean lots of watering and feeding, but something I'd like to try.

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    1. p.s. forgot to say, it's blowing a hoolie here again and still raining!

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    2. We have a garage here that needs some attention. Actually I find spiders to be fascinating creatures. It seems to be windy all too frequently these days.

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  2. I love your shed. It's so tidy now. My shed gets lots of tidy ups during the year. Your shed looks clean, I have to share mine with several spiders

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    1. There was a surprising lack of spiders , Margaret although many cobwebs,

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  3. So all this horrible weather is your fault then..
    It's supposed to improve next week so with a bit of luck shady areas will be back in demand.

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    1. We actually used the shady area today, Jessica.

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  4. Your shed looks pretty enough, all is in order, Sue. Well done!
    I liked your idea to use large bags. I have three of them with some sand that I add to the soil when plant something. I should grow there veggies as well.

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    1. I just hope that things grow in the bags, Nadezda.

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  5. I enjoyed the peek into your shed, mine would take much longer to deal with! Smiling at you cleaning windows to deter thieves! Loves the new seating area, wheelbarrow and raised beds. You are an inspiration! wish you'd come round here and sort me out!xxx

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    1. Still plenty more sorting out to do hereabouts, Dina :-)

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  6. I laugh because your "unsorted" garden shed looks like mine on a good day! What a nice spot to ride out the rain with a cup of tea :)

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  7. Everything looks grand! The shed is tidy and the shady area is inviting. I would love to have an old wheelbarrow to plant. Thanks for sharing such a productive day.

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    1. I'm looking forward to the wheelbarrow filling up and flowering, Bonnie

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  8. The shed look so organized now! You remind me of my house stor room! I need to clean in up! ;)
    May be you can plant beetroot in the bag!

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    1. I have sown some beetroot in one, Malar

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  9. Your shed is looking most comfortable now Sue and hopefully there is room for you both to fit in comfortably now. I see there is a spare chair for a visitor too :)

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    1. In fact there are four chairs, Anna so plenty of opportunity for guests to join us.

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