Allotment Diary

Allotment Diary – A Cold and Frosty Morning

It was cold down the allotment, very cold, but I braved it in order to get some work done.

It was the first frost of the year but luckily I don’t have any plants at risk of damage so it was okay. I did some tidying up and cleared some rubbish away and started to dig over the weedy end. Unfortunately it was warm enough whilst digging but when I stopped to remove the weeds it got far too cold so I decided to stop. I convinced myself it was because I didn’t want to risk harming my worm population by exposing them to the cold but I think the three layers I had on wasn’t enough.

The last three beds that had been manured were covered in black plastic. I’ll uncover them in the spring and see how it’s gone.

Allotment Diary – Building Compost Bins from Pallets

The latest video in my allotment diary series where I build two compost bins from pallets. It was pretty easy to build and I was surprised it only took about an hour (including stopping to make the videos) so it isn’t too hard work. It is, however, wonky when compared to the greenhouse because I was following the line of the road, which curves. Whilst it may not win design awards it is functional and it does not spill out on to the road.

I’ve used 5 pallets for the compost bin plus two additional pallets for doors so I can pile the compost higher. The compost is direct on to the soil to encourage worms into it to help break the compost down. There’s rather a lot and there will be more. The larger roots aren’t broken down yet and they may end up being removed before I use the compost as I am not sure they will break down in time.

Now this is done, and the compost pile moved, I can start work digging the other end of the allotment where the compost pile was and building some raised beds there.