Category: Flighty’s plot

Next Wednesday sees the start of National Tree Week, through to Sunday 7th December.

In celebration of that here are my three plot trees.

(1) (2) and  (3)

They are a Hawthorn (1), Common Oak (2) and Common Ash (3). All are no more than a foot high so not very impressive yet.

Far more impressive is this willow tree that is to the left of the allotment gates.

Last Sunday I noticed a couple of broken branches on the ground under the canopy so on Wednesday I took a saw with me and the log pile has now grown somewhat! I also gathered some of the leaves from under there and added them to one of the compost heaps.

A good site for identifying trees is British Trees, and another good tree site is Trees for Cities.

On Thursday morning I spent a couple of hours doing some general plotting when I took these photos

and

The latter I should be able to find in British Bugs, which is an online identification guide to UK Hemiptera!

I have to say that my mood this morning whilst walking to the hut was a bit like the weather, namely rather sombre.

I was wondering why morons do things like this, details which you can read about on Daffy’s entry Why? Why? Why?

My thoughts are also with Beginninghere, Nikki and the cats, and hoping that they are all okay.

At the hut I had my usual chat, a cup of tea, bought some bird food and Christmas Draw raffle tickets before heading to the plot.

I was pleased to see 1), although it’s not a good photo, and they were very vocal and flying round, (see also below).  Last week I took 2) which was one of a bunch squabbling away as usual.

1)  2)  3) 

This rye grass 3) caught my eye as did the still flowering mallow 4). Look at the roses Valentine Heart 5) and Pretty Lady 6)

4)  5)  6) 

All over the plot the past couple of weeks have been lots of 7) and 8) which is not surprising given the relatively mild and very damp conditions.

Back at the end of October Frog SoCal 9) was noted on the end of the log pile enjoying the sunshine!

7)  8)  9)

On the way home I passed the entrance to the adjacent ecology park and heard a now familiar sound. Just through the gate to the left are some trees in which were

It looks like I’m going to see lots of these from now on, so let’s hope I get a good photo or two!

Despite the weather being overcast, breezy and trying to drizzle on both Wednesday and Thursday I went plotting and was actually busy for a change!

On Wednesday I cut down the Comfrey, chopped it up and added it to both compost heaps where it will gradually work it’s magic. The plants will soon start to grow back and next year the flowers will again provide a feast for the bees, and other insects, before I start the cycle all over again.

A week or two back Joe’s brother-in-law, who has a half plot like me, kindly gave me a lot of Crocosmia that he’d dug up at home. I divided it up and planted it in a couple of places. I still know it by the old name Montbresia, which is what mum used to call it.

Last Sunday plot neighbour Graham mentioned that he was digging up a lot of well established Daffodils on his plot and to help myself if I wanted any. I forgot on Wednesday but John reminded me as I was packing up so that’s what I did on Thursday. I dug up five large clumps that I replanted around the plot. They, along with the ones already there, should provide some much welcome colour in the spring.  I also planted a packet of  that I’d been given. These are mini ones that only grow about 8″ tall.

I’ve been pondering on what vegetables to grow next year. On Thursday evening I placed an on-line order with MoreVeg, which does realistic quantities at affordable prices, and was recommended to me. I received an email on Friday that my order was in the post!  I’ll do an entry on what I’ve bought another time.

Happy gardening!

The Annual Mallow (Malope trifida) is described in Chiltern Seeds catalogue as a beautiful hardy annual and an old cottage garden favourite.

I bought a packet of Grandiflora Choice Mixed which flowered in shades of crimson (above), some rose  and a few white

They made a nice splash of colour from early August through to last week, and I shall grow them again next year.

It’s not surprising that, after the rain and frosts we’ve had lately, the plot is now looking rather drab.

Apart from a soggy rose (1) and the rosemary (2) now in the stone feature everything is beginning to die back for the winter like this globe artichoke (3).

(1) (2)  (3) 

It was certainly wintry last night as it snowed here for a couple of hours! There were still signs that it’d settled in places such as my log seat (4), near the pond (5) and on the log pile (6)

(4) (5) (6)

As I came through the main gate onto the site I caught a first sighting of a bird on the nut feeder that I’ve mentioned here, but usually only hear or catch a quick glimpse of overhead. Maybe one day I’ll get a photo of one of them like this

It’s good to see all the birds again after a notable few months absence. Watching Autumnwatch last night Bill Oddie explained that during that time adult birds had molted and whilst growing new feathers were less able to fly well so kept themselves hidden away out of harms way.

My last two plot visits, last Sunday and the previous Thursday, were in lovely warm sunshine!

On the Thursday I saw my plot neighbour Irish Brian who I don’t see often as he’s generally there a couple of week-day mornings when I’m not!

Later on I strolled along to see Trevor who was happy to sit and have a chin-wag about allotmenteering, wildlife and the world at large. It was time well spent as his advice is always helpful.

Last Sunday it was dull first thing so I went plotting after an early lunch, by which time it was warm enough to walk there in shirt-sleeves. I’d not been there long when John the bee-keeper wandered over and asked if I’d mind help to move and erect a large shed that he’d acquired.

With four of us, and John being well organised and prepared, it was shifted and put up fairly easily, quickly and without any problems.  Whilst doing that I asked him about his bees as I noticed that he’s now got several hives and there were plenty of bees coming and going across where we were working! Apparently it hasn’t been a good year.

Graham, who has the next but one plot, was sorting out his dahlias many  of which had been badly affected by the rain and cold nights earlier that week. He called across to say finish up what I was doing and stroll over to Joe’s seating area for a beer and a chat with everyone.

A pleasant of couple of hours were spent with John the bee-keeper, his wife Mary who makes prize winning preserves, her dad, Graham, Joe, Dee, Trevor, the other John and a few others who just stopped by to say hello or goodbye.

Afterwards I remembered to take these few photos on the plot as I knew that I wouldn’t be there again until today by which time they’d probably be gone!

The rose Valentine Heart 1) and 2) managed another flourish, and one of the multi-headed Sunflowers Autumn Beauty 3) finally bloomed

1) 2)  3)

A wonderful Californian Poppy 4), some Poached Egg Plant flowers 5) and when I was taking down the runner beans I found these Sweet Peas 6) hidden away among them!

4) 5) and 6)